2025 saw many changes take place across the music radio landscape. Barrett Media is reflecting on the top stories of the year by sharing this Top 5 list. Though lists can be subjective, we’ve used traffic, industry chatter and social engagement to help determine our order.
Familiar voices in both music and radio passed on during the year. Layoffs continued across numerous markets and companies. Stations flipped formats. Talent exited popular shows/brands such as The Fred Show, Mojo in the Morning, Preston & Steve, KROQ, KSHE and others. Even prominent programmers Keith Cunningham, Jim Ryan, Terrie Carr and others said goodbye to brands they helped make successful.
But new voices and leaders arrived too at winning brands like B101, Star 94, 105.7 The Point, and 103.1 The Wolf. Some shows expanded their reach and national business such as Tino Cochino, B-Dub, Murphy, Sam & Jodi, Jesse & Anna, and the Bret Mega Show. And Charlamagne tha God’s value to iHeartMedia and Premiere Networks was confirmed with a lucrative 5-year deal worth a reported $200 million dollars.
But topping our list for 2025’s top stories was the passing of WMMR personality Pierre Robert. The news sent shockwaves across Philadelphia and the rock music industry. Legends come and go in all industries, but the loss of Robert left a giant sized hole in the heart and soul of WMMR and the entire radio industry.
#5 – iHeart Takes a Stand Against Artificial Intelligence
AI usage is rampant across the world in various industries, but in radio, opinions are mixed. Some have used it to replace voiceover talent and on-air personalities. Others see that as a cardinal sin that goes against what makes radio special.
What isn’t debatable is where the industry’s largest radio operator stands. iHeartMedia has picked a side, guaranteeing all radio and podcast personalities and songs aired on their stations will be Guaranteed Human. Even as the music industry invests hundreds of million dollars in the future of AI music, iHeart is making it clear ‘it doesn’t air here unless it’s human’.
The new edict from Chief Programming Officer Tom Poleman emphasized the company’s commitment to companionship, connection, and authenticity. Those three qualities are seen as difficult to replace by AI.
Poleman informed iHeart employees that on November 24th, ‘Guaranteed Human’ would become a core part of the company’s messaging. He shared that it isn’t just a tagline but rather a company promise, reinforced through imaging to give listeners a greater reason to trust what they’re hearing each time they tune in.
In a memo to staffers, Poleman shared that research shows 70% of consumers say they use AI as a tool, but 90% want their media from real humans. 92% use social media, but 2/3 say it makes them feel worse and more disconnected. 92% say nothing can replace human connection — up from 76% in 2016. And 9 in 10 say human trust can’t be replicated with AI.
Poleman said iHeart does encourage using AI to help with business operations such as scheduling, workflow automation, data analysis, audience insights, editing, organization, show prep, etc.. However, when it comes to serving audiences, 96% find ‘Guaranteed Human’ content appealing, and iHeart is embracing it. He closed by adding, “Sometimes you have to pick a side — we’re on the side of humans.”
#4 – Connoisseur Media Purchases Alpha Media to Become Prominent Music Radio Player
The news broke on May 5, 2025. Connoisseur Media struck a deal to acquire Alpha Media. The purchase would expand the company from 11 stations to over 215, growing its footprint to 47 markets, reaching 20% of the United States.
The sale was finalized on September 4, 2025, the same day Warshaw spoke at Barrett Media’s News Summit in New York City. During a conversation with Barrett Media CEO Jason Barrett, Warshaw shared how he planned to bolster the company.
“We have great people, and we are going to continue adding people. Connoisseur has traditionally done business with extremely high market share, great ratings, huge sales staffs, and big involvement in our communities.”
Warshaw candidly shared how he discovered during market visits that a number of clusters lacked the resources to win. They had some staff but lacked vehicles and a street presence to compete against larger brands.
“That’s just not the way that we operate,” explained Warshaw. “If we’re going to be in a market, we’re there to win, to be a great place to work, where there’s positive energy, excitement, and enthusiasm for winning. Where we can get great results for our clients, and be intrinsic to our communities. If we’re going to be in the market, we want to be there to win and be the best level media operation.”
Warshaw’s passion and commitment for local radio was seen as a huge positive across the industry in 2025. Connoisseur would add more stations in October, acquiring Bonneville’s San Francisco cluster. The company would sell a few smaller locations not considered pivotal to their future business interests. The company’s programming leadership was put into Keith Dakin’s hands. Respected Alpha Media executive Phil Becker left the company as part of the acquisition.
#3 – Ebro Darden, Peter Rosenberg and Lauren Stylez Exit HOT 97
After 13 years in mornings, Ebro in the Morning was canceled by management at HOT 97 in New York City.
Speaking candidly on The Ebro Laura Rosenberg Show on YouTube, Rosenberg and Darden reflected on the show’s conclusion. They described the process as abrupt, impersonal and emblematic of an industry slow to evolve.
Rosenberg shared how he was informed of his termination. He explained that after a nearly 20-year run his exit was treated like a corporate transaction. Peter detailed months of uncertainty leading up to the decision, confirming that he worked without a contract for months.
Darden was outspoken about the company’s plans, previously warning that darker days were ahead. He said afterwards, “I’ve been telling y’all for months — years — that the new ownership of the big legend, HOT 97, didn’t give a damn about investing in this damn thing here. No new studios. Making cuts, cutting staff, cutting this, cutting that. Then I hear last Thursday, (Funkmaster) Flex tweeting about his last show and that they’re keeping our show on until 11 o’clock. I didn’t get an email, a text, a heads up, nothing.”
Despite the split, Darden and Rosenberg expressed love for HOT 97 and its audience. They made a point to distance both from its ownership group, MediaCo. Little has been said by the company since the cancellation of the morning show.
Meanwhile, Ebro, Stylez and Rosenberg have moved to YouTube. In just two weeks, the show has already generated nearly 40,000 subscribers. Superadio, the show’s national syndicator, is remaining in business with the trio too. They say they’re looking forward to the future.
As of this writing, HOT 97 has not named a permanent replacement in mornings. The station did hire three new digital voices. Funkmaster Flex has been filling in, adding that he accepted the morning show position starting in 2029.
That decision raises questions about the station’s morning plans for the next 3 years. What happens if the show is or isn’t successful during that time frame? MediaCo representatives will have to explain that once they announce their new direction.
#2 – The Bert Show Signs Off
The Bert Show officially signed off in Atlanta on Friday October 24, 2025, ending a remarkable 24-year run. Bert Weiss launched the program in 2001, growing it to more than two dozen affiliates around the nation. His career earned him an induction into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame, recognition from the Friends of Georgia Radio Hall of Fame, and three National Radio Hall of Fame nominations.
As Weiss hosted his final show, he acknowledged how proud he was of what the show accomplished. He said the one thing he was taking with him was a big Bert Show sign that hung behind him. Bert explained that it wasn’t just a studio sign but a logo that represented uniting a city for 25 years.
The final episode of the show on Q99.7 went two hours past its normal end time. Former show members shared memories, family members detailed how much Weiss sacrificed for the audience, and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Dickens dropped by to thank Weiss for a quarter century of service to the Atlanta community. As expected, a trail of tears were produced as well.
Weiss’ oldest song Hayden joked that he didn’t think the day would ever come when Bert would step away. He figured his father would do the show until he was in hospice…in three years.
In signing off, Weiss said 25 years in radio is equal to a thousand years. He was joyful, grateful, and emotional as he thanked his audience for the final time. He explained that he was ready for retirement and hoped that the show provided an important lesson about the value of entertainment. No matter where we scroll, human connection is needed, and the Bert Show helped many do that.
#1 – WMMR Personality Pierre Robert Passes Away, Leaving Thousands in Philadelphia and Across the Music Industry in Mourning
Longtime 93.3 WMMR midday host Pierre Robert died in late October at the age of 70. He was found dead at his home. No cause of death has been announced as of this writing. The day prior to his passing, Robert spoke with Barrett Media writer Mike Stern. It would become his final interview. Fortunately, Mike recorded the conversation. It gave a look into Pierre’s radio soul, and showcased his love and passion for life, music, and WMMR. You can hear it through the video below.
Robert joined WMMR in 1981 and became known as the rock format’s voice of record in Philadelphia. He was the cornerstone of WMMR’s sound and spirit, known for his signature “Greetings, Citizens” greeting, warm personality, and encyclopedic music knowledge. He was as much a part of Philadelphia’s rock culture as the music he played. His longstanding features such as Noontime Workforce Blocks, Pierre’s Vinyl Cut, On This Day music history segments, and high-profile artist interviews became benchmarks for local listeners.
Some of rock music and Philadelphia radio’s most popular names offered condolences upon learning of his passing. During a conversation with Preston & Steve, on WMMR Shinedown vocalist Brent Smith said, “Anybody that knows our band knows that radio is such a major part of who we are. Pierre was a major part of that and will always be a huge part of what our band is. He may be gone in a physical aspect, but his light, love, and spirit is with us always. That’s what you have to remember.”
Robert was a philanthropist by nature. He was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame in 2019 for his work in helping countless local charities, and championing community events like the AIDS Walk.
Following his passing, WMMR created a celebration of life concert to honor their former colleague. The radio station streamed the event which took place before a sold-out crowd at the Fillmore. It included bands and performers Robert supported and loved. Among them were Brent & Zach of Shinedown, Lzzy & Joe of Halestorm, Ed Roland of Collective Soul, The Hooters, In The Pocket and more.
WMMR would later announce Matt Cord as the new midday host. Cord said of the honor, “Although no one can step into those sparkling high-top Converse and fill them, I’ve known Pierre [Robert] for 35 years. I was honored to do the midday show from 1994-1995 when Pierre moved to mornings. Along with MMR’s loyal listeners, I’ve shared so many cool moments with ‘The Duke.’ The people who have worked at the station over the years have formed a brotherhood and sisterhood. Pierre was at the heart of it. I promise to carry his amazing spirit into the studio bearing his name and do my best to make him proud.”
Barrett Media CEO Jason Barrett shared why Robert belongs in both the Radio Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Here’s to hoping the memorable work Pierre did is celebrated again in 2026.
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