CBS News Radio to Shut Down After Nearly a Century

Network cites financial pressures and shift to digital media as reasons for ending storied radio news service.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:21pm

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CBS News announced it will shut down its long-running radio news service, bringing an end to a broadcast institution that has operated for nearly 100 years. The network cited financial pressures and the continued shift toward digital platforms and podcasts as key reasons behind the decision. The service, which first went on air in September 1927, played a central role in shaping how Americans consumed news throughout the 20th century.

Why it matters

The closure of CBS News Radio marks the end of an era for American radio journalism. The service was once considered a gold standard, known for its credibility, reach, and consistency in delivering breaking news and top-of-the-hour updates to hundreds of affiliate stations nationwide. Its disappearance underscores the broader transformation in how news is produced, distributed, and consumed in the modern era.

The details

CBS News confirmed the radio service will officially end on May 22, 2026. The network currently provides content to roughly 700 stations across the country, but cited financial pressures and the shift to digital platforms as reasons for the shutdown. The closure follows earlier cuts to radio programming, including the cancellation of 'Weekend Roundup' and 'World News Roundup Late Edition' in late 2025.

  • CBS News Radio first went on air in September 1927.
  • The service will officially shut down on May 22, 2026.

The players

CBS News

A major American broadcast news company and the news division of the CBS television network.

William S. Paley

The founder of CBS and a pioneering figure in the development of American radio and television broadcasting.

Edward R. Murrow

A legendary CBS correspondent who made his name reporting from the front lines of World War II and confronting Sen. Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s Red Scare.

Dan Rather

A veteran anchor who followed Walter Cronkite as the face of CBS News and recalled a time when radio reporting held equal weight to television.

Bari Weiss

The CBS News editor-in-chief who told staff the company had explored multiple options to sustain the radio operation but ultimately could not find a viable path forward.

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What they’re saying

“Radio was considered an equal responsibility to television.”

— Dan Rather, Veteran CBS News Anchor

“Given the way things are going, I was saddened but I wasn't surprised.”

— Dan Rather, Veteran CBS News Anchor

“This is another part of the landscape that has fallen off into the sea. It's a shame. It's a loss for the country and for the industry.”

— Michael Harrison, Publisher of Talkers

What’s next

The closure of CBS News Radio comes amid wider layoffs at CBS News, with the company cutting about 6% of its workforce, or more than 60 employees. It remains unclear how many of those losses are directly tied to the radio division.

The takeaway

The shutdown of CBS News Radio marks the end of an era for American radio journalism, as the network's storied radio news service, which helped define broadcast news for nearly a century, succumbs to the financial pressures and industry shifts toward digital media and podcasts.