The Las Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes delivered a ratings bonanza for ESPN. The overtime finish for game two of the series drew 4.7 million viewers — the most-watched Stanley Cup Final Game 2 since 2015.
What We Know: The Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes are delivering big numbers for ESPN. Game 2 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final averaged 4.7 million viewers on ABC Thursday night. That’s up 88% compared to Game 2 of the 2025 Final on TNT/truTV and up 33% versus Game 2 of the 2024 Final on ABC. The audience peaked at 5.8 million viewers during the 10:45 p.m. quarter hour. Moreover, through two games, the 2026 Stanley Cup Final is averaging 4.725 million viewers — up 93% year-over-year. That marks the highest two-game Final average since 2015.
What The Numbers Say:Stanley Cup Viewership Data (Last Three Years – 2024 (EDM vs FLA) | 2025 (EDM vs FLA) | 2026 (LVK v CAR)
Game #
2024 Avg Viewership (Network)
2025 Avg Viewership (Network)
2026 Avg Viewership (Network)
1
3.11M (ABC)
2.42M (TNT)
4.8M (ABC)
2
3.60M (ABC)
2.50M (TNT)
4.7M (ABC)
3
3.30M (ABC)
2.30M (TNT)
TBA
4
3.10M (ABC)
2.60M (TNT)
TBA
5
4.10M (ABC)
2.70M (TNT)
TBA
6
4.20M (ABC)
2.80M (TNT)
TBA
7
7.70M (ABC)
N/A
TBA
Series Average
4.16M
2.55M
TBA
What Remains Unclear: Whether the ratings momentum holds is unknown. Additionally, it’s worth noting that ESPN’s postseason has been record-setting across the board. Moreover, the First Round and Second Round were the most-viewed of ESPN’s current rights agreement. The Western Conference Final was also the most-viewed since 2015.
What It Means: This is a big win for ESPN and the NHL heading into the back half of the Stanley Cup Final. In addition, overtime games clearly drive eyeballs, and Vegas-Carolina is delivering must-watch moments.
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.
WXRT Chicago is making a major move in the local music space. The station is bringing back James VanOsdol as a part-time host and the voice behind a relaunched Local Anesthetic.
What We Know: VanOsdol returns to WXRT after a brief stint there in 2001. He joins the lineup on Sunday evenings from 6-10 p.m. Additionally, he takes the helm of Local Anesthetic, which relaunches June 14 from 9-10 p.m. The now hour-long program spotlights Chicago’s music scene — both its cutting edge and its rich past.
What They Said: VanOsdol is a celebrated Chicago voice with stops at WXQX, WGN, and WZZN. He also hosts the award-winning Car Con Carne podcast. His deep ties to the local music community span more than three decades. As VanOsdol himself put it when asked about returning to radio: “This isn’t radio, though. It’s XRT.”
What Remains Unclear: The full scope of VanOsdol’s role beyond Sundays has not been announced. It’s also unknown whether additional guests or contributors will join him on Local Anesthetic. No details about future expansion plans for the program were included in the announcement.
What It Means: WXRT is doubling down on its identity as a champion of Chicago music. The return of Local Anesthetic signals a renewed commitment to local artists. Furthermore, landing VanOsdol — a trusted voice with deep community ties — adds credibility to that mission. Ultimately, this move positions WXRT as the definitive home for Chicago’s music culture on Sunday nights.
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.
NPR has a new Chief Content Officer. Nadine Zylstra is taking over the role at the network.
What We Know: Zylstra comes to NPR after previously working as the Global Programming Chief at Pinterest. She also worked as the global head of YouTube Originals and worked as a programming executive for Sesame Street. A native South African, she came to the U.S. originally to work for VH1. In an interview with NPR‘s David Folkenflik, she shared her excitement for the move.
What They Said: “I really feel like I’ve been training for this job my whole life. I really do care about making the world a better place. When I am at my best, it’s when that connection between what I do and what I care about really comes together.” -New NPR Chief Content Officer Nadine Zylstra
“In Nadine, we found somebody who comes out of public media… who understands the importance of media with a mission and a purpose, and as a tool for civic engagement.” -NPR CEO Katherine Maher
What Remains Unclear: Nadine Zylstra’s official start date has not been revealed. It has only been noted that she’ll begin in July. She’ll be based at the Culver City, California office, but will come to NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C. once per month.
What It Means: Zylstra’s appointment comes just after the network reorganized its newsroom due to budget cuts and buyouts. The network’s funding model has shifted dramatically in recent years. It is still adjusting to that new reality.
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.
KCMO Talk Radio earned a position on the FM dial in 2023. Now the station is adding an entire new market, as it hits Topeka on 102.9 KTOP-FM.
What We Know: KCMO Talk Radio began simulcasting on 102.9 KTOP-FM in Topeka on Monday at 12 PM CT. It replaces the previous country format on the signal, known as Cat Country. With the launch, Mundo in the Morning, hosted by Pete Mundo, will be heard on the Topeka signal. It will also add the midday show helmed by Kevin Kietzman. KTOP-FM features 30,000-watts of power just west of the Kansas City market.
What They Said: “Bringing KCMO Talk Radio to the Topeka market is a natural fit. From the Governor’s Office to the Statehouse, much of the news driving our daily programming originates in the state capital. Now, we’re excited to welcome Topeka listeners into the conversation, connecting directly with the community and delivering the regional and local news coverage it deserves.” -Cumulus Media VP of News/Talk, KCMO Talk Radio Program Director/Host Pete Mundo
What Remains Unclear: What the future holds for The Big Talker 93.5 FM/1440 AM KMAJ in the market.
What It Means: The move marks another expansion for KCMO Talk Radio. It also shows the commitment to the format by Cumulus Media to add the local programming from Kansas City to a nearby market.
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.
Orlando Davis is a radio institution. The Wild 94.1 program director and on-air host has shaped Tampa Bay’s hip-hop station for nearly 28 years. He sat down for a conversation recently with the Hey Tampa Bay Podcast.
What We Know: Orlando started as an unpaid intern in Tallahassee, doing odd jobs just to get close to the music. A new station owner noticed his hustle and handed him the night show. Six months later, he became music director. He has since built a community toy drive benefiting Children’s Home Network, raising more than $1.3 million over 14 years.
What They Said: The career breakthrough came through sheer visibility. “You’ve been doing a great job,” the station owner told him. “Why don’t you just become the music director?” Orlando recalls thinking simply: “Mama made it.” His mentor Tom Rivers later taught him to decompress after each show before shifting into management mode — advice he follows to this day.
What Remains Unclear: Orlando hasn’t confirmed what’s next for the toy drive beyond continuing to grow it. He also hasn’t publicly resolved his stance on adding Kanye West to the station’s regular rotation.
What It Means: Orlando’s story reflects what radio mentorship can still produce. He credits those who gave him time early for shaping how he leads today. His openness about payola, artist character, and community service offers a refreshing contrast to an industry often driven by metrics alone. Tampa Bay’s hip-hop community has benefited from having a program director with both institutional memory and genuine passion for music.
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.
Few women in sports media have experienced a journey like Maggie Gray. Over her career, she’s crafted content in digital, television, local radio, and national radio. Beginning later month, Gray is taking another step in that journey, just five months after the end of Maggie & Perloff as the Infinity Sports Network went dark. Gray has officially signed on with the ALLCITY Network as one of the company’s featured national content creators.
“It was a perfect match,” said Gray about joining ALLCITY. “I was familiar with their brand and knew what they were doing with providing hyper local programming… But they are also trying to expand. ALLCITY wants to start surveying the national audience as well as diving into the personality driven content.”
The ALLCITY Network currently operates in five markets after initially launching in Denver in 2019. The company’s most recent addition was Dallas, which launched in the summer of 2024. However, ALLCITY has also partnered on several non-local content offerings, including Quita In The Morning and ALL NBA Show with Tim Legler.
For Gray, today marks a new beginning. With the ALLCITY Network, she’s excited about the possibilities for growth utilizing the same approach throughout her career.
“They’re hiring me for me. The show is called A Must Win Game, because that’s how I approach every show every day. Every show has to be at the highest quality it has to be,” said Gray. “I’ve never mailed in a show in my entire life. The show’s title matches my work ethic.”
Making a Decision
The decision to join ALLCITY took some time for Gray. She noted that in the aftermath of Maggie & Perloff ending on the Infinity Sports Network, she stepped back from the industry. She used the time away from the daily grind of sports talk radio to survey the landscape and identify an audience she felt was underserved.
Gray’s experience speaks for itself. She’s worked for several of the largest legacy brands in sports media. From Sports Illustrated, WFAN, and CBS Sports Radio, Gray has built a reputation for delivering high-quality content to a mass audience. However, joining ALLCITY was not the first opportunity she considered.
“I was very far down the road with another company. I didn’t sign, but I was very close to doing so. There was literally a contract sitting in front of me, then ALLCITY came in,” said Gray. “There are a lot of exciting things that ALLCITY is doing. Compared to the legacy media companies I’ve worked for, ALLCITY was flexible.”
While weighing her decision, Gray reached out to several ALLCITY personalities in the five markets where the company operates. She said those conversations became a key factor in choosing to pursue the opportunity.
Another aspect of her agreement with ALLCITY is the opportunity to own her own IP. Gray said she had never seriously considered that possibility while working for traditional media companies.
“This is going to be the first chance for me to truly own my own stuff,” said Gray. “I’ve been blessed to work for many legacy companies and loved every part of it. But this is the first time I’m a collaborator as opposed to an employee. I get to own my own stuff and have the support of a network that wants to see me grow. It felt perfect, and every step feels more like a great match.”
A Must Win Game will publish two episodes per week, with plans to add more in the future. Gray will handle both hosting and production duties, with distribution across all major audio and video platforms.
She said the program will have a familiar feel for Maggie & Perloff listeners. One key feature from her former radio show, M&P 500, will return. The stock-up, stock-down format will be combined with guest appearances and a content strategy focused on breaking down the day’s biggest stories in a fun and entertaining way.
“This opportunity truly allows me to invest in what I’ve been building for years. Looking at the landscape, the opportunities are out there. I just want to find my audience, and I don’t need to be at a legacy media company to do that,” explained Gray.
The End of Maggie & Perloff
Gray’s launch with ALLCITY comes six months after her departure from the Infinity Sports Network, where she spent four years alongside co-host Andrew Perloff. She described the show as the best experience she has ever had in radio and admitted she was sad to see it end the way it did.
However, Gray also viewed the conclusion of the program as an opportunity. Rather than immediately jumping into another role, she chose to pause, reflect, and evaluate her next move.
“I used the break as a reset, and it was one that I think I needed quite frankly,” said Gray. “I’ve been doing a daily live show in some fashion since 2013. It takes over your life. Every night feels like the night before a test… To have a moment to take a breath was only good for me personally, but also gave me some perspective that I needed.”
Following the end of the Infinity Sports Network, Gray said she approached sports media as an average consumer. Rather than immersing herself in every industry development each day, she consumed less content. That approach helped her gain clarity on what she wanted from the next stage of her career.
Gray also confirmed that she had conversations with executives regarding a potential role on the new Westwood One Sports lineup. Although she was not selected, she praised the professionalism of the Infinity Sports Network staff and the way they remained committed to serving listeners despite an uncertain future.
“I promise you couldn’t tell the difference between those final shows and the ones we did months prior to the news. The quality and buy in from the entire staff during one of the busiest times of the sports year, I was so blown away by that,” noted Gray.
With her new opportunity at ALLCITY, Gray looks forward to reconnecting with former co-host Andrew Perloff. She said Perloff has agreed to appear as a guest on the show, though not as a co-host.
“Perloff is a lifelong friend, and will always be a lifelong friend,” said Gray. “It will be fun to have a little bit of a reunion. We talked about a lot of things, but ultimately this opportunity was the best situation for me.”
A Fresh Start
The next step has arrived for Maggie Gray. As ALLCITY continues expanding its national footprint, she becomes the latest addition to that effort. The journey to this moment was far from simple. It required patience, reflection, and numerous conversations to ensure she made the right decision rather than simply the quickest one.
As unfortunate as the end of the Infinity Sports Network was for many, perhaps it also provided something Gray needed without realizing it.
“I was grateful that I had the chance to take stock of what do I want my voice to be? What do I want this show to be? How can I make this evolution,” said Gray. “If you’re not evolving, changing and looking around, [working in sports media] doesn’t suit you. It’s tough to stop and take a breath. That’s why I really valued this moment, and I’m excited to get back into it. Because I don’t know any other gear.”
In many ways, Maggie Gray’s move to ALLCITY mirrors the broader shift taking place across sports media. After spending years building audiences for some of the industry’s most recognizable brands, she’s betting that personality, flexibility, and direct audience connection matter more than ever.
The end of Maggie & Perloff may have forced an unexpected pause, but it also provided something increasingly rare in modern media: time to reflect.
Now, with ownership of her content, a fresh platform, and a clear vision for what she wants her voice to be, Gray begins the next chapter of a career that has already taken plenty of unexpected turns.
If her track record is any indication, A Must Win Game won’t simply be a new show. It will be another example of a broadcaster continuing to evolve alongside an industry that never stops changing.
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.
Chris Berman is leaving the door open. The ESPN legend suggests he is interested in hosting one more SportsCenter episode, potentially alongside Rich Eisen.
What We Know: Berman made the comments during a taping of This Was SportsCenter, a podcast series produced by Rich Eisen Productions. The conversation took place during Super Bowl week in San Francisco. Berman joined ESPN in 1979 and became one of the defining faces of SportsCenter, hosting the program for decades. He scaled back his role in recent years, shifting to a semi-retired status focused primarily on NFL coverage.
What They Said: Chris Berman (via This Was SportsCenter) “I’m there for a few more years. It’s too late for them to get rid of me now… So, I’m semi-retired. I just do my football, and do my Primetime. Maybe in this year of us having the Super Bowl, not that that has to do with SportsCenter, but maybe there’ll be a time to go do one.”
What Remains Unclear: ESPN has not shared any plans for an upcoming Berman return to SportsCenter. It also remains unknown whether Eisen would formally co-host the program or simply serve as a collaborator. Additionally, the timeline is uncertain, though Berman’s reference to the Super Bowl year suggests something could materialize before the NFL season ends.
What It Means: A Berman SportsCenter appearance would carry significant nostalgic weight for ESPN and its audience. Pairing him with Eisen — himself a SportsCenter alum — would make for a compelling broadcast moment. For ESPN, leaning into that shared history presents a natural opportunity. Fans of the network’s golden era would undoubtedly take notice. It would be just the latest step in ESPN embracing the success of the program’s past for a new audience today.
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.
New podcast launches dropped to a record low in May. Yet broader data suggests the industry is stabilizing, not shrinking.
What We Know: Listen Notes recorded 7,967 new podcasts in May, down roughly 30% from April and 60% below May 2025 levels. New shows represented just 0.198% of all tracked podcasts — the lowest monthly share in at least 13 months. The figure stands in stark contrast to the first quarter, when podcast launches averaged nearly 17,700 per month. Since then, the pace of new show creation has declined steadily for six consecutive months. Meanwhile, Listen Notes, which describes itself as “a podcast search engine and database,” now indexes 3.78 million podcasts and more than 189 million episodes worldwide. However, only 490,136 podcasts have published at least one episode in 2026, accounting for 13.6% of the database. Additionally, the company reports removing more than 63,000 AI-generated fake podcasts from its index over the past 13 months, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve the quality of its catalog.
What Remains Unclear: Whether the launch slowdown reflects lasting creator fatigue or a natural market correction remains an open question. It’s also uncertain how much of the industry’s recent growth was inflated by AI-generated content rather than legitimate creators. Moreover, as platforms aggressively purge low-quality feeds, future headline numbers may look very different.
What It Means: Podcasting appears to be entering a more disciplined era. With 10.9 million new episodes already released in 2026, production volume remains strong despite fewer new shows launching. Furthermore, the days of explosive growth driven by low-effort content are fading. Longevity, consistency, and quality are becoming the new benchmarks for success in on-demand audio.
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 Chicago Bulls lost more than a broadcaster Sunday. They lost a voice that carried a franchise through some of it’s toughest moments according to several among Chicago sports media who remembered the life of Stacey King Monday.
What We Know: Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls who later became a fan-favorite on their broadcast team, died Sunday at 59. The Bulls announced his passing Sunday afternoon. King was found dead at his home in River Forest, Illinois. He arrived as the sixth overall pick in the 1989 draft and earned championship rings in 1991, 1992, and 1993 alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
What They Said: ESPN Chicago’s Jonathan Hood: “The Chicago Bulls are going through a tough time, obviously, on the floor. But Stacy King, I think, in a lot of ways, was the face of the franchise as a broadcaster. Even though he wasn’t playing, there’s a reason to watch. The reason why is because he was teamed with Adam Amin, and they had a great broadcast during the bad times of the Bulls, The low times. He was teaching the game.”
104.3 The Score’s David Haugh: “In Chicago we don’t have the Hollywood celebrities, it’s not LA. We don’t have the celebrities in New York. These sports broadcasters become part of our lives, the fabric of sports fandom. They’re in our living rooms with Steve Stone and Hawk [Harrelson]. You watch these games, and you endure these seasons. Stacey King made you happier. He made you smarter, and he made you want more. That’s why it’s so shocking and sudden and sad. Because now he’s gone. When you hear joy with which he lived, it was a good lesson for all of us, and it’s just sad to have to deal with this.”
ESPN Chicago David Kaplan: “That guy entertained me. There’s so many cookie cutter broadcasters out there who are vanilla and afraid to give an opinion and be personable and come up with catch phrases. That dude embodied Chicago Bulls basketball. He was here for the great times. He’s a multi-time champion, and then became just larger than life. I loved seeing him, interacting with him, and when I would have him on different shows. He was awesome, man. He was absolutely awesome, and he will be so sorely missed.”
104.3 The Score’s Mike Mulligan: “The way that he did it on a night to night basis, when you were watching the team. There was a lot of good insight, there was a lot of basketball understanding. He would tell you things that made a lot of sense, but he also delivered it in such a fashion that you just got a kick out of it. That is the thing that he had that is irreplaceable. Just his outlook on the world and his way of delivering information.”
What Remains Unclear: A head autopsy will be done to determine the official cause of death. Though multiple reports indicate King fell at his home. No timeline for autopsy results.
What It Means: King was more than a broadcaster. In addition, he was a cultural thread running through decades of Bulls basketball. His transition from world champion to commentator gave Chicago fans a familiar, trusted voice for nearly 20 years.
A champion, a great teammate, and a true ambassador for the game. His impact on the Bulls organization and the city of Chicago will be remembered for generations. Rest in peace, King. pic.twitter.com/Sr6spRLjEc
Stacey was one of a kind because his passion was authentic and his ability to connect with so many was genuine. His knowledge of the game sometimes got overshadowed by his catch phrases. But man, he knew ball. He welcomed me to broadcast side and made me better RIP to an original pic.twitter.com/He8BJEoCgQ
Our Chicago sports community has lost a great man and broadcaster. Stacey King passed away at 59 years old. He came to be synonymous with the Bulls. Great enthusiasm and a wonderful personality were his calling cards. He’ll be missed by many. He gave us all the hot sauce. RIP
Impossibly sad. Stacey King was a beloved broadcaster who helped the Bulls win three titles as a player and then forged an even stronger connection with the team's fans and the community with his passion and personality in the booth. https://t.co/VnpyMAC0pK
My heart hurts hearing the tragic news about Stacey King – one of the best there was. The kindest, coolest soul. I first met Stacey when I was just starting in tv… all he cared about was the fact I loved the Bulls. He was a champion for Chicago in every way ❤️
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.
Five years after selling OutKick, Clay Travis is exiting the brand he founded. He’s also has a new deal with Fox News.
What We Know: Travis will depart OutKick after spending the past 15 years building the platform. As part of the move, the outlet will become a vertical within Fox News Digital. Clay Travis will remain involved with the OutKick brand in some capacity. He’ll continue to host OutKick the Show with Clay Travis on FS1. The program airs on Wednesdays at 6 PM ET.
What They Said: “When I created OutKick in 2011, the goal was not only for the site to be smart, original, funny, and authentic, but also to become an influential digital platform in the industry. Over the past 15 years, with the help of an incredible team and the support from FOX, that goal has been accomplished. While I am stepping away from OutKick, the platform is in a tremendous position to continue building upon its success and reach an even wider audience as it takes its next step as a vertical within FOX News Digital. I’m excited about the future of OutKick and remaining part of the FOX News Media family as a contributor.” -Clay Travis
“Clay Travis has been an integral voice and leader for OutKick and is leaving the platform well-positioned for the future. We thank him for his invaluable contributions to OutKick as we continue to grow it under the FOX News Digital domain and build on our momentum in driving authentic coverage of the intersection of sports and culture.” -Fox News President/Executive Editor Jay Wallace
What Remains Unclear: What Travis’ next endeavor will entail. In a social media post, he teased a new company, with details coming soon.
What It Means: Clay Travis said he wouldn’t be afraid to leave projects behind in free agency. To see him depart OutKick, however, is still a bit of a surprise after dedicating 15 years to building it. Signing a new deal with Fox News was largely expected.
And you’ll still be seeing me on your same TV shows and hearing me on your same radio stations.
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.
