CBS News Radio Closed After 98 Years
The historic radio network ceased operations in May 2026 after nearly a century of broadcasting.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Television
Live Poll
Should media companies prioritize maintaining their long-standing brand traditions during business restructuring?
CBS News shuttered its long-running CBS News Radio network in May 2026. The decision marked the end of a 98-year legacy in American broadcasting.
Why it matters
The closure reflects a broader shift in the media industry and changing programming priorities within major news organizations. The move was finalized by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and CBS News President Tom Cibrowski.
CBS News Radio existed for 98 years before ceasing operations. The network shutdown occurred following a tenure during which industry figures like Larry Magid spent two decades at the organization.
The players
Bari Weiss
Bari Weiss serves as the editor-in-chief of CBS News and oversaw the organizational restructuring.
Tom Cibrowski
Tom Cibrowski is the President of CBS News who participated in the decision to close the radio division.
David Ellison
David Ellison is an executive who appointed Bari Weiss to her position as editor-in-chief.
Larry Magid
Larry Magid is a radio veteran who maintained a two-decade tenure at the network and publicly criticized its closure.
Scott Pelley
Scott Pelley is a veteran broadcaster who was fired from the program 60 Minutes during the organizational shift.
The details
Editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, appointed by David Ellison, oversaw the closure of the network and the firing of various producers and correspondents. Weiss cited the evolving media landscape and shifting programming responsibilities as the primary drivers behind the decision to shutter the brand.
Timeline
CBS News Radio was officially shut down in May 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The shutdown of a century-old radio brand mirrors the industry-wide contraction of traditional broadcast media in favor of digital-first distribution. This follows a pattern set by the ongoing decline of terrestrial radio broadcast revenue across national news organizations.
Listeners can no longer access the long-standing radio programming that served as a staple of the network for nearly a century. This change removes traditional terrestrial news options from the audience's daily media consumption habits.
The takeaway
The end of this radio institution highlights how rapid shifts in media ownership and strategy can quickly dissolve long-standing broadcast entities. Viewers and listeners should remain aware that historical branding provides no immunity against organizational restructuring.
Further reading
For more background on industry shifts, visit the Television section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CINEMABLEND.
Live Poll
Should media companies prioritize maintaining their long-standing brand traditions during business restructuring?
