Business20 March, 20262 min read
CBS News shutters radio news service after nearly a century.
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CBS News Radio will end on May 22 after nearly 100 years. Shutdown blamed on challenging economic times and the shift to digital sources.
Service Closure Announcement
CBS News announced the closure of its storied radio news service on Friday, March 20, 2026, after nearly a century of operation. The decision cites challenging economic times as the world transitions to digital news sources and podcasts. Longtime CBS News anchor Dan Rather lamented that 'It's another piece of America that is gone.'
“CBS News said Friday it will shut down its storied radio news service after nearly 100 years of operation, ending an era and blaming challenging economic times as the world moves on to digital sources and podcasts. Said longtime CBS News anchor Dan Rather: 'It's another piece of America that is gone.'”
The shutdown reflects broader industry trends as traditional media outlets face pressure from changing consumption patterns. Economic constraints in the digital age have forced difficult decisions at established news organizations.
Historical Legacy
The CBS News radio service first went on air in September 1927, holding significant historical importance.
It served as the precursor to the entire CBS network, providing a foundational start for network founder William S. Paley.
The service established itself as a news standard with extensive resources and a very high trust factor.
Its trust factor was considered the benchmark for journalism in its era.
Its longevity spanning nearly a century made it one of America's most enduring news institutions.
It represented a bygone era of broadcast journalism that has now been officially concluded.
Leadership Changes
The closure comes amid significant leadership changes at CBS News. Ingrid Weiss, founder of the Free Press website, has been appointed as the network's new boss. Weiss has quickly become a polarizing figure in journalism.
“Weiss, founder of the Free Press website and without broadcast news experience before being hired by CBS parent Paramount's new management, has quickly become a headline-maker and polarizing figure in journalism. She held a '60 Minutes' story critical of President Donald Trump's deportation policy from being broadcast for a month and has critics watching to see if she's moving the network in a Trump-friendly direction.”
She previously held a '60 Minutes' story critical of President Donald Trump's deportation policy from being broadcast for a month. In a January address to her staff, Weiss invoked Walter Cronkite's name as a symbol of old thinking. She warned that if the network continues with its current strategy, 'we're toast.'
She announced the hiring of 18 new contributors. She emphasized the need for stories that will 'surprise and provoke — including inside our own newsroom.'
Industry Transformation
The shutdown signals broader transformation within the media industry. Traditional broadcast news faces unprecedented challenges from digital platforms. Changing audience preferences are forcing significant shifts in news consumption patterns.
The closure represents a move away from the era when radio news was a primary information source. The industry is adapting to a landscape dominated by podcasts and streaming services. Online content delivery is replacing traditional broadcast models.
CBS's move may indicate similar challenges facing other legacy media outlets. The transition from traditional broadcast to digital-first operations creates complex industry dynamics.