Home Blog Page 102

What College GameDay Taught Us About Welcoming Opposing Views

John Mamola
-
0
What College GameDay Taught Us About Welcoming Opposing Views

It’s not the first time, nor will it be the last. This past Saturday, College GameDay devoted a segment to the upcoming vote on the Protect College Sports Act this week in Congress. Regardless of your political leanings, a college football pregame show devoted time at the official kickoff of the season to publicly support national legislation with no representation of the opposing view.

Is this the new normal? Is this the expectation moving forward? Without question, college football needs some sort of reform. But is this act the fix? And should it be debated on a college football pregame show to kick off a new season of Saturdays in the fall? If Saturday was an example, where was the debate? There was none.

I’m not naive enough to believe sports and politics have never mixed on sports television programming. I’ve always argued that if there is a direct connection between sports and a political debate, then engage. But engage properly. Except, Saturday provided a moment where the intersection was direct. However, the forum was not open to the other side.

Instead, this was lobbying. Not discussion. This was advocacy, not debate.

The Other Side Is Important

Yes, Nick Saban is a staunch supporter of the act proposed in Congress. In fact, he testified before a Senate committee in support of the bill and appears in a commercial supporting it. Yes, Pat McAfee is also a supporter of the act. He’s said as much on his daily sports talk program.

But the heart of the legislation is still up for debate. The vote comes this week. Saban himself said he considers the bill 80% good.

Why only 80%? Where is the other 20% lacking? That could have used another point of view from someone opposed to the act.

But where was it?

Make no mistake about it. ESPN has been a lightning rod for years over talent embracing social commentary and political conversation on air. The network has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum when its talent has ventured into broader discussions involving sports and politics.

We’ve seen it with Colin Kaepernick and the national anthem debate. We’ve seen it in discussions surrounding the NBA and WNBA with issues of political and social policy. Depending on the audience and the topic, ESPN has always been accused of being too “this” or too “that.”

But at the heart of those criticisms is often the same complaint: the absence of an opposing viewpoint. Taking a stance instead of embracing debate and conversation. That doesn’t mean every argument needs to receive equal weight. What it does mean is that when a program chooses to enter a discussion involving a matter of public policy, the audience deserves an opportunity to hear more than one perspective.

If shows or talent wish to dive into these discussions, they should ensure that both sides have representation. That’s what fair coverage deserves, and what every sports talent should understand.

Both Sides Matter

At the end of the day, every program should give viewers and listeners an informed and entertaining point of view. Political discussions demand that broadcasters present more than one perspective. Any sort of reform has its supporters and detractors. News networks attempt to provide both sides. Talk radio also makes an effort to present both angles of a discussion.

Without debate, nothing is accomplished. Compromise is never reached. Agreement is never final.

There is a dissenting side to the legislation in Congress. But you wouldn’t know that by watching College GameDay on Saturday. Withholding that point of view when you choose to enter the discussion is misguided. It doesn’t accomplish the service your program is designed to provide: entertain and inform.

Saturday’s edition of College GameDay should be an example every sports talk program attempts to avoid. If a program chooses to enter the political arena, it has a responsibility to do more than present one side of the argument. When legislation is being debated, especially legislation that could directly impact the sports being discussed, the audience deserves to hear the strongest arguments from both supporters and opponents. It didn’t happen.

By doing so, that’s giving viewers and listeners enough perspective to form their own opinions. Isn’t that the goal? Have the audience decide?

Talent can have a position. Programs can have a point of view. But when the discussion involves politics and public policy, presenting only one side risks turning commentary into advocacy. And that distinction matters.

Sports debate has always been at its best when it challenges its audience to think, question and engage. Saturday provided an opportunity to do exactly that and missed it. The Protect College Sports Act deserved a conversation, not a campaign pitch.

Every sports talk program entering similar territory should remember the difference.

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.

Editorial Playlists and Independent Curators Shape Music Discovery

David Hill
-
0
Editorial Playlists and Independent Curators Shape Music Discovery

About two years ago, my curiosity just wouldn’t let me alone. I got access to ChartMetric, and honestly, I became kind of obsessed. I kept digging into the playlisting world and the independent curator space because I couldn’t stop asking: “Wait, how does this actually work?” I’m still figuring it out, but what I’ve been learning is making me rethink how the whole music ecosystem flows.

For years, we all told ourselves the same story: get on an editorial playlist like RapCaviar or New Music Friday, and boom — you’ve made it. But the more I look at what’s actually happening, the less that feels like the whole picture. Clearly, something more complex is going on. This whole connected system exists beneath the surface. And I’m still learning it, but I think it matters.

Full transparency: I own The Tune Farm, a boutique marketing agency that offers some of these services. This isn’t a commercial for my business — it’s just me thinking out loud about how this all actually works. But I wanted to be upfront about that.

The Independent Curator: Where It All Starts

Okay, so nobody gets excited about the unsexy beginning. Playlists with 5,000 followers? That doesn’t sound like it matters. But the more I dig into this, the more I think they might actually be where everything starts. These independent curators — bloggers, niche community builders, DJ-types — they’re adding music they actually care about. They’re not algorithms. They’re people.

Now, here’s something I’ve learned that gets complicated: not all of these “independent” playlists are actually independent. Some of the bigger ones? They’re owned by major labels. They look grassroots, they feel authentic, but there’s money and strategy behind them. That’s real, and it’s worth knowing.

But here’s what still matters: the truly independent curators are still out there, still floating around, and they’re still part of the conversation. They might have smaller audiences, but they have a voice. And the engagement they create is genuine. I should note — this influence can be bought, but Spotify’s getting smarter about detecting that stuff. There’s real risk if you end up on the wrong playlists.

The Data Shift from Indie Playlists

Here’s the thing I keep noticing: when a track lands on multiple indie playlists — the real ones — something shifts in the data. I started tracking this through ChartMetric, and I kept going, “Wait, is this real?” But yeah, when you see a song hit ten, fifteen, or twenty independent playlists, the streams don’t just stay flat. They move. Something’s happening.

I think what’s happening is that these engagement signals — the saves, the playlist adds, the actual song completions — they’re real in a way that matters to Spotify’s algorithm. It’s not fake engagement. These listeners actually chose to add the song. They’re not scrolling past it.

Maybe I’m overthinking this, but it reminds me of something from radio’s best days: tastemakers mattered. The music director at an influential station could break records. The trusted afternoon host could move culture. That mattered. And I think that’s what’s still happening with these independent curators, just in a totally different shape.

The Algorithmic Playlist: Where Signals Become Recommendation

I’m still wrapping my head around this part, to be honest. Once you’ve got enough engagement on these indie playlists, something kicks in. Spotify’s algorithm starts showing the song to more people. We’re talking Discover Weekly, Release Radar, or Daily Mixes — the playlists that drive millions of streams.

What exactly is Spotify watching? The data points seem to be save rates, completion rates, playlist adds, and follower growth. But I’m not 100% sure how much weight each one gets.

What I do know is: a track gains traction on indie playlists and drives real engagement. Suddenly, Spotify’s algorithm recognizes something worth recommending. The reach multiplies. A curator’s 5,000 followers becomes 50,000 listeners through algorithmic play. It feels reproducible. There’s a system that responds to real listener behavior.

How the Pipeline Flows Upward

Think of it this way: genuine engagement signals feed the algorithm. The algorithm then exponentially amplifies those signals. Real listener behavior creates the foundation for everything that follows.

The Editorial Playlist: The Amplifier (If You Can Get In)

Editorial playlists — RapCaviar, New Music Friday, or Today’s Top Hits — they’re the biggest megaphone in music. A single placement means millions of streams. That part I’m sure about.

But I keep wondering: are editorial playlists only about who you know? Some artists and labels definitely have direct relationships with Spotify’s team. That’s real. However, the more I look, the more I think editorial is also watching what’s already working. If a song is already gaining momentum on indie playlists and triggering algorithmic recommendations, I think that gives editorial a reason to add it. They can see it’s already resonating.

Maybe it’s not either/or anymore. Perhaps you need a relationship and you need the data. I’m still learning, but the pipeline seems less closed off than it used to be.

Why This Matters for Radio and Media

Here’s why I keep thinking about this: radio people have been in the influence business for a long time. We know what it means to be a tastemaker. And I’m wondering if we’re missing that we still are.

Your playlists, your on-air recommendations, your social media curation — that’s still tastemaking. You’re still creating signals that real listeners respond to. And maybe — I think — those signals matter more than we realize to how music actually discovers its audience.

If that’s true, then radio isn’t irrelevant. It’s just part of a bigger conversation. And understanding this pipeline? That’s understanding where we fit in.

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

Radio’s Fall Holiday Playbook For Programmers And Promotions

Jim Ryan
-
0
Radio’s Fall Holiday Playbook For Programmers And Promotions

Labor Day is behind us, and it’s time to plan for the fall holidays. This is my public service column for programmers and promotion departments. Consider it your reminder to get to work on the important holidays that occur during the fall rating book. Gone are the days when you could walk over to the sales department and ask for a turkey giveaway on two weeks’ notice. It’s also the time of year when your charitable efforts are needed most. Whether it be food for the hungry, toys for the kids or coats for the needy, it’s time to button up your community efforts. Those campaigns add a huge halo to your station’s image.

But first, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how important this week is. Friday is the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. As a native New Yorker, I was programming in New York City when the twin towers fell. Perhaps you already saw the moving show on ABC-TV last week. Like most who lived through the tragedy of that day, I don’t feel like 25 years have passed. I know New York radio will reflect the mood of the city this week. Wherever you are, I hope you have some sort of acknowledgement.

Halloween Delivers Weeks of Morning Show Content

Since radio, and morning shows in particular, should be fun, no holiday reflects that better than Halloween. There is also no holiday that can carry as many promotions without offending anyone. As a result, it would be beneficial to establish a relationship with the leading haunted house in your market. While it might not translate great on the air outside of ticket giveaways, the social media aspects are huge. For example, Karen Carson’s New York show had a nurse accompany her elderly father to keep an eye on his blood pressure as they toured the house. Social media promotions also range from best carved pumpkins to scariest decorated homes.

Morning shows have content for weeks. Halloween confessions past and present, voting on the best candy and costumes, and the scariest thing you’ve ever seen at work all work well. In addition, you can look for homes that people believe could be haunted. Since some costumes today tend to be a bit riskier, you could do Spooky or Sexy and post pictures. I’ve even seen a station sell a local car dealer a promotion where listeners brought their pre-school kids for their first Halloween. Meanwhile, the station talent bonded with parents while the kids ran around grabbing goodies.

Because Halloween is a Saturday this year, feel free to hit the Halloween songs hard. If your format allows, Thriller should be in power rotation for the day. Have fun with this one. From Ghostbusters to Back in Black to The Devil Went Down to Georgia, there’s someone for everyone.

Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Need Your Attention Now

Some stations will devote resources to honoring veterans on November 11 this year. For instance, I heard a classic rock station record actual veterans shouting out their branch of service and the company where they served. They then introduced the next set of music. This was done throughout the day. It’s also a great time to raise money — and it takes a lot — to train a vet dog. Use imaging and talent to thank these men and women for their service.

You need to start working on Thanksgiving now. If you don’t have a budget, you will need your sales department’s help. Prices are high, and there’s no sign of things costing less soon. Not only did families find gas prices higher this Labor Day than any other, but diesel fuel prices hit an all-time high. As a result, costs will rise for everything transported by truck. That includes almost everything in the grocery store. Therefore, you need to find ways to make Thanksgiving free for your listeners. Turkeys, yes, but go even further and try to give away supermarket shopping sprees. With Black Friday following Thanksgiving, perhaps you could even tie in a mall. Since so much shopping is now done online, use a local pitch this year to shop “a store with a door.”

Your morning show talk topics leading up to Thanksgiving are gold. Which food do you secretly hate? Who is the worst guest at the table? There are also some dumb family traditions to talk about, and don’t forget the debate over who is hosting. From Thanksgiving travel nightmares to those that happen in the kitchen, stories emerge anytime lots of people gather or travel. As I always say, great stories are the key to engaging your audience and Nielsen success.

Plan in September, Enjoy the Fall

Time flies when you’re doing several jobs, as most of us are these days. If you’re a parent, school activities are taking up time right now as well. Use September to plan what is ahead. Then you will be able to enjoy the fall holidays as much as your listeners do.

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.

25 Years Later: How Radio Can Honor 9/11 This Friday

Bethany Kent
-
0
25 Years Later: How Radio Can Honor 9/11 This Friday

This Friday marks 25 years since September 11th changed the country forever. I watched Turning Point: Generation 9/11 on Netflix this weekend, and it stuck with me. More than 100 million Americans alive today were born after that morning. For them, 9/11 isn’t a memory. It’s history, passed down the way older generations passed down stories about Pearl Harbor.

Meanwhile, 93% of Americans over 35 still remember exactly where they were that day. That gap is exactly why radio matters here. We sit between the generation that lived it and the generation learning it for the first time. Few mediums reach both audiences at once the way we do.

What This Friday Looks Like

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum built out a full slate of programming for the 25th anniversary, and it’s worth bookmarking. Families will gather at the Memorial plaza for the annual reading of names, followed by seven moments of silence. Disney and ABC News will air a primetime tribute starting at 8 p.m. ET, anchored by David Muir, Robin Roberts, and Diane Sawyer. The Tribute in Light will once again rise over lower Manhattan.

The site also runs “Remember the Sky,” an initiative asking people everywhere to photograph the sky on 9/11 and share it with a memory attached. That’s a simple, shareable moment any morning show can build a segment around.

For programmers looking to point listeners toward broader coverage, Deadline’s roundup of 9/11 TV specials is a solid resource to link in show notes or on-air mentions.

Turn the Anniversary Into a Day of Service

Radio doesn’t just have to talk about 9/11. It can act on it. In 2014, while I was at HOT 97, we organized a day of service with Ebro In The Morning. Listeners joined us and partners from the U.S. Army to help build a house in Queens for Habitat for Humanity. You can watch that day here.

That project taught me something I still believe: 9/11 hits differently when a station treats it as a day of service instead of just a day of remembrance. Federal law even designates September 11th as a National Day of Service. Morning shows are perfectly built for this. Rally your listeners. Partner with a local nonprofit. Show up together.

If your station can’t organize a full build, smaller ideas still work. Coordinate a blood drive. Collect supplies for a local firehouse. Volunteer at a food bank as a team. The goal isn’t scale. It’s participation.

Music Can Carry What Words Cannot

Sometimes a moment needs a soundtrack instead of a script. In 2021, while at Audacy, I helped produce the Stars and Strings Tribute Concert at Pier 17 in Manhattan, hosted by New York’s Country 94.7 FM. To commemorate the 20th anniversary, Darius Rucker, Zac Brown, and Chris Young performed as the Tribute in Light lit up behind the audience and a massive American flag waved off the Brooklyn Bridge behind the performers. A few hundred first responders sat in that crowd. I will never forget that night.

Not every market can produce a concert of that size, but every station can lean on music that fits the moment. Consider building a tribute playlist. Dedicate a segment to listener stories. Music gives people permission to feel something they might not put into words on their own.

A Few Ways to Start This Week

Before Friday arrives, consider a few simple moves. Link the 9/11 Memorial’s anniversary page on your station’s website or social pages so listeners have a resource. Share the boat lift documentary on social media; it tells one of the most overlooked rescue stories from that day. I re-watch it annually. Ask your morning show to spend five minutes discussing where hosts were that morning, then invite listeners to call in with their own memories.

Twenty-five years in, radio still has a job to do here. We can inform the generation that wasn’t there yet. We can honor the generation that never forgot. And on Friday, we can prove that a broadcast signal still has the power to bring a community together.

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.

Longtime WWL Personality Mike Detillier Dies at 65 Due to Cancer

John Mamola
-
0
Longtime WWL Personality Mike Detillier Dies at 65 Due to Cancer

Mike Detillier has died at 65. The longtime WWL Radio analyst passed Sunday, just says before he planned to share difficult news of his own.

What We Know: Detillier spent more than four decades with WWL Radio, covering college and professional football. He became one of Louisiana’s most trusted voices on the Saints, LSU and the NFL Draft. According to the station, Detillier learned less than two weeks ago that he had terminal cancer. He intended to tell listeners on Tuesday, his 66th birthday.

What They Said: The New Orleans Saints released a statement following his death (via X): “The New Orleans Saints organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of WWL Radio host Mike Detillier. A proud son of Louisiana, Mike was widely respected as a gifted football analyst, a trusted guide through the NFL Draft, and an exceptional family man. Beyond his incredible contributions to the game, he was above all a true gentleman and a dedicated family man. Saints gamedays at the Caesars Superdome, training camp practices, and press conferences simply will not be the same without his presence. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his immediate family and to the community of devoted listeners who considered him a friend over the airwaves.”

What Remains Unclear: WWL Radio has not detailed any tribute or on-air memorial.

What It Means: Detillier’s death leaves a real void in Louisiana sports radio. His decades of institutional knowledge on the Saints, LSU and the draft won’t be easily replaced. Still, his influence on how the region covers football will likely endure for years.

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.

Kenny Smoov Departs 92Q Nashville Cumulus Media

David Hill
-
0
Kenny Smoov Departs 92Q Nashville Cumulus Media

Kenny Smoov departs 92Q Nashville. The veteran executive concludes his 23-year tenure with Cumulus Media.

What We Know Kenny Smoov announced his departure from 92Q Nashville this week, ending a remarkable 23-year career with Cumulus Media. Notably, he spent 21 of those years leading the urban format station as its driving force. During his tenure, Smoov also served as Vice President of Urban Formats, overseeing urban radio brands across the country. Additionally, his leadership helped establish 92Q Nashville as one of the nation’s most recognizable urban radio destinations.

What They Said “This has been an incredible chapter of my life and career,” Smoov reflected on his departure. He continued, “I’m extremely proud of what we built, the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with, and the relationships I’ve developed both in Nashville and nationally over the past two decades.” However, Smoov expressed optimism about his future. “But I’m also excited about what comes next,” he stated. “I still have a lot of ideas, energy and great work ahead of me.”

What Remains Unclear The timing of Smoov’s transition remains unspecified in his announcement. Furthermore, Cumulus Media hasn’t yet publicly addressed the departure or disclosed potential successor plans. Also unclear are specific details regarding his Nashville Brown LLC consulting venture. Meanwhile, the company hasn’t announced new programming leadership for 92Q Nashville.

What It Means Smoov’s exit signals significant changes ahead for 92Q Nashville’s direction. Subsequently, the station will pursue new programming leadership and strategic vision. Importantly, his expertise through Nashville Brown LLC positions him for broader industry influence. Ultimately, this marks a pivotal moment for both him and the urban radio landscape.

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.

Emily Compagno Bids Farewell to Fox News’ Outnumbered Ahead of Move to The Five

Garrett Searight
-
0
Emily Compagno Bids Farewell to Fox News’ Outnumbered Ahead of Move to The Five

Emily Compagno bid farewell to Fox News’ Outnumbered after nearly six years with Fox News. She’ll join The Five as a permanent co-host next week.

What We Know: Emily Compagno departed Outnumbered on Friday. Beginning Tuesday, September 8th, Compagno will serve as a permanent co-host of The Five. The Five remains the most-watched program across all of cable news. Her departure marks the end of a lengthy run alongside the program’s rotating panel of co-hosts.

What They Said: “I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to all of you at home who trusted me to help deliver and analyze the news every day at noon ET, and to the incredible crew on this stage, my executive producer Trina Thompson, and to our entire outnumbered team, whose dedication, professionalism, and sheer talent are the reason for this show’s excellence day in and day out. It has been an extraordinary privilege and an honor to serve as a co-host of Outnumbered. From now on, see you at five.” -Emily Compagno

What Remains Unclear: Fox News hasn’t detailed how Outnumbered will adjust its lineup on the show following Compagno’s departure.

What It Means: Compagno’s move gives The Five another established Fox News personality with years of experience on the network. Meanwhile, Outnumbered will lose one of its longest-serving co-hosts. Still, the move places Compagno on television’s most-watched cable news program during a key part of the afternoon schedule.

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.

Christian Lacoss Exits 96.5 Live Free Country After Two Years

David Hill
-
0
Christian Lacoss Exits 96.5 Live Free Country After Two Years

Christian Lacoss exits Live Free Country tonight after two years. The night host departs Saga Communications’ Bedford/Manchester, NH station following significant personal growth.

What We Know Lacoss joined Live Free Country in March 2024. Subsequently, he moved to nights at the start of 2025. Additionally, he held digital sales responsibilities within Saga Communications. His tenure at the station spanned two transformative years of development.

What they said Lacoss shared his emotions on Instagram about the departure. “I grew up here,” he explained to followers reflecting on his time. Furthermore, he credited Mike and Laura Stelchook with changing his perspective. “I walked in at 24 with attitude and ego,” Lacoss posted. “I leave a very different person than that kid who arrived.”

What Remains Unclear Lacoss hasn’t announced his next career move publicly. Meanwhile, Live Free Country’s timeline for replacement remains undetermined. Whether this signals broader Saga staffing changes stays uncertain. The station’s programming direction going forward also remains unknown.

What It Means Lacoss’s exit reflects significant industry talent development patterns. Young broadcasters often transition after building credibility and experience. Moreover, his transparent farewell resonates with radio’s ongoing retention challenges. Station mentorship increasingly matters to emerging talent seeking purpose-driven work.

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.

Scott Hanson: NFL RedZone Ownership Was One Of The “Most Complex” Portions Of ESPN, NFL Deal

John Mamola
-
0
Scott Hanson: NFL RedZone Ownership Was One Of The “Most Complex” Portions Of ESPN, NFL Deal

Scott Hanson says RedZone was one of the more “complex” portions of the ESPN-NFL deal approved earlier this year. The longtime host revealed how close production rights came to changing hands.

What We Know: Hanson has hosted NFL RedZone since 2009. He remains the show’s face after the ESPN-NFL agreement closed earlier this year. ESPN now handles linear distribution, but the NFL retains production. Hanson confirmed the show will look and sound the same, with him still in the chair. However, during an interview with Front Office Sports, Hanson says that the RedZone portion of the agreement came to be one of the more complex portions of the agreement itself.

What They Said: (All quotes via Front Office Sports):

Scott Hanson on the complexity of the NFL RedZone portion of the ESPN, NFL deal done earlier this year: “The NFL executives who did the deal with the merger with Disney told me the RedZone component of the Disney NFL media deal, was one of the most complex portions of the deal. Because I think ESPN rightly wanted to own and operate and produce RedZone outright. Because of the galactic popularity of the show. But the NFL, for their reasons, wanted to retain control of the production of RedZone. They met in the middle.”

Scott Hanson ESPN can share any ideas they may have for production of NFL RedZone: “It’s basically going to be distributed linearly by ESPN, but the NFL will still be producing NFL RedZone. It’ll still look the same, sound the same, same host, same promise to the audience. But if the folks at Disney and the worldwide leader in sports, ESPN, if they have some great ideas as to how to make the show even better, they undoubtedly will have a voice in the room as well.”

What Remains Unclear: If any influence from ESPN could affect production models of the RedZone product this season. Also, Hanson notes commercial loads this year will not increase. However, he stopped short at confirming if that will change throughout the year.

What It Means: The deal shows both sides value stability over disruption. ESPN gains distribution muscle without touching a fan favorite. The NFL protects a product it built from scratch. Ultimately, Hanson’s portrayal of the RedZone discussions between the ESPN and the NFL paint a picture of its popularity with fanbases. Now, we’ll see if ESPN and the NFL does work in tow with each other to improve the product throughout the season.

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.

Peter Burns Signs Multi-Year Extension To Remain With SEC Network

John Mamola
-
0
Peter Burns Signs Multi-Year Extension To Remain With SEC Network

Peter Burns is staying with SEC Network for years to come. The longtime host has signed a new multi-year extension with ESPN to stay on the SEC Network.

What We Know: Burns joined SEC Network as a studio host when the network launched in August 2014. He has hosted SEC Now ever since, adding SEC This Morning co-host duties in 2018. Additionally, Burns became host of the network’s pregame football show in 2024, expanding his on-air footprint. Burns announced the extension on social media.

What They Said: Peter Burns (via Threads): “Life news: Extremely honored to do what I love every single day. The SEC World is a special place and proud to call it home. Big things ahead.”

What Remains Unclear: However, ESPN hasn’t disclosed the length or financial terms of the new deal.

What It Means: The extension cements Burns as a cornerstone of SEC Network’s daily coverage. His expanding duties, from pregame host to SEC This Morning, show growing trust from ESPN. For the network, retaining familiar voices matters as competition for sports-media talent intensifies. Ultimately, Burns remains one of the most recognizable and versatile faces in SEC sports media.

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.

1...101102103...2,875Page 102 of 2,875