Growth is one of the clearest signals that a program is connecting with listeners, and Cats & Cosby continues to build that momentum. According to Nielsen Audio Trend data from Spring 2025 to Fall 2025 among Adults 35 to 64, the show posted a 15.3% increase in Average Quarter Hour listening, rising from 14,400 listeners in Spring 2025 to 16,600 in Fall 2025. That type of AQH growth reflects stronger engagement, meaning more listeners are not only tuning in but staying with the program throughout the broadcast. The show’s weekly reach also increased during the same period, with Cume rising 2.4% from 73,700 to 75,500 listeners. Together, these numbers show a program that is steadily building audience loyalty and expanding its footprint in a key talk radio demographic. Source: Nielsen Audio Trend (Spring 25 – Fall 25), Adults 35–64.
At the heart of the show’s success is the chemistry between cohosts John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby, two voices with very different backgrounds but a natural connection behind the microphone. The two hosts are close friends off the air, and that relationship translates into an easy, conversational dynamic that listeners quickly recognize. Catsimatidis brings the perspective of a businessman who has spent decades in the middle of New York’s economic and political landscape, while Cosby contributes the instincts of a seasoned journalist who knows how to guide conversations and ask the questions listeners are thinking. The result is a program that balances news, analysis, and personality in a way that feels genuine rather than scripted.
John Catsimatidis is widely known as the entrepreneur who built the iconic New York supermarket chain Gristedes, but his story begins far more modestly. Born in Greece and raised in New York City, he started working in a small grocery store while attending college and eventually turned that early experience into a business empire spanning food retail, energy, aviation, real estate, and media. Today he owns Red Apple Media and the legendary WABC Radio, yet on the air he speaks with the warmth and candor of someone who still sees himself as a neighborhood businessman. Catsimatidis frequently draws on decades of relationships in politics, business, and New York civic life, giving listeners insight that comes from firsthand experience rather than secondhand commentary. He often shares stories from his journey as an immigrant entrepreneur, mixing humor, personal anecdotes, and real world business perspective that resonates with audiences.
Rita Cosby brings an equally compelling presence to the microphone. A three time Emmy Award winning journalist, Cosby built her reputation covering major national and international stories while working with outlets such as Fox News Channel and MSNBC. Beyond broadcasting, she is also a bestselling author whose book Quiet Hero tells the deeply personal story of her father, a Polish resistance fighter who survived World War II. That personal history often shapes the way she approaches interviews, bringing empathy and emotional intelligence to conversations with guests. Cosby is known for her energetic style and ability to balance serious discussion with warmth and humor, whether she is talking politics, culture, or human interest stories. She is also a strong advocate for veterans and first responders, something that regularly surfaces in the topics and guests featured on the program.
Together, Catsimatidis and Cosby create a show that feels as much like a conversation between friends as it does a traditional talk program. Their friendship allows for playful banter and spontaneous moments that make the broadcast feel authentic and engaging. That balance of insight, personality, and chemistry is a big reason why the show continues to build audience momentum. As the Nielsen numbers indicate, listeners are discovering the program, sticking with it longer, and coming back week after week.