The numbers have come in from championship weekend and once again, the NFL has proved to be dominant on television and streaming. Combined, the NFC Championship game between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles on FOX Sports and the AFC Championship game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs on CBS Sports drew over 100 million viewers.
FOX Sports reports the earlier of the two games brought in an average of 44.2 million viewers. The number includes those who tuned in on FOX, FOX Deportes and the FOX Sports streaming platform. This made the game the most watched telecast on FOX since the same game last year.
The audience for the game peaked from 5:30 p.m. ET to 5:45 p.m. ET at 50.369 million viewers.
CBS had the headliner with the AFC Championship game between the Bills and Chiefs. According to John Ourand of Puck, the game averaged 57.7 million viewers. That is an increase of 4% from last season and makes it the most-watched AFC Championship game in at least 35 years. Ourand added the game also becomes the NFL’s second most-watched non Super Bowl game.
Super Bowl Sunday is February 9th, and the game will be carried by FOX Sports and feature Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi on the call. Last season, CBS Sports carried the broadcast which was seen by a record 123 million viewers in total. The game had a rating of 42.1
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iHeartMedia has named Sharon “Shay” Frank, Program Director of Hip Hop/R&B KMEL, San Francisco.
Frank, who started at the station as an intern, will continue to host middays in addition to her new role.
Shay said, “I am truly honored and excited to take on this new role at KMEL, a station with such a rich history and deep connection to the community. Working alongside a team of exceptionally talented individuals, I am committed to building on our legacy while driving innovation and creating meaningful connections with our listeners and clients. Together, we will continue to amplify the voices that matter and deliver the engaging content KMEL is known for.”
iHeartMedia Executive Vice President of Programming Gene Romano added, “Shay’s deep knowledge and passion for the Bay Area community and culture, along with her extensive overall skills, make her the perfect leader for this iconic radio station.”
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Triton Digital has unveiled its 2024 U.S. Podcast Report, and there are some interesting and encouraging data points for the news genre of the industry.
According to figures in the report, 52% of all smart speaker podcast downloads come from the news format. That figure dwarfs the two largest challengers — kids & family at 11% and true crime at 8%. Despite the large number for the news genre, only 2.9 of all podcast downloads happen with smart speakers. A whopping 92% of downloads happen on mobile devices.
Additionally, the data from Triton Digital shows that the news format is the most downloaded genre in 2024, rising from 22% in 2023 to 25% in 2024. 87% of all news podcast downloads are of new episodes. That represents the highest level of any podcast format, with sports being the only other genre over 80%, at 82%.
The Triton Digital 2024 U.S. Podcast Report shows that 56% of news podcast listeners are men. Meanwhile, 18% of the top 150 overall podcasts of 2024 were from the news format, trailing only true crime, which saw a 20% representation overall.
Also, the Bongino Report Early Edition, hosted by Evita Duffy-Alfonso, was named the top debut podcast of the year.
The data compiled by the company comes from its surveys of more than 12,000 monthly U.S. podcast listeners, as well as tracking server log data from Omny Studio and other leading hosting platforms, Sounder and Demos+.
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Woofy Ramone’s tenure as Operations Manager at JVC Broadcasting in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, has ended.
Ramone posted on Facebook, “Didn’t expect to be unemployed this afternoon, but things don’t always go the way you think. I no longer work at JVC Broadcasting. I was let go as they’re ‘going in a different direction.”’
Ramone, a market veteran, had a long run at Cumulus Media’s 99 Rock WKSM before joining JVC.
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News/talk radio has long been a format dedicated to giving back. The Mike Gallagher Show has long been focused on doing good works, with its audience donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to Food For The Poor over nearly 20 years.
During an appearance on Beyond The Plate, a podcast produced by the charity, the organization recognized Gallagher for his contributions over the decades.
“Over the years, I am just blown away by the generosity of the audience. It’s not me, it’s not even you guys, it’s not Food for the Poor, it’s the blessing that is this audience,” Gallagher remarked. “I often brag that The Mike Gallagher Show audience is the most generous audience in the country. We often have playful competitions with some of our fellow Salem shows. And, look, I always kick their butts. Our show always wins. We always come out on top, much of the chagrin of Hugh Hewitt, who has to come in second or third, but it is playful.
“The beauty of competing is that together, combined, we’re all doing a lot of good. We’re combining all of our audiences who lovingly donate to children in Guatemala, who lovingly support families in Haiti, who lovingly step up and say we’re going to save lives today … I’m very gratified that, over the years, our audience seems to recognize (the urgency to donate) and they will continue to do so for years to come.”
Food For The Poor designs its programs “to empower our beneficiaries to become self-sufficient and ultimately inspire them to build strong communities so their members can help each other.
“In addition to being one of America’s best talk show hosts, Mike Gallagher is literally second to none in tapping the generosity of his nationwide audience in fighting hunger and malnutrition by generating donations to nonprofits like Food For The Poor,” added Tom Tradup, V.P./News & Talk Programming for Salem Radio Network.
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Make Plays Media has announced that its Foul Territory Network will be adding two new shows focused on the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox. The digital programs, titled Friar Territory and Monster Territory, respectively, join the network and provide local fanbases coverage surrounding their favorite teams. Former Padres beat reporter Kyle Glaser will be hosting Friar Territory and will be frequently joined by former players Mike Cameron and Heath Bell as they talk about matters salient to the Padres. Cameron and Bell are both former All-Star players who helped the Padres to success during their playing careers.
“Mike, Heath and I are thrilled to be part of the Foul Territory network,” Glaser said in a statement. “The Padres have been one of the most compelling teams in baseball over the last few years, and we look forward to bringing unique insights and perspectives about the club on Friar Territory.”
Over the last year, the Foul Territory Network has continued offering its national programs, such as the flagship Foul Territory with Scott Braun, A.J. Pierzynski, Erik Kratz and various other contributors, while also expanding overall local content presence. The entity has 11 podcasts focused on MLB teams, some of which include the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs. As the Red Sox-focused Monster Territory enters the portfolio, Robbie Hyde will be behind the microphone alongside Red Sox personalities that will be announced at a later date.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the FT Network to talk about the team that I’ve loved since I was a kid, the Boston Red Sox,” Hyde said in a statement. “It really is a dream come true! The fan base is truly one of the most passionate in all of baseball, and it’s an honor to be able to represent Red Sox Nation in this capacity.”
Make Plays Media recently live streamed the 100th Centennial New York Baseball Writers’ Dinner where the Baseball Writers’ Association of America bestowed league and local honors to figures around the game. Last summer, the company agreed to a linear and streaming partnership with now-Main Street Sports Group regional sports networks to air episodes of Foul Territory live on the platforms. Since the conclusion of the regular season, Make Plays Media has added shows surrounding the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros in addition to the aforementioned.
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SiriusXM has announced the launch of new exclusive programming featuring Alex Cooper, the host and executive producer of the podcast “Call Her Daddy.”
Beginning February 11, subscribers will be able to engage with Alex and her Unwell Network through two new channels and live shows, which will showcase candid discussions, relatable narratives, and influential music selections.
Curated by Alex Cooper, Unwell Music is an evolving mixtape that showcases the songs that have marked pivotal moments in her life.
The collection merges nostalgic pop anthems with current hits, featuring a lineup of artists including Miley Cyrus, Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter, Beyoncé, Gracie Abrams, and others.
The channel delivers a high-energy mix designed to suit various moods throughout the day, complemented by Cooper’s personal insights and behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
“I’m constantly trying to find new ways to interact with my audience, and with Unwell Music and Unwell On Air, I’m able to deliver brand new daily live shows and playlists curated specifically by me,” said Cooper. “I can’t wait for everyone to experience a whole new world of Unwell.”
“Alex Cooper and her Unwell brand continue to be at the vanguard of pop culture with their authentic and unfiltered approach,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer at SiriusXM. “With the launch of Unwell Music and Unwell On Air, Alex is creating something that is only possible through the power of SiriusXM: a live 24/7 audio destination for her fans to immerse themselves further into her world. We can’t wait for you to hear what she has in store.”
Unwell Music, SiriusXM’s latest 24/7 music channel, is set to launch for subscribers throughout North America. Tune in while driving on channel three or stream it anywhere, anytime on the SiriusXM app.
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Spotify has announced the creation of the Creator Milestone Awards, and The Joe Rogan Experience is one of two shows to earn the gold status of over 500 million streams.
Despite no longer being exclusive to Spotify, The Joe Rogan Experience eclipsed 500 million all-time streams in 2024, as did the popular Crime Junkie podcast.
The new awards are the first time Spotify has revealed podcast streaming numbers publicly, albeit only when shows hit certain predetermined milestones.
“These awards go above and beyond the numbers — they’re about recognizing the hustle, creativity and dedication that make each creator’s story unique,” Spotify’s head of content partnerships Jordan Newman said. “For the first time, we’re publicly spotlighting these achievements, recognizing creators for their impact, and sharing their success with the world.
“This program is an important step in celebrating the amazing work podcasters do, and we’re thrilled to continue supporting them as they shape the future of this medium,” concluded Newman.
NBC News’ Dateline NBC is the only other news-adjacent podcast to earn status in the inaugural awards. It reached silver status, amassing more than 250 million. Spotify set the bronze level at surpassing 100 million total all-time streams. The announcement of the Creator Milestone Awards was first shared by Variety.
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The next to last release of Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2024 presented by Radio.Cloud has arrived. Today we recognize the Top 20 AC/Hot AC radio shows of 2024. In addition, we’ve also announced the AC/Hot AC format’s Top 20 program directors. For all format results, visit the website, follow BM on X, Facebook or LinkedIn or sign up for our newsletters. Be advised, the results are based on 2024’s performances, not on anything that has occurred in January 2025.
We’ve run this Top 20 series successfully for years in the Sports and News/Talk formats. This is our first time though highlighting music radio. It is by far the largest project we’ve ever done. 173 program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants voted, and 250+ were invited to be a part of it. Though some brand leaders and company executives didn’t vote or respond, I’m ecstatic with our turnout. I wasn’t sure what to expect when the process began given that I’m a new face to some, but many knew our brand, and were excited to participate. It’s been fun connecting with many accomplished radio professionals.
As you review these results, please remember that they represent the collective feedback shared by our industry voters. I do not vote in this process. My role is to assemble the group, collect their votes, and present the information. At the conclusion of the series, Jeff Lynn and I will record a video for the Barrett Media YouTube page sharing our takeaways from the series. Be sure to subscribe to the page so you’re notified of when the video goes live.
Given the size of Music Radio formats, we are presenting the Top 20 shows and programmers from ALL markets. This includes Major Markets, Mid-Markets, and syndicated programs. The best of the best if you will. Some formats are combined due to similarities such as AC/Hot AC, Adult/Classic Hits, and Rock (Active/Modern Rock). There are also a few shows, hosts and/or programmers who appear on lists in multiple formats. This is due to their stations featuring music and programming that crosses over.
Important Information
#1 – Music radio is a massive space, and stations don’t always provide or update information. That makes it hard at times to issue credit to deserving programmers or hosts. We’ve tried to be accurate with the spelling of names, shows, brands, cities, and positions, but we’re human, and mistakes happen. If you see an error, please email Jason@BarrettMedia.com so we can make a correction.
#2 – We’ve asked the voters to supply photos and logos to avoid headaches. Some comply, but most don’t. That’s consistent with voters in our sports and news/talk series too. It forces us to spend a lot of time digging for images to highlight everyone. For that reason, there are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. Thanks in advance for understanding.
#3 – This series specifically focuses on United States terrestrial music radio shows and programmers. Shows and brand leaders with Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, SiriusXM, YouTube, podcasts and programming outside the United States are not included.
#4 – 129 AC/Hot AC radio shows received votes from our voters, the most of any category in our Top 20 series. Executives were asked to rank their Top 10 selections using the following criteria: Quality of Show (ear test), Originality, RatingsSuccess, Ability to Entertain-Inform-Connect Across Multiple Platforms, Clearance (national shows) and Industry Buzz. A 1st place vote equals 20 points, 2nd gets 18, and it goes down by 2 each time until reaching 10th and earning 2 points. Remember, our voters live in different cities, have individual tastes, work for different companies, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.
#4 – 27 broadcasting companies are represented in this series. Among them include iHeartMedia, Audacy, Cumulus Media, Townsquare Media, Beasley Media, Hubbard Radio, Bonneville, Meruelo Media, Radio One, Cox Media Group, Alpha Media, Connoisseur Media, Saga Communications, Hearst Communications, Rubber City Radio Group, Cromwell Media, Press Communications, Pamal Broadcasting, Lotus Communications, Shamrock Communications, Midwest Communications, Seven Mountains Media, Summit Media, Buck Owens, Local Media San Diego, Colorado Springs Radio Broadcasters, and Milwaukee Media Group. Another 18 consulting groups were involved as well. We involve people from different groups and cities to make sure balance is provided.
#5 – Though we have a total of 173 voters in this series, the number voting on each format is lower. This is by design. We wanted experts from each format to vote on what they know best, and avoid situations where managers with less format familiarity are impacting the results. 53 programmers, consultants, and executives with experience in the AC/Hot AC format voted on the category.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for doing an excellent job with our graphics, and Stephanie Eads for helping with the voting process. I’d also like to thank every single voter who made time to participate. Now without further delay, here are the Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows of 2024.
Additional Notes:
Karson & Kennedy landed a 14 point win over Cubby & Christine. They finished tied for the most first place votes with Cubby & Christine, Ellen K, and Delilah with 4.
Spots 21-25 went to Mike Adams, Wendy Wilde, The Morning Mix, Jenn & Bill, and Anna & Raven.
We had a tie for 16th place, which is why you’ll see images for both Sean Copeland and the Bret Mega Show. 2 other races were close and decided by 2 points. Booker, Alex & Audrey edged John Tesh, and Bennett held off Tad, Drex & Kara.
Of the 129 shows to receive votes, 27 received at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media Top 20 of 2024 in Music Radio Upcoming Schedule:
Wednesday January 29 = BMM Top 20 CHR/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors
