This is a big week for Barrett Media. For months we’ve been planning to launch two new digital shows in 2026. We’ve also been working on expanding our popular Top 20 series. Unlike past years, the Top 20 is extending beyond sports, news and music radio. More to come on that later in this column.
Let’s start first with some background on our forthcoming digital shows.
The 4Cast
Beginning this Wednesday, we are launching the first episode of The 4Cast. Four participants will take part in this show. John Mamola and Garrett Searight will co-anchor it. The other two spots will feature a Barrett Media contributor and a special guest from inside the media industry. I am appearing on the first episode, but this will become John and Garrett’s show. I’ll appear when needs arise or when there’s something important to get into.
The concept for The 4Cast is simple. 4 topics discussed in 25-minutes or less with 4 different people leading different segments. Those subjects will include sports media, music radio, news media, business, and anything else the group feels is important for the audience. Each episode will premiere on Wednesday’s at Noon ET across our social media platforms. Video clips from the show will hit social media platforms in the days that follow. Dylan Barrett is serving as producer and social media director for the show.
The Jason Barrett Podcast
The second video project we’re working on is the relaunch of The Jason Barrett Podcast. I’ll be in San Francisco next week with Dylan and John to record Top 20 reactions, and tape upcoming episodes of the show. Unlike the prior version of this show which focused exclusively on sports media, I plan to broaden my horizons. I’m looking forward to conversations with professionals from news media, sports media, music radio, the music industry, advertising, technology, research and anything else I’m passionate about.
The plan is to relaunch the JBP on March 2nd. The show will be thirty minutes or less unless something requires expanded discussion. It will be released each Monday at 9am ET. Most of the show will be a two-way conversation with professionals from inside the industry. I’ll also deliver a short monologue at the start of each episode. Dylan Barrett is handling producing and video/social duties for the show.
Guest Appearances
For guest consideration on either show, email Jason@BarrettMedia.com. John, Garrett and Dylan will handle all 4Cast matters. Dylan and I will set the direction for the JBP.
To avoid missing future episodes, please subscribe to the Barrett Media YouTube Channel. Also, if you’re not doing this already, follow us on X, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.
Quick Takes
Another video project we’re excited to launch after the Super Bowl is something we’re calling Barrett Media Quick Takes. These will be video commentaries delivered in a minute or less by Garrett Searight, John Mamola and myself. As breaking news unfolds, it’s an easy way for us to chime in on stories that may not be the focus of our next column. Once again, if you’re following us across social media, you’ll see these appear on your timeline in mid-February.
Barrett Media’s Top 20 Series
I’ve spent the past few weeks tracking down votes and adding up feedback across the sports television, radio and podcasting spaces. On Wednesday, we’ll present our first results for this year’s Top 20 series. We’ll start with the Top 20 Sports Digital Shows of 2025. Then on Thursday and Friday, we’ll follow up with the Top 20 Sports Television Shows and Sports Television Talent of 2025. All feedback is provided by sports media industry executives and decisions makers.
After the Top 20 in Sports Digital and TV are released, we shift next to the Top 20 in sports radio. That series begins on Monday February 2nd. It concludes on Monday February 9th. However, we get no break after that because the very next day is when we begin rolling out the Top 20 in News/Talk radio. That series runs February 10-13 and February 16-17 followed by the Top 20 News Television Shows, Talent and Podcasts from February 18-20. We then bring it all home with the results of the Top 20 in Music Radio from February 23-27 and March 2-4.
As we move throughout the year, you’ll see this series gain a lot of steam. Top 20’s are planned for Agents, Media Companies, Advertising Professionals and Advertisers, Market Managers, Broadcast Executives, Record Labels, Sports Betting Talent, and much more. Each category will have voting involvement from professionals with deep knowledge of the space. It’s one of the hardest projects we’ve ever created, but we know how valuable this series is for the radio industry and want to provide similar value for many others.
We do have opportunities on the sponsorship end for brands to own some of these special projects. If interested, email me at Jason@BarrettMedia.com and I can share additional details.
Barrett Media Audio Summit
We’ll announce our next speakers update for the 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit tomorrow. I’m excited to welcome another high profile talent and a couple of outstanding programming leaders to the show. I’ve got a few more programming panels to finalize before I turn my attention to local talent and other areas. Those interested in speaking can inquire at Jason@BarrettMedia.com. Due to high demand, it will take a bit before I follow up.
If you plan to attend the Summit, secure your tickets and reserve your hotel room asap. Details are available on the Summit page up top or by clicking here. This year’s show features one-day of sports media, one-day of news media, and one-day of music radio. It happens i NYC at the SVA Theatre June 30-July 2, 2026. We look forward to an awesome three-days with the media industry’s best and brightest.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
