Home Blog Page 1017

Bob Waters Named PD/AM Drive At Red 102.3 Harrisburg PA

BMM Staff
-
0
Bob Waters Named PD/AM Drive At Red 102.3 Harrisburg PA

Bob Waters has been named Program Director and morning host at Red 102.3 Harrisburg, PA.

Previous host Rick Sten, known as “Rick On Red,” announced his retirement last month after 47 years in the business and 15 with Red 102.3.

The station announced the news on its Instagram.

“It’s official RED NATION!. With Rick On Red’s retirement, Bob Waters will be the new voice of the RED 102.3 morning show. Bob will assume the duties of program director as well. Bob is a long-time veteran of radio in Central Pa. and will be a wonderful addition to the RED NATION family. In fact, Bob has close ties to the Radio Carlisle family of stations in Carlisle. Bob worked for 6 years with WHLY Country 102.3 from 1992-1998. We wish Bob well in this new chapter in his radio career and we are excited to have Bob be a part of this wonderful radio community.”

Waters arrives from a dual on-air sales role at Pirate 95.3 in Nags Head, NC. It’s a return to the station, having previously served when it was in the Country format.

Other stops include York, PA, Lebanon, WSFM, and WMHX in Harrisburg.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Ben Shapiro Disputes Rumors of Trouble at Daily Wire After Jeremy Boreing Resignation: ‘We’re Healthy, Growing, and Thriving’

BNM Staff
-
0
Ben Shapiro Disputes Rumors of Trouble at Daily Wire After Jeremy Boreing Resignation: ‘We’re Healthy, Growing, and Thriving’

Last week, The Daily Wire co-founder and co-CEO Jeremy Boreing announced he was stepping down from his post. Ben Shapiro has squashed any ideas that there is trouble afoot at the digital company.

Boreing has been with The Daily Wire since he and Ben Shapiro co-founded the outlet in 2015. Boreing has served as co-CEO alongside Caleb Robinson since 2019. Robinson will take sole possession of the CEO title in the wake of Boreing’s exit from the role.

At the time of his resignation, Boreing said his plan was to spend more time focusing on creative projects from the company, including overseeing production of the company’s TV series The Pendragon Cycle, where he serves as the director and executive producer.

In response to the news, many questioned the health of The Daily Wire and the relationship Boreing had with Shapiro. During an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show, Ben Shapiro stated Boreing’s resignation simply had to do with his desire to spend more time focusing on entertainment efforts.

“Jeremy stepped down to pursue things like Pendragon, which is the single biggest, I think, entertainment offering ever put forward on the right side of the aisle, like ever, by a long stretch,” said Shapiro. The seven-episode television project is based around the King Arthur fantasy, which Shapiro called a “major, massive project” and is being produced “at a very high cost” to The Daily Wire.

“We have other creative projects that Jeremy is going to work on, that Jeremy wants to work on, and that Jeremy is involved with. Frankly, the day-to-day management of a very large and growing company was not — I think in his view — conciliate with that mission, which is for him to do more creative projects and to do more on the entertainment side,” Shapiro added. “Frankly, I think for Jeremy, that’s where a lot of his heart is as well. He wanted to put more focus in that as we mature as a company.”

Ben Shapiro continued by calling any statements that The Daily Wire is struggling financially or internally “bullshit.”

“As somebody who looks at the balance sheet, I can tell you that is certainly not the case. We are healthy, we are growing, we’re thriving. We have extremely big moves that we are looking forward to making this year.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Key TikTok Executive Resigns Before Upcoming Ban Deadline

BNM Staff
-
0
Key TikTok Executive Resigns Before Upcoming Ban Deadline

TikTok is facing another potential ban as April 5th looms large on the calendar. One executive for the company is departing ahead of that deadline.

Blake Chandlee, the Global Business Solutions Head, who oversees all advertising sales and marketing for the digital video platform, is leaving the company.

“As our offerings become more technical and our client product solutions become more sophisticated to provide even more value, it is important that Global Business Solutions (GBS) and Global Monetization Product Technology (GMPT) operate increasingly hand-in-hand,” Chandlee wrote in a memo to staffers announcing his exit. “To enable this, I have decided its best to streamline under one department lead and will be scaling back my day-to-day role to an advisory one.”

Chandlee will officially exit TikTok on Tuesday, April 1st. He is not the only high-level executive to depart the company in recent weeks. North American ad sales chief Sameer Singh and U.S. general manager of agency business Jack Bamberger have also recently left the company.

The announcement comes as the platform sees the end of a 75-day extension on its potential ban come to a close on Saturday, April 5th. In January, the United States Supreme Court upheld a law banning the app unless it was sold to a company without ties to the Chinese Communist Party. After a brief weekend outage, the app was restored at the urging of incoming President Donald Trump. That 75-day extension was then enacted, allowing the company to explore a potential sale.

Some analysts have tabbed companies like Oracle and billionaire Frank McCourt as some of the more likely parties to strike a deal to purchase TikTok. However, no deal is immediately imminent as the deadline looms.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Karl Ravech: ‘I’m Very Optimistic’ About ESPN, MLB Future

BSM Staff
-
0
Karl Ravech: ‘I’m Very Optimistic’ About ESPN, MLB Future

Ahead of Opening Day of the MLB season, ESPN and Major League Baseball mutually agreed to exercise an opt out in their media rights contract for live game broadcasting rights. As a result, this will be the last year during which ESPN will be the home of MLB game and event telecasts, some of which have included the Sunday Night Baseball franchise, the Wild Card Series and Home Run Derby. Karl Ravech, the lead play-by-play announcer for Sunday Night Baseball, explained that the team has always tried to present the games in an entertaining manner.

ESPN has been broadcasting MLB games since the 1990 season and voiced that it would be “open to exploring new ways to serve MLB fans” across platforms in the future. In a letter obtained by The Athletic, MLB commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. characterized ESPN as being engaged in an “aggressive effort” to reduce its rights fee and referred to the network as being a “shrinking platform.”

Ravech talked about how ESPN hoped to create an environment where the viewers wanted to sit next to them on the couch and be a part of the conversation. Moreover, he admitted that the decisions surrounding the future of MLB broadcasts on ESPN is above his paygrade, but he is remaining “very optimistic” about the future between both entities.

“There are very smart people that are trying to figure out ways to move forward with Major League Baseball,” Ravech said. “I know our president has expressed a great interest in maintaining a long relationship with the sport. I consider myself not only to be a business partner with Major League Baseball and the Commissioner, but somebody I’ve known and liked for a long time, and I know that he recognizes the value.”

Ravech mentioned the upcoming ESPN direct-to-consumer platform and the wide array of sports offerings that will be accessible through the service. As a sports fan, he explained that he would want to watch all of the sports in one place, drawing an analogy to having a wide assortment of crayons to use.

“I just think the platform itself makes itself so valuable, and given this near four-decade relationship we have with Major League Baseball that, in the end, that’s enough to get us to work something out,” Ravech said. “Whether it happens, I don’t know, but that’s sort of the way I’ve been thinking through it, and again, having relationships with those that are making those decisions, I’m not sure ESPN and Jimmy Pitaro could have been any more clear. We want to be in the Major League Baseball business.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Cleveland Guardians Still Without A Local Television Distributor

BSM Staff
-
0
Cleveland Guardians Still Without A Local Television Distributor

It may be hard to imagine a situation where a Major League Baseball team doesn’t have a television home on Opening Day. While that isn’t the case yet, fans of the Cleveland Guardians are still left in the dark as to where they can watch their favorite baseball team beginning on Thursday.

Joe Noga of the Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting today that, with Opening Day quickly approaching, MLB still hasn’t revealed which cable systems or channels will carry Guardians games.

This uncertainty stems from MLB taking over the production and distribution of the team’s games after Diamond Sports Group cut ties last year.

Despite the delay, the Cleveland Guardians told Noga that they expect Major League Baseball to finalize an agreement for broadcast rights and distribution before Opening Day. Furthermore, the team stated that, more than likely, a deal will be reached with their existing partners—where fans have consistently found games in recent seasons.

According to the report, Guardians officials have been asking for fans’ patience, emphasizing that MLB is working diligently to resolve the situation. However, if no resolution is reached, the only way to watch games beginning on Opening Day will be through the Guardians’ website, where a subscription will cost $99.99 for the full season or $19.99 per month.

“As soon as we have finalized agreements, we will announce via email and social channels,” said Curtis Danburg, Guardians Vice President, Communications & Community Impact. “Fans can visit CLEGuardians.com/watch to check for updates on viewing options and channel specifics.”

As for the broadcast team, the only confirmed details so far are that Matt Underwood, Rick Manning, and Andre Knott will return to the television booth for their 11th consecutive season calling Guardians baseball.

Additionally, home game broadcasts will feature a 30-minute pregame show hosted by Al Palowski alongside Chris Gimenez. Meanwhile, a rotating group of former Cleveland players—including Cody Allen, Ben Broussard, Nick Goody, Austin Jackson, and Jason Kipnis—will serve as analysts.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Netflix Declines to Bid for NFL Draft Media Rights: Report

BSM Staff
-
0
Netflix Declines to Bid for NFL Draft Media Rights: Report

As ESPN reportedly remains in discussions about a potential acquisition of NFL Media, it is said to be engaged in separate conversations surrounding retaining broadcast rights to the NFL Draft, which it has held for 45 years. The annual event has proven to draw significant audiences to media platforms, with the first round of the action averaging 12.1 million viewers, which was indicative of a 6% year-over-year proliferation. With the media rights expiring after this year, ESPN is reportedly bidding for these rights as it prepares the launch of a direct-to-consumer platform and the addition of new features to its app. FOX and Google are also reported as being involved in bidding for NFL Draft broadcasting rights as well.

Yet Netflix, which recently aired a doubleheader of NFL games on Christmas Day in the first season of a three-year deal with the league, has reportedly opted to decline an offer to bid for the rights. Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports was the first to report this development and added that Amazon’s Prime Video “is a long-shot contender” to secure the property. Sources cited in the report indicate that the league will likely add a streaming partner to its plans for NFL Draft coverage as the league welcomes the future stars of tomorrow to the sport.

Ted Sarandos, the co-chief executive officer of Netflix, stated that the company is trying to do live events, some of which are in the sports genre. Bela Bajaria, the chief content officer for the company, added that Netflix can do film and television in different languages with its forecasted content spend of approximately $18 billion. Netflix is currently in the first year of its reported 10-year, $5 billion media rights deal to air WWE Raw, and Bajaria divulged that she could have interest in acquiring NFL rights for Sunday afternoon games if the league exercises its opt out after the 2029 season.

With seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady recently completing his first season as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports, the company is looking to add the rights to its portfolio. FOX previously simulcast the NFL Network coverage of the event in 2018, and ESPN created another broadcast option on ABC featuring Kirk Herbstreit in the next year. Brady being part of this coverage could bolster its appeal as he continues working under a reported 10-year deal worth $375 million.

YouTube TV, which is owned by the same parent company as Google, has been the broadcast home of NFL Sunday Ticket since the 2023 season under a reported seven-year deal worth $2 billion per year. The company has been doing business with the league since 2015 under a strategic partnership to bring league content to fans utilizing the platform.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Megyn Kelly Unveils Plans for New Podcast Network

BNM Staff
-
0

Amidst a rise in independent podcast networks, Megyn Kelly is joining the growing list of content creators in the space with her own podcast network being announced Tuesday.

MK Media will be a video and audio podcast network featuring a stable of three shows at launch. The first programs will be helmed by Mark Halperin, Maureen Callahan, and Link Lauren.

“I’m thrilled to launch MK Media and to use our platform to help sane, reasonable, good-humored people build their own followings in this new media space,” says Kelly. “I am a huge fan of Mark’s, Maureen’s and Link’s and I know our audience will be as excited as I am to hear more from them.”

Halperin — an ABC News and Bloomberg veteran — will host a news-focused show called Next Up. Callahan has previously written for Vanity Fair and the New York Post, and will host a new entertainment and pop-culture program called The Nerve. Meanwhile, Lauren, who previously worked as an advisor to the presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will host a news-focused show called Spot On.

Steve Krakauer, who currently serves as the executive producer of The Megyn Kelly Show, will oversee the network’s programming.

Megyn Kelly launched a daily podcast in 2020 before moving the show to SiriusXM in 2021. Earlier this year, she launched a 15-minute news show called AM Update with Megyn Kelly, adding to her list of projects.

The news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Sports Media Trends 2025: Streaming Wars Heat Up

Sponsored Post
-
0
Sports Media Trends 2025: Streaming Wars Heat Up

The sports media trends of 2025 are buzzing with energy, sparked by a heated streaming wars showdown that’s changing how fans catch their favorite games. Traditional TV is fading into the background as digital heavyweights like Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+ charge into the spotlight, fighting to own live broadcasts and win over viewers. This isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a massive shift shaking up the industry and the fan experience. With huge money on the line and millions of fans watching, streaming platforms are tearing up the old rules, moving sports from cable packages to a dynamic, on-demand universe. What’s driving this chaos, and what does it mean for fans and leagues? Let’s dive in.

Streaming Giants Take Over Live Sports  

The top streaming players are storming into live sports, and 2025 is their moment to shine. Netflix, known for movies and series, is now tackling the NFL with exclusive Christmas Day games, a clear sign it’s serious about sports media. Disney+ is playing hardball too, bundling ESPN+ into its service to keep fans hooked on everything from college basketball to UFC fights. Amazon’s Prime Video isn’t new to this—it’s locked down Thursday Night Football and keeps pushing for more exclusive rights that old-school broadcasters can’t touch. This is no small side project; it’s a full-blown takeover of how sports hit our screens.

Here are some key moves showing how streaming platforms are staking their claim:  

*Netflix grabs NFL Christmas Day broadcasts*, delivering pro football to its 260 million subscribers.  

*Disney+ ties in ESPN+*, packaging a wide range of sports into one easy subscription.  

*Amazon secures Thursday Night Football*, drawing huge crowds every week.  

*Peacock steps up with MLB Sunday Leadoff*, catering to baseball fans with a fresh twist.  

These efforts prove streaming services are all-in on live sports streaming, chasing the excitement of real-time action.

Why Live Sports Matter to Streamers  

So why are streamers so fixated on live sports? It boils down to three big reasons: massive audiences, hefty ad revenue, and subscriber loyalty. Nothing pulls in viewers like a live game, and with PwC estimating 90 million U.S. sports streamers by 2025, the potential is enormous. These events bring in serious cash from ads—think blockbuster-level earnings week after week. On top of that, live sports keep people subscribed. A fan won’t ditch their plan when their team’s championship run is only available on one platform. For streamers, this isn’t just another category—it’s a critical piece of their growth puzzle, tied tightly to sports viewership trends that keep climbing.

Sports Fans Face a Fragmented Viewing Puzzle  

Sports media fragmentation is a growing pain for fans in 2025. To watch the NBA, you might need ESPN. The NFL? Maybe Amazon or Netflix has it. Baseball could be on Peacock, or perhaps Venu’s got the rights. It’s a confusing mess, a far cry from the days when one cable box covered it all. Deloitte’s recent survey highlights the frustration—35% of sports fans say they’re tired of managing multiple subscriptions just to follow their teams. This scattered setup is a real hurdle, leaving viewers annoyed and budgets stretched. Bundling deals might offer some relief down the line, but right now, fans are stuck piecing together a tricky puzzle.

Efforts to Simplify the Fan Experience  

There’s light at the end of the tunnel, though. Smart sports streaming solutions are popping up to cut through the clutter. ESPN’s “Where to Watch” tool is a game-changer, guiding fans to the exact platform for each matchup. In Europe, Eurovision Sport is experimenting with a single login that lets viewers jump between events without juggling accounts. These aren’t total fixes yet, but they’re promising steps toward a smoother experience. For fans, it’s a welcome move—no one wants to miss a game-winning play because they’re lost in app limbo.

Ad Dollars Fuel the Streaming Wars  

Advertising is the powerhouse driving the streaming wars, and in 2025, it’s hitting full throttle. Platforms like Prime Video are rattling the traditional TV upfronts, scooping up ad budgets that used to flow straight to cable networks. Free streamers like Tubi are also making waves, offering sports content without a subscription fee. Why’s this a big deal? Ads mean serious revenue, and sports provide the perfect setup—live, captive audiences that brands can’t resist. Check out these eye-openers:  

*YouTube’s ad revenue might reach $42 billion in 2025*, boosted by sports clips.  

*Prime Video’s NFL games pull in $100 million a season* from advertisers.  

*Tubi’s ad-supported platform grows 25%*, thanks to budget-friendly sports fans.  

These advertising trends in sports are lighting a fire under streamers, who know every fan watching is a chance to cash in.

The Rise of Free Streaming Options  

Free sports streaming is carving out a real niche, and it’s no surprise why. Services like Tubi are exploding in popularity, serving up live games and replays with ads instead of monthly fees. For fans fed up with stacking subscriptions, it’s a refreshing alternative. This plugs right into the ad boom—more viewers equal more ad opportunities, and free access keeps the numbers climbing. It’s not a minor player anymore; it’s a genuine force in the streaming wars, giving cost-savvy fans a solid option.

New Players and Niche Sports Join the Game  

The sports media world in 2025 is bursting with variety, far beyond the usual heavy hitters. Women’s leagues like the WNBA are landing prime streaming real estate, while niche sports—think pickleball or esports—are finding eager audiences online. Deloitte notes private equity is pumping money into new leagues, betting big on their rise. Streaming makes this boom possible, offering a stage for smaller sports that cable rarely touched. Social media adds fuel, spreading buzz fast and wide.

Even beyond traditional sports, digital entertainment like Starlight Princess 1000 on Slotcatalog—a vibrant anime-themed slot game—shows how platforms are tapping into diverse interests to captivate audiences, blending gaming with the same streaming ecosystem that’s elevating niche sports. This wave of sports media growth shows the field is wider and more diverse than ever.

Social Media’s Role in Sports Highlights  

Social media sports trends are shaking up how fans get their fix. YouTube, snagging 10% of U.S. TV watch time according to Nielsen, is a highlight powerhouse—delivering instant replays of clutch moments or viral plays. Twitch goes deeper, streaming live gaming events that mix sports and entertainment in a fresh way. These platforms aren’t just extras; they’re rivals, dishing out quick, free sports hits that keep fans engaged. Especially for younger crowds, this is the preferred way to stay connected without shelling out for a full package.

What’s Next for Sports Media in 2025  

Peering into the future, sports media in 2025 is gearing up for some major plays. The NBA’s 2025-2026 rights deals, potentially worth $76 billion, will redraw the map, with streamers likely snagging a huge chunk. Tech’s leaping forward too—4K is standard, and 8K streaming might soon cater to fans who want every detail in crystal clarity. Still, challenges loom. Streamers need to keep fans in the game without jacking up costs or leaving rural viewers behind. Sports streaming in 2025 is teetering on the edge of something big—growth is locked in, but the details will decide the winners.

Balancing Cost and Access for Fans  

Here’s the catch: sports streaming accessibility isn’t keeping up with the hype. Subscription prices are inching higher, putting pressure on fans’ wallets. Even worse, the FCC reports 42 million Americans—mostly in rural areas—still lack reliable broadband. Streamers are chasing profits, but they can’t ignore viewers who just want affordable access without endless buffering. Striking that balance will be the make-or-break factor in this war’s next chapter.

Final Thoughts  

The sports media trends of 2025 paint a vivid picture: streaming’s running the show, and it’s a thrilling, messy ride. Giants are battling for live games, pouring ad dollars into the fight, while fans wrestle with a fragmented mess of options. New sports and free platforms are shaking up the mix, bringing fresh energy to the scene. Looking ahead, 2025 feels like a defining moment—where tech breakthroughs, big money, and fan demands crash together. Streaming’s on top, but it’s got to figure out how to keep fans happy without leaving them broke or disconnected. Access and affordability will shape the real victors, making this year a true turning point for sports media’s future.

Chris Allinger To Retire At 103.7 Q-Country Ithaca New York

BMM Staff
-
0
Chris Allinger To Retire At 103.7 Q-Country Ithaca New York

103.7 Q-Country in Ithaca, New York‘s morning host and Operation Manager, Chris Allinger, announced his retirement on air this morning.

Allinger, who has spent his entire 35-year career at Q-Country, hinted that the show would be “winding down” at the end of August.

He said, “Sleeping a little bit later than 3:15 in the morning. That the first plan.”

Adding, “It has been the greatest joy to wake up with you for 35 years now. I didn’t have gray hair back then. I didn’t have backache back then. I could walk a little straighter, too. The more I think about it, where did 35 years go?”

Allinger is known for several local charitable causes, including the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.

Reporting from RadioOnline included words of praise from Cayuga Media Group President Chet Osadchey, who said, “He is truly one of the kindest and most authentic people I have ever worked with. Chris is the same person to everyone in the building that he is to his massive radio-listening audience. He has been a truly great radio ambassador.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

MLB Network to Simulcast Final Hour of SiriusXM ‘The Leadoff Spot’

BSM Staff
-
0
MLB Network to Simulcast Final Hour of SiriusXM ‘The Leadoff Spot’

As the Major League Baseball season gets set to begin, the final hour of The Leadoff Spot on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio is going to have a new television home. MLB Network, the league-owned broadcast entity that has been on the air since 2009, will be presenting the 9 a.m. EST hour of the show on weekdays starting on Wednesday, which will precede MLB Central and other studio programming on the channel. Steve Phillips, Eduardo Pérez and Xavier Scruggs host the weekday morning radio program where they talk about the latest headlines surrounding the game, along with teams and players competing on the field.

“Major League Baseball and SiriusXM have had a productive relationship for many years, so it’s only natural for us to expand our valuable platforms with this new endeavor,” Bill Morningstar, president of MLB Network, said in a statement. “‘The Leadoff Spot’ is an insightful and topical daily program that will only enhance our content and expand the variety of opinions and noteworthy interviews fans will consume on MLB Network.”

This alteration takes place as MLB Network also gets set to premiere the MLB Network Podcast and Off Base Podcast offerings on Wednesday as well, which will generally air on the weekends throughout the regular season. Throughout the rest of the weekdays, the network will generally present studio shows such as MLB Now, Intentional Talk and Quick Pitch. On top of that, the Emmy award-winning MLB Tonight will commence its expansion with the new national pregame show iteration of the program hosted by Greg Amsinger, Harold Reynolds and Dan Plesac.

“‘The Leadoff Spot’ is an entertaining and informative way for baseball fans to start their day,” Eric Spitz, vice president of sports programming at SiriusXM, said in a statement. “SiriusXM listeners know that the insights you get from Steve, Eduardo and Xavier, with their exceptional experience in the front office and on the field, are second to none. We’re thrilled to work with Major League Baseball to expand the reach of the show and deliver that expertise to those tuning in on MLB Network.”

Earlier in the offseason, MLB Network canceled High Heat with Christopher Russo and Alanna Rizzo after the show had been on the air for 11 seasons. Furthermore, the network reportedly extended voluntary early retirement plans to several employees.  The broadcast entity will also be moving to new headquarters beginning in 2028 as it continues to produce live programming and air MLB game broadcasts.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

1...1,0161,0171,018...2,896Page 1,017 of 2,896