Beasley Media Group has a special reason to celebrate with the calendar flip: the company is marking 65 years of broadcasting in 2026, as what began with one AM station in rural North Carolina has evolved into a “digital-first” multimedia organization.
The company was founded on December 3, 1961, when George Beasley, then a high school principal, secured an FCC license to launch WPYB-AM in Benson, NC. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Beasley expanded into FM, adding stations in Florida and Virginia before going public as Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. in 2000. Two major transactions reshaped its footprint in the 2010s: a 2014 asset swap with CBS Radio that brought the company into major markets and the 2016 acquisition of Greater Media, which added top-tier clusters in Boston, Detroit, and Philadelphia.
Now headquartered in Naples, FL, and led by George’s daughter Caroline, Beasley operates stations in twelve markets.
Of the milestone, she commented, “Reaching 65 years is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and dedication of the people who make Beasley Media Group what it is today. While we are incredibly proud of our legacy, this milestone is equally about where we are headed – continuing to evolve, embrace innovation, and strengthen the local connections that have always set us apart.”
Last year, Beasley formally redefined itself as a “digital-first” company, aligning with wider industry trends as digital grows to account for around 25% of local radio ad spend. “As traditional radio advertising dollars soften, our focus remains on expanding the digital side of our business – an area that continues to grow. This is what our clients and listeners want and expect from us, and we are committed to delivering it,” she told Radio Ink in August.
Still, Beasley has been clear that the company’s digital shift is rooted in the same community values that defined its earliest days.
Throughout 2026, Beasley Media Group will celebrate its 65th anniversary under the theme “65 Strong: Forward Together,” accompanied by a commemorative logo appearing across company communications and events.
