CBS News Radio Ends After Almost 100 Years

Dan Rather praises CBS News Radio as a national institution.

CBS News Radio will stop broadcasting after nearly 100 years on Friday.

The American radio service started in 1927 and was the first part of the CBS News network.

The CBS World News Roundup started in 1938, and people listened to it for news from Europe during World War II. It was the longest-running American network newscast.

This reporting gave Americans a way to learn about the world.

Dan Rather said his parents used radio to learn about what was happening in Germany. He also said radio was like a magic carpet that took you to other places.

CBS News Radio is signing off for the last time.

Dan Rather said he listened to the radio a lot as a child because he was sick. He was very interested in what was happening on the radio.

Before working in TV, Dan Rather started in radio. He covered John F. Kennedy's visit to Dallas and became one of the main journalists covering the assassination.

The service helped unite Americans for many years, Dan Rather said.

Dan Rather said CBS Radio should be remembered as a national institution.

The service became a trusted source for news and international reporting over the years. It built a legacy and earned respect, said Allison Keyes, a CBS News Radio host.

Allison Keyes remembered the coverage of the 9/11 attacks as an example of the service's good work. People needed to know what was happening in real-time, without any bias or politics.

Recently, CBS News Radio was known for its hourly news updates, which were heard on about 700 CBS affiliate stations across the US.

Ted Johnson said the service was authoritative and reliable, and people knew they could trust the news they heard on it.

The news on CBS News Radio was not rumors or speculation, but what was actually happening at the time.

Professor Richard John praised the service's stable of reporters and its status as a trusted voice for Americans and people around the world.

However, there have been changes in how people get their news, Professor John said.

He asked how many people still listen to radio news, and noted that people now get their news from the internet, Facebook, and other online sources.

Professor John said people do not all listen to the news at the same time anymore. If there is breaking news, people check online instead of turning on the radio.

In late 2025, CBS made cuts to its radio programming, including eliminating some news shows.

CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss announced the layoffs and closure of CBS News Radio, saying they could not find a way to keep the service going despite trying.

Weiss said radical changes in the media industry made it impossible to sustain the radio operation.

In August, Skydance Media acquired CBS's parent company, Paramount.

Some people have criticized the decision to close CBS News Radio instead of adapting it for podcasts and streaming.

Deadline's Ted Johnson said there are many ideas that radio stations and networks can use, especially with a recognizable brand like CBS News Radio.

Johnson believes the closure of CBS News Radio is a loss for journalism and diversity of voice in American media.

Since the start of 2026, there have been cuts at CBS and other news organizations, including the Washington Post and The Associated Press.

Johnson said all these news sources have been overshadowed by opinion voices on podcasts, cable news, and streaming.

Johnson is concerned about who will control the voice that most Americans hear now that there will be fewer major players in radio news.

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