In a tough 2024, radio has quietly made something of a comeback this month – its version of an “October Surprise.” And when you total up some of the amazing things that have happened on the radio airwaves this month, it’s a great reminder about how impactful the medium can still be.

Anytime I see a legacy media brand stage a comeback, I don’t just get celebratory. Or nostalgic. Instead, I dig in to try to figure out how they did it. Once such triumph recently occurred for a magazine that was first launched in 1857 – before the Civil War. The fact it’s enjoying great success in 2024, a trying time for all media – makes it worthy of our time.

The relative health of the radio broadcasting industry is always a hot topic and a subject of much debate. But back in October of 2020, those conversations were being overshadowed by the pandemic, an event that even back then we knew would be a game changer. Four years ago, it was a different world – but not really. I think when you take a look back with me, you’ll gain some perspective about where we are now as an industry. And even better, you won’t have to social distance or wear a mask!