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Venu Sports Joint Streaming Venture to Be Discontinued

BSM Staff
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Venu Sports Joint Streaming Venture to Be Discontinued

Venu Sports, the joint streaming venture planned by The Walt Disney Company, FOX Corporation and Warner Bros. Discovery, has been shut down by the three media conglomerates and will not launch. The proposed virtual multichannel video programming distributor (vMVPD) is not moving forward, effective immediately, despite Fubo dropping its lawsuit concurrent with an agreement to merge with Hulu + Live TV.

“After careful consideration, we have collectively agreed to discontinue the Venu Sports joint venture and not launch the streaming service,” ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery said in a statement. “In an ever-changing marketplace, we determined that it was best to meet the evolving demands of sports fans by focusing on existing products and distribution channels. We are proud of the work that has been done on Venu to date and grateful to the Venu staff, whom we will support through this transition period.”

Fubo had communicated to the court last fall that it would have lost money by the fiscal first quarter and result in insolvency had Venu Sports launched. The streaming company also argued that Disney, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery would be bundling 60-80% of live sports streaming rights in the United States. Venu Sports was not permitted to launch under a preliminary injunction, and trials surrounding the matter were set to commence in October.

With Fubo ceasing its legal action, DirecTV decided to challenge the dismissal on Thursday, articulating in a letter to the court that the transaction does not resolve antitrust issues surrounding the venture. Moreover, EchoStar-owned Dish penned a letter that conveyed the settlement and merger took place to “eliminate court jurisdiction” and did not address issues of competition. TNT Sports content is currently available through the Bleacher Report-branded add-on through Max, and ESPN is slated to launch its Flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service later this year. It remains unknown if FOX Sports will look to introduce a DTC platform for its sports content.

Venu Sports was originally slated to launch last August for $42.99 per month, and the company had announced a leadership team headed by chief executive officer Pete Distad. In addition to the leadership team, over 150 engineers and executives were working to build out a product that would combine linear television networks owned by the media conglomerates for users to view without a cable subscription. Disney, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery had invested $400 million each into this joint streaming venture, according to testimony from FOX Corporation chief operating officer John Nallen.

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.

Salem Media Group Promotes Laura Sheaffer to General Manager in New York

BNM Staff
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Salem Media Group Promotes Laura Sheaffer to General Manager in New York

Salem Media Group has announced it has promoted Laura Sheaffer to serve as General Manager of its New York properties AM 970 The Answer and AM 570 The Mission.

Sheaffer has spent the last decade working for the company in the Big Apple, beginning her career as an executive assistant before ultimately rising to the role of General Sales Manager and Director of Local Ministry in 2018.

She will replace Jerry Crowley, who announced his retirement late last year.

 “After working with Jerry Crowley and the team at Salem Media New York for the past decade, I’m honored to advance as the next General Manager and lead WMCA-AM 970 The Answer, WNYM-AM 570 The Mission, and Salem Surround New York to the next level,” said Sheaffer.

“I’ve learned from the best and plan to continue to build upon the established momentum for a strong and successful future. It is a privilege to lead such a talented team and deliver quality and impactful programming through our two stations and streaming platforms. The staff, on-air personalities, and clients make it all worth it; I am excited about the journey ahead,” she concluded.

“As we worked to fill the big shoes that Jerry Crowley has worn for the past twelve years, Laura’s proven track record, competitive spirit, passion to excel, and ability to bring out the best in people, has earned her this opportunity,” added Salem Media Group Senior Vice President Jeff Reisman. “Laura’s leadership and strong commitment to Salem’s mission will undoubtedly continue to drive our success in New York.”

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.

Salem Radio Network Provides Special Coverage of Donald Trump Sentencing in New York Felony Case

BNM Staff
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Salem Radio Network Provides Special Coverage of Donald Trump Sentencing in New York Felony Case

President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in a New York court after being found guilty of 34 felonies. Salem Radio Network has extensive coverage of the historic event.

Greg Clugston traveled to New York to file reports for Salem Radio Network as Trump’s sentencing was scheduled for 9:30 AM ET. Clugston made the journey on to the Big Apple from Washington D.C. Friday morning to provide special coverage for the radio network and its affiliates.

Trump was found guilty last year of 34 felony counts related to falsified business documents for hush money he paid to adult actress Stormy Daniels. The President-elect exhausted his last legal option to avoid sentencing as the Supreme Court declined to intervene on Thursday. Attorneys for Trump plan to continue to appeal the conviction with hopes the verdict is overturned and sentencing is reversed.

Clugtson will file reports throughout the day for SRN as news continues to develop surrounding the case.

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.

Say it Loud and Proud: More News Talk Radio Listening Takes Place on AM/FM Radio and Streaming Than Any Other Format

Pete Mundo
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Say it Loud and Proud: More News Talk Radio Listening Takes Place on AM/FM Radio and Streaming Than Any Other Format

News/Talk radio is still a monster across America. But two things can be true at once. That doesn’t mean there aren’t things that can be improved on and challenges ahead.

After a tough end to the year for many radio groups and stations across America, there are things worth celebrating as we start the New Year. And this week, as reported by Barrett Media from Edison Research, 69% of all time spent listening to news audio content in the United States is with AM/FM radio and its streaming platforms.

By comparison, 61% of sports audio listening takes place on AM/FM radio and streaming from those stations. 32% of all music time spent listening happens with terrestrial radio and streaming platforms from those brands.

Where would you be investing in the industry if you were a station owner or an advertiser?

There’s no question that news audio is getting more fragmented by the day, but AM/FM radio is still strong and holding up better than every other format on the radio dial. 

But, one of the problems with media reporters and bloggers who might share this news is that they are unlikely to be regular radio consumers. And it’s the same thing with agency media buyers. They’re more likely to live in the northeast corridor and be mass transit commuters. Now, there are plenty of monster news radio brands from Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. Still, the internet/social media fodder is unlikely to be there for the media reporters who live on X and Instagram. We’re all biased toward and against the things we consume. It’s no different in this case.

That’s where radio needs to make sure it’s activated on all of these platforms to get in front of new and younger audiences and get attention from fellow media members.

But when you get outside of the news media hubs of New York City, Washington D.C., etc., everyone is in their cars to get to and from work. They’re much less likely to be riding trains, subways, and buses, where the podcast listener is more likely to reside.

That makes the news radio format even more powerful in so many cities nationwide.

So the radio industry needs to lead the way and scream this news from the rooftops to everyone who will listen. You’d be considered a massive success story if your industry had a 70% share.

McDonald’s is the largest fast food chain in the world, and based on 2021 numbers, it had a global market share of almost 44%. Toyota is the world’s largest car manufacturer by market share in the vehicle space, with around 10.7% of the global market in 2023.

To repeat, AM/FM radio has 69% of all time spent listening to news audio content. If you want to reach a news audience and you’re not on news radio, you’re doing your client or company a disservice. It’s as simple as that. 

Now, it’s not all roses. We know that that number has seen attrition in recent years. Podcasting will keep cutting into that 69% in the years ahead as a more consumer-friendly listen. Social media platforms are becoming news content hubs as well. The AM/FM news audience is having a hard time getting younger.

And the industry, while still very formidable, isn’t growing staff in most places when news radio brands need to be active in more places and on more platforms than ever before to stay relevant and grow in their communities. Resources are stretched thin, despite the marketplace demanding we stay active with a multi-media approach to keep their attention in as many places as possible.

But as we turn the calendar to 2025, there are still massive audiences in local communities and nationwide, and for that, we need to celebrate. But that doesn’t mean resting on our laurels by any stretch. Now, we need to do everything we can to hold our market share or at least make sure news consumers are finding us on podcasts, YouTube, and elsewhere. On to 2025!

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.

Wanted: Young, Hard Working Content Creators

Dave Greene
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Wanted: Young, Hard Working Content Creators

30 years ago, when I started in this business, I did what a lot of you probably did – I got an internship. I used a connection to get an interview at the local all sports radio station and got my way in. When they asked if I would mind helping on the morning show, which required me to get up at 4:15 a.m. because I lived 45 minutes away from the station, I didn’t hesitate and simply asked when I started.

As the internship went on, I realized the other interns and some of the part-time staff really didn’t put much effort into what they were doing, a lot of people just seemed to be checking boxes. This is what I wanted to do for my career, I was earning credit for the internship, but I would have done it no matter what, I looked at it as a chance to learn the craft, pick people’s brains, pay attention, ask questions. And, on the advice of a college professor who became more like a friend, I let everyone who worked at the station know who I was and what I wanted to do.

It wasn’t much after a year of interning at the station that one of the main on-air hosts remembered me telling him I wanted to do play-by-play. He said someone told him of an open job and that he would be happy to connect me. When I eventually talked to the Athletic Director, she flat out told me that his recommendation is what got me this interview and now will be what gets me the position. Oh, by the way, she said I needed to sell advertising for the broadcasts in addition to broadcasting the games, something at that point I had never done. I just smiled, said absolutely, shook her hand and left. I would figure that part out later – I was going to be broadcasting college basketball!

The point in writing all of that is to ask where the Dave Greene’s from 30 years ago have all gone? As I talk to Market Managers and Program Directors, one of the things I often hear about is how difficult it is to find good, young talent. Those that are chomping at the bit to get into the business, willing to work as hard as they can just to get a chance.

I had a conversation recently with a PD in a big market and he believes they are all online, creating content and trying to see if they can get in that way instead of working their way up the ladder.

Look, I get it, it’s easier today than ever to just start something, and I encourage that. However, at the same time, the experience of being around others, getting to pick their brains, getting real life experience should not be skipped over even if you are already creating content. Work on your craft, get better and better with reps you can do on your own. But getting out and meeting with and working with people who have been there, done that, is still an incredible education you don’t want to miss out on.

It appears that younger people want to skip steps. For some of them that is going to work out just fine. If they have the talent and create compelling content, they will get found and be followed. But that is like talking about a high school athlete who wants to play in the pros. Everyone wants it, few will achieve it.

I will say that one part of the internship experience that did seem to go away in recent years is the part where the older folks want to help the younger folks. A lot of the older people in radio and television have put such little effort into understanding the landscape and how it has changed and is changing, they would prefer to say how good it was in the old days and scoff at the new young pups.

We have to learn from each other. There are plenty of things older broadcasters can teach the new generation, and the new generation has a lot it can teach the older ones. That hasn’t always been the case, but let’s face it, a 30-year-old probably knows a heckuva lot more about what is good content for the first half of the 25–54-year-old demo than most people towards the back half. If you are over 40, when is the last time you asked one of the younger people in your building to sit down with you and show you how they consume content? For most, my guess is the answer is never.

It really is a unique time in our space, and whether you are young, old or in between, things have to be done a different way in order to move forward. Frankly, we need the younger generation to jump on board and get involved in our industry, otherwise that is when the industry could really die off.

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The Best/Worst Thing I’ve Heard/Watched/Read Recently

I will admit, before I did my eavesdropping column on Travis and Jason Kelce’s podcast, ‘New Heights’ this past week, I had never tuned into a full episode. Seen plenty of clips and have paid attention to what has happened with the show and the deal with Wondery.

I just really have had Kelce-fatigue for a while and figured if I tuned into full episodes, I wouldn’t be able to take much more. However, I was wrong. Yes, I still think they are overexposed and need to make sure they don’t eventually burn everyone out on them, but the show is really, really good.

I am a Chiefs fan and lived and worked in KC for a couple of years and have lots of friends in that area. So, I knew and was exposed to much more Travis than Jason. And with all due respect to Travis and his famous girlfriend, Jason is what makes the show work. He keeps it moving, he asks good questions, and he has the ability to reel Travis in a bit when he gets going too far out there.

I really enjoyed listening and now have a lot to catch up on. You can see my eavesdropping feature on the show by clicking here.

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In Case You Missed It

Every Market Manager or Programming boss needs to make sure they read Demetri Ravanos’ column from earlier this week titled, ‘Rethink Social Media in 2025.’ Then, they should have a meeting with their staff to discuss it.

Bottom line, some people are using a social media strategy from five years ago and folks, that isn’t working anymore. The game has changed. The main point is that you should be using social to show the great content you have, not simply to get people to click on something to then see the great content you have. The social peeps don’t want people to leave their site, so instead of trying to fight it, embrace it and use it for what it can for you today, not several years ago.

Demetri wrote, “What if instead of links, you prioritize content? Quit thinking of social media as the interstate and start thinking of it as the destination.”

You can thank Demetri later for the meeting topic and for giving you legitimate tips to make you better. I know most of you won’t listen because that’s what history says, but I promise you the six minutes it will take to read the article will be well worth it. 

You can get to the full column by clicking here.

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.

The Pulse: 3-Minute Qualifier, Community Connections, And Radio Industry Happenings

Jeff Lynn
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The Pulse: 3-Minute Qualifier, Community Connections, And Radio Industry Happenings

With the January 2025 PPM survey, Nielsen has implemented its new 3-minute qualifier.

In November, Barrett Media obtained a letter from Nielsen to subscribers that read in part, “Moving from a 5-minute to a 3-minute qualifier addresses industry feedback and aligns with today’s listening habits. By shortening the minimum amount of time required to be counted in the audience, Nielsen will capture more occasions and impressions than previously reported.”

I contacted programmers and consultants to see what changes, if any, they are implementing with the change.

The consensus is pretty much wait-and-see.

Audacy Vice President/Country Format Captain and WYCD Detroit Program Director Tim Roberts said, “We really don’t have any reliable data to gauge it yet; I think it’s a wait-and-see-what-develops attitude.”

Brian Figula, Director of Programming Operations, Bonneville Bay Area, says, “Advice? Stay the course. Continue to build great content. Create “tune-ins” and not “tune-outs. At 5 minutes, it was a game of PPM inches, and at 3 minutes, it remains a game of PPM inches. Manage the listeners’ expectations = play hits and build brand excitement.”

Kenny Jay Consulting Partner Albright & O’Malley & Brenner,

Research your music!

-The recurrents have to be right. Don’t leave a music meeting without taking a meaningful look at recurrent rotations.

-It’s a great time to do a basic “How ratings work” lunch and learn meeting.

-Great teases and storytelling matter now more than ever. Talent: Take it to another level.

Mat Mitchell Program Director KS95 KSTP-FM St. Paul/Minneapolis. “I’m anticipating that some stations will not change anything and see how they perform under their current clocks to track performance before and after the new qualifier. I can also see some stations with heavy commercial loads looking for new and creative ways to divide the hour.”

MoJoe Roberts Program Director of Country 95.5 The Bull, Las Vegas. “My advice on the three-minute qualifier is to not be quick to react. Observe how this new change affects, if at all, your current strategy and then make calculated adjustments.”

Country’s Radio Coach John Shomby said, “I’m going to assume that most programmers are smart and will wait until this new qualifier has been in the mix for at least 6 months, maybe even a year, before even considering any action. Unlike the start of PPM years ago, this is a change but not, in my opinion, one that would make you adjust your entire programming clock.”

Community Connections:

Q-104 WQAL Cleveland provided 38,566 meals for Northeast Ohio families with its annual Request-a-Thon

Sunny 106, DuBois, PA, raised $114,500 with its 31st Annual Light Up a Child’s Life campaign. The dollars raised benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Industry Happenings:

The 2025 NAB Crystal Radio Awards will be presented on March 4 at the NAB State Leadership Conference in Washington, DC.

Submissions for the 60th annual ACM Awards can be submitted through January 17. Visit the ACM here for information and key dates.

The Radio Mercury Awards is accepting entries for 2025. Nominations may be submitted here until April 1. Nominees will be announced in May.

Add ons:

Rowdy Yates and “Ridin With Rowdy” reached the 60 affiliate mark with the addition of “Wow That’s Country 99.3 & 101.1” WOWZ-WICO Accomac, VA.

Bit Of The Week:

Hit me with your best. The Pulse wants to include your show with the “Bit Of The Week.” If you want to be featured, please send me an mp3 of your best, most recent bit to jeff@barrettmedia.com.

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.

‘You Better You Bet’ Hosts Nick Kostos and Femi Abebefe See Big Opportunity Partnering With NBC Sports Now

Dave Greene
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‘You Better You Bet’ Hosts Nick Kostos and Femi Abebefe See Big Opportunity Partnering With NBC Sports Now

Just before the holidays started, Audacy announced that its BetQL Network show You Better You Bet would begin streaming the following week on the NBC Sports FAST channel, which was recently renamed to NBC Sports Now. Through a content partnership with NBC Sports, the live show and podcast featuring co-hosts Nick Kostos and Femi Abebefe is now available on weekdays from 6 to 7 p.m. ET through Peacock and all major FAST channel distributors.

In an internal memo to staff the day it was announced, Mitch Rosen, Vice President of The Score in Chicago and BetQL Network referred to the deal as a “groundbreaking partnership for us in terms of video distribution.”

Kostos, who has been covering the world of sports gambling for more than a decade and has been hosting ‘You Better You Bet’ since 2019, said, “My goal has always been to turn You Better You Bet into a hybrid television show and kind of serve all masters, that’s always been my end game for the show. And the NBC deal is just a validation of everything that I’ve been working for, and the team has been working for. Everything we’ve collectively been working for this entire time, to be with a legacy brand like NBC on NBC Sports Now is awesome.

“It’s really tremendous and just goes to show that we’ve done great, but the work is not done. The work is definitely not done, but it is an absolute milestone in the growth of You Better You Bet and one that we hope continues to spur us to bigger and better things.”

Co-host Femi Abebefe, who joined the show in August coming over from VSiN, added, “It’s an absolute honor and a game changer for our show to be a part of a legacy network like NBC and Peacock. This show and its audience have grown a lot over the last five years, and we can’t wait to introduce it to a new audience as a part of the NBC Sports Now lineup.”

Rosen said this show being chosen to air on NBC Sports Now is the result of a team effort from the beginning. “To be aligned with NBC Sports Now and BetMGM is ultimately the payoff of everything Nick and our entire You Better You Bet team has accomplished since we launched. Nick is truly one of the premiere personalities in the sports wagering space and now to partner with the iconic brand of NBC is just phenomenal. The effort, planning, and content produced on a daily basis demonstrates how popular the show is, and the recent addition of Femi and Executive Producer Bill Zimmerman really has taken the show to the very top of the mountain.”

Zimmerman had previously spent several years with Mad Dog Sports Radio and before Kostos became a talent, he was a producer there. “In my opinion, Bill Zimmerman is one of if not the best executive producers in sports radio. And our new co-host, Femi Abebefe, is tremendously talented, charismatic and very intelligent when it comes to sports betting.”

Kostos said with NBC Sports Now airing the 6 p.m hour, the group was presented with a new challenge as well, but it is one they’ve been excited to figure out. The challenge becomes programming the hour both for those who may have been listening previously and for those who might only hear that hour.

“Six o’clock becomes almost a new start to the show instead of just the final hour of the show,” he said. “It’s almost the second beginning of the show and we needed to adjust things a little bit. And then the 6:40 p.m. segment becomes our ‘Bets for the Night’ featuring NBC Sports betting analysts.

“I love having a puzzle in front of me as it concerns content and the challenge of putting that puzzle together in a way that makes sense. I am a big believer of everything needs to have a purpose in the show. Given the way that the show now functions, putting that together is exceptionally rewarding and is one of the most fun parts of my job. So, yes, it’s a challenge, but it’s not something that comes without a tremendous sense of satisfaction when it’s done, when the show is over and when we nailed it.”

Kostos is very aware of the fact that the show came from audio before video, but believes it works for all ways of consumption. “The primary function of the show is to exist on audio. Now, we have added video partners as the years have gone on, we’re on YouTube, we are on Twitch, Stadium has been an awesome partner for us. And now, obviously, we add NBC to our portfolio.

“I really want to serve all masters. I want to put on a great show for the live audience. I want to put on a great show for people that are consuming it visually. I want to put on a great show for people that are consuming it on the radio and are consuming it in terms of audio. And I want people to be able to still be able to consume it that night after the show goes off the air or the day after. I think that’s the secret sauce, like the special thing that we are trying to accomplish on the show every day.”

Kostos said not only are they aware of the various ways people consume the show, but they are also very aware they have people listening with all different levels of knowledge on wagering, from novice to the advanced. He believes how they have handled that has been one of the things which has propelled the show to new heights, the ability to entertain and inform with just the right balance.

“The biggest compliment that I receive is when someone who doesn’t wager says they love the show, my radio hits during the week, my Sunday morning show on WFAN, my BetMGM videos or my Westwood One reports. That means I and we are doing our job properly, when even someone who doesn’t wager finds value in the content. I would urge anyone to consume You Better You Bet and tell me it’s not a show that could exist on a mainstream outlet for an audience that is not necessarily predisposed towards sports wagering. That is always something we consider when putting the show together.

“And now that we are on NBC, in addition to the other outlets that carry us, whether it’s Stadium, Sirius XM, Westwood One, YouTube, Twitch, we’re on a billion radio stations nationwide every single day under the Audacy umbrella and otherwise. My job now on a daily basis every single day is to continue fine tuning this product. The show needs to be better every single day. So, the stakes have raised now, I get to bet on myself now. The bet is on me to make sure the show is good.”

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.

Being Independent is a Key To Success For Classic Rock 100.7 The Bay Baltimore

Jeff Lynn
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Being Independent is a Key To Success For Classic Rock 100.7 The Bay Baltimore

Steve Huber is the Program Director and Morning Show host for Times-Shamrock’s Classic Rock 100.7 The Bay WZBA.

Times-Shamrock operates stations in Baltimore, Milwaukee, and Scranton, PA. In 2017, the company sold its stations in Reno, NV.

As a stand-alone station in Baltimore, 100.7 The Bay competes against the so-called “big companies.” The station posted a 3.0 December 2024 PPM 6+ Mon-Sun, 6a-12mid.

So, how, as an independent, does Bay 100.7 succeed where others haven’t?

According to Huber, their independence gives them a leg up.

“First of all, being independent is a big part of why we do so well. Because we can program from the market to the market. Instead of a national programmer from Houston telling us what’s the best for Baltimore,” said Huber.

“It really has been a luxury to be able to program here for the market that we’re in, from the market that we’re in—and just being part of the community. I am born and raised here.”

According to Huber, the long-tenured local on-air team helps as well.

“Colleen Carew has been on the air in Baltimore for decades; Mike Brilhart has been on the air in Baltimore for decades; Matt Weitzel, the newest member of our air staff, is doing afternoon drive. He’s a young’un but has only ever done radio in Baltimore. I think our connection and understanding of the town has been a big advantage for us.”

Tell me about “Huber In The Morning.

“First of all, it’s insane that I get to do mornings because you go to high school, you go to college, and you have a goal. I wanted to do a morning show in my hometown. And then to get to do it is so crazy.”

“I try to make it very relatable, the stuff that we talk about. Like this morning, one of our biggest topics was when is it too late to say Happy New Year. We do those real human element things.”

“We try to talk about those types of things all Baltimore-centric. Like, what are you doing for the playoffs? What are you cooking for the tailgate for the Raven Steelers this Saturday? Are you going to the game? Are you staying home and making wings? Are you having a party?”

Huber In The Morning

How will we keep the Classic Rock format viable for another 20 years?

“It’s becoming more and more of a challenge the broader and deeper the pool of Classic Rock gets. There are so many decades of hits, and trying to find the right balance is tough. I use the word sonic landscape.”

“Nostalgia is still a very big comfort blanket. It’s a comfort food for listeners. They love the memories that those things spark.”

“As long as we have an audience that looks back at their past with rose-colored glasses and wants to relive the soundtrack from making out in the backseat of a Camaro or discovering their first cheeseburger, whatever song was playing. Those songs still spark those memories. And as long as we can keep pulling at those heartstrings, I think we’ve got a future.”

Community engagement plays a large part in the station’s makeup.

“We do an event called “Paws in the Park,” where we invite Barks, the Baltimore Animal Rescue Shelter, and the Baltimore chapter of the ASPCA out to do adoption efforts. People can bring their dogs.”

“We’re involved with a charity called Santa Claus Anonymous, where all the funds stay in Baltimore. They buy gift cards from participating retailers that can be used for gifts for families in need around the holidays.”

Tapping into Baltimore’s culture is also essential.

“One of the coolest things we do, and we’re about to ramp it up again here this spring. Everybody knows Maryland for steamed crabs and crab cakes, but we also have a delicacy in the Baltimore area called pit beef, which is a hot and fast-style barbecue.”

“Most barbecues are low and slow. This is hot and fast, thin sliced with a deli slicer. And, people are passionate about whether it’s raw onions or horseradish, whether it’s on a roll or rye, what kind of sauce, and this and that.”

“There’s a dozen or more well-established pit beef stands. Every spring and summer, we go through, do a pit beef review, go from place to place, talk about them, and get some history. We do a ranking and a rating, but it’s more just to call attention to it. When a new one opens up, we check it out to see if our favorite one from last year is still our favorite one from this year.”

“That was one of the first things I did on the morning show, and I still get people asking me about pit beef reviews and do I like this place and why I don’t like this place more than that.”

Huber had a shoutout to his team, including President & General Manager Steve Borneman.

Steve Borneman, our general manager, came in right after my first contract here expired. And, of course, I’m chewing my nails. This guy will come in and bring his team and clean house. And he just came on board. He realized the value in every employee that was here. We didn’t make changes and just hit the ground running. He’s been a great mentor, and I also love working with him daily. He worked at PLJ in New York and some legendary stations. I always tell him he’s dramatically overqualified for this position, but we’re very glad to have him. So, yeah, it’s a great team here.

Listen to 100.7 The Bay here.        

Reach Steve via email here.   

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.

107.3 Alternative Cleveland’s Alyssa Ursetti Successfully Navigates Intern To PD

Charese Fruge
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107.3 Alternative Cleveland’s Alyssa Ursetti Successfully Navigates Intern To PD

Alyssa Ursetti is the Program Director and Midday Host for 107.3 Alternative Cleveland. Believe it or not, she started as an unpaid promotions intern with the company Rubber City Radio Group and worked her way up to management.

About a year after finishing college, Ursetti saw an opening in the Sales Department and was hired as the Sales Assistant. That was a little over ten years ago. She later graduated to the Promotions Department for Classic Rocker 97.5 WONE and News Talk Sports 1590/93.5 WAKR in the cluster. When the company flipped formats from Smooth Jazz at 107.3 WNWV to Alternative, she jumped at the chance to be involved since Alternative was where her heart is.

“I started out as the Promotions Director for the station, then became Music Director, then Program Director. As of last year I’m also Midday host,” Ursetti explains. “When I saw the radio station I had interned at was hiring back then, I figured I’d get my foot in the door. I honestly didn’t expect to be where I am today, but as I learned more about radio, my passion grew. Especially now in the Director role and behind the mic. I always say I am very lucky to be able to mix my passion with my profession.”

In addition to her role as PD, she delivers the music facts on air, enjoys fun things to do around the city with the community, and is an Elder Emo just trying to keep up with the trends. “I am also passionate about Mental Health awareness,” adds Ursetti. “We work with NAMI of Greater Cleveland, supporting their cause whenever we can.”

The station is still relatively new. It’s been around for about three years now and is technically the only Alternative station in the market. “Our audience was very excited for us to arrive, and we’re extremely happy to be here providing a format that was missing in Cleveland,” says Ursetti.

“As for me, meeting artists will never get old. That’s where the excitement comes in for me. I was able to meet Taking Back Sunday this year; they’ve been one of my favorite bands since I was a teenager, so that was really special because my teenage self would have to pick her jaw up off the floor if she knew one day she’d be hanging out with Taking Back Sunday before their show.”

Like most programmers, Ursetti is a music lover. “We have a weekly segment ‘Live & Local’ where we feature two local bands every Friday night at 9 pm,” she says. “The community really enjoys it, and we enjoy supporting the local music scene. We support them by playing their music and occasionally interviewing the local bands.”

Ursetti believes there is plenty of new music to keep the format alive and growing. “I think it’s a really interesting time in Alternative music with all the heritage bands still producing chart-topping singles,” she explains. “I think it makes it difficult for the new artists to really breakthrough, but at our station, I try to maintain a balance between the two. Playing those artists everyone knows and loves but also introducing them to brand new artists that can be the next big thing.”

“I think what’s missing in the industry right now is that ‘Live & Local’ that we’re all about,” says Ursetti. “I think we’re lucky to be a part of a family-owned station because we all feel like family. This gives us a little more freedom and opportunity for diversity as opposed to some of the bigger corporations whose stations are a carbon copy of each other across the country. I think that makes us stand out from our competitors as well.”

As far as her thoughts on the use of AI in the industry, Ursetti hasn’t done much experimenting with it yet. “I do think it’s very interesting, and I love learning about it, but I hope it only impacts the industry in a positive way, like helping with show prep or bits. As for our station, we’re sort of a mom-and-pop, so we’re all about live and local; I think AI takes away from that and our creativity as live talent.”

Urestti’s goal for her station is to continue to grow the brand and its consistency and eventually develop big events. “I’d love to do something really big like a festival that ties into benefiting NAMI of Greater Cleveland someday, but I think that is a way down the road.”

She’s constantly show-prepping just by living her life. “I’ll jot things down in my notes on my phone that I want to share on the air, but on a typical day, I wake up probably entirely way too early for a show that starts at 10 a.m., but I’ve always been an early bird. I start by sipping my coffee while watching the news, then pursue social media and prep sites for any fun things I want to share with listeners.”

Follow Alyssa Ursetti @AlyssaRayDio on Instagram.

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.

How an Unconvential Career Path Led Hena Doba to NewsNation

Garrett Searight
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How an Unconvential Career Path Led Hena Doba to NewsNation

When Hena Doba began her TV career at a local station in Watertown, New York, anchoring a cable news show seemed about as likely as walking on the moon. But, it’s funny things workout sometimes. Her unconventional path has led her to NewsNation.

Doba is about to celebrate her first anniversary with the upstart cable news network, where she anchors Morning in America Weekend, which airs from 7-10 AM ET.

The NewsNation anchor served as a producer in her first television job. And when asked if she ever thought she could ascend to the national stage, her answer was a quick one.

“Never,” she replied. “I never thought I’d be on air, to be honest.”

Her first opportunity to move in front of the camera came during 9/11. Most would relish the opportunity to be on television covering the biggest news story since Pearl Harbor. However, as a first-generation Pakistani American, Doba was forced to deal with racially-charged comments from viewers.

“My news director, in the beginning, did get a few emails. People didn’t want me on the air,” she shared. “‘Why are you putting a terrorist on air?’ is one of those things that were said. But that one news director took a chance on me. He easily could have pulled me off air. I’m a producer, and I was happy to be a producer, but he kept me on and I got job after job because of this one person.”

After honing her craft in smaller markets — like Savannah, Georgia and Hartford, Connecticut, Hena Doba eventually landed a role at CBS News serving as a national correspondent. She later added duties anchoring The National Desk with Hena Doba.

In 2019, however, Doba left CBS News after eight years for Cheddar, the streaming financial news network. Many would consider a move from an industry titan like CBS News to a digital start-up would be a clear step down. Including Hena Doba’s agent.

“He’s like ‘People don’t leave CBS to go to Cheddar.’ And I remember thinking ‘Ok,’ so I fired him,” she said with a laugh.

Doba said the move to Cheddar took her “out of her bubble” and allowed her to broaden her horizons and showcase her personality more on the air. She believes the experience has helped shape her today.

“Now, when I’m doing hard news again, I feel like I can handle anything because those kinds of risks taught me to be very flexible. And I think that’s one of my talents right now,” said Doba. “One of my strongest assets right now is how flexible I am when it comes to the news.”

Hena Doba continued by stating that she believes one of the main reasons she is at NewsNation today is because the upstart cable news outlet features many former Cheddar employees, proving everything comes full circle. She called the ability to host Mornings in America Weekend on the non-partisan news network a “dream come true.”

“You don’t want to leave out any side. I’ve been doing this long enough that the story was never about you. The key is to just tell the story without any kind of unconscious bias coming into it.”

“There are people with experience. The management team are all coming from huge networks,” Doba added of NewsNation. “We all just wanted to try something new that isn’t like everything that viewers have been seeing for so long … so this was just a brand new voice with so many journalists coming from different philosophies when it comes to news, and especially breaking news.”

When asked who her influences were growing up, Doba quickly pointed to talents like CNN’s Christiane Amanpour and NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas, who spent nearly a decade and a half at ABC News. She said working in proximity with Vargas — and other NewsNation talents like Ashleigh Banfield, Chris Cuomo, and Dan Abrams — has improved her work.

“I’ve become a better journalist, for sure,” she said of her year with the cable news operation. “I was always confident. I’ve been doing this a long time. But just working alongside these people and sitting next to them and watching them work … it’s been incredible because I’m working alongside these other incredible journalists.”

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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