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Attention Spans Are 40 Seconds. What Does That Mean for Radio?

Kevin Robinson
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Attention Spans Are 40 Seconds. What Does That Mean for Radio?

If you’re still reading this — in a studio behind the mic or in a programming chair — after the latest round of mass industry layoffs, you are facing both a challenge and an opportunity. And that’s exactly what radio air talent coaching is designed to address.

There are plenty of us remaining. Over 15,000 radio stations cover America. iHeartMedia owns fewer than 900 of them. Most non-iHeartMedia stations are rooted in local community broadcasting. You know who you are.

The challenge is obvious. Fewer people are being asked to do more than ever before. The opportunity, however, is less obvious. The broadcasters who survive — even thrive — are those who choose to be spectacular. Not good. Not average. Not “good enough.”

Spectacular.

Why Be Good When You Can Be Spectacular?

For years, we’ve asked the challenge question: “Why Be Good When You Can Be Spectacular?”

The work that remains needs to be spectacular. But how?

Experts tell us the human brain holds about seven pieces of information in short-term memory. My wife Monica would probably argue that I operate well below that average — especially when trying to remember where I left the car keys.

Our world now is blink-and-you-miss-it. Attention is one of our most valuable commodities. Research by University of California-Irvine professor Gloria Mark found that the average time people stay focused on a single task has dropped from about 2.5 minutes in 2004 to roughly 40 seconds today. For broadcasters, therefore, messaging must be sharp, memorable, and delivered fast.

The key point for radio is that we don’t have much time to make an impression.

Research also discovered that the brain decides within 22 seconds whether information is important enough to store in long-term memory or whether it will be discarded. Fighting smartphones, social media, streaming services, and podcasts is the radio challenge now.

That’s why we ask the question: “Why settle for being good when you can be spectacular?”

We still hear air personalities aim for “good enough” — hit the post, read the liner, mention the weather. The format is executed flawlessly.

Here’s the rub: listeners don’t remember flawless.

They remember spectacular.

Lessons From a Legend

On-air, the greatest example I’ve heard was the late, legendary air personality The Real Don Steele. Google him, kids.

Don was one of the original Boss Jocks at Bill Drake‘s KHJ in Los Angeles (also worth a Google). He later became one of the signature voices of K-EARTH 101. If you’ve never heard his work, do yourself a favor and invest time listening to his archived airchecks. A 15-second break is a master class in personality radio.

What made Don Steele spectacular was more than his energy. Don had energy in spades. It was, in fact, his ability to create impact in an incredibly short amount of time.

Don could take a 15-second break and make it memorable. He understood word economy better than anyone. Every word had a purpose. Every sentence moved the listener. Every break had personality.

Most importantly, he mastered what we call Listener Eye Contact.

The Power of Listener Eye Contact

Listener Eye Contact is the most important skill an air personality — regardless of format — can develop. It is that magical quality where the listener feels you are talking directly to them. Nobody else. Radio air talent coaching at every level points to this same essential skill.

You’ve heard it before. One air talent sounds like they’re broadcasting to an audience. Another sounds like they’re talking to you.

The difference is enormous. The first feels staged, scripted, and distant. The second feels personal, authentic, and engaging.

Even though Don Steele delivered high-energy radio, he somehow made every listener feel like they were sitting across the table from him. The connection felt one-on-one. That’s why listeners remembered him.

And that’s why great personalities continue to matter, even in the face of streaming services and algorithm-driven playlists.

Every Break Is a Crossroads

The reality is that every break presents an opportunity — an opportunity to entertain and an opportunity to create a memory.

I’ve used the following in a dozen seminars and webinars. Over 25 years ago — before digital measurement — Arbitron representative and True Talent founder Karen Young wrote a memo titled “Seven Things Personalities Should Know About the Ratings.” One observation remains as relevant today as when she first wrote it. Karen pointed out that listeners frequently discover new stations by scanning the dial and landing on something they like. At the same time, diary comments consistently showed that listeners often left stations when talent or commercials came on.

Think about that for a moment.

During your show, listeners from competing audio platforms land on your frequency. At the exact same time, current listeners consider leaving. Every break, then, is a crossroads.

You have only a few seconds to convince someone to stay — a few seconds to make them smile, make them curious, make them laugh, make them feel connected.

That’s why minute-by-minute excellence matters. Not hourly excellence. Not “good enough” excellence. Minute-by-minute excellence.

One spectacular break won’t save a mediocre show. But hundreds of spectacular moments build loyalty — and create F.O.M.O.

What Will the Listener Remember?

The challenge for air talent is simple. Stop asking, “What do I have to say?” Start asking, “What will the listener remember?” The best radio air talent coaching doesn’t teach you what to say. It teaches you what the listener will remember.

Listeners rarely remember every word you say. Instead, they remember how you made them feel.

The Real Don Steele made listeners feel entertained and included. He could accomplish that in 15 seconds.

Can you?

In a world full of distractions, being good is no longer “good enough.”

Be spectacular.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

The Industry According to Gary Jay, Land Shark Promotion Studio

Keith Cunningham
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The Industry According to Gary Jay, Land Shark Promotion Studio

Thank you for checking out The Industry According To. Every Tuesday we speak with a different expert or leader from somewhere in the vast music industry — label executives, artist managers, programmers, talent, artists, consultants, and beyond. To be considered as a future guest, email me at keithblackboxgroup@gmail.com.

Today we sit down with an elite promotion veteran from the artist and label side of the business, Gary Jay. He spent over a decade inside major labels before opening his own shop nearly 20 years ago: LAND SHARK Promotion Studio. Within the rock space, Gary has built an incredible career. He and his gifted, hand-selected team of professionals have worked with some of the biggest artists and projects, including AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, Five Finger Death Punch, Alice Cooper, Greta Van Fleet, Rob Zombie, and countless others.

So, let’s dive in.

*Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.*

Keith: Give us a brief bio of your path in the music biz, Gary. How and when did you begin working with records and radio?

Gary: began promoting records to radio in 1991, right out of college, working at Paul Yeskel’s AIM Marketing. I moved to NYC in 1996 and joined my fellow Land Shark, John Perrone, at TVT Records. We marketed bands like Sevendust, Default, Gravity Kills, and others.

Ten years later, I became VP of Promotion for Rykodisc, under the all-seeing eyes of Bill Hein and, later, Jim Cuomo. That run ended when Warner Music bought the label.

When I founded LAND SHARK Promotion Studio in 2007, I recruited my right hand and best man, John Perrone, to help steer the ship. Rob Baldwin has been with us for our entire second decade. Independent promotion has come a long way since it was considered a “cloak and dagger” livelihood. We are a voice for artists who don’t have one. And champion bands we believe are special and have something to say. We advocate for music that becomes the soundtrack to people’s daily commute, their summer vacation, or their catharsis at the gym. It’s a daily grind, full of blood and sweat to be sure — but 35 years later, I still catch a buzz from it.

An Indie Advantage or Curse

Keith: With all the digital changes and industry evolution — is now the best or worst time to be an independent promoter? What are the biggest pros and cons compared to when you opened LAND SHARK Promotion 20 years ago?

Gary: It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but you’d be foolish to deny that the business is shrinking. Between consolidation and downsizing, there are simply fewer people working in both radio and records than there were five or ten years ago — let alone twenty.

In some cases, that shift has actually benefited a firm like ours. As labels employ fewer promotion and marketing staffers, many are choosing to outsource those services instead. LAND SHARK has been a proud recipient of some of that work. At the same time, it’s not lost on us that some of those opportunities come from the elimination of jobs. We try to honor that sacrifice by giving every record we represent nothing less than our very best effort.

In a post-pandemic world, a growing number of artists are choosing to remain independent rather than sign traditional record deals. They are releasing their own music and then turning to companies like LAND SHARK to provide the promotion and marketing support needed to help those releases cut through. That shift has increased our product flow, but more importantly, it has helped cement our standing as an ally to artists and musicians across the sonic spectrum who want their music to be heard and are looking for a partner who believes in helping them reach that audience.

The Rock Reality

Keith: You’ve heard every version of “rock is dead,” but you’re inside it every day and have real boots-on-the-ground experience from then to now. What’s the real state of rock in 2026?

Gary: Anyone who says “rock is dead” ain’t paying attention.

Look at the massive success story that is Sleep Token. We’ve been pleased and proud to work with them from their breakout 2023 Spinefarm album, ‘Take Me Back to Eden,’ through their 2025 RCA debut, ‘Even in Arcadia,’ which produced two #1 rock radio singles. The first time I saw them live, they were headlining Webster Hall in New York City — aka the old Ritz for us old-timers. Less than a year later, they had sold out Radio City Music Hall. By last summer, they were filling hockey arenas across the country, playing to tens of thousands of mesmerized fans each night and generating hundreds of millions of streams. Does that happen in a world where rock isn’t thriving?

That “rock is dead” cliché was always incredibly lazy. Too many people want to be spoon-fed their new music. Without a massive, curated aggregator like MTV was in the ’80s and ’90s, even with social media and the rise of influencers, discovery takes more effort.

No room for currents?

Then, they tune into their local radio station that’s playing far too much gold and library tracks compared with new music. It becomes easy for casual listeners to assume there just isn’t any good new music being made these days.

From where I sit, there is no shortage of new music proving that rock is very much alive and evolving. There are an astonishing number of emerging bands proudly carrying the torch and making relevant, compelling new music — including ERRA, unpeople, Turnstile, Knocked Loose, The Devil Wears Prada, GORE., and Dayseeker, who notched their first #1 radio single this year. Each of these bands is rewriting the rulebook and forging its own path toward mainstream success and stardom. They are not waiting for permission or following an outdated blueprint — they are building momentum and chasing their dreams on their own terms.

Artist Beliefs

Keith: Many artists still think one PD or station can “break” them, like the old days. Is that still true — or is it just folklore, and the power is somewhere else now?

Gary: Cliché as it sounds, every great journey begins with a single step. Before an artist can break nationally or globally, they need regional traction — and that begins locally.

So no, it is not folklore to suggest that one radio station — or one emboldened PD — can become the foundation on which a career is built. It’s our role to give that station and PD every tool in our box and empower them to break the band in their market. Once that local success is legitimate, we can use it as a case study for other stations and markets: if it worked THERE, there is a strong chance it can work HERE, too. Rinse and repeat.

Radio’s Role

Keith: Radio playlists have generally grown tighter with fewer currents, airplay charts have less significant impact, and streaming metrics are the industry’s darling — so when it comes to new music, what is radio’s real role in 2026?

Gary: Over the years, I’ve watched radio make decisions that are counter-intuitive to its own success. Let’s face facts: it’s not 1998 anymore, and radio is not the only game in town.

Anyone can get into a car right now and choose from a litany of streaming platforms that are commercial-free, algorithmically tailored to their personal tastes, and built with a skip button for any songs that don’t land. That is the competitive reality that radio is facing every day.

Too often, radio’s response to that clear and present danger has been to overcorrect — tighten the playlists, retreat into old habits, and subscribe to the philosophy that 100% familiarity is the musical equivalent of warm comfort food. The notion that most radio listeners are uncurious sheep who only want to hear songs they already know and love is both broken and incredibly disingenuous.

What Radio Cannot Afford

Radio cannot afford to become a tired jukebox with 15 minutes of commercials every hour. Nobody needs radio to tell them the time and temperature anymore. Live and local is still optimal, and what happens between the songs still matters. The product on the air still needs to be compelling enough to sustain meaningful listenership. When radio and artists work together to create unique content, listeners get something that streaming platforms simply cannot deliver. That is where radio can still separate itself.

The magic of radio was always its ability to lure you in with the familiar and then — BAM! — turn you on to something new and wonderful. That discovery gave listeners a reason to keep listening, hoping to hear it again, and it built radio’s TSL metrics. Somewhere along the way, too many stations got consulted into becoming background noise — the equivalent of musical wallpaper instead of the magnificent, shining chandelier centerpiece that radio was always meant to be. I truly love radio and I want to see it return to its roots and become mad, bad, and dangerous to know once again. No one listens to radio because they have to. Ultimately, it is radio’s responsibility to make them want to.

The Power of a PD

Keith: Many say breaking a new song at radio requires corporate buy-in — the RVPs and SVPs. Is that true, or do PDs still have the freedom to pick their own currents without approval?

Gary: That varies from station to station and company to company. Some PDs and MDs still have meaningful autonomy over what gets on the air, while others are handed a list of songs by corporate leadership and schedule those records throughout the day.

Ultimately, though, the goal is bigger than getting a single programmer to say yes. We want true buy-in across the building — from the DJs to the MD, the PD, the GM, local advertisers and sponsors, and, of course, the listeners. Real hits tend to embed themselves at every level of a station and across every demographic. When that happens, a record stops feeling like something that’s being pushed and starts feeling like something the market has genuinely embraced.

If It’s Your Money

Keith: If you had to bet your own money on a new band’s success, which single lane would you tell them to pour everything into this year — radio, streaming, social, touring, cooking lessons, or something else?

Gary: The road to success can be long and grueling. I don’t believe any artist can afford to hyper-focus on one lane while back-burnering the rest. You cannot pour everything into one facet of your career and expect to compete. The bands winning right now are making radio, streaming, social media marketing, and touring all work together.

You’ve got to put the same effort and attention into your streaming strategy as you do into radio and social. Consistent, quality content only matters if people are consuming it, engaging with it, and coming back for more. For rock bands, there is still no shortcut or substitute for touring. Bringing the music to the people is as essential now as it was in the early 1990s — maybe even more so. Honestly, why would you want to be in a band that doesn’t tour? To me, that sort of defeats the whole purpose.ose.

When It’s Not a Great Song

Keith: You must frequently be approached about working projects where your gut or experience tells you it’s just not going to work — the song isn’t strong enough, the band is perceptually damaged, or there just isn’t enough juice behind a project to get it to cut through. What do you do in those situations? How do you handle them?

Gary: One of the hallmarks of our reputation is full transparency. We call the balls and strikes as we see ’em and let the chips fall where they may.

We will pass on projects if we do not believe we can add value. And pass if we simply don’t believe in the music enough to pitch it to radio and attach it to our brand.

That said, not every release needs to swing for the fences. Sometimes the smarter play is simply to get a man on base. Plant your flag, draw attention to the current single, and build toward the next one — especially if that next song has more hit potential or broader mass appeal. At the start of any campaign, we work with the client to identify realistic objectives and meaningful tentpoles. From there, we gather actionable data and help our clients use that information to shape the path forward.the path forward.

The Cliché but Important AI Question

Keith: AI is already making rock bangers that could fool half the industry. After the dust settles, do you see a future when radio is playing fully AI-generated music?

Gary: Christ, I hope not. Did anyone not see what happened in The Terminator when Skynet became self-aware? The idea of fully AI-generated music is repugnant. I’m not talking about a songwriter using AI as a tool to enhance, refine, or flesh out an idea — that is a different conversation. What I’m talking about is a completely fabricated AI-generated song, or an entirely artificial artist, taking an opportunity away from a living, breathing human being. To me, that desecrates everything I hold sacred about music and the artistic expression of ideas and emotions. I would hope that radio exercises extreme caution as we progress to ensure that they’re putting music on the air made by, and for, humans.

The One Story

Keith: Being in the industry so long, you’ve got an archive of stories from successes to flops to outright debauchery, arrests, or insanity. Give us a story you love to tell.

Gary: Well, I’ll save the truly salacious stuff for the book I’ll write when I retire someday.

But here’s a story I’m always fond of sharing.

Back in 2011, I spent two days with Whitesnake vocalist David Coverdale visiting radio stations across New York and New Jersey. David was every bit the quintessential British gentleman — gracious, charming, and exactly as engaging as you’d hope he would be.

All that time driving around Manhattan and along the New Jersey Turnpike gave us plenty of room to talk. At one point, David told me in candor that he didn’t know how much longer he could keep performing at the level he expected of himself. To prolong that, he had given up drinking. He admitted he didn’t really miss it all that much, “except for a bit of the old Midleton now and again, eh?”

I had no idea what Midleton was, so I smiled and nodded politely. Later, when we arrived at David’s midtown hotel, I sat down at the hotel bar for a quick pick-me-up. Looking over the selection, I was pleasantly surprised to spot a bottle of Midleton Irish Whiskey. I ordered a glass on the rocks and enjoyed it while I waited for David.

Hey, Bartender

When I finished, the bartender asked if I wanted another. “I probably shouldn’t — I’m on the clock,” I said, and asked for the bill. To my shock and amazement, he handed me a check for my $75 pour. I sheepishly paid it, very glad I hadn’t ordered a second, and met David back at the car. When I told him the story, he laughed with delight and said, “Oh, my dear boy!”

The very next day, a FedEx delivery arrived at my office: a full bottle of Midleton in a wooden box, along with a note from David that read, “Thank you for all of your hard work — DC.”

No one will ever say a bad word about David Coverdale to me. That guy is a class act.

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.

How Matt Barrie Prepared To Tackle the Challenge of Hosting SEC Nation

John Mamola
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How Matt Barrie Prepared To Tackle the Challenge of Hosting SEC Nation

ESPN’s Matt Barrie is an admitted college football “junkie.” Like many college football fans, he grew up watching the wit and wisdom of Rece Davis, Mark May, and Lou Holtz on College Football Final. He still considers the program the show of record for college football fans to this day. However, since joining ESPN in 2013, Barrie has grown into the same college football ecosystem that he once viewed as a child.

For the last seven seasons, Barrie has been the guiding voice of College Football Final, navigating fans from game to game and delivering the headlines and key storylines that matter most to college football fans. This past spring, in recognition of his work at ESPN, he got a call that will change his role heading into the upcoming season. Beginning next month, Barrie will become the new host of SEC Nation on SEC Network.

“If you’re a college football junkie like I am, there are few jobs with ESPN that scratch that itch. SEC Nation is one of them,” said Barrie. “It was presented to me as an opportunity to touch college football in a major way, and an opportunity to continue growing in that space.”

Beginning this season, Barrie will be the lead host of the flagship SEC Network gameday pregame program. He earned the role following the departure of Laura Rutledge, who hosted the show since 2017. Rutledge’s new destination with the network opened a window and presented a new challenge for the 13-year ESPN veteran. One he’s looking forward to tackling.

“When I was named the host of College Football Final, to be that was a career pinnacle moment because that’s a show I grew up watching. Letting go of that was the hardest part, while understanding how good the SEC Nation role is,” explained Barrie. “I’m going to miss those guys in studio. But like everything in your career, nothing stays the same for too long.”

A New Challenge

Barrie explained that he’s impatient by nature. The challenge of something new, after working at ESPN for so long, was the draw that outweighed everything else in making the decision to take on the SEC Nation role.

Now, the roles are reversed. Instead of catching fans up on the day’s events and storylines, the shift is in the approach. The role will be more preview than review. Barrie considers the opportunity both a responsibility and a privilege to inform viewers on SEC Network why each game is important in a style all his own.

“It’s been Laura’s [Rutledge] show for nearly a decade. She put that show on the map because she did it for so long and made it her own. That, to me, you can’t replace or replicate,” said Barrie. “For me, my approach is the way I approach SportsCenter and everything else I do. Continue the legacy of a show of what she built into a legacy show. That’s the smartest thing to do while incorporating how you host the show.”

With growing competition in the college football pregame viewing experience, Barrie noted he’s already been at work with show producers developing ideas for the show heading into the new season.

However, Barrie understands what makes an SEC football fan unique. While competitors may focus on the biggest games nationally, his focus is on representation across the conference.

“For me, the goal of SEC Nation is to make every SEC school feel involved in every Saturday gameday. Not just the site where we’ll be broadcasting from,” explained Barrie. “It’d be easy to focus on the big game in the conference, but that’s just one game of many.”

Familiar Territory

If there is a word that defines SEC football fans, Barrie says it starts with passion. A devoted collection of fans who live, breathe, and die for their colors and teams. Football is a way of life in many of the communities that make up the SEC. Sixteen schools, some new and some old. But all are heavy hitters in a sport that continues to showcase Saturdays in the South.

Some would consider taking on the role a high-pressure situation. Thankfully for Barrie, he’s stepping into the role with plenty of familiarity with those who will surround him every Saturday morning this fall. His experience working on SportsCenter for the past 13 years has given him opportunities on camera with every member of the SEC Nation talent lineup. That time has already built on-camera chemistry and off-camera familiarity.

“That’s the easy part of it. When you’ve worked with these guys for so many years, it’s just been on another show,” said Barrie. “It’s going to be fun for all of us. With SportsCenter, we touch on everything. When I have any of these guys with me on SportsCenter, it’s only for maybe three to four minutes. Now, I get to be with those guys for two hours talking about college football. It’s almost unleashing us together from the time confines of SportsCenter.”

As Barrie steps into the role this fall, his ESPN plate will remain full. He will still be on the call for Thursday Night Football broadcasts on ESPN this season while balancing his new role with SEC Nation.

“Plate stays full during football season. I wouldn’t have it any other way, and I wouldn’t change it. You just need to find a way to balance the time accordingly. Hosting SportsCenters, prepping for Thursday night college football, and now hosting SEC Nation on Saturdays,” explained Barrie. “The only difference with the new role on SEC Nation is adding a flight. I don’t anticipate anything feeling like it’s more. This would be a shock to the system if I was doing this schedule for the first time, but I’ve been doing it for so long already.”

Finding Success With TGL

Another element of Barrie’s resume at ESPN has been serving as the guiding voice for TGL during the past two years, the upstart indoor golf simulator league featuring some of the top names in the sport. TGL has grown in popularity over the past two years and was viewed by more than 21 million people this past season. That’s an 8% increase in viewership year over year. For Barrie, the focus remains on continuing that trend heading into a third year of coverage on ESPN.

“The last two years with TGL has been the most rewarding thing that I’ve ever done in my career, and it’s not even close,” explained Barrie. “It was a startup that we didn’t know would succeed or fail. Everyone was all in on it not knowing what could happen. To be on the ground floor of something, watch it grow with the players we have, everything has been great.”

Barrie noted the concept of TGL was not to target the “golf purist,” but instead to create an avenue for a younger generation to connect with the game itself. He continues to receive feedback from parents who appreciate the TGL experience as a way to bond with their children while watching golf. Merging golf with technology has created a presentation that is fun and entertaining for everyone to enjoy.

Continuing Legacy

Feedback is something Barrie has always sought during his time at ESPN. Over his career, he’s earned 11 Emmy Awards and three Edward R. Murrow Awards. Career achievements don’t happen without guidance from peers in the industry.

With SEC Nation, Barrie notes his approach to the show will be the same as it was when he walked through the doors at ESPN 13 years ago.

“When I got to ESPN, my mantra was do nothing or say nothing that was going to affect the reputation of the show [SportsCenter]. That’s not my show. It belongs to Dan Patrick, Bob Ley, Chris Berman and so on. I’m not going to do anything to ruin that,” said Barrie. “My plan was to show up, honor the past, and try to do a good show. If and when I find my own voice, maybe add a little something then. To me, don’t disrespect what’s already been.”

Barrie used that approach when he arrived at SportsCenter. It’s the same approach he took when he accepted the responsibility of College Football Final following Rece Davis. Now, Barrie expects no change in that philosophy as he steps into Laura Rutledge’s shoes and assumes the role of lead host of SEC Nation on SEC Network.

“Why would I do anything other than continue the legacy of the show to serve who’s been watching it forever,” said Barrie.

For someone who grew up watching College Football Final and later found himself hosting the very program he idolized, Matt Barrie understands the weight that comes with stepping into a role cherished by passionate fans. That’s why his approach to SEC Nation isn’t about reinventing what already works. It’s about honoring what came before while adding his own voice to the conversation.

The assignment may be different, but the philosophy remains unchanged. Respect the audience, the history, and the brand. It’s the same mindset that guided Barrie onto the SportsCenter set more than a decade ago, and it’s the one he’ll continue to carry with him every Saturday morning this fall.

In a sport built on tradition, few things matter more. As Barrie prepares to take the reins of SEC Nation, he’s not looking to replace what Laura Rutledge built. He’s looking to continue it, ensuring the next chapter of one of college football’s most important shows remains in good hands.

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.

Why Mike Golic Returning Is a Home Run Hire for ESPN Radio

John Mamola
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Why Mike Golic Returning Is a Home Run Hire for ESPN Radio

ESPN Radio found its answer. The network, which needed some added punch, star power, and secure footing for affiliates, just sent a resounding message that echoes throughout the industry. Three months after the departure of Clinton Yates, the network announced Monday that Mike Golic will co-host a two-hour weekday program alongside his son and co-host, Mike Golic Jr.

Last month, I questioned the network over what I termed a lack of forward planning. How could a network that serves as ESPN’s national sports radio arm not have an immediate answer following Yates’ departure? It left not only me asking questions, but affiliates around the country as well. Yesterday’s news of The Golics returning to ESPN Radio silenced any remaining concerns.

Since Golic left ESPN Radio in July 2020, he attempted to relaunch his program alongside Golic Jr. several times: first with the DraftKings Network in 2023 and more recently with FanDuel Sports Network in 2025. However, following the end of his run at FanDuel Sports Network, there were questions about what Golic Sr. would do next. At 63 years old, he already had a Hall of Fame broadcasting career. Would he continue to forge ahead and build upon an already impressive legacy?

Enter ESPN Radio.

A Return Home

In need of a splash and something to energize local audiences about the strength of its lineup, the network signed both Golic’s to multi-year agreements to host a two-hour late-morning program together. ESPN Radio also shifted its afternoon lineup to better match the competition at FOX Sports Radio by elevating Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf to the 3-5 p.m. slot. Freddie Coleman and Harry Douglas also move later in the day, from 5-8 p.m.

However, the return of Mike Golic to ESPN Radio is a home run. Few can match his level of brand value to the ESPN Radio platform. For a quarter century, Mike Golic helped build ESPN Radio from a network with a handful of affiliates and limited dayparts into the model everyone else was chasing.

Sports media continues to live in an era of nostalgia. What’s old is new again. From Roundball Rock to This Was SportsCenter, Mike Golic returning to ESPN Radio fits that model extremely well. For many years, his voice was the one millions around the country woke up to each morning. He connected with the common fan, enjoying a beer at the corner of the bar. He talked about family, life and the fun that makes sports the greatest form of entertainment around. That formula worked for a quarter century. Now it has a second act.

Without a doubt, like Rich Eisen before him, Mike Golic will bring tremendous value back to the ESPN Radio lineup.

From a business standpoint, this also makes complete sense. While the competition attempts to build new stars on massive platforms, ESPN Radio threw its weight on the scale. Mike Golic is a known commodity. A proven concept. ESPN Radio is stronger with a Golic on its marquee.

In addition, the 10 a.m.-noon timeslot likely airs on many ESPN Radio affiliates around the country. A five-hour block featuring The Golics followed by The Rich Eisen Show is a tremendous selling point for local affiliates to present to advertisers.

It’s a far cry from where the network was just a year ago in those two time slots.

A Proven Product

A month ago, I questioned whether ESPN truly valued the product it had with ESPN Radio. I found it curious that a network as large as ESPN, with as many assets as it owns, could sit idle while listeners have more options every day to consume sports content.

A month later, it’s fair to say ESPN Radio answered those concerns, likely in the best way it possibly could.

The network didn’t simply fill an opening. It restored confidence in its lineup by bringing back one of the most recognizable and respected voices the format has ever produced. Mike Golic isn’t just another host added to the schedule. He’s synonymous with ESPN Radio’s rise, and his return instantly gives affiliates, advertisers and listeners something they can believe in.

Will this guarantee ratings success in every local market that carries the programming? Of course not. Every show has to earn its audience. But the audience on radio is aging and clamoring for familiarity. What better way to reward that then bringing a founding father back home.

If ESPN Radio wanted to make the strongest statement possible about its commitment to the platform, there may not have been a better option available at this moment than bringing Mike Golic home. Sometimes the smartest move isn’t chasing what’s next. It’s recognizing the value of what already worked.

In this case, ESPN Radio found the right answer at exactly the right time.

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.

Has the C-Suite Generation of Hard Work and Ethics Lost Its Way

Bob Lawrence
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Has the C-Suite Generation of Hard Work and Ethics Lost Its Way

Make fun all you want, but back when Baby Boomers entered the workforce and business world, we had a remarkably strong work ethic — second only to our Silent Generation parents. They earned that name due to a Time magazine article that described them as “conformist, cautious, and politically unadventurous.” Prior generations believed children were to be seen and not heard — hence “silent.”

Thankfully, our parents taught us that we do have a voice and should use it. They instilled in us the belief that hard work, dedication, and loyalty meant everything. My dad is the reason my word, integrity, and honor are all I ever truly own. He was a successful dentist in New York City but was never a wealthy man. At least not as wealthy as he could have been. He was unwavering in his commitment to those values, especially in the pursuit of money.

Those principles shaped not only Boomer careers but also the culture of businesses throughout the second half of the twentieth century.

For Boomers, work was more than just a living — it was at the core of who we were. It was a source of identity and pride. My mom and dad lived through the Great Depression and World War II. They learned firsthand about sacrifice, perseverance, and gratitude for employment.

We Boomers entered the workforce believing opportunities should never be taken for granted. We showed up on time, worked long hours, and always did our best. Hard work was viewed as the path to financial stability, homeownership, and a comfortable future in retirement.

Company loyalty, from both employee and employer, defined the Baby Boomer workforce. It was common for Boomers to spend decades with the same employer. Sometimes working for one company their entire career. In return for that loyalty, businesses rewarded employees with pensions, 401(k) plans, steady promotions, healthcare benefits, and job security.

This created a trusting, long-term investment for both parties. Employers also benefited greatly from an experienced and committed workforce.

What The Hell Happened?

What happened helps explain why Millennials and Gen Z no longer trust businesses and corporations. There’s no doubt it’s tougher than it was back in the day. After all, when I was born there were three billion people on the planet. Today, there are more than eight billion. Without question, the competition is far greater in a nation that manufactures less and relies much more on the service industry.

Now, before I place 100% of the blame on companies and corporations, we must also acknowledge that globalization, technological advances, corporate restructuring, and changing employment practices have reduced the expectation of lifelong employment.

Today’s younger generations tend to prioritize work-life balance, flexibility, and career mobility over long-term loyalty to any employer. This can create misunderstandings between the generations. But we must admit that it reflects new economic realities rather than simply a decline in values.

Technology and communication gaps are real. Younger generations often joke about Boomer struggles with technology and social media. However, there is agreement across platforms like Reddit that our culture has become overly reliant on technology. That the lack of genuine human interaction is a growing concern.

When companies experience revenue problems, the first solution these days seems to be eliminating loyal employees. How many rounds of this will it take before companies understand that a reduction in force simply cuts expenses? Business 101 taught me that you can never cut your way to improved profits. Some companies lay off their best-performing, highest-paid talent only to replace them later with someone desperate enough to do more for even less.

This Can’t Continue

I always believed you lost your job because of poor performance. Or possibly as the result of a serious, flagrant violation of company policy. And I always believed poor performance was the responsibility of the employee — not the employer.

I admit it embarrasses me. These are companies run by Boomers and Gen Xers who seem to have lost their way. Like a drowning victim, they desperately try to stay afloat by pulling someone else under. Rather than reexamining their strategy and relying on their strongest talent to help create new paths to success, they let those people go. Far too often after more than a decade of loyal service.

Then we wonder why younger generations don’t trust us.

Ethics and loyalty appear to have become secondary in some — not all — C-suites. Even employment contracts are often one-sided. Making it difficult for employees to leave for better opportunities while offering little or no protection when they’re laid off.

I’m saddened that it’s often the largest media companies — those that rely on creative content and entertainment — that repeatedly eliminate the very people who helped build those organizations into the giants they have become.

The legacy of the Boomer work ethic remains influential today. Many people still value the principles of reliability, accountability, professionalism, and dedication. Workplace expectations will continue to evolve. Even so, I remain proud to be part of the generation that believed — and demonstrated — that lasting success is built on character, trust, perseverance, and integrity.

That is the “Human Guarantee!”

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.

What the iHeartMedia Layoffs Say About Radio Today

David Hill
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What the iHeartMedia Layoffs Say About Radio Today

Last week was a bad one in radio. iHeartMedia made cuts across programming, and a lot of good people found themselves on the wrong side of a corporate decision. Some were hosts. Some were programmers. And some had survived enough previous rounds to think — or at least hope — this one might pass them by. It didn’t.

I’ve been on both sides of the hatchet. I’ve held it, and I’ve been on the receiving end of it. Neither place is comfortable, and neither one leaves you feeling great about the business.

When The Cut Comes

When you’re the one getting cut, there’s no way to make it land softly. It hurts. It makes you angry. And it makes you question what you did wrong, even when the honest answer is nothing. Radio is personal that way. This is not a business where people punch in, do the minimum, and go home. Radio people give this industry nights, weekends, holidays, parking lot remotes, bad hotel rooms, missed family moments, and more emotional investment than any reasonable career counselor would advise.

So when people lose jobs, we should feel that. We should say so. Real careers get interrupted. Families get squeezed. People who gave years to a station, a format, a company, and a listener base suddenly find themselves out. That deserves more than a LinkedIn post and a couple of industry condolences.

The Other Side Of The Desk

But here’s the part that gets complicated. Sometimes the person holding the hatchet didn’t build the spreadsheet.

The market manager, the PD, the ops manager — whoever walks into that room — may not have made the decision that led to it. They may not have decided the company needed to run leaner, that a position had to disappear, or that a market needed restructuring. And if you’re sane, you don’t want that job. Nobody grows up dreaming about the moment they have to look someone in the eye and tell them their career just changed — especially when it’s a decision that came from somewhere above them. That weight is real, even if it doesn’t compare to the weight on the other side of the desk.

I’m not asking anyone to feel sorry for the hatchet man. Nobody needs a plaque. The person losing the job takes the bigger hit.

The Math Nobody Wants To Talk About

Still, I think we don’t talk enough about the broader reality that creates these moments in the first place. Radio is working against fractionalized demand. The audience didn’t disappear overnight, but it spread itself across more platforms, more options, and more screens than this business was ever built to compete with. The economics don’t always make sense anymore — not at the staffing levels that felt normal fifteen years ago, not in every market, and not for every format. That doesn’t make every cut smart or every decision humane. But some of what we’re watching isn’t cruelty. It’s math. Painful, badly timed, poorly communicated math — but math nonetheless.

Nobody gets into radio because they want to tell people no. You get into it because you love the music, the audience, the on-air chaos, and the wonderfully dysfunctional business that’s impossible to explain to anyone with a normal job. Then one day you become the person who has to make the hard call. A show gets changed. A shift disappears. A good person gets caught in something that has nothing to do with their ability.

Fair Has Nothing To Do With It

A show can have loyal listeners and still not fit where the station is heading. A programmer can be genuinely talented and still get caught in a restructuring. Moreover, a staff member can be dedicated, well-liked, and excellent — and still get cut because the math no longer works.

That’s not fair. That’s radio.

So yes — let’s keep talking about the people who got cut last week. This industry moves on too fast, and too many good people get forgotten by the next book. But let’s also be honest about the environment that keeps producing these moments. And let’s understand that not everyone holding the hatchet is the villain.

Sometimes they’re just the person who had to make the call nobody wanted to make, for reasons that started long before they walked into that room.

And it’s a room nobody wants to be 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.

After the iHeartMedia Layoffs: Here’s What to Do Next Whether You Want to Stay in Radio

Peter Thiele
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After the iHeartMedia Layoffs: Here’s What to Do Next Whether You Want to Stay in Radio

A bunch of our radio brothers and sisters lost their jobs this week amid iHeartMedia layoffs. We can all be mad at the employer, the advertising industry’s diversification, and changing competitive headwinds for our industry, but that does not help the unemployed make their next move.

There is a huge question for anyone who has lost a job: Do I still want to do this? If not radio, now what? Will my spouse and family be open to moving across the country? Let’s go through the scenarios. Perhaps this will give you a few ideas.

For those downsized by iHeartMedia last week, this was not your fault. You were working hard, completing the tasks assigned and likely going above and beyond every day. The corporate people only know how to count beans. Probably some of the people making decisions never worked in a radio station. If there was one person who knew that you were at risk, it was the market manager. The market manager likely knew a RIF was on the way. The market manager also knows the return on investment that the company demands per employee. If you are a disk jockey who is voice tracking multiple stations, it is really tough to find the ROI.

If you are a news/talk host, the ROI is simple to define. How many endorsements does the host have? How much money does the show bill? If the ROI desired is a multiple of five, that figure is pretty easy to identify. If you are a host who is still standing, learn what that multiple is. Be an advocate for getting billing on your show. Are you host who arrives 30 minutes or less before your shift and bolts out of the building like Tartan Nation sprints for another beer? Change your behavior now.

Get there early, hang out with the sales team, call your endorsement clients personally — thus, take control of your destiny.

If You Want to Stay in Radio

You are getting ready to visit the unemployment office. You don’t know if there is a radio job for you, and you want to figure out what is next. I personally don’t know what I would do outside of media. You may be like me. You are Cortés — you have landed in Mexico to conquer a new land. Cortés famously burned the boats to show his army that there was no turning back. It was either do or die. Well, I believe in you and your desire to remain in this industry.

Radio needs talent more than ever. Ask a program director about hiring experienced air personalities — the list is pretty weak for experienced hands, even for a premier position that pays very well. Talent is needed, but radio has never been for the faint of heart. Moving across the country for a new or better job is frightening.

If you were released, you have been or will be given exit paperwork. Ask for a release from your non-compete clause if you’re not getting severance. If you are being paid, ask for a release after your severance package ends. I don’t know if you will receive it, but you can ask. Many states don’t allow non-compete provisions, so know the law.

How to Put Your Best Foot Forward

Update your cover letter and resume immediately. I find that the cover letter is the most important item in a job search. This letter should be personalized and lean into the new opportunity. Your resume — I have a multiple-page resume that I have used. The job experts say that the resume should be one page. I think that makes sense if you have little to no experience. If you are a grizzled radio veteran, your multi-dimensional experience cannot be defined in just one page. Make it presentable and always send it as a PDF.

Your audition audio — have a few prepped files. The first is a sizzle reel. This should be no more than two minutes. When sending the audio, attach the file and also send an audio link for online listening. I recommend using YouTube and uploading it as an unlisted file. You should also have a complete hour of your show ready to go if the hiring manager wants it.

Many brand managers like a complete hour because it gives them a better feel for the flow on the air. Never email a file with a one-hour show — just send the link. YouTube is a great choice because it is universally trusted to click on.

If the job is out of market, make sure that you are in a good place for that Zoom call interview. If you are at home, make sure that your backdrop looks great and that the lighting is robust. Best impressions matter because the hiring manager will not have a chance to see your body language, feel your handshake, or make eye contact.

If You’re Ready to Leave Radio

If you think that radio is a thing of the past and it is time to transition to something else — I had a boss who always preached pulling out a plain piece of paper and sitting at a table or desk alone. Make a list of your qualifications on the left and jobs that you would enjoy doing on the right. Look at your extensive skills and match them to a new career that you can pursue. You may need some training, and your unemployment office likely has resources to connect you with the right steps.

If you were a victim of the RIF, this was not your fault. You are an amazing talent with much to give. Don’t be discouraged — take this on. If you work for one of the companies that have been struggling with debt, start making your plan for what is next today. Protect yourself. Have tremendous loyalty and dedication to your employer. Even if they don’t have it for you, this is about your personal integrity. Make that step.

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.

What a Ben Shapiro-Jeremy Boreing Reunion Would Mean for Conservative Media

Garrett Searight
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What a Ben Shapiro-Jeremy Boreing Reunion Would Mean for Conservative Media

Ben Shapiro and Jeremy Boreing built something together. For years, the two worked side-by-side at The Daily Wire, turning a scrappy conservative media outlet into one of the most recognizable brands in right-leaning digital media. Then things fell apart. Boreing walked away. The friendship cooled. And now, in 2025, two men who once shared a mission don’t even share a conversation.

That’s a shame — and it doesn’t have to stay that way.

Last week, Shapiro said on a livestream that he’s open to appearing on The Jeremy Boreing Show. It’s a small gesture, sure, but it matters. Boreing has already admitted the two no longer have a relationship following his high-profile exit from The Daily Wire. So when Shapiro signals he’d sit down with his former co-founder, that’s worth paying attention to.

It’s Good for Both of Them

Let’s start with the obvious: this appearance would benefit both men.

For Shapiro, it’s an opportunity to reframe a narrative that’s dogged him since Boreing’s departure. Critics have argued that he’d use anyone’s face as a rung on his ladder to the top. That perception has stuck, fairly or not. Sitting down with Boreing — genuinely, candidly, on Boreing’s own platform — would go a long way toward challenging that image. It’s harder to paint someone as purely self-serving when they’re willing to walk into territory that doesn’t flatter them.

For Boreing, it’s validation. His show is still relatively new, and landing Shapiro as a guest — not just anyone, but his former Daily Wire co-founder — would be a defining moment. It’d demonstrate that The Jeremy Boreing Show is a serious destination, not just a passion project.

Both men gain something here. That’s usually how the best conversations start.

It’s Bigger Than Both of Them

Here’s what makes this potential sit-down more interesting than your standard podcast booking: it carries symbolic weight.

Conservative media has been at war with itself lately. Factions have formed. Old alliances have fractured. The drama between personalities, outlets, and ideological camps has played out very publicly — and not always in ways that reflect well on anyone involved. So when two of the movement’s most recognizable figures signal a willingness to talk, that means something beyond their own PR interests.

Shapiro and Boreing could model something the broader conservative media space desperately needs right now: proof that you can disagree, go your separate ways, and still treat each other like adults. They don’t have to agree on everything. Frankly, it’d be more interesting if they didn’t. But showing up — actually sitting across from each other and having a real conversation — sends a message that maturity still has a place in this industry.

That message extends beyond media, too. In a political climate where burning bridges has become something of a competitive sport, two high-profile figures choosing dialogue over silence is genuinely refreshing. We don’t get enough of that.

So here’s hoping they follow through. Sooner, rather than later.

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.

97.1 The Ticket Producer Kenny Kott Passes Away At 32

John Mamola
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97.1 The Ticket Producer Kenny Kott Passes Away At 32

A member of Detroit sports media’s inner circle is gone. Kenny Kott, 97.1 The Ticket producer and on-air contributor for The Valenti Show with Rico, passed away Saturday night following medical complications.

What We Know: Kott reportedly suffered a medical event in early June and spent several weeks hospitalized before his condition worsened. He was 32 years old. A fixture at 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit, Kott served as both producer and on-air contributor to The Valenti Show with Rico. He was celebrated for his encyclopedic NHL knowledge, fierce devotion to Detroit’s sports teams — especially the Red Wings — his infectious personality, and his signature laugh. He got married last summer.

What They Said: 97.1 The Ticket Host Mike Valenti: “”I just want you to know what we truly thought of Kenny. Beyond the jokes and the ball-breaking and the rest. I would always bust his chops, like, ‘Man, what do you want out of life? What is it you want, so I can help deliver this? And he would always say, ‘No, I just always wanted to be part of a radio show.’ And I’d say, ‘OK, well, you did that, and you’re part of the best one. So what’s next?'”

Co-producer David ‘Hatchetman’ Hull: “I’m going to miss him. I’m going to miss the ‘Hockey Elite’ information that man had. It’s a huge loss for us, because as Mike said, we are a team. We get on each other, we get at each other, but we all love each other. That’s the important part. We loved Kenny, and we’re definitely going to miss him.”

What Remains Unclear: Any services to remember Kott are unknown.

What It Means: Detroit sports radio lost more than a producer. Kott represented something rarer — a behind-the-scenes voice who became essential to the on-air culture around him. Valenti’s team openly grieved on-air Monday, signaling just how deeply he was woven into the fabric of the show. His passion, his hockey expertise, and his presence will be difficult to replace.

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.

USMNT Group Stage Finale Earns 17 Million Average Viewers On FOX Sports

John Mamola
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USMNT Group Stage Finale Earns 17 Million Average Viewers On FOX Sports

Turkey defeated the USMNT 3-2 in stoppage time. America watched anyway — in massive numbers. The USMNT’s group stage finale against Türkiye drew 17,015,000 viewers on FOX Sports, making it the second most-watched USMNT telecast in English-language U.S. history.

What We Know: The final viewership figure of 17,015,000 trails only the USMNT-Paraguay opener (18,039,000 viewers on June 12). The match also ranked as the most-watched telecast of the day across all networks. Peak audience hit 19,471,000 viewers from 10:30–10:45 PM ET — remarkable for a late-night kickoff. Kansas City led all local markets with an 11.22 rating and a 37 share.

What The Data Shows: (All Viewership Data via FOX Sports)

USMNT GameAverage ViewershipPeak Viewership
Game 1 – vs. Paraguay (W)18,037,00021,526,000
Game 2 – vs. Australia (W)16,217,00021,219,000
Game 3 – vs. Türkiye (L)17,015,00019,471,000

What Remains Unclear: Spanish-language numbers from Telemundo have not yet been confirmed for the Turkey match. It also remains to be seen whether FOX will release updated streaming data from Tubi, which contributed to the finalized Paraguay figures.

What It Means: The United States is catching FIFA World Cup fever. With elevated viewership of the United States matches, there’s also been high interest across the country the later in the tournament we get. Even with nothing at stake and a late start, nearly 17 million Americans tuned in. Moreover, the knockout rounds feature primetime windows — a significant advantage the group stage finale did not have. If FOX Sports’ trajectory holds, the USMNT’s Round of 32 matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina could approach or surpass the Paraguay record.

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