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Jesse Watters, Michael Knowles Headline First Crop of America Fest 2026 Speakers

Garrett Searight
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Jesse Watters, Michael Knowles Headline First Crop of America Fest 2026 Speakers

Turning Point USA has revealed the lineup for America Fest 2026, featuring prominent conservative media figures and political leaders. Jesse Watters, Michael Knowles, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt are among the scheduled speakers.

What We Know: America Fest 2026 will take place December 17th through the 20th at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The annual Turning Point USA event will feature a broad lineup of conservative voices, including Fox News host Jesse Watters, Daily Wire commentator Michael Knowles, and Leavitt. Other scheduled speakers include Brandon Tatum, Riley Gaines, Benny Johnson, Jack Posobiec, Andrew Kolvet, Jeremy Boreing, and Matt Gaetz. The gathering brings together figures from conservative media, politics, and activism.

What’s at Stake: America Fest provides Turning Point USA with an opportunity to bring prominent conservative personalities together and engage younger audiences. Moreover, the event gives speakers a platform to discuss political issues, media coverage, and the direction of the conservative movement as the country approaches another election cycle.

What Remains Unclear: Further details about the event’s schedule, individual speaking times, panel discussions, and additional guests remain unclear. The organization may reveal more programming information as the festival approaches.

What It Means: The lineup underscores Turning Point USA’s continued emphasis on connecting conservative political figures with influential media personalities. With recognizable names from Fox News, The Daily Wire, and online commentary, America Fest 2026 is positioned to attract attention across the conservative media landscape.

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Dan Patrick “Disappointed” by Stephen A. Smith’s Handling of Lane Johnson’s Mental Health Comments on First Take

John Mamola
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Dan Patrick “Disappointed” by Stephen A. Smith’s Handling of Lane Johnson’s Mental Health Comments on First Take

Dan Patrick says he’s disappointed in Stephen A. Smith and First Take. On Thursday, he criticized their handling of Lane Johnson’s mental health as a reason for why the future hall of fame football player decided to retire.

What We Know: Patrick addressed the issue during Thursday’s edition of The Dan Patrick Show. Wednesday, Smith initially attempted to tie Johnson’s decision to Philadelphia’s struggles, but mocked Johnson’s use of mental health as part of his reasoning why he was retiring. However, colleague Kimberly Martin raised concerns that Smith was making light of the situation prompting Smith to backtrack and clarify his comments minutes later. Smith later said on his SiriusXM radio program that viewers didn’t understand his point. Thursday morning, Smith apologized for his comments, but Patrick still weighed in on the original commentary on First Take.

What They Said: (All quotes via The Dan Patrick Show):

Dan Patrick is upset about how the whole discussion regarding Lane Johnson’s mental health was handled on First Take: “I was more disappointed in the people on the set. You’re hearing this. You should call him out on this. Then Stephen A. put it on the audience. Hey, you’re the one that may have misconstrued this. No, you didn’t put it in the correct context, or maybe you did, and you’re wrong in what you did. You were very flippant about Lane Johnson’s mental health condition.”

Dan Patrick says Stephen A. Smith should never joke about mental health: “Don’t joke about that [mental health]. I would say you’re better. I don’t know if you are. You want clicks? Great. You’re going to make fun of Lane Johnson. But I want to watch the whole thing in context. But you can’t joke about mental health, not with somebody who has talked about mental health.”

Dan Patrick is disappointed by Stephen A. Smith’s actions: “I’m just disappointed. You got a platform. Use the platform not to belittle somebody who says, “Hey, mental health issues.” Then come back and blame it on your audience that you’re the ones who didn’t understand what I was trying to say.”

Dan Patrick says sports talk hosts shouldn’t question mental health: “I didn’t think I’d be talking about it. I don’t want to talk about other shows, but mental health? What are we doing? You want to talk about the Eagles’ offensive line. Talk about the Eagles’ offensive line. Talk about moving forward. And mental health and football, and you’re going to question that?”

Dan Patrick still doesn’t understand what Stephen A. Smith was trying to get at: “He’s a future Hall of Famer, and you’re going to belittle him? Then blame us because you’re the one that didn’t portray this, present this in the way that you should have? If that’s what you were trying to do. I still don’t know what you were trying to do. Talk about the Eagles’ offensive line. That’s all. Don’t talk about somebody’s mental health.”

What Remains Unclear: It’s unknown if Smith will respond to Patrick’s criticism. Also, Johnson nor the Eagles have commented on the matter.

What It Means: Ultimately, Patrick’s criticism highlights a growing debate over how sports talk handles mental health. Moreover, it carries extra weight because Patrick admitted he dislikes discussing other shows. For Smith, the episode adds scrutiny to a debate format built on provocative takes. Still, Patrick’s message to hosts was clear: stick to football, not players’ mental health.

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Joel Oxley: WTOP’s Core Mission Hasn’t Changed Despite Radio’s Evolution

Garrett Searight
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Joel Oxley: WTOP’s Core Mission Hasn’t Changed Despite Radio’s Evolution

WTOP General Manager Joel Oxley has spent nearly three decades leading the Washington news station through a changing media landscape. As he prepares to conclude his career, Oxley reflected on how radio and advertising have evolved.

What We Know: Oxley discussed those changes during an appearance on the NAB’s AirTime podcast. His appearance coincides with his receipt of the 2026 NAB National Radio Award, recognizing his contributions to the industry. Oxley will wrap up nearly 30 years as WTOP’s General Manager. Meanwhile, Declan Moore has already stepped into the role as his successor.

What They Said: “Distribution used to be really radio, TV, print, and outdoor, and that was it. That was the media landscape, and WTOP was AM only. Now, it’s AM, FM translators, HD, websites, streaming, podcasts, and social media. There are just so many different things that you have to be effective on to make sure that you’re reaching the consumer where they are. Our advertising revenue when I started was 90% from ad agencies. Now, it’s 85% direct, so there’s been a really big difference in how business is done as well.

What hasn’t changed, though, and never will, is that it’s really essential to consistently have a compelling product across all platforms that works for advertisers. You’ve got to have something that people want to come to and consume, and it’s got to provide results.” -Joel Oxley

What Remains Unclear: Oxley hasn’t publicly detailed what comes next after his departure from WTOP. However, his transition marks the end of one of the longest leadership tenures at a major U.S. radio station.

What It Means: Oxley’s comments underscore how dramatically radio has expanded beyond its traditional broadcast signal. Still, he believes the core mission remains unchanged: build compelling content, reach audiences wherever they consume media, and deliver results for advertisers.

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College GameDay Forced Inside This Saturday Due To Hurricane Isaias

John Mamola
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College GameDay Forced Inside This Saturday Due To Hurricane Isaias

ESPN’s College GameDay is moving indoors for Alabama’s showdown with Georgia. Hurricane Isaias forced the show off the Quad and into Coleman Coliseum.

What We Know: The University of Alabama confirmed the venue change ahead of Saturday’s broadcast. Additionally, former Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young will serve as the guest picker. Meanwhile, kickoff against Georgia remains set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Additionally, the university said it will not allow overnight camping at the coliseum. Instead, fans can begin lining up at the north and east entrances at 5:15 a.m. Saturday. Doors will then open 15 minutes later, at 5:30 a.m. Furthermore, the school said its official social media accounts will announce any game changes.

What’s At Stake: With the magnitude of the game itself, several high profile people were planning on attending the game itself. President Donald Trump previously stated he planned to be in attendance for the game. However, he is reportedly consulting with government officials about that possibly now due to the hurricane. If the game was to be postponed, there is no projected make up date as of yet.

What Remains Unclear: However, the storm’s exact impact on Saturday’s game is still uncertain. The university said it continues monitoring weather forecasts. Additionally, it remains to be seen how the indoor setting affects GameDay’s audience. The show is in the middle of a record-breaking viewership over the first five weeks of the college football season.

What It Means: Ultimately, the move strips GameDay of one of its most recognizable backdrops. Still, a packed basketball coliseum could deliver the energy the show depends on. Moreover, Young’s return gives ESPN a homecoming storyline in a marquee week. For Alabama, meanwhile, the priority remains keeping fans safe throughout the weekend.

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David Ellison on Mark Thompson’s Future at CNN: ‘We Want Stability’

Garrett Searight
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David Ellison on Mark Thompson’s Future at CNN: ‘We Want Stability’

Skydance CEO David Ellison has offered a vote of confidence in CNN Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Mark Thompson. His comments come as questions about Thompson’s future follow Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

What We Know: Skydance completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery earlier this week, giving the company ownership of CNN. As part of the transition, questions surrounded Thompson’s future with the network. However, Thompson struck a deal to remain with CNN under a new title as Chairman and Editor-in-Chief. Ellison has now indicated the company wants stability at the news organization and supports Thompson’s leadership. His comments came during an appearance on CNBC on Thursday morning.

What They Said: “He’s done a phenomenal job. And we also, given everything everyone’s been through, we want stability. We believe in editorial independence across the news organizations. We think CNN is a remarkable brand.” -Skydance CEO David Ellison

What Remains Unclear: While Ellison expressed support for Thompson, the new leadership structure at CNN remains a work in progress. Skydance has emphasized editorial independence, but Thompson will operate within a company undergoing significant changes. Additionally, it remains unclear how the network’s strategy will evolve under its new ownership.

What It Means: Ellison’s comments provide Thompson with an important show of support as Skydance begins its stewardship of CNN. Moreover, the emphasis on stability and editorial independence could signal that the company doesn’t intend to make sweeping changes to the network’s newsroom leadership immediately. For Thompson, the remarks offer additional clarity after weeks of uncertainty surrounding his position.

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.

YouTube Keeps Top Spot For Most-Used Sources Weekly For Podcasts

John Mamola
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YouTube Keeps Top Spot For Most-Used Sources Weekly For Podcasts

YouTube is still the top spot for U.S. podcast consumers, according to new Edison Research metrics. Meanwhile, Netflix is already carving out a foothold of its own.

What We Know: Edison Research’s Q3 2026 Podcast Metrics from SSRS once again ranks YouTube first among U.S. weekly podcast consumers. Behind it, Spotify places second at 17%, while Apple Podcasts sits third at 9%. Notably, Netflix ranks seventh, with 3% naming it their most-used podcast platform. For comparison, Edison’s October 2024 U.S. reading had YouTube at 31%, compared to 27% for Spotify and 15% for Apple Podcasts.

What The Data Shows: (via Edison Research)

What Remains Unclear: With YouTube gaining more stream and Netflix beginning to make its own impact, the data shows how video-first platforms are earning more users. It remains unknown which titles are most popular with the survey. Also, with Spotify and Apple also having video options for podcasts, the difference in audio versus video consumption was not listed.

What It Means: For creators, the takeaway is clear: video matters. In fact, YouTube’s sustained lead makes it the default destination for new shows. Meanwhile, Netflix adds another video-first rival worth watching. As a result, audio-first platforms face growing pressure to adapt as well as creators to pivot to video first models.

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Stephen A. Smith Apologizes for Comments Regarding Lane Johnson’s Mental Health

John Mamola
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Stephen A. Smith Apologizes for Comments Regarding Lane Johnson’s Mental Health

Stephen A. Smith opened Thursday’s First Take with an on-air apology to former Philadelphia Eagle Lane Johnson. The ESPN commentator said he made light of mental health while discussing Johnson’s retirement a day earlier.

What We Know: Johnson announced his retirement after 14 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. In his statement, the two-time Super Bowl champion said he needed to focus on his mental health. Smith then discussed the news on Wednesday’s First Take, and his comments prompted a wave of feedback. By Thursday, he opened the show by addressing the fallout directly.

What They Said: (All quotes via First Take):

Stephen A. Smith apologizes for his comments about mental health in relation to Lane Johnson’s retirement: “I messed up. By the way, for those of you out there looking right now, this is not ESPN. This is not somebody forcing me to make an apology. Nobody did that. Nobody can do that. Here’s the reality of the situation: I was wrong. When you’re an adult and you’re a man, you have to admit that you were wrong. I was wrong to Lane Johnson. I was wrong to the Philadelphia Eagles. Plus, I messed up because I made light of the issue of mental health when that was clearly not my intent. I shouldn’t say clearly; it was not my intent, but it wasn’t made clear enough.”

Stephen A. Smith acknowledges mental health is a real issue: “As much as I owe the apology to Lane Johnson and to the Philadelphia Eagles, it does not stop there. Mental health obviously is an incredibly serious issue. I know it, and went through it myself. I know a lot of people who have gone through it.”

Stephen A. Smith hopes his words would prevent anyone from seeking help: “There’s a lot of people in this country and in this world that are going through mental health issues. The biggest regret that I have for all of this is the fact that it may have given people that wanted to open the door to seek help a reason to pause and hesitate and not do so. I can’t emphasize enough how sorry I am about that, because it is a real issue.”

Stephen A. Smith admits it takes courage to acknowledge a person needs help: “It takes courage for the Lane Johnsons of the world to speak up the way that he did to Jake Glazer in 2021. When he first revealed all that was going on with them. It takes courage for people out there struggling who have mental health issues to come forward. To acknowledge that they are really struggling and that they need help. For me, although it was not my intent to come across as making light of that reality is my biggest regret.”

Stephen A. Smith says he’s not perfect: “I do over 950 hours of live content a year. I’ve made mistakes before. I apologized. I’m making mistakes now. I’m going to apologize. If I do it in the future, I’ll apologize again. The bigger issue is to make sure to bring attention to the fact that mental health is a real, real thing. Over the last 24 hours, with the inordinate amount of people that have spoken to me, that reminded me of my struggles and the courage it takes to come forward and to acknowledge I really need help. It’s made me better.”

What Remains Unclear: It also remains unclear whether Johnson or the Eagles will respond publicly. Although he made his apology on First Take, it remains to be seen if he will share the same apology with his SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio audience.

What It Means: Ultimately, the moment showed how quickly hot takes can collide with sensitive subjects. Smith noted that he does more than 950 hours of live content a year. Still, he framed the episode as a chance to spotlight mental health, citing his own struggles. For a show built on strong opinions, that message carried unusual weight. Yet, it was good to see Smith look internally after a day pointing the finger at others for misunderstanding what he was trying to say.

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.

Joe Rogan and Spotify Renew The Joe Rogan Experience Deal

Garrett Searight
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Joe Rogan and Spotify Renew The Joe Rogan Experience Deal

Joe Rogan is renewing his podcasting relationship with Spotify through a new multi-year licensing agreement. The deal continues a partnership that began in 2020.

What We Know: Spotify and Joe Rogan have agreed to continue their relationship through a new multi-year licensing agreement for The Joe Rogan Experience. The original deal between Rogan and Spotify began in 2020, bringing the popular podcast exclusively to the streaming platform. However, the latest agreement will continue the relationship under a licensing model. The renewed partnership keeps one of the most recognizable names in podcasting aligned with Spotify as the company expands its podcast business. Additionally, The Joe Rogan Experience remains a major draw for Spotify’s global audience.

What They Said: “The partnership with Spotify has been an amazing fit, and they’re incredible to work with. I’m extremely happy and excited to continue with them for years to come.” -Joe Rogan

“Joe has built something incredibly enduring, and his show continues to resonate with a massive global audience because there’s simply nothing else like it. Spotify’s podcast business has grown alongside JRE over the years, and we’re excited to keep building on that partnership for years to come.” -Spotify Head of Content Partnerships Jordan Newman

What Remains Unclear: The companies haven’t disclosed the financial terms of the new agreement or the specific length of the multi-year deal. Likewise, Spotify hasn’t provided additional details about how the licensing arrangement will affect distribution, advertising, or other aspects of the podcast.

What It Means: The agreement gives Spotify continued access to one of podcasting’s biggest programs while allowing Rogan to maintain his relationship with the platform. Moreover, the deal underscores the value of established podcast personalities as Spotify competes for listeners and advertising dollars. For Rogan, the renewed partnership provides stability while The Joe Rogan Experience continues its run as a major force in the podcasting industry.

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.

The Volume Adds ‘Calm Down’ with Erin Andrews, Charissa Thompson Podcast

John Mamola
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The Volume Adds ‘Calm Down’ with Erin Andrews, Charissa Thompson Podcast

The Volume is adding Calm Down With Erin and Charissa to its network. The deal brings Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson under Colin Cowherd’s digital media umbrella.

What We Know: Under the partnership, The Volume will handle ad sales, production and distribution for the podcast. Andrews and Thompson launched Calm Down in 2021, and the show has since topped 400 episodes. Along the way, it has blended sports, pop culture and relationships with stories from their careers. Notably, guests have included Kevin Hart, Wayne Gretzky, and Ken Jeong.

What They Said: Colin Cowherd, founder of The Volume: “I have known Erin and Charissa for years and there aren’t enough words to describe how smart and talented they are. I could not be more excited to bring two of the most recognizable names in sports and entertainment to The Volume.”

Erin Andrews: “Calm Down has always been about real conversations with our friends and our listeners, and The Volume gets that. We’re excited to grow the show with a team that believes in what we’ve built.”

Charissa Thompson: “I’m so grateful to be back in Colin Cowherd’s orbit. The Volume is the podcast house you want to hang out in—the dinner party you want an invite to because no matter who you’re sitting next to, you know it’s going to be a good time.”

What Remains Unclear: However, the release does not say the deal’s financial terms and length. Additionally, it is unclear whether the show’s format or release schedule will change.

What It Means: Ultimately, the move gives The Volume a direct line to a large, loyal female audience. Furthermore, the network keeps expanding beyond traditional sports content. For context, Andrews is the lead sideline reporter on FOX Sports’ top NFL team and co-founded apparel brand WEAR. Likewise, Thompson hosts Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football and FOX NFL Kickoff.

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Shows From Dan Bongino, The Daily Wire See September Increases in Podtrac Podcast Rankings

Garrett Searight
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Shows From Dan Bongino, The Daily Wire See September Increases in Podtrac Podcast Rankings

The September podcast rankings from Podtrac showed continued stability among the biggest shows. Dan Bongino and The Daily Wire both gained ground, while several news and political programs held steady.

What We Know: Podtrac’s September rankings showed limited movement among the leading podcasts. In the Top Podcasts by US Unique Monthly Audience category, the top nine shows remained unchanged from August. The Daily ranked second, followed by NPR News Now in third and Up First from NPR in fourth. Fox News Hourly Update held sixth, while Pod Save America and The Ben Shapiro Show remained eighth and ninth, respectively.

What The Numbers Show: Further down the top 20, The Shawn Ryan Show climbed one spot to 13th, while The Dan Bongino Show also moved up one position to 14th. Meanwhile, The Ezra Klein Show posted the largest decline among the top 20, dropping four spots to 16th. Most notably, Morning Wire from The Daily Wire delivered the biggest gain, jumping six positions to 19th overall.

What Remains Unclear: Podtrac’s rankings show where programs stood during September, but the data doesn’t explain why individual shows gained or lost positions. Audience changes, listening habits, release schedules, and competitive movement could all contribute to the month-to-month shifts.

What It Means: The September rankings suggest the leading podcast market remained relatively stable, particularly among news and political programming. However, the gains by The Dan Bongino Show and Morning Wire indicate that some programs can still make significant moves within an otherwise consistent top tier.

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