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ESPN Partners With Apple Music For Monday Night Football Music Curation

Garrett Searight
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ESPN Partners With Apple Music For Monday Night Football Music Curation

ESPN and Apple Music are teaming up to curate music for Monday Night Football during the 2026-27 NFL season. The partnership comes as ESPN prepares to broadcast its first Super Bowl.

What We Know: Apple Music will curate music for select Monday Night Football games throughout the upcoming season. The partnership expands ESPN’s recent tradition of working with major artists and music brands to shape the sound of its NFL coverage. Previously, ESPN collaborated with Saweetie, J Balvin, Timbaland and Justin Timberlake, Marshmello, Drake, DJ Khaled, and Diplo. This time, Apple Music will provide music for ESPN’s promotional spots, live telecasts, and Monday Night Countdown. The first selection is Lil Baby’s recently released single “Dead Fresh,” which will appear in ESPN’s Week 1 promotional efforts. The season begins Monday, September 14, when the Denver Broncos visit the Kansas City Chiefs at 8 p.m. ET. Additionally, Apple Music’s weekly selections will feature during Week 5, Week 7, Week 13, Week 15, and the Week 18 doubleheader.

What They Said: “Lil Baby sets the tone at kickoff for us. The sound, energy, and moment are right, just like Pharrell’s beat. This is the biggest season yet for ESPN, and Apple Music is perfect to help carry that energy from Monday Night Football all the way through to the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show.” -ESPN Vice President of Sports Marketing Curtis Friends

“There’s nothing like the energy of a Monday Night Football game. We’re giving that energy a soundtrack, powered by Apple Music’s deep bench of curators and tastemakers. We can’t wait to bring artists and music to this audience in a way that matches the moment.” -Apple Music and Apple Podcasts Global Head of Marketing Matt Plotnik

What Remains Unclear: ESPN and Apple Music haven’t revealed the complete list of songs or artists that will appear throughout the season. The companies also haven’t detailed how the weekly selections will connect with specific game moments or broadcasts.

What It Means: The collaboration gives Apple Music another prominent platform ahead of the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show. Meanwhile, ESPN gets a global music brand helping shape its NFL presentation during an important season. The partnership also continues ESPN’s effort to make music a larger part of its Monday Night Football identity. With the Super Bowl coming to ESPN for the first time, that connection could become even more significant.

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.

Netflix Executive: WWE Has Hit “Every Metric” In Year Two Of Partnership

John Mamola
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Netflix Executive: WWE Has Hit “Every Metric” In Year Two Of Partnership

Netflix’s WWE partnership is nearing its two-year mark. Gabe Spitzer, Vice President Global Live Sports and Entertainment for Netflix says results are exceeding expectations both domestically and internationally.

What We Know: Netflix and WWE signed a $5 billion, ten-year deal announced in January 2024. The agreement took effect in January 2025, giving Netflix exclusive U.S. rights to Raw and all WWE programming internationally. Gabe Spitzer, Netflix’s VP of Global Live Sports and Entertainment, discussed the partnership with Richard Deitsch on the Sports Media podcast. Additionally, WWE has begun meeting with Netflix’s film and scripted teams about talent crossovers.

What They Said: (All quotes via Sports Media podcast w/Richard Deitsch):

Gabe Spitzer, Vice President Global Live Sports and Entertainment for Netflix is happy with the WWE partnership with Netflix in the U.S.: “We knew in the U.S. with something like Raw, having that every week, there’s going to be that passionate, loyal fan base, and they were going to show up. They have come in expected ways over to Netflix and predictable ways. So it’s hit you know every metric that we hoped for on the U.S. side.”

Gabe Spitzer, Vice President Global Live Sports and Entertainment for Netflix on surprising growth globally with WWE and Netflix: “I think the place where we’ve been surprised in a good way, and that will continue to grow, is outside of the U.S. That’s really where we see the potential to continue to grow this partnership. Is in the U.S. we have Raw only. Outside of the U.S. and in most countries around the world, we’re the home for all of WWE.”

Gabe Spitzer, Vice President Global Live Sports and Entertainment for Netflix on how the WWE works with Netflix on global event planning: “It’s been cool to see as different countries have come online. As example, Italy this year came online and they did a big PLE, the Clash in Italy there shortly after. So, they’re working with us and they’re saying, ‘Hey, what are the countries you want to continue to grow, or how can we boost that viewership, or can we bring in an event there?'”

Gabe Spitzer, Vice President Global Live Sports and Entertainment for Netflix on navigating more WWE talent into Netflix programming: “I think we’re constantly meeting with other WWE talent to see if there’s a fit in the sports space. They’ve been great partners and trying to volunteer that time. I would say not just in sports. They’re meeting with our film and scripted series teams. How can we cast some of those superstars in some of our shows? That creates that larger cohesiveness across Netflix that I think can help with the WWE. Help them, and help us in terms of viewership too, to create more of that fan affinity.”

What Remains Unclear: Spitzer didn’t detail specific viewership numbers behind the U.S. “every metric” claim. It’s also unclear how many additional global markets could host WWE premium live events beyond Italy.

What It Means: Spitzer’s remarks suggest Netflix sees WWE as more than a U.S. viewership play. Instead, international growth and cross-platform talent deals appear central to the partnership’s next phase. Consequently, WWE could become more embedded across Netflix’s broader content slate, not just its sports lineup. Ultimately, that expansion may deepen fan affinity while strengthening the agreement’s long-term value.

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KOOL 107.9 & 97.5 KHCM Relaunches in Hawaii’s Greatest Hits Station

David Hill
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KOOL 107.9 & 97.5 KHCM Relaunches in Hawaii’s Greatest Hits Station

Malama Media Group just revitalized two Honolulu stations. KOOL 107.9 and Country 97.5 KHCM both launched fresh formats this Labor Day weekend.

What We Know KOOL 107.9 (formerly Decades 107.9) repositioned to Hawaii’s Greatest Hits. The station is voiced by Joe Cipriano and produced by Luis “Speedy Jr” Gonzalez. Notably, the audience never stopped calling it KOOL anyway. Meanwhile, Country 97.5 KHCM transitioned from Westwood’s satellite model to live, local programming with contemporary country artists.

What They Said Senior VP of Programming Rick Thomas explained the strategy simply: “The station was actually known as KOOL in the past. The Decades product needed to be reimagined for optimum success. KOOL 107.9 will be locally programmed, proudly serving our Honolulu community with an up-tempo mix of favorite songs and a generous dose of feel-good vibes.” On Country 97.5, Thomas emphasized that “contemporary country artists like Ella Langley, Morgan Wallen, and Luke Combs, as well as red-hot up and comers like Hudson Westbrook, have a home in Honolulu on a radio station that connects them with our local audiences. 97.5 KHCM also leans into the listener’s desire for longer blocks of music with our Commercial Free approach.”

What Remains Unclear The timeline for on-air personality hires hasn’t been announced. Specific ratings metrics for the new formats aren’t yet available. Broader details about Malama’s competitive strategy in Hawaii’s market remain limited. Additionally, how these stations will differentiate from existing island competitors needs clarification.

What It Means Honolulu listeners now have two revamped alternatives targeting distinct music audiences. Furthermore, this represents a meaningful shift toward local programming over syndicated satellite formats. Finally, Malama Media Group signals serious investment in Hawaii’s radio market through on-air talent and production resources.

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.

Fox News Leads on YouTube With Nearly 300 Million Views in August

Garrett Searight
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Fox News Leads on YouTube With Nearly 300 Million Views in August

Fox News remained the top news television brand on YouTube in August, despite a monthly decline in views, according to Emplifi. Meanwhile, ABC News and CBS News posted modest gains as NBC News held steady.

What We Know: YouTube continues to provide a major distribution platform for television news brands. Fox News led the group again in August, although its monthly total fell from July. ABC News remained a distant second, while NBC News finished third. CBS News trailed the other three networks, but it recorded the strongest percentage growth during the month. The four brands generated 578 million YouTube views in August. That marked a 6% decline from the 613 million views recorded in July. Fox News accounted for nearly half of the August total, despite losing 37 million views month-over-month. CBS News added 10 million views, giving it the largest percentage increase among the four networks.

What the Numbers Show:

NetworkAugust 2026July 2026% Change
Fox News287 million324 million▼ 11.4%
ABC News137 million136 million▲ 0.7%
NBC News109 million109 million0.0%
CBS News45 million35 million▲ 28.6%

What Remains Unclear: What led to the decline for Fox News on a month-over-month basis. It is also unclear how the performances by ABC News and NBC News remained steady over the two months.

What It Means: Still, the numbers reinforce YouTube’s importance for television news brands seeking audiences beyond traditional linear viewing. Fox News maintains a sizable advantage, but ABC News and CBS News showed that the rankings can shift when monthly viewing patterns change.

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.

Four ESPN Studio Programs Earn Highest August Viewership

John Mamola
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Four ESPN Studio Programs Earn Highest August Viewership

ESPN’s daily studio lineup posted its strongest August yet. Multiple shows hit all-time highs for the month.

What We Know: Overall studio viewership climbed 13% year over year in August 2026. NBA Today led the surge, up 64% YOY to 328K viewers — its best August on record. Get Up, First Take, and The Pat McAfee Show all matched or set August highs. SportsCenter’s 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. editions also hit new August peaks, part of a stretch where five editions have grown YOY every month this year.

What The Data Shows: (All data via ESPN PR):

ProgramAugust 2026 Avg. Viewership% Lift Year Over Year (2025)
Get Up378,000+19%
First Take419,000Tied (2025)
The Pat McAfee Show405,000+19%
NBA Today328,000+64%
SportsCenter (7 a.m.)212,000+12%
SportsCenter (2 p.m.)298,000+39%
SportsCenter (5 p.m.)413,000+40%
SportsCenter (6 p.m.)403,000+12%
NFL Live366,000+22%
Pardon the Interruption568,000+14%
SC AM (Saturday)422,000+17%
SC AM (Sunday)349,000+24%

What Remains Unclear: Moving into football season, it’s unclear how Big Day with Peter Schrager, debuting September 10, will affect the 2 p.m. weekday slot’s momentum. Also, the added Bussin’ with Pate Friday program could also factor in.

What It Means: The numbers suggest ESPN’s daily studio strategy is paying off broadly, not in isolated pockets. PTI’s best August since 2019 and NFL Live’s best since 2015 point to sustained, multi-year audience rebuilding. Adding Schrager’s show ahead of college football season signals ESPN is betting the momentum continues into fall.

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.

1010 WINS Plots 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Coverage

Garrett Searight
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1010 WINS Plots 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Coverage

As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, 1010 WINS will provide extensive live coverage from New York. The Audacy news station will carry the annual 9/11 Memorial ceremony on September 11.

What We Know: Beginning at 8:30 AM ET, 1010 WINS will carry the annual ceremony commemorating the victims of the attacks. Reporters Juliet Papa and Scott Stanford will co-host the opening coverage from the studio. They’ll continue through the first moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. The broadcast will also feature the reading of names and additional moments of silence. Those remembrances will honor victims of the 2001 attacks, the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and 9/11-related health effects.

What’s At Stake: The 25th anniversary represents a major milestone in the nation’s remembrance of 9/11. Therefore, 1010 WINS will provide coverage across New York throughout the morning. Reporters will be stationed at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Atlantic Beach, Yankee Stadium, and Citi Field. The station will also provide live updates from the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund.

What Remains Unclear: 1010 WINS hasn’t detailed the full scope of its interviews or additional programming beyond the morning coverage. However, the station says it will offer extensive reporting and eyewitness accounts throughout the anniversary.

What It Means: The coverage will give 1010 WINS an opportunity to provide local perspective on one of New York’s defining moments. Moreover, its reporters will connect listeners with commemorations taking place throughout the region.

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The Manningcast Returns For Sixth Season With Twelve Scheduled Broadcasts

John Mamola
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The Manningcast Returns For Sixth Season With Twelve Scheduled Broadcasts

Peyton and Eli Manning’s Manningcast is back for a sixth season on ESPN2. In addition, this time, they’re bringing a new tech-driven wrinkle to the broadcast.

What We Know: Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli returns Week 1, airing on selected Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and the ESPN App. The alternate telecast debuted in 2021 and has since won multiple Sports Emmy Awards. Moreover, it runs across 11 regular-season games this year, plus a February 14 alternate telecast of Super Bowl LXI — the first ManningCast of a championship game. New this season is Manning Mode, an Xs-and-Os feature powered by NFL Next Gen Stats and Adrenaline’s TruPlay AI, delivering real-time analytics during select segments.

What’s At Stake: This now marks the sixth season for the Omaha Productions partnership with ESPN. However, with ESPN going all in on this NFL season ahead of the network’s first Super Bowl, reports have stated that ESPN is considering a Pat McAfee Show led alt-cast on weeks the Manningcast does not air. Whether or not that could lead to a more permanent option for either show moving into the 2027 season is unknown.

What Remains Unclear: ESPN hasn’t named the guest lineup for Manning Mode segments or the broadcast overall. In addition, one additional Monday night edition remains unannounced.

What It Means: The ManningCast keeps evolving beyond conversation-driven football coverage. Moreover, Manning Mode signals a bigger bet on tech-integrated storytelling for alternate broadcasts. Meanwhile, the Super Bowl LXI assignment marks new territory — the first Manning-hosted title game — as ESPN heads into its first-ever Super Bowl season.

2026 Manningcast Schedule:

  • Sept. 14: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
  • Sept. 21: New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams
  • Oct. 5: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
  • Oct. 12: Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams
  • Oct. 26: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
  • Nov. 2: Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks
  • Nov. 16: Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens
  • Nov. 23: Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Commanders
  • Dec. 7: Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks
  • Dec. 21: New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs
  • Jan. 4: Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers
  • Feb. 14: Super Bowl LXI

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Bill Horleman, Longtime WDEL Morning Host, Dies at 95

Garrett Searight
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Bill Horleman, Longtime WDEL Morning Host, Dies at 95

Former WDEL morning host Bill Horleman has died at 95. Horleman spent 36 years waking up Delaware listeners on the station.

What We Know: Horleman died Friday at the age of 95, according to WDEL. He hosted mornings at the Wilmington station from 1960 through 1996. Before joining WDEL, he worked in both Havre De Grace and Wilmington. Additionally, Horleman was a Navy veteran who later built a decades-long career in Delaware radio.

What He’ll Be Remembered For: Horleman’s morning show became a fixture for generations of WDEL listeners. The station said his program was highly interactive and focused heavily on audience participation. Each morning, Horleman celebrated listeners’ birthdays and connected with people across the community. Meanwhile, his contests often gave listeners the chance to win trips to see his favorite team, the Philadelphia Phillies. That combination helped make his show a familiar part of Delaware mornings for more than three decades.

What Remains Unclear: WDEL hasn’t publicly provided additional details about Horleman’s death. The station also hasn’t announced whether it plans to hold a special broadcast or other tribute to its longtime morning host. Further information about funeral arrangements and memorial services wasn’t immediately available.

What It Means: Horleman’s death marks the loss of a longtime Delaware radio personality who spent much of his career serving WDEL’s audience. His 36 years on the morning shift represent a significant era for the station. Moreover, his interactive approach helped establish a personal connection with listeners long before today’s digital platforms. For longtime WDEL listeners, Horleman’s voice and morning traditions remain part of the station’s history.

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KiKi B. Jones Takes Charge at WAMO 107.3

David Hill
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KiKi B. Jones Takes Charge at WAMO 107.3

KiKi B. Jones Elevated to Brand Manager at WAMO 107.3 Pittsburgh. The longtime host continues her midday show while steering station operations.

What We Know WAMO 107.3 announced Jones’s promotion to brand manager. She oversees content strategy, talent development, and branding. Jones maintains her weekday midday show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. She continues hosting “What’s Good In Your Hood” on KDKA Newsradio weekly.

What They Said Skip Dillard, rhythmic AC and throwback format vice president for Audacy, praised the decision: “I’ve had the privilege of knowing KiKi for over 10 years and have watched her continue to grow. I’m so happy for her elevation and can’t wait to see her lead the station into its next evolution.” Jones expressed gratitude: “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead WAMO 107.3, a station with such a rich history. Radio has taken me on an amazing journey. Still, there’s something especially meaningful about stepping into this role in my hometown.”

What Remains Unclear The announcement doesn’t specify budget allocations for initiatives. No timeline emerges for strategic programming changes. Furthermore, expanded organizational structure details remain unaddressed. The scope of her influence across Pittsburgh’s cluster isn’t specified.

What It Means This promotion represents Audacy’s investment in developing Pittsburgh talent internally. Jones becomes one of few women leading a major-market urban station. Her elevation signals the company’s confidence in homegrown leadership. Ultimately, WAMO 107.3 enters a new chapter under her direction.

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.

FOX Sports Executive Trusts Tom Brady Will Fulfill Network Broadcast Agreement

John Mamola
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FOX Sports Executive Trusts Tom Brady Will Fulfill Network Broadcast Agreement

FOX Sports executives say Tom Brady remains all-in on his broadcast deal. Despite swirling doubts, the network insists nothing has changed.

What We Know: Brady signed a 10-year, $375 million contract with FOX in 2022, the richest deal in broadcasting history. He’s now improving into his third season as the network’s lead NFL analyst. That growth came alongside a fast pivot from playing quarterback to calling games. FOX Sports president and executive producer Brad Zager addressed persistent retirement rumors this week, in a profile with Sports Business Journal’s Richard Deitsch and Austin Karp.

What They Said: Brad Zager, FOX Sports’ president and executive producer (via SBJ): “From the moment we signed Tom, no matter what was written or said, I have never gotten an indication from Tom that he is not into this for the long haul. For over a decade, we also heard about [Aikman] possibly taking a front office job. Rumors like that were always out there. You don’t know what the future holds, but I can tell you right now that we have had no discussions with Tom that didn’t involve him being here for a long time.”

What Remains Unclear: It’s not clear whether Brady’s ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders could eventually complicate his schedule. Meanwhile, his sprawling list of outside business ventures adds another variable nobody at FOX has quantified. Brady is entering his third year of a ten year contract with FOX Sports.

What It Means: For now, FOX’s NFL booth looks stable heading into another season. Zager’s remarks point toward a long-term commitment from Brady. However, given Brady’s expanding empire, speculation likely won’t disappear just because executives deny it. Ultimately, his actions over the next several seasons will speak louder than reassurances today.

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