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Drew Brees, Scott Hanson in Talks to Work Netflix NFL Christmas Games: Report

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Netflix, looking for on-camera talent for the NFL games it will stream Christmas Day, is talking to Drew Brees and Scott Hason, according to a report in Front Office Sports.

A former star quarterback in the NFL, Brees worked for NBC calling NFL and Notre Dame games after he retired. His work earned lukewarm reviews.

Hanson hosts the NFL’s RedZone. In addition he served as host of the Gold Zone during NBC’s coverage of the Paris Olympics.

CBS Sports will be handling production of the games because sports at new to Netflix. Netflix long vowed it wasn’t interested in live sports. It is now looking for talent to make its games stand out. Reports this week said that Mina KImes of ESPN was being discussed for a studio role during the Christmas football doubleheader.

Netflix is paying the NFL $150 million to stream the two games.

Ian Eagle, Nate Burleson and J.J. Watt are set to handle the early contest between the Chiefs and Steelers on Christmas Day. Eagle’s son Noah Eagle and Greg Olsen will be at the mic for the nightcap between the Texans and Ravens.

Eyes will be on Netflix on Christmas and not just for football. Industry execs will be watching to see if the streaming leader will be able to handle the traffic the games are expected to generate. During a fight card headlined by Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, Netflix subscribers enountered buffering problems and other glitches as a result of millions of people logging in at the same time.

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Gray Stations to Air College Hockey Games

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Gray Media said it made a deal with the National Collegiate Hockey Conference that will put some of the league’s games on Gray’s over-the-air broadcast stations and national networks.

The first game covered by the new deal will show No. 2 rank Denver, the defending national champion, face off against No. 8 Colorado College on December 13,

The game will air in more than 20 Gray markets including St. Louis on Metrix Midwest Sports, in Louisiana on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, and across South Carolina on the Palmetto Sports & Entertainment Channel.

The majority of the games that will air on Gray’s stations are scheduled for Saturday nights starting in January.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

With cord-cutting reducing the number of cable subscribers, broadcasters have become more aggressive in getting rights to sports rights, in particular local sports rights. Teams and leagues are turning to broadcast to reach more fans than they can as the cable TV business shrinks.

“We’re excited to partner with Gray Media to expand the Conference’s linear television offerings,” said NCHC Commissioner Heather Weems. “This will put a premier NCHC game each week on several local TV stations in non-NCHC markets, as well as some of our own media markets, growing exposure for the Conference and the high-quality product that defines college hockey. Combining Gray’s reach with our already existing CBS Sports Network agreement and NCHC.tv, fans will be provided more options than ever to enjoy NCHC hockey.”

Gray said its stations have already logged many hours of ice time with local teams. For example, Gray stations air games of the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL, the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL, the Kansas City Mavericks of the ECHL and the NCAA Great Lakes Invitational.

“Hockey is a fan favorite in many of our local markets,” said Sandy Breland, Chief Operating Officer of Gray. “We are pleased to bring this top-notch conference and highly ranked teams to local viewers.”

All NCHC games airing on Gray’s stations will also still be available on NCHC.tv, the Conference’s official streaming platform. 

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Bleacher Report Launching New Show with Funny Marco

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Bleacher Report is launching a new digital show situated in the setting of a mock press conference with comedian Funny Marco. The show will feature Marco interviewing professional basketball players and other celebrities in the format, officially making its premiere on Friday at 5 p.m. EST through the B/R App and YouTube. The first guest on the program, which is titled Marco is Off the Ball, is Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox, who was honored as an NBA All-Star during the 2023-24 season. Future guests and premieres of new episodes for Marco is Off the Ball will be announced at a later date.

“Growing up watching sports, I always knew those postgame interviews needed a little something extra,” Marco said in a statement. “Now, with Off the Ball and Bleacher Report, we’re doing it my way. I’m interviewing players in a way they didn’t see coming and asking the questions nobody else would think to ask. Linking up with B/R is perfect because they get it – sports isn’t just about the game; it’s about bringing that entertainment factor. Trust me, basketball fans haven’t ever seen their favorite players in interviews like what we’re about to bring them.”

Marco is known for the unconventional style in which he goes about interviewing celebrities and has released videos with millions of views across various platforms. Through these ventures, he has accrued many followers interested in hearing his conversations with stars such as Kevin Hart, Nicki Minaj, John Cena and others. The show represents a new basketball offering within the Bleacher Report lineup, which includes The Edge with Micah Parsons and On Base with Mookie Betts. Parsons, a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, was named the president of the B/R Gridiron division earlier in the year upon signing a multiyear contract extension with the outlet.

The addition of the show takes place shortly after parent company Warner Bros. Discovery reached a settlement on a lawsuit against the NBA regarding media rights negotiations. TNT Sports will not broadcast live NBA games in the United States for the first time since 1984 starting next season, but the entity will continue to have digital rights for Bleacher Report and House of Highlights. In a separate deal, TNT Sports is sublicensing Inside the NBA to ESPN, which will air the show surrounding marquee events beginning next season.

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More Names Emerge In Ongoing Cumulus Media Layoffs

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More names are coming to light from the most recent round of Cumulus Media layoffs.

After seven years, Laura St. James is out as Program Director and midday host at Hot AC WXLO Worcester-Boston market. In addition to her work at WXLO, she has also served as the Program Director and afternoon host at Top 40 sister station WQGN in New London, CT, for the past three years.

In Colorado Springs, Mason Stanfield, the Morning Host and Program Director at “Cat Country 95.1″ KATC, exits with his co-host Stella Girkin. Additionally, Bobby Adan, Promotions Director and morning co-host at 92.9 Peak FM KKPK, exits, as does weekender “Captain Dan” Jackson.

Reach Stanfield here.              

Bobby Irwin, longtime Colorado Springs OM, is out after 13 years.

Reach Irwin here.  

If you have been impacted or know someone who has, please email 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.

Garrett Bush Announces End of ‘The Barber Shop’ on 92.3 The Fan Following Browns Season

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Garrett Bush has announced that his weekend radio show, The Barber Shop, is coming to an end following the conclusion of the Cleveland Browns season. Bush had been hosting the show since 2011 and has also been behind the microphone for Cleveland Browns Tailgate on the station as well. Outside of his radio hosting ventures, he is also a co-host of the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show distributed across various digital platforms. Bush revealed the news about the weekend program in a social media post on X early Friday morning.

“I put everything into the show for 13 years but it was time for me to prioritize growth, balance & Family,” Bush said. “Thank you all for your continued support!”

The end of the weekend show is the latest in several changes that have taken place at 92.3 The Fan over the last several months, including the addition of Jonathan Peterlin to afternoon drive to host with Nick Wilson. Dustin Fox exited the afternoon drive timeslot towards the end of the summer, prompting a change in the daypart. Additionally, Keith Britton was promoted to become the brand manager of the outlet this past October following the departure of Andy Roth.

The Audacy-owned station has been the flagship radio home for Cleveland Browns football since 2013 and airs shoulder programming surrounding the games. The Saturday schedule begins with Cleveland Browns Weekend at 6 a.m. EST followed by the nationally disseminated Kickoff with Boomer and Valenti show. Bush hosts The Barber Shop on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. before Infinity Sports Network and college football games generally occupy the rest of the day.

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WTOP Dedicates Main Air Studio to Honor the Late Jim Farley

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Former WTOP Program Director Jim Farley died earlier this year during a medical procedure at the age of 75. The station remembered the former leader by dedicating its main studio in his honor.

On Wednesday, WTOP renamed its main air studio as “The Jim Farley Glass Enclosed Nerve Center”, a moniker Farley often used to remind those taking the air on the Washington D.C. all-news station to remember that radio was “theatre of the mind.”

“When Jim came here, it just changed things immediately,” WTOP Senior Vice President and General Manager Joel Oxley told those assembled to witness the dedication. “It was just such an injection of enthusiasm and creativity and ideas, ideas, ideas.”

Jim Farley worked at the station from 1996 until his 2013 retirement.

Current Director of News and Programming Julia Ziegler worked with Farley when she joined the station in 2002 before ascending to her current role. She shared that her wish is for all of those who step through the studio at the Hubbard Radio station will remember the lessons of Farley.

“Jim Farley taught us all so much,” she said. “The ‘first get it right, then get it first’ is one of those many phrases I know I will take with me forever.”

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RCA Broadcasting Acquires KVUT From The University of Texas at Tyler

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RCA Broadcasting has finalized the acquisition of silent 99.7 KVUT Tyler, Texas, from the University of Texas at Tyler for $100,000.

The University of Texas at Tyler purchased the radio station in June 2020 with plans to introduce a new Public Radio brand. However, this initiative ended in May when the university halted station operations, which had been broadcasting a combination of Public/News Talk and Jazz programming.

The station has officially begun simulcasting with co-owned Classic Hits 1370 KFRO and 94.1 Longview, now branded as KFRO-FM. This agreement enhances KFRO’s outreach throughout the Tyler/Longview market, with 99.7 FM serving Tyler and areas to the south, including Jacksonville.

The station has transitioned to an all-Christmas format for the remainder of December.

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ABC News Executive Producer Marc Burstein to Leave Network After Inauguration of Donald Trump

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After decades with ABC News, Executive Producer Marc Burstein has announced he’ll retire from the network after the inauguration of Donald Trump in January.

Burstein originally joined ABC News in the 1980s and worked on Good Morning America and ABC World News Tonight before ascending to the role of Executive Producer of the network’s special event programming in 1997.

“I’ve had an extraordinary run and for the last 27 years it’s been my honor and a privilege to lead the special events team covering the most significant events of our time,” Burstein said in a memo to staffers, which was originally reported by Variety. “It’s meant that not a day has gone by that I don’t go to sleep without first checking that my phone is charged and the ringer is on high.

“After producing literally thousands of special reports and countless planned events, the time has come for me to step away and sleep at night. How does one know when the time is right? To be honest, I don’t know. But it feels right. Another presidential election is behind us and a new headquarters building is ahead of us. After the inauguration next month, I will be retiring from ABC News.”

Officially, his final day will be on Friday, January 31st. Burstein was recently diagnosed with cancer, fast-tracking his retirement. He’ll continue to work as a consultant for ABC News in retirement.

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How Is Personalization Transforming The Esports Experience?

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In the world of gaming, it’s no longer all about gameplay. Though mastering a game, winning tournaments, and others are crucial, there’s a growing trend that gets gamers’ attention in every corner of the earth—personalization. Esports has gone so far beyond merely playing the game; instead, it creates identity, builds looks, and develops individual style. Customization from characters up to skins has become a humongous part of what the game has become.

But how did we get here? Let’s dive into the origins of personalization in esports and why it’s changing the game.

1. The Evolution of Customization

When we first started playing video games, customization options were pretty limited. People could tweak certain aspects of the character in early video games, such as the color of the outfit or the design of its weapon. The thought of really personalizing a gaming experience was far from reality back then. Fast forward to today, the landscape has completely changed.

This has allowed players to change nearly every aspect of their character – be it their avatar’s looks, the skins they wear, and the weapons they use. Whether it’s RPG, Battle Royale, or CoD (Call of Duty), customization options have become an essential part of the game.

2. Role of Skins in Esports

Some of the most popular ways the players have customized their gameplay is through skins. In today’s gaming world, skins refer to digital items that give a cosmetic upgrade. However, they are also a tool through which players differentiate themselves, express themselves, and portray themselves in a unique community. That one skin can change anything from how a weapon might look in the game to what your avatar might look to other players from yours and can add just a personal little flair to the gameplay.

For example, take Call of Duty (CoD). It has been a staple in gaming for years now, and much of its appeal lies in its range of skins and options, which let users customize their games to be just as they want them to be. From elaborate weapon skins to make your guns look like they belong in some sort of futuristic sci-fi world and from gritty soldier outfits to sleek, high-tech gear on the character skins, choices are endless. In a competitive arena like CoD, suitable skin can even make you feel like a pro.

As personalization is in demand, most players are eager to buy CoD skins to enhance their game. These skins make a player stand out from the crowd of competitors but also serve as a status symbol, meaning a player has invested their time and money into their gaming identity. Whether the excitement of personalization or a need to show off a unique style, skins have become a staple part of the CoD community and the broader esports ecosystem.

3. The Psychology of Personalization

What is it about personalization that resonates so deeply with gamers? Psychology says that this taps into a basic human need – self-expression. Having the ability to personalize a character in any game enables players to have ownership over their digital selves. It’s no longer just playing a game. It’s more about creating a version of yourself within the virtual world. You may be a competitive gamer or a laid-back one. Either way, you can let that shine through in your character’s appearance.

In Esports players, personalization goes one step further. It’s about creating an identity in the gaming community. Players are not just game participants. They are brands. That is especially true for streamers and pro players. Custom skins adorn their heads, new, special avatars are constructed for each, and exclusive merchandise is designed to keep up with the online alter ego. Fans may even carry off similar skins or even just buy the same cosmetic goods, which, in turn, contribute toward attachment and loyalty among online gamers.

4. Growing Market in the Gaming Industry

This rise of personalized skins in esports has led to the emergence of a growing market. Whether it is an individual game or a third-party platform, revenue generated from the sale of in-game skins has made the gaming industry a multi-billion dollar business. Companies like Epic Games, the developers of Fortnite, and Activision, who created Call of Duty, cashed in on this opportunity. The companies sell premium skins, battle passes, and other cosmetic products as part of their monetization strategy for their games.

Even game developers profit. The demand for skins has given rise to a secondary market in which players buy and sell skins to one another, at times for large amounts of money. This created a new type of influencer, content creator, and esports professional who makes money from displaying rare or limited edition skins.. In many ways, skins have become aform of digital currency in the gaming world.

If you are interested in buying CoD skins or just want to get your hands on something unique, it’s easier than ever to find a marketplace that offers these exclusive digital items. The allure of having rare skin goes way beyond aesthetics; you are joining an elite class within the game community. And there’s always something new with updates, new skins, and special events, so players have constant reasons to collect.

5. Future of Personalization in Esports

The more the esports industry grows, the more personalization will be incorporated into the entire gaming experience. The possibilities are endless, from more dynamic skin options that change in real-time based on player actions to deeper integrations with social media that allow for even more individual expression.

In the future, we might see skins that are not just cosmetic but also impact gameplay somehow, whether through unique abilities or customizable weapons that affect strategy. Esports could become an even more immersive experience where your digital identity directly ties into your in-game success.

Conclusion

Personalization, driven by the rise of skin’s popularity, alters how consumers interact with their favorite games. What was once a different approach towards changing a character’s look has now become an integral part of gaming. It enables players to express themselves and create unique identities, but also possibly take part in a broader digital economy. And as esports continue to evolve, one thing is for sure: personalization is here to stay, and it’s leveling up the game in ways we never could have imagined.

No matter if you just play from time to time or are an aspiring esports pro, the ability to tailor your experience is a thrilling and vital component of gaming today. So, what are you waiting for? Start out exploring the world of customization and take your gaming identity to the next level!

Kansas City Chiefs Movie Draws Big Ratings for Hallmark Channel

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Hallmark Channel’s Kansas City Chiefs movie reminding people of the romance between singer Taylor Swift and tight end Travis Kelce was the most-watched cable movie of the year, the network said, citing data from Nielsen.

Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story drew nearly 4 million unduplicated total viewers. The movie was part of a Merry Christmas Weekend programming stunt that reached 8.4 million unduplicated total viewers over Thanksgiving Day, Black, Friday and Saturday, the network said.

In addition to being the most-watched cable movie across all key demos, A Chiefs Love Story was also the most-watched cable program on Saturday among households, total viewers, women and persons 18 and up, 25-54 18-49 and 18 to 34.

With its distinctive holiday programming, Hallmark Channel is usually among the highest-rated channels during the fourth quarter and because of the highly touted movie, 2024 is no exception. Because of Swift fans following the team, in addition to its three recent Super Bowl championships, the Chiefs are the biggest draw among NFL teams.

A Chiefs Love Story contributed to making Hallmark Channel the most-watch entertainment cable network in Thanksgiving week, which is a distinction it has held for 12 straight years among women 18 and up as well as the 11th straight year as the leader among women 25-54.

 In addition, it is the 10th straight year Hallmark Channel was the leader among households and total viewers and the 9th straight year as No.1 with women 18 to 49.

Produced for Hallmark Channel by the NFL , Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story stars Hunter King, as a woman whose family is competing to win a contest crowing the team’s biggest fam. She falls for the Chiefs director of fan engagement, played by Tyler Hynes.

Donna Kelce, mother of Travis and retired Eagles center Jason Kelce, now an ESPN commentator, appears in the film. Also making cameos are Chiefs coach Andy Reid and several other Chiefs players.

A week ago, the Lifetime cable channel ran an original move inspired by the Swift-Kelce relationship called Christmas in the Spotlight. Also this weekend Telemundo will be running a docu-series on Kansas City Chiefs fans in Mexico before Universo–also owned by NBCUniversal–airs the Chiefs game versus the Los Angeles Chargers.

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.