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Annie Agar Teams With Ja’Marr Chase For Chasing No 1 Podcast via Overtime

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Ja’Marr Chase is trading routes every week this season for microphones. The Bengals star wideout is officially launching a new podcast called Chasing No. 1. with co-host Annie Agar.

What We Know: Chase revealed the podcast venture earlier this year during Super Bowl week in San Francisco. The debut with Tee Higgins was set for spring, but never materialized. Today, Ovetime announced that NFL digital media host Annie Agar will host the podcast with its first episode drooping on Wednesday. Overtime reportedly will continue to produce the show.

What They Said: Annie Agar (via X): “I am so excited. This is probably the biggest and coolest thing I’ve done in my NFL career so far. This is going to change this NFL season for you guys and for me in terms of being able to put out different content for you. I’m so excited.”

What Remains Unclear: Specifics on how to consume the podcast have not been verified outside of a YouTube channel set up prior to launch. Specific drops for episodes is also unknown.

What It Means: The podcast marks a new chapter for the Bengals’ star beyond the field. Fans will finally get a look at Chase’s personality, hobbies, and interests. Meanwhile, Overtime continues expanding its athlete-driven content slate. Ultimately, Agar and Higgins are betting on this venture to shed new light into his career and personality off the field. For Agar, it’s another avenue to continue creating unique digital content surrounding the NFL with one of it’s top names.

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Barstool Sports’ Brandon Walker Defends Appearance on the Rich Eisen Show: “I Didn’t Know” Eisen Was With ESPN

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Brandon Walker’s Rich Eisen Show cameo blew up online. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy wasted no time addressing it Monday morning on Wake Up Barstool on FS1.

What We Know: Walker appeared on The Rich Eisen Show this past Friday, joining guest host Bobby Bones. Afterward, a clip of Walker spread quickly across social media over the weekend. As a result, Portnoy confronted Walker about it Monday on Wake Up Barstool, since the Eisen program streams on Disney+ under ESPN. Meanwhile, Barstool’s own media partnership with FOX Sports makes the crossover notable, leading to Walker admitting he didn’t know Eisen’s program is a part of ESPN’s networks.

What They Said: (all quotes via Wake Up Barstool on FS1):

Brandon Walker explained his Rich Eisen Show appearance as not knowing Rich Eisen was on Disney+: “[Bobby Bones] was guest hosting The Rich Eisen Show. He did it last year. I went on the show. I didn’t think anything of it. It was on the NFL Network. I didn’t keep up with the machinations, signatures, and the who’s where. When he asked me to come on the Eisen show again, I never thought about it. I never considered it was ESPN, and didn’t know it was ESPN until they tweeted the clip out. I had no idea Eisen was on ESPN, and was just on the Eisen show.”

Brandon Walker was surprised himself that Eisen was on ESPN and Disney+: “I was pretty surprised myself on ESPN. Even having me on the show, whatever. I didn’t know they were gonna actually clip me and put me out there. But whatever, I didn’t know The Rich Eisen Show was on ESPN, and that’s my defense.”

What Remains Unclear: Whether or not Walker or any other Barstool Sports personalities make future appearances on programs with ESPN ties is unknown.

What It Means: Ultimately, the moment highlights the messy overlap between rival sports media giants. Then again, this is likely a simple mistake made by Walker. Portnoy is a noted critic of ESPN and their programming. To have Portnoy call out one of his employees for providing content to an ESPN licensed program on FS1 is interesting. The level of transparency is one that the platform has never shied away from. For Barstool, optics matter as its FS1 partnership grows into a second year.

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The Pivot Announces Multi-Year Agreement With Netflix

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Netflix and The Pivot are teaming up. New video episodes launch on the platform September 8.

What We Know: According to a report by Boardroom, Netflix and The Pivot have struck a multi-year partnership beginning September 8. New episodes stream exclusively on Netflix every Tuesday and Friday, and library episodes land there too while remaining on YouTube. The deal also gives Netflix first-negotiation rights on future Pivot25 Productions content, plus exclusive bonus episodes. The agreement is months following co-founder Ryan Clark parting ways with ESPN in July after 11 years, amid network-wide layoffs.

What They Said: Ryan Clark (via Boardroom): “I’ve gained a new perspective: passion over platform, and people over perception. I’m grateful and excited to take [The Pivot] to Netflix. This is the beginning of a beautiful new chapter … The story is far from finished.”

What Remains Unclear: Financial specifics of the partnership also remain unannounced. It’s also unknown if any video content from Netflix’ episodes will be allowed via social media.

What It Means: The deal signals Netflix’s growing appetite for sports-talk programming. This is just the latest signing for Netflix following their agreements with Barstool Sports, The Ringer, and iHeartMedia earlier this year. For Pivot25, it’s a step toward becoming a multi-platform media company spanning sports and culture. For Clark, it offers a high-profile landing spot just months after his ESPN exit.

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Howard Stern Bringing SiriusXM Show to HBO Max Next Month

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Howard Stern is bringing his SiriusXM show to HBO Max next month. The weekly streaming series will feature highlights from Stern’s latest shows.

What We Know: The Howard Stern Show will debut on HBO Max on September 17th at 3:01 AM ET. Each Thursday, the platform will compile the best portions of Stern’s weekly SiriusXM program into streamable episodes. The deal expands the show’s video reach beyond SiriusXM, where Stern has offered viewers occasional video clips from his broadcasts. Additionally, HBO Max will distribute the series worldwide, giving Stern access to the platform’s growing global audience.

What They Said: “As the ‘King of All Media,’ I am honored to bring my SiriusXM show to HBO Max, and through HBO Max to worldwide distribution. For years, my SiriusXM show has offered only brief video peeks. HBO convinced me to pull back the curtain and let the world watch; the amazing celebrities and musicians who drop by, our staff antics, and my conversations with Robin. Bringing my latest SiriusXM shows to HBO Max’s millions of viewers, every week, is a career highlight, and I’m thrilled to be joining the ranks of such prestigious television.” -Howard Stern

“Howard Stern has always been in a category of his own with an unmistakable, unique take on the world. Howard has changed radio and media at large with his ability to draw the most out of his guests and cultivate a following like no other. We couldn’t be happier to welcome Howard to HBO Max and to partner with SiriusXM to bring The Howard Stern Show to the platform.” -HBO CEO and Chairman Casey Bloys

What Remains Unclear: HBO Max hasn’t detailed how long each episode will run or how much material from the weekly SiriusXM broadcast will make the cut. The companies also haven’t announced whether episodes will remain available indefinitely after their Thursday premieres.

What It Means: The partnership gives Stern another major distribution outlet while HBO Max gains one of radio’s most recognizable personalities. Moreover, the move could introduce Stern’s celebrity interviews and signature conversations to viewers who don’t subscribe to SiriusXM. For SiriusXM, the deal also creates another avenue to showcase one of its biggest stars.

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Clay Travis Adds Bet The Board Podcast To Sport & State With Three-Year Agreement

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Clay Travis’ Sport & State adds another proven brand to the growing digital content platform. Travis announced a three-year contract with Todd Fuhrman and Payne Insider bringing their Bet The Board podcast to the platform.

What We Know: Todd Fuhrman and Payne Insider host Bet The Board, a popular podcast covering NFL, college football, and basketball betting. Fuhrman previously worked alongside Clay Travis on Fox Bet Live, the FS1 betting show. The podcast’s account teased big news Saturday night, its first post since the show’s prior episode ended. Travis announced the signing on Sunday with the first episode publishing later today.

What They Said: Clay Travis (via X): “Big roster addition for college football week one: Sport and State has signed Todd Fuhrman & Payne Insider to a three year contract. They are bringing back their Bet The Board podcast sponsored by Hard Rock Bet. You’re all welcome. Sincerely, Clay Travis, aka the best GM in sports.”

What Remains Unclear: Financial terms of the move haven’t been disclosed either. Additionally, it’s unclear whether more personalities might follow Fuhrman and Payne Insider to the platform.

What It Means: Sport & State keeps expanding beyond its original sports-and-politics blend. Adding a respected betting podcast broadens its appeal to wagering-focused audiences. Meanwhile, Travis continues assembling a roster that echoes OutKick’s format, just under a new banner. The move signals steady momentum for his latest venture.

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Dolly Parton Streaming Surges 2,458% Following Death Tuesday

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Dolly Parton’s death triggers predictable streaming surge. Her catalog explodes 2,458% in single day.

What We Know Industry data from Luminate reveals the scale of the phenomenon. Parton’s U.S. streams jumped from 1.2 million Monday to 30.5 million Tuesday. Worldwide audio and video streams climbed from 2.5 million to 41.8 million. By Wednesday, her on-demand audio streams reached 79.7 million globally.

What’s at Stake Parton’s songwriting legacy—not her celebrity status—drives this engagement. Her top-streamed tracks span decades: “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and duets with Kenny Rogers and Whitney Houston. The data proves catalog depth matters in the streaming era. Additionally, Parton-related books dominated Amazon’s top-five bestseller list.

What Remains Unclear Streaming spikes following celebrity deaths typically fade quickly. Will new listeners convert into long-term fans? Which younger audiences discovered Parton’s catalog for the first time? How sustainable is this surge beyond news cycles?

What It Means Parton’s moment demonstrates the power of genuine songwriting talent. The numbers validate her influence across genres and generations. For the industry, it highlights how songwriter credibility translates to measurable impact. Her legacy endures through art, not nostalgia.

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Pittsburgh Steelers Add Willie Colon, Vince Williams To Daily Audio Network Lineup

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iHeartMedia Pittsburgh and the Steelers are refreshing their audio lineup. Two franchise favorites are stepping behind the mic as Willie Colon and Vince Williams join the daily lineup.

What We Know: Willie Colon, a Super Bowl champion and former Steelers guard, joins In the Locker Room. He’ll co-host with Rob King and Max Starks, airing noon to 2 p.m. weekdays. Vince Williams, a former Steelers linebacker, teams up with Tom Opferman on The Steelers Blitz, running 10 a.m. to noon. The network now delivers more than 40 hours of weekly programming, with new fall additions like Chalk Talk and Steelers Preview launching in September.

What They Said: Ryan Huzak, Steelers Senior Vice President of Business Operations: “Steelers Nation reaches far and wide. iHeart’s over-the-air footprint — which stretches beyond southwestern Pennsylvania — combined with our collective multiplatform digital audio approach – delivers over a thousand hours of Steelers audio content to our fans throughout the world on a year-round basis.”

What Remains Unclear: It’s unclear whether the network plans further additions once the season progresses. Meanwhile, the release doesn’t specify any terms for either Colon or Williams.

What It Means: Adding two well-known former players signals a push for deeper fan engagement. Their insider perspective should strengthen credibility across In the Locker Room and The Steelers Blitz. Consequently, iHeartMedia continues betting big on year-round, multiplatform Steelers content. However, with the programming adding some locality, it will be interesting to see if it pulls any audience away from more established brands for sports radio in the market.

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Bill Keeler Returns to 92.7 The Drive After WIBX Exit

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Bill Keeler exited WIBX mornings after 13 years. Now he joins Arjuna Broadcasting’s 92.7 The Drive, Utica NY for the same role.

What We Know Keeler previously hosted mornings at WXUR from 2007 to 2010, completing a meaningful return to the market. His WIBX executive producer Davey Smith and news anchor Jeff Monaski join him at the Utica-Herkimer station. Additionally, former Talk 100.7 host Jay Aiello rounds out the new lineup. Together, they replace “The Bob & Tom Show” with a fully local morning program streaming across Facebook and YouTube.

What They Said Keeler expressed genuine enthusiasm about the opportunity: “I’m so excited to head back to The Drive, in the same studios I built 20 years ago. Working with a legend like Genesee Joe is a dream come true.” He emphasized the importance of authentic local broadcasting: “Local radio works when it’s actually local. It means people making decisions live here, work here, know the businesses and charities.” Station owner Mindy Barstein reinforced the vision, calling The Drive “the only full time live radio station playing music you won’t hear anywhere else.” Program Director Joe Trisolino added: “Bill puts on an excellent show. He’s a local radio legend with many ties to this community.”

What Remains Unclear The official launch date for the morning show remains unannounced. Similarly, specific streaming schedules for Facebook and YouTube haven’t been detailed. Furthermore, Keeler’s full on-air lineup with Genesee Joe in afternoons requires additional clarity.

What It Means This move signals a decisive shift toward hyperlocal radio in the Utica-Herkimer market. Moreover, Arjuna Broadcasting demonstrates unwavering commitment to community-focused programming over syndicated content. Importantly, Keeler’s return represents significant talent consolidation in the region. Consequently, radio personalities formerly at rival stations now unite under unified ownership and vision.

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Triton Digital, RCS Partner to Provide Programmatic Advertising to Broadcast Radio

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Triton Digital and RCS are bringing programmatic advertising to traditional broadcast radio. The partnership aims to help stations tap into digital advertising dollars.

What We Know: Triton Digital has partnered with RCS to connect broadcast radio with programmatic advertising. The integration links RCS’ broadcast playout software directly to Triton Digital’s ad-buying platform. As a result, broadcasters can make over-the-air inventory available through workflows advertisers already use for streaming audio and podcasts. Meanwhile, the arrangement gives RCS-powered stations access to automated, data-driven advertising transactions. The companies say the integration requires no major system overhaul because it operates through existing RCS infrastructure. The rollout to broadcast radio partners is already underway. Triton Digital also plans to demonstrate the technology at the 2026 International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam.

What They Said: “Radio has always earned trust at a scale digital aspires to replicate. This partnership future-proofs that advantage, giving broadcasters a modern way to compete for the advertising dollars that have been flowing to digital media. Triton is laying the groundwork for a future where every dollar of audio advertising, no matter the channel, moves through the same connected infrastructure.” -Triton Digital President/CEO John Rosso

“RCS powers broadcast media around the world. This partnership opens a significant new opportunity, giving stations a direct path to the programmatic advertising market on the playout software they already trust and rely on. Simply, immediately, new revenue without new complexity. That is exactly what broadcasters deserve.” -RCS President/CEO Susan Larkin

What Remains Unclear: The companies haven’t disclosed how quickly broadcasters will adopt the new programmatic capabilities or how much additional revenue stations could generate. They also haven’t detailed which advertisers or agencies will participate initially. Additionally, the announcement doesn’t specify whether the integration will eventually expand beyond RCS-powered operations.

What It Means: The partnership could give broadcast radio another path to compete with digital audio for advertising dollars. Programmatic buying has become increasingly common across streaming audio and podcasts. Now, traditional radio inventory can enter those same automated buying workflows. Therefore, broadcasters may gain access to budgets that previously favored digital platforms. For stations facing pressure to modernize their advertising strategies, the integration could offer a way to add new revenue without replacing existing infrastructure.

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.