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NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt: FCC Broadcast Ownership Rules ‘Relics of the Past’, Time for ‘Modernization’

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NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt: FCC Broadcast Ownership Rules ‘Relics of the Past’, Time for ‘Modernization’

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt is advocating for the FCC to change its long broadcast ownership rules to compete with Big Tech.

In an address to The Media Institute, LeGeyt opened his speech by calling the ownership regulations currently in place outdated. He emphasized the place that outlets like YouTube currently hold in the media marketplace, sharing his belief that it is an uneven playing field.

“The FCC should first eliminate this national audience cap that undermines broadcasters’ ability to compete with these global behemoths,” said LeGeyt. “The FCC must modernize local TV and radio ownership rules. These are relics of the past. Current FCC rules largely prevent TV broadcasters from owning two of the top four-rated broadcast stations in a media market. Not two of the top four most watched video services in a market, just broadcast stations.

“This ignores the vast array of competition broadcasters now face, from streaming platforms to social media giants. And most importantly the fact that in many markets, communities would be best served by a pool of investment in one or two strong local newsrooms, rather than four under-resourced entities. Eliminating these regulations will allow local stations to aggregate resources, invest in journalism and strengthen their service to communities,” LeGeyt added.

LeGeyt continued by noting that he looks forward to working with lawmakers and the FCC to “modernize” the ownership regulations. The NAB President and CEO believes the future of broadcasting is at stake with the current rules.

“Allowing broadcasters to compete will give local stations the ability to invest in our journalists, our highly valued content, our weather technology and our newsrooms. We are doing our part to serve our communities at the very time they need us most. And we look forward to working with the FCC and Congress to do their part to ensure local broadcasters can be unshackled from the outdated rules that have held us back for so long. The time to act is now,” he concluded.

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Christy Holifield Named iHeartMedia Greensboro SC Market President

BMM Staff
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Christy Holifield Named iHeartMedia Greensboro SC Market President

Christy Holifield is set to join iHeartMedia Greensboro, SC, as Market President.

She arrives from iHeartMedia Columbia, SC, where she was VP/Sales. Hollifield will succeed Kellie Holeman.

iHeartMedia Carolinas President Dave Carwile said, “We are thrilled to have Christy step into this important leadership role. Her extensive experience and innovative approach to sales and marketing make her the perfect fit to lead our Greensboro team.”

Holifield added, “I am excited to take on this new challenge and lead the talented team in Greensboro. I look forward to continuing to build on our success and deliver exceptional results for our listeners and advertisers.”

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.

Lesley Visser To Receive 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award at New York Festivals

BSM Staff
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Lesley Visser To Receive 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award at New York Festivals

A sports journalism icon will be honored at the upcoming New York TV and Film Awards as the organization will honor Lesley Visser with the Festivals’ 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. Visser will receive the award at the upcoming Storytellers Gala, which will be streamed in May of this year. 

Visser’s career began in 1974 when she was hired as a reporter for the Boston Globe, which only two years later she made history as the first woman to cover the NFL for the newspaper. When she was named to the beat, press box credentials were not allowed for women or children. 

Visser also broke ground as the first female NFL analyst on television in 2009 with CBS Sports on top of being the first woman to be recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, receiving the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award. Visser is the only sportscaster in history to work broadcasts of the Final Four, NBA Finals, World Series, Triple Crown (horse racing), Monday Night Football, a Super Bowl, the U.S. Open (golf), the World Figure Skating Championships, and the Olympic Games. 

Visser now serves as a member of CBS Sports Network’s show We Need To Talk, which is the first all-women sports talk show on television, debuting in 2014. 

“I am deeply honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Television and Film Awards,” said Visser, “and I love that it will be presented at the Storytellers Gala. The heart of any sports journalist is dedicated to telling stories. I’m grateful to CBS for giving me this opportunity for more than 30 years, and I salute the men and women who have won this honor before me.” 

A Boston College graduate, Visser was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2007 and has continued to mentor young women throughout her career. 

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.

ESPN Platforms Report High Viewership For Women’s Basketball Doubleheader

BSM Staff
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ESPN Platforms Report High Viewership For Women’s Basketball Doubleheader

Fans of women’s college basketball showed up to watch a doubleheader featuring four of the top seven ranked teams in the sport on Sunday. ESPN shared Wednesday that ABC Networks broadcasts between #7 UCONN taking on #4 South Carolina followed by #5 LSU facing off with #3 Texas finished as the third and fourth most-watched regular season women’s college basketball games of all time across ESPN platforms.

The release also notes that ESPN’s College Gameday airing on Sunday ahead of the two contests was the most watched regular season women’s College Gameday since 2010. Sunday’s matchup between the Huskies and Gamecocks on ABC was viewed by 1.8 million viewers, with a peak viewership measured at 2.2 million. The second game of the doubleheader featuring the Tigers and Longhorns was viewed by an average of 1.7 million viewers, with a peak viewership of 2.3 million.

The high viewership numbers precede the expanded coverage announced by ESPN earlier this week where nearly 260 games are slated to be featured across ESPN platforms beginning Wednesday through February 25. Game broadcasts will be made available on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, as well as on ESPN+, SEC Network+ and ACCNX on the ESPN App.

This schedule is set to include sixteen of the top twenty-five ranked programs in the country.

Women’s sports, especially women’s collegiate basketball, have been gaining momentum in recent years, including an average of 12.3 million people watching last year’s NCAA women’s championship game between LSU and Iowa. In 2024, the NCAA announced an agreement with ESPN that will cover 40 of its championships throughout the United States with twenty-one of those being women’s events, worth a reported $920 million over eight years.

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WBAP Adds The Joe Pags Show to Daily Lineup

BNM Staff
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WBAP Adds The Joe Pags Show to Daily Lineup

WBAP in Dallas has added The Joe Pags Show to its lineup after severing ties with Chris Krok last month.

The show, hosted by Joe Pagliarulo, will be heard in the 8 PM to Midnight window, similar to Krok’s program.

Based in San Antonio, Pags was part of the widespread cuts from iHeartMedia late last year, resulting in his exit from 1200 WOAI in the Alamo City. Despite the exit from his local show, he continued to host his nationally syndicated show through Compass Media Networks.

The program airs live from 5-8 PM CT, but will be time delayed to air on WBAP.

With the addition of The Joe Pags Show, WBAP will not feature a daily lineup of:

  • 5-9 AM: WBAP’s Morning News
  • 9-11 AM: Casey Bartholomew
  • 11 AM-2 PM: The Dan Bongino Show
  • 2-5 PM: James Parker
  • 5-8 PM: Mark Levin
  • 8 PM-12 AM: Joe Pags

Joe Pagliarulo steps into the timeslot previously occupied by Chris Krok. He had been with the station for 12 years and spent two years with sister-station KLIF before shifting to WBAP.

During the Los Angeles wildfires, Krok shared a meme about the wildfires in Los Angeles that said “LA County: 72 genders, 0 operational fire hydrants.” He quietly departed the Cumulus Media Dallas station shortly thereafter.

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.

Jake Vulinec Named New Evening Host on 92.3 The Fan

BSM Staff
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Jake Vulinec Named New Evening Host on 92.3 The Fan

Audacy announced Wednesday Jake Vulinec as their new evening host effective immediately on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland. Vulinec joined 92.3 The Fan in May of 2023 as a part-time update anchor and fill-in host, and can now be found as the new host of Overtime on The Fan airing weekday evenings from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. eastern.

Vulinec initially explained his excitement over the news posting on his X account.

“I’d like to formally announce that I’ve accepted an offer to become the newest evening host on 92.3 The Fan,” Vulinec stated. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to take on this challenge.”

“Jake is a rising star in this industry, and we couldn’t be more excited to see him take over ‘Overtime,’” Keith Britton, brand manager of 92.3 The Fan, said in a statement. “Jake’s dedication, enthusiasm and fresh perspective will bring new energy to the show, and we know our audience will love what he brings to the table.”

In a statement to Barrett Media, Vulinec credits the support he has at the Cleveland sports talker for his quick rise at 92.3 The Fan and looks forward to what the future holds.

“Keith Britton and the team at 92.3 The Fan have been supportive of me having a creative vision and truly making the show my own,” said Vulinec. “I can’t wait to deliver a fresh and new perspective to the station while continuing to showcase my personality.”

This move is the latest in several changes that have taken place at 92.3 The Fan over the last several months, including the addition of Jonathan Peterlin to afternoon drive to host with Nick Wilson. Dustin Fox exited the afternoon drive timeslot towards the end of the summer of 2024, prompting a change in the daypart. Additionally, Britton himself was promoted to become the brand manager of the outlet this past October following the departure of Andy Roth.

Before joining 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, Vulinec served as the Sports Director WJCU and John Carroll University and called play-by-play for Cleveland Heights High School football and boys basketball.

The Audacy-owned station has been the flagship radio home for Cleveland Browns football since 2013.

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.

Joe Buck: ‘There’s a Lot of Catching Up to Do’ Ahead of ESPN MLB Opening Day Broadcast

BSM Staff
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Joe Buck: ‘There’s a Lot of Catching Up to Do’ Ahead of ESPN MLB Opening Day Broadcast

Joe Buck will be making his return to the baseball broadcast booth as part of an Opening Day doubleheader on ESPN when the Milwaukee Brewers visit the New York Yankees. It will mark the first time Buck is calling a national game in the sport in four years after leaving FOX Sports to join ESPN as the play-by-play voice of Monday Night Football. Joining him in the broadcast booth will be YES Network analyst Joe Girardi and Brewers analyst Bill Schroeder, analysts that he picked for the venture, as they document the action from the Bronx.

Buck is coming off a year in which ESPN achieved its second-best viewership for the Monday Night Football broadcast property, averaging 15 million viewers per game in the regular season. At the same time, he has been synonymous with the history of baseball as the voice of a record 24 World Series championships, responsible for the calls of indelible moments in baseball history. While appearing on the MLB Network morning show Hot Stove on Tuesday, Buck examined some of the challenges that will be associated with calling a baseball game once again.

“I haven’t done a game really – I did one game with the Cardinals – but I haven’t done a national game since 2021 World Series, and I can’t act like I’ve been up on every transaction the Yankees and Brewers have made, let alone the rest of the league,” Buck said. “I’ve never done a game, really, where I’ve been in charge of it with the pitch clock, so there’s a lot of catching up to do.”

Buck surmised that doing the first game of the season is probably the easiest assignment to do since he will be able to reference storylines from spring training, what occurred last year and the aspirations of the new season. Later in the interview, he mentioned some of the seminal changes in the sport, including superstar outfielder Juan Soto signing with the New York Mets and how Craig Counsell is now managing the Chicago Cubs.

“Here’s the thing,” Buck explained. “There’s going to be people on social media that are like, ‘This guy’s a moron. He doesn’t know that Craig Counsell manages the Cubs.’”

The game broadcast will also mark the first time the Brewers play a regular-season game since the passing of longtime radio voice Bob Uecker. Buck had the chance to spend time with Uecker when he was traveling on the road with his father, Jack Buck, in his youth. Reflecting on the legacy of the Brewers broadcaster, he remembered how everyone naturally gravitated towards him and that he brightened every room. Being able to properly discuss Uecker played a role in his selection process for the analysts that would be joining him in the broadcast booth.

“I wanted a Yankee guy and I wanted a Brewers guy,” Buck said, “and I want Bill to be able to talk firsthand about what it was like traveling around with Bob Uecker.”

Robert Flores, who was hosting Hot Stove alongside Harold Reynolds on Tuesday, asked Buck what it has been like to work with Troy Aikman on Monday Night Football. The duo has called games together for 23 years, but Buck explained that he knew within the first few weeks why he was a three-time Super Bowl champion. Aikman is someone he recognizes will show up to a game prepared and bring genuine authenticity to the game broadcast without trying to garner headlines or create viral moments.

“These guys that have been down on the field like the man to your right, Harold, they know what it’s like to stand in against a 96 mph fastball and have to put it in play, and I always defer to those guys,” Buck said. “And for Troy, he’s the ultimate team player too on top of all that, so we’ve been together for a long time for a reason. We just enjoy being in the same booth.”

The Opening Day matchup between the Brewers and Yankees will air on ESPN at 3 p.m. EST on Thursday, March 27. Upon the conclusion of the first game, the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers will face the Detroit Tigers. The Sunday Night Baseball broadcast team of play-by-play announcer Karl Ravech, analysts Eduardo Pérez and David Cone, and reporter Buster Olney will be on the call for the interleague matchup.

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.

NAB Show Announces Partnership with The Ankler for Business of Entertainment Track with Appearance From WWE Executives Nick Khan and Paul Levesque

BNM Staff
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NAB Show Announces Partnership with The Ankler for Business of Entertainment Track with Appearance From WWE Executives Nick Khan and Paul Levesque

The NAB Show has announced the debut of a Business of Entertainment track in partnership with The Ankler at the upcoming 2025 edition of the show.

The new initiative will feature appearances from WWE President Nick Khan and Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque, former famously known as Triple H. The duo will discuss the company’s global expansion and its talent development plan. Sean McNulty, author and host of The Ankler podcast and newsletter, will moderate the discussion.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Nick Khan and Paul Levesque to take the stage at our new Business of Entertainment track at NAB Show,” said NAB Global Connections and Events Executive Vice President and Managing Director Karen Chupka. “Partnering with The Ankler for this track brings a fresh, dynamic voice to cover the movers and shakers and game-changing content coming out of Hollywood.”

“NAB Show is the best stage in the world to highlight the future of entertainment and media, and I’m excited for The Ankler to be its partner in delivering the Business of Entertainment live in Las Vegas — smart, newsy and unforgettable conversations between our top journalists and some of the biggest names in the space,” added Ankler Media CEO and Editor-in-Chief Janice Min.

The NAB Show is currently scheduled for April 5th through the 9th at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The two-day program will have 10 sessions and presentations from media and entertainment executives.

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.

NBA All-Star Game Viewership Down 13% From 2024

BSM Staff
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NBA All-Star Game Viewership Down 13% From 2024

The final telecast of the NBA All-Star Game on TNT Sports amid the final year of its media rights deal with the NBA drew a significantly lower audience than the game last year, according to early reports. The league implementing a new format this season to draw more competitiveness to the game from the players involved replaced the traditional East vs. West matchup with a four-team, single-elimination tournament. 

The Sunday night broadcast reportedly averaged 4.72 million viewers across TNT, TBS and truTV, down 13% from last year’s mark of 5.398 million viewers but up 3% from the all-time low of 4.59 million in 2023. The game broadcast also finished first on the night for Men under 50 and in the 18-34 demographic.

The peak of viewership was measured at 4.99 million in the 9:30 – 9:45 p.m. EST quarter-hour which delivered the fourth-largest audience of the NBA season, only trailing the three Christmas Day games televised on the ESPN networks.

The annual exhibition had some stiff competition this year, as NBC aired its 50th Anniversary Special celebrating Saturday Night Live on the same night, which drew a massive 14.8 million viewers across NBC and Peacock streaming platform. The All-Star main event also followed a weather-delayed Daytona 500 broadcast on FOX Sports earlier in the afternoon which averaged 6.93 million viewers.

The NBA All-Star Game format has been the target of much scrutiny in the days following the contest with players and media alike sharing their criticisms of the new format. The largest critique of the contest surrounding the amount of actual basketball being played versus stoppages for commercials, musical performances, and other moments where the flow of the game was heavily affected for the players and the viewing public. 

Digitally the league saw NBA All-Star content throughout the weekend amassing a record 4.7 billion views, which is up 12% year-over-year according to data from Videocites. The weekend festivities also drove signups for NBA League Pass to increase 56% from the previous 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. 

Audacy Launches Infinity Networks With ‘Katie & Company’ And ‘The Rob + Holly Show’

BMM Staff
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Audacy Launches Infinity Networks With ‘Katie & Company’ And ‘The Rob + Holly Show’

At the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) in Nashville, Audacy announced the launch of Infinity Networks, a new network services and content platform. This initiative aims to provide top-tier shows, talented individuals, and high-quality content to other broadcasters, national audiences, and network advertisers.

Infinity Networks is committed to becoming a dedicated syndication provider for local broadcast brands and aiming to build a substantial portfolio of affiliate partnerships within the industry.

The platform will offer affiliates access to premium programming and resources designed to enhance audience engagement and strengthen relationships with advertisers for local station partners.

Susan Larkin, Audacy’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “The launch of Infinity Networks underscores Audacy’s commitment to delivering exceptional local programming to national audiences. Infinity Networks gives stations access to premium music-based shows and talent that captivate listeners, elevate ratings, and drive revenue. We look forward to building partnerships with affiliates to extend the reach of our top-tier shows and talent across the country.”

Infinity Networks will exist as an independent brand and launch with two flagship shows.

“Katie & Company”

Katie Neal, ACM award-winning and CMA Award finalist, is the vibrant host of “Katie & Company,” where she brings 2.7 million weekly listeners closer to Country’s biggest stars like Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll and Tim McGraw, who co-hosts the show’s Superstar Power Hour. Broadcasting out of a new state-of-the-art studio at the Hard Rock Cafe on Broadway in Nashville every weekday, Neal shares hit songs and behind-the-scenes stories and engages in genuine conversations with artists about their music and life. Known for her sincere curiosity and ability to forge authentic connections, Katie blends her love for Country music, pop culture, and everyday life, making her show a must-listen for anyone tuning in.

“The Rob + Holly Show”

ACM Award-winning duo Rob Stone and Holly Hutton bring the ultimate VIP treatment to Country radio, delivering access to over 1.3 million weekly listeners. From can’t-miss artist interviews to breaking Country news and behind-the-scenes stories, they bring fans closer to the music they love. Every Friday, the energy cranks up with the Friday Night Takeover, where Country’s biggest stars—like Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson and Jason Aldean—take control for an unforgettable ride. And with their Top 20 countdown, they spotlight the hottest hits in the genre, often joined by surprise Country music legends like Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Blake Shelton and Kenny Chesney.

The platform is set to consistently identify and partner with leading talent and network service providers. This approach aims to create a diverse array of programs and services designed to cater to the specific needs of stations across different markets.

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.

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