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Marc James Departs KJR As iHeartMedia Continues Ongoing Layoffs

BSM Staff
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Marc James Departs KJR As iHeartMedia Continues Ongoing Layoffs

Barrett Media has learned that Marc James is no longer with iHeartMedia’s KJR Sports Radio in Seattle, as the company continues a series of layoffs impacting markets across the country.

James joined KJR in February of last year. He replaced Jason Puckett and Jim Moore, both of whom exited the station in March of 2024.

KJR has not commented on the departure, but has updated their on air lineup to signal the changes. Currently, KJR has listed a 10am-12pm show in James’ place which could lead to potential other changes with the lineup dayparts.

James’ short tenure at KJR is just the latest name as iHeartMedia continues a round of layoffs at company. So far, this has affected leadership, sales, and some members of the programming staff throughout the country are starting to be let go, too.

James formerly worked in Tampa, Fla. at SportsTalk Florida 820 WWBA and started his radio career from the Miami-Fort Lauderdale marketplace in 2004. Throughout his career, he has hosted afternoon drive on WFNZ in Charlotte and morning drive on 92.9 The Game in Atlanta.

Moreover, he formerly worked for the New England Sports Network in Boston as an anchor and also appeared on WEEI-FM. James has been working in the Tampa designated market area since 2020 on the sports talk radio station, and he will now be making the move to the Pacific Northwest.

James has not responded for comment from Barrett Media.

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.

Michele Steele Reflects on Her Pivot From ESPN to Big Ten Network

John Mamola
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Michele Steele Reflects on Her Pivot From ESPN to Big Ten Network

It’s a rare opportunity to find your passion while building your career in your hometown. Very few people get the chance to plant their flag and shine in the same place they grew up and will always call home. When Michele Steele walked away from her 14-year chapter at ESPN in the summer of last year, speculation followed about where the Chicago native would land.

Luckily for the self-admitted Chicago Bears and Cubs fan who graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign, her next opportunity landed in her own backyard.

“I had been handling a lot of ESPN assignments out of the Chicago bureau for some time since 2016,” explained Steele. “Then I was called in for a meeting with Mark Hulsey (senior VP of production, Big Ten Network), and Quentin Carter (VP studio production, Big Ten Network) to talk about the opportunity to contribute.”

That meeting sold Steele on the chance to stay home and break new ground with a network centered on celebrating the teams, players, and coaches of the Big Ten Conference. With the network’s offices rooted in downtown Chicago, Steele says she leapt at the opportunity to join a network that highlights the conference she knows so well.

From ESPN To BTN

She noted that the transition, now nearly seven months removed from ESPN, has been practically seamless. Steele added that staff members welcomed her with open arms, making her adaptation feel as though she has been with the Big Ten Network for years.

“What is so great about Big Ten Network and the job I have is you’re really giving people an escape. There’s a lot of really heavy news out there, but we exist to celebrate these programs,” said Steele.

Steele also pointed to the conference’s recent success as a key reason she was drawn to the role. With the Big Ten claiming national championships in football and both men’s and women’s basketball, she says the conference is riding an all-time high in many respects.

When Steele exited ESPN in August of last year, she viewed the moment as the closing of a significant chapter in her career. Over 14 years, she ran the gauntlet at ESPN, taking on nearly every role the network had to offer. From the sidelines to SportsCenter, Steele says that although she was saying goodbye to ESPN, she wasn’t leaving sports behind.

“For me, I always wanted to stay in sports,” said Steele. “I was not done with sports when the chapter at ESPN ended. I was actively thinking what the next chapter certainly would look like… Now I’m really happy to be hosting and contributing at the Big Ten Network and getting to do things across the board where they need me.”

Adapting To Change

The Big Ten Network has long served as a destination for fans to connect with the stories of the conference’s teams, players, and coaches. Its content approach differs in philosophy from Steele’s previous work at ESPN.

“Sometimes at ESPN or any other sports network, you’re not necessarily rooting for one conference or another. At Big Ten Network, you are rooting for the conference and celebrating the success across so many programs,” explained Steele. “I’m not saying one [approach] is better than the other, but it’s just a different vibe. It’s a privilege to bring that type of vibe and celebration to fans.”

With seven additional universities joining the conference since the turn of the century, demand for conference-specific content has never been higher. With a coast-to-coast reach, Steele understands the importance of creating a destination that meets fans in their day-to-day connection with these programs.

This is where Steele’s experience in both journalism and studio roles proves most valuable in delivering content.

“The SEC gets a lot of ratings headlines. But the Big Ten has an incredibly strong fanbase,” said Steele. “From my vantage point, the storytelling opportunities are everywhere. The Indiana football story alone is very energizing to me. That means it can happen to any other program within the Big Ten. It’s an incredibly rich field to mine for us to tell the story of this conference.”

With another football season ahead, as Indiana attempts to defend its national championship, Steele’s role with the network remains somewhat fluid. She describes her role as doing whatever is needed, always willing to raise her hand for new opportunities.

However, she does have her personal favorites.

“It’d be a lie that I wasn’t so happy and energized to be in studio again. Being back in studio, putting on that mic, and talking about Fernando Mendoza. Getting into where he’ll go in the NFL Draft. Those fun conversations again have been great,” said Steele. “I was one of those reporters in the field who relished the time I got to be in the studio.”

So far in her time with the Big Ten Network, Steele has worked in the studio and appeared on the sidelines for the Nebraska spring game. She is also slated to work the Ohio State spring game broadcast on the sidelines this Saturday.

Business Is Sports Business

Steele’s journey in media didn’t begin in sports, but in the business world. She spent years working for Forbes and Bloomberg, establishing herself as a respected journalist.

While working at ESPN—and now with the Big Ten Network—Steele also hosts a program for StocktwitsTV, where she discusses the latest financial and business developments.

That background has given her a distinct advantage when covering sports.

“You can’t cover college sports without understanding the business of sports. That’s a new sentence that rings true that didn’t maybe a decade ago,” said Steele. “I understand how to read a business story, and how to ask the right questions about money, structure and strategy… That context is always going to make you a better interviewer and make the storytelling that much richer for the viewer as well.”

Steele says she plans to continue balancing her roles with Stocktwits, her weekend appearances on NPR, and her work with the Big Ten Network.

“For now, I would like to continue as multi-dimensional as I can for the time being. These relationships and platforms I currently work in matter to me. Staying connected to those business conversations makes me better at everything I do,” explained Steele. “It’s excellent I get to stay sharp on both sides.”

Now settled into her role with the Big Ten Network, Steele continues to embrace a philosophy she has carried throughout her career: make the work fun and positive. It’s a message she hopes to pass on to the next generation of media professionals—stay curious, be fearless, and always support those around you.

She believes success comes from balancing preparation with patience.

“I’d like to think I’ve always been easy to work with and always prided myself in no matter what the assignment is. It’s sports and let’s have fun,” said Steele. “Every job I’ve had, I’ve been so lucky that throughout my career I have genuinely liked what I was doing at every job I’ve had.”

In an industry that often demands relocation, reinvention, and constant movement, Steele’s story serves as a reminder that sometimes the next chapter doesn’t require going somewhere new—it requires seeing home in a new way.

After years of building a national profile, Steele has found something just as meaningful in telling stories that hit closer to where it all began.

Because for all the miles traveled and roles embraced, there’s still something uniquely special about doing the work you love in the place that first made you love it. And in Steele’s case, that rare opportunity has come full circle—right back where her passion first took root.

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.

Dianna Russini Learned When You Don’t Control the Message, It Controls You

John Mamola
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Dianna Russini Learned When You Don’t Control the Message, It Controls You

Dianna Russini did the right thing by deciding to resign from her role with The Athletic. Make no mistake about it, denials without proper context matter, especially for figures in the public eye. The photos are what they are, and the initial responses seemed rushed but offered very little to halt speculation.

This matter only grew because Russini, Vrabel, The Athletic, and the New England Patriots allowed it to.

That’s why Russini’s Tuesday resignation statement was correct, yet somewhat baffling. The decision was right. The explanation was not. Without question, a letter of resignation is often considered the final word on a matter. However, what the statement lacked was exactly why the controversy grew to her dissatisfaction: context. Without it, Russini may have done more damage to her career than she realized.

Over the past week, there has been significant discussion about the standard to which Russini should be held. She is a decorated and respected journalist, as she stated. There is no doubt that the work, networking, and relationships she reinforced over many years created opportunities for impactful journalism.

Her letter of resignation led with that very point. She stood behind every story she has published with professionalism and dedication throughout her career. That professionalism prompted The Athletic to quickly defend her reputation and work. The statement called Russini a “premier journalist” and said The Athletic is “proud” to have her on its team.

However, optics matter, which is why context was needed from all sides. Russini, Vrabel, The Athletic, and the New England Patriots forgot the golden rule of PR 101: tell the truth.

That’s why the silence over the past week from those four parties has been deafening.

When a reporter is seen in a pool with someone they cover at a couples resort, optics matter.

If a reporter is seen holding hands and hugging on a mountain bridge with someone they cover, optics matter.

When those two parties issue only a single statement each without context, optics matter.

The goal for any organization is to control the messaging. The issue is not whether Vrabel and Russini did anything inappropriate on a personal level. That is not for the public to decide, nor is it the central point. The issue is that once those images become public, the audience begins connecting dots—fairly or not—and those connections can impact credibility.

Russini, Vrabel, The Athletic, and the Patriots allowed the public to create and own the narrative. This is not about double standards; it is about a failure to communicate.

But here’s the more concerning part for Russini.

In her resignation letter, she stated the following.

“In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts. Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept,” wrote Russini.

She decided to resign “not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or let it define me or my career.”

Is it fair to ask a reporter to tell the truth? The controversy only gained oxygen because no party revealed the truth. Also, how is media speculation affecting an employer’s review process? Did she also refuse to provide context to The Athletic?

“When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns, but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter,” wrote The Athletic Executive Editor Steven Ginsberg in a memo to staff. “As new information emerged, new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.”

New information? Ah, context. Finally.

Is it fair that there are two separate standards for an investigative reporter and an NFL head coach? No, and there shouldn’t be. However, both chose their professions and understood the ethical boundaries that come with them. There are things Vrabel can do that Russini cannot. Again, that may not feel fair in this situation, but those are the realities of their roles.

For Russini, optics matter more because of what her job requires: trust.

When you work in media—especially covering a league like the NFL, where information is tightly guarded—relationships matter. Scoops are built on trust. Even the appearance of being too close to a source can raise legitimate questions.

That does not mean Russini’s reporting was compromised, nor does it mean her past work should be discredited. However, it does mean that a segment of the audience will question it moving forward—and that is the consequence of perception.

Fair or unfair, that’s the reality. This is where media ethics move from theory to real life.

And that’s why Russini decided to step away. She always had more to lose in this situation, and she knew that. Once a reporter’s credibility is gone, that is everything in the role she chose.

Unfortunately, by remaining silent and not providing context, Dianna Russini allowed optics and messaging to force her resignation. That was her choice, and now she will have to live with it. Because of that decision, her credibility may now be questioned in future reporting.

Does that mean Dianna Russini is done with sports media? Not at all. She has built strong connections in an opinion-driven space where someone with her background and experience could still make a significant impact.

However, the lesson here is simple—and it applies far beyond this situation. In an era where perception moves faster than facts, silence is no longer neutral. It is a choice.

Tell the truth. Provide context. Control the message before it controls you.

Because credibility is not only built on what you report. It is built on how you respond when the spotlight turns on you.

And in that moment, the same rule always applies: transparency is not optional—it is essential. Because if you do not, the optics will—and as this situation proved, once they do, the outcome is rarely in your hands.

Dianna Russini’s resignation underscores a hard truth in modern media: optics and silence can define a career as much as your reporting.

Choosin’ The Wrong Song: How Top 40 Radio Is Failing Ella Langley — And Itself

Phil Becker
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Choosin’ The Wrong Song: How Top 40 Radio Is Failing Ella Langley — And Itself

Every so often, a song comes along that exposes the gap between what people want and what radio is willing to try. Right now, that song is “Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley.

While some pop radio decision-makers are hiding behind the phrase “brand expectation,” Ella is out here doing the exact thing radio brands are supposed to do themselves: win consumer attention.

“Choosin’ Texas” is in its sixth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. She has both of the top two streaming songs in America with “Choosin’ Texas” and “Be Her.” And yet “Choosin’ Texas” is only No. 20 on Pop Airplay, while “Be Her” may never be heard. That’s a bar.

Please spare me the “it’s too country” or “it doesn’t fit pop radio” talking point. Did we forget pop is short for popular (long for popularington)?

How widespread is it? Start at A and keep going. Atlanta. Baltimore. Chicago. Dallas. Detroit. Las Vegas. Miami. Minneapolis. Milwaukee. Phoenix. Pittsburgh. Salt Lake City. San Francisco. Seattle. From A to S, Top 40 keeps finding reasons to ignore the biggest record in America.

And let’s not pretend country is a Top 40 disqualifier. See Morgan Wallen. See Shaboozey, Jelly Roll, or Luke Combs.

If Ella Langley were a man, would “hit” programmers still be clutching their pearls over “fit”? Could it be that when male artists show up with country swagger, radio calls it texture — but when a woman shows up with those same qualities, they mutter brand alignment?

Radio shows it can bend when it wants to. See Tame Impala. See BTS. Or Freya Skye.

This is not a shot at Freya Skye. She is not the problem. Math is — you’re welcome, everyone who ever took math.

“Silent Treatment” by Freya Skye is the No. 9 song at Top 40 today, despite averaging roughly 64,000 streams a day. Ella Langley is doing nearly 5 million a day.

To put that in perspective, Ella generates more streams in 30 minutes than Freya does in about a day and a half.

Is mainstream radio still occasionally guilty of manufacturing chart position while holding back the songs audiences are clearly choosing? I thought this was a trick only rhythmic radio — and ironically, country radio — still pulled.

Modern Top 40 should be about identifying the records people don’t want to escape. The songs taking over cars, bars, social feeds, and group chats. It should be a reflection — not a projection — of what some playlist prince thinks the format is “supposed” to be.

There are still programmers who love to say, “What you don’t play can’t hurt you.” That sounds like 1974, pre-internet logic, but fine — let’s run with it.

If what you don’t play can’t hurt you, then you have to agree that what you do play can.

Every time you pass on Ella, you’re actively choosing a lesser song, then wedging that lesser choice into an hour with 20 minutes of commercials, a weather report nobody needs because windows exist, and a traffic report nobody needs because we have Waze — and then wonder why your AQH is down. Has to be Nielsen’s fault, right? It couldn’t possibly be that some stations are choosing not to play the two biggest streaming records in North America.

Ella Langley is both a Stagecoach-level and Coachella-level artist at this point — an artist women can relate to and men can admit to liking.

The irony is that Ella is becoming so big so quickly, she may soon face the same problem artists like Zach Bryan run into: once you outgrow more than one format, the old PD handbook kicks in, and people start arguing over whether you belong in any of them.

If you’re not choosin’ “Choosin’ Texas” this week, then you’re choosin’ the wrong song.

Phil “Ella Fella” Becker

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.

What the Artemis II Mission’s Digital Popularity Says About the State of Cable News

Lauren Ashburn
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What the Artemis II Mission’s Digital Popularity Says About the State of Cable News

The Artemis II moon mission that has everyone buzzing — from President Trump to Captain Kirk, Star Trek‘s William Shatner — wasn’t dominated by TV; it exploded online. NASA’s livestreams pulled in millions, dwarfing traditional coverage as viewers watched every jaw-dropping moment, some in cinematic 4K.

There’s something about space travel — which lost its luster for decades — that captured the attention of all generations. It’s a feel-good news story at a time of heightened tensions from the war in Iran. While Artemis II was in flight, it offered hope, incredible pictures and a reminder to rise above our petty and often partisan selves.

About 10 million viewers watched live on TV when Artemis II, carrying four Gen Z astronauts, lifted off for a ten-day mission, compared to 18 million who watched across all digital platforms. Social media posts related to the mission generated billions of global impressions.

In contrast, during the first moon landing in 1969, one-fifth of the population watched the shaky feed mostly on black-and-white televisions, making it the most-watched broadcast to date.

This time, the real winner was NASA. It delivered the most comprehensive, widely viewed coverage, reshaping how historic events are consumed.

NASA+ streaming service blew out its previous audiences by millions, thanks to its deals with Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV. On YouTube, almost 15 million people subscribe to NASA’s channel.

It also made a splash on the social media platform Threads, racking up more than 11 million followers in just four hours.

Networks like CNN and ABC News scrambled to keep up with splashy specials, but the real action was streaming straight from space. Let’s face it — this was a digital-first event, further evidence of an increasingly diminishing TV news juggernaut.

The networks showcased it in a positive, informative — and sometimes jovial — way. We heard laughter and applause from Mission Control, jokes from Senator Mark Kelly, a former astronaut, and the celebrification of space travel was front and center.

William Shatner, interviewed by CNN’s Anderson Cooper and best known for his iconic role in the ’60s as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek, also has a real connection to space travel. Almost five years ago, at age 90, he became the oldest person to go into space, taking a roughly 11-minute, 62-mile-high journey on Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin spaceship. (Bezos himself took an 11-minute turn — it’s good to be a billionaire.)

“I’ve got an inkling of how they must feel having landed. These people are explorers. They are Magellan…the flames shooting over their heads. I don’t know how anybody doesn’t say, ‘Oh my Lord, what have I gotten into,'” Shatner said.

Such broadcasters as ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, and CNN aired dedicated primetime specials documenting the crew’s return. Before the mission, TODAY host Al Roker went behind the scenes with the astronauts in the same “suit-up” room where Apollo-era astronauts put on their spacesuits. During their mission, he got a special shoutout from the crew from 252,000 miles in space.

The workhorses — space specialists like CNN’s Kristin Fisher, Tom Costello, senior correspondent for NBC News, and Jonathan Serrie, who reported for Fox and NASA — deserve a lot of credit for accurate, timely reporting.

And the images were extraordinary — especially the luminous crescent Earth slipping behind the moon’s cratered far side, a view that felt almost unreal. The photograph has already been hailed as a modern successor to the iconic Apollo-era “Earthrise,” evoking the same awe that revealed just how vast the universe truly is.

I was riveted by the coverage, watching across every platform as it all built to Anderson Cooper’s four-hour special, culminating in the breathtaking moment when the capsule carrying four astronauts splashed down off the coast of San Diego. There’s something almost otherworldly about watching human beings, in a capsule the size of a minivan, hurtle back to Earth and strike the ocean at 20 miles an hour — showcasing the courage and fortitude of the four aboard the spacecraft they named Integrity. That gave the story a human focus far greater than the faraway photos on the longest space mission ever attempted.

It wasn’t just news junkies glued to the mission — this was a full-blown cultural moment. On TikTok, teens, like my daughter and her friends, devoured the highlights, including floating Nutella, heart hands, and epic shots of Earth from deep space. A-listers and politicians chimed in, social media lit up, and audiences around the world were fixated. A call from Trump and Shatner’s awestruck reaction only amped up the drama.

Networks covered the live call as Trump congratulated the crew, praising their “courage” and “genius” as pioneers of a new space era. He promised there will be an Artemis III with a crewed lunar landing planned for early 2028.

Even dogs got in on the action. An AI-powered talking duo on Instagram’s Dog Pack account suited up in astronaut gear, “floating” in space as a steak and tennis ball drifted by — entertaining their 612,000 followers.

Days later, CNN ended a broadcast with a lighter moment: Christina Koch returning home from her trip around the moon, greeted by her overjoyed dog, who couldn’t stop jumping on her.

Koch was the breakout star — a history-making astronaut and physicist who didn’t just go to the moon, she smashed records doing it. From Antarctica to deep space, Koch became the face of a new era. She inspired a new generation of young women.

“What you saw was a group of people who loved contributing, having meaningful contributions and extracting joy out of that,” Koch said. She invited everyone to see themselves reflected in the crew.

It’s a striking contrast to a year ago, when singer Katy Perry — floating in space alongside celebrities like Gayle King and Lauren Sánchez Bezos — held up a daisy to promote her tour. By comparison, this crew brought experience, determination, and a profound sense of purpose. Devoted not to spectacle but to something far greater. Against the quiet gravity of their mission, those earlier moments fade into insignificance.

The most touching moment came when the crew emotionally declared they would name a newly discovered crater after Commander Reid Wiseman’s wife, Carroll, who had died of cancer. “Absolutely, I would love that. I think that’s just the best.”

And there were moments of laughter when Mission Control had to offer remote advice to Wiseman to fix software problems the crew was having with Microsoft Outlook on their Surface Pro tablets. Talk about a bad commercial for Microsoft. We feel his pain. Along with the software issue, the crew managed to fix a jammed toilet fan, which spawned plenty of potty jokes.

The trip was not without its critics. The chief complaint was that the technology seemed like something out of the 1960s. Including the airlifting of the astronauts by helicopter. One Facebook commenter posted this: “When I look at the Artemis capsule that splashed down in the Pacific — then compare it to the Space Shuttle — I feel like we have gone backwards 60 years.”

It’s a harsh critique — and not without some validity.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman was on hand to welcome the astronauts back, greeting them with evident excitement as they returned safely to Earth. He underscored the lasting significance of space exploration, acknowledging both its challenges and its wide-ranging rewards. “The long wait is over.”

Sending astronauts to the moon hadn’t happened since 1972, when the Apollo 17 crew took the last steps. It was John F. Kennedy who famously telegraphed the mission during the Cold War, rallying excitement for space exploration. “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”

These astronauts won’t become household names like Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. But their optimism — and, yes, their integrity — was a sight almost as breathtaking as seeing Earth from the dark side of the moon.

The mission is designed to set the stage for future lunar landings and support the development of a long-term human presence on the moon and potential missions to Mars.

The bottom line: space is back, it’s bigger than ever. And this time, it’s streaming live. No matter the platform, at crucial moments at least, good news does sell after all.

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.

600 KOGO Showed San Diego — And the News/Talk Industry — What Radio Can Do

Garrett Searight
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600 KOGO Showed San Diego — And the News/Talk Industry — What Radio Can Do

When the Artemis II capsule splashed down off the coast of San Diego, 600 KOGO didn’t treat it like background noise. The station treated it like the biggest story in the market — because it was.

Host Lou Penrose built his entire Friday afternoon show around the moment. Reporters and hosts fanned out across the city to cover it from multiple angles. That’s not an accident. That’s a choice.

And it was the right one.

Think about what was actually happening Friday afternoon. Millions of Americans watched four astronauts return safely from a lunar flyby — the first crewed mission beyond Earth orbit in more than 50 years. For San Diego residents, the moment was even more personal. The capsule came down practically in their backyard. Everyone in the market was watching. Everyone was talking. So 600 KOGO talked about it, too.

That might sound obvious. Surprisingly, it isn’t always.

Here’s the easier path: park yourself in the studio, riff on the latest Eric Swalwell controversy, and coast into the weekend. It requires no coordination, no field production, and no creativity. Plenty of stations take that route. 600 KOGO didn’t — and the difference matters.

To borrow a phrase that fits perfectly here, they chose to go to the moon not because it was easy, but because it was hard. There’s a lesson in that for every news/talk programmer, host, and producer in America.

The first lesson is simple. When everyone in your market is buzzing about a story, cover that story. Play the hits. There’s a persistent temptation in talk radio — especially among hosts — to shape the conversation rather than join it. That instinct isn’t wrong. Shaping the discussion is valuable. But so is facilitating it. There’s a meaningful distinction between the two, and great hosts understand when each approach serves the audience better.

Friday in San Diego, the audience didn’t need to be led somewhere. They already knew where they wanted to go. The smart move was meeting them there.

The second lesson cuts a little deeper. There’s a massive world of stories outside of politics, and talk radio has largely forgotten about it. Some stations are unambiguously conservative talk — that’s a defined format with a defined audience, and it works. But news/talk radio carries a broader mandate. People love spoken-word audio. They’ve always loved it. Give them a reason to engage with your brand beyond the daily political churn.

Great news/talk hosts know a little about a lot. They can hold a conversation about interest rates, local zoning fights, a sports franchise in turmoil, or — yes — a historic space mission returning to Earth just miles offshore. What they don’t already know, they can find out. That’s the job. Curiosity is the skill.

Space exploration resonates with people in a way that transcends party lines. The Artemis II mission touched something universal — adventure, human achievement, national pride. Those aren’t partisan themes. They’re American ones. 600 KOGO recognized that and responded accordingly.

Let what 600 KOGO did Friday serve as a reminder of what this format can be at its best. News/talk radio doesn’t have to be a nonstop loop of political grievance. It can be urgent, local, alive, and connected to the moments that actually move people. San Diego had one of those moments. Their radio station showed up for it.

That’s the standard worth chasing.

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.

Lisa Fielding Marks 20 Years At WBBM With A Career Built On Storytelling

Krystina Alarcon Carroll
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Lisa Fielding Marks 20 Years At WBBM With A Career Built On Storytelling

This year is an especially exciting year for WBBM’s Lisa Fielding.

Not only is she celebrating making Barrett Media’s Top 20 in the News/Talk Radio Major Market Afternoon Show category.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the first time she hit the WBBM airwaves.

“We have a wonderful organization,” Fielding said of WBBM. “It’s even better to be recognized and respected by your colleagues. So it was a wonderful ranking. And I was very happy to see that. I think last year I was 13, now I’m eight. So I’m moving up in the world.”

Growing up in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, Fielding recalled, “My mom used to force me to watch the news as a young girl. And she kind of encouraged me to go into journalism.”

That guidance, combined with her natural gift of gab, turned into a lengthy and legendary career in both TV and radio. “I spent about 15 years in television,” Fielding boasted. “I have television experience and radio experience. But as journalists now we’re all one man and one woman band.”

Meaning her experience in TV has helped her radio career and boosted her social media presence. “When we go out and report, we not only tell the story through audio. We take pictures, we take videos, we tell the story through social media.” She added, “We promote what we do every day.”

Fielding added it’s given her, and other journalists, a larger audience because “We’re not just one medium anymore.”

But going from one medium to another is not entirely seamless. Fielding learned some tricks along the way. “I think the biggest adjustment for me when I moved from TV to radio was I didn’t have the pictures anymore to tell the story. So it kind of forced me to write in a different way.”

Instead of a picture of a burger, she would need to hear the sizzle of a burger. “I did a story about a burger restaurant and I caught the natural sound of the burger sizzling on the stove,” she recalled, “and a listener told me that they could taste the burger by listening to my story, and I thought, that’s the ultimate compliment.”

Fielding believes, “When you can bring the sound and make it an image for your listeners, that’s really the difference I have in writing stories and telling stories.”

But flipping burgers is hardly her biggest story of all time. Fielding’s had a front row seat to history for 40 years — and you’d never know it looking or listening to her. From the Cubs’ 2016 World Series, to education, politics, and two executions, her favorite stories are still the ones that make a difference in ordinary people’s lives. “When that happens I walk away and think, this is why I do what I do.” Fielding beamed, “As journalists, we get a bad rap sometimes, but there are plenty of ways we can make a difference in this world as well.”

Roughly eight years ago she moved to the anchor desk, but her passion for the field and telling stories still lives on. “I still love being in the field during the morning, and then I turn around and I anchor three to six. It gives me the opportunity to know what’s going on in the field when I go into the studio.”

This is part of Fielding’s secret to a successful show. “I believe a good journalist should spend their time as a reporter in the field at some point in their career. If your goal is to be an anchor, you really need to be a reporter. You’ve got to know your community. You’ve got to know the people. And you’ve got to know what works and what doesn’t.”

For the WBBM team, it’s not just hard news that gets the listeners’ ear. “We have so much good news that we report and that’s my beat,” Fielding boasted. “I do arts and culture, human interest, health stories, and that’s been really a joy for me — to be able to incorporate not only at WBBM as a whole, but into my show in the afternoons as well.”

Praising her afternoon team, she noted that with all the major news happening in Chicago, it’s important to have a great team to ensure the proper tone. “Being a good news anchor is to know the tone of the story that you’re telling, and segue the right way.” She later surmised, “We can be reliable, but we also can be that warm blanket that you can tune into every day.”

For roughly 12 years, Fielding taught young journalists at the Medill School, and she would often tell her students, “You gotta learn how to do everything. You see, you hear, you write, you tell stories.”

But her advice for young aspiring journalists doesn’t stop there. “[Journalism] can be a little bit of a thankless business,” she said.

“It doesn’t pay a lot. You make a lot of sacrifices. You work nights, weekends, and holidays for many years, so you’ll know right away whether you love it or hate it, and it’s not always kind.”

Later adding, “But if you’re out to make a difference in the world and see the world, get the opportunities that not everyone else does, talk to regular people, even talk to celebrities, go to sporting events — you learn so much about not only people, but the world, good and bad. But in the end, if you can stick it out, it becomes really an important job, and if you continue to be passionate about it, it will pay off in other ways.”

Of her own career and accomplishments, she said, “It’s been a whirlwind ride, but I feel like I’ve made a difference and every day is different.” Fielding acknowledged, “I’m honored and blessed to still be part of the industry that’s changed so much over the decades.”

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.

Dianna Russini Steps Down From The Athletic

BSM Staff
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Dianna Russini Steps Down From The Athletic

Dianna Russini has stepped down from her role at The Athletic. Her decision ends her tenure with the outlet amid a growing controversy tied to an internal review of her conduct.

Russini confirmed her decision in a letter sent Tuesday to executive editor Steven Ginsberg and obtained by The Associated Press. In the statement, she defended her work and made clear she does not agree with the narrative surrounding recent events.

“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” Russini wrote. She also acknowledged The Athletic’s initial support when reports first surfaced, saying she was grateful for the organization’s confidence in her journalism.

Her departure follows scrutiny connected to reported interactions with Mike Vrabel, head coach of the New England Patriots. Photos published earlier this month showed the two spending time together at an Arizona resort. This prompted questions about a potential conflict of interest.

The Athletic, which is owned by The New York Times, began reviewing the situation shortly after the images became public. The outlet’s editorial standards emphasize avoiding both conflicts and the appearance of conflicts to maintain credibility.

Russini pushed back strongly against the speculation in her letter. She criticized what she described as a media-driven narrative that escalated beyond the facts. Which she stated outpaced the organization’s internal review process.

“In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts,” she wrote. “Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.”

She added that the ongoing attention, fueled in part by leaks, played a role in her decision.

“Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30,” she wrote. “I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”

Russini joined The Athletic in 2023 after a prominent run at ESPN where she built a reputation as a well-sourced NFL insider. Her move was widely viewed as a major addition for the subscription-based platform.

During her time with The Athletic, she contributed across written, audio and video formats. Her reporting played a key role in strengthening the outlet’s NFL coverage. Russini’s next move is unclear, though her profile ensures she will remain a sought-after voice in the industry.

Upon receiving Russini’s notice, Steven Ginsberg, Executive Editor of The Athletic shared the memo below with his staff.

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.

iHeartMedia Layoffs Hit Programming as Intern John Exits HOT 99.5, Z104.3

BMM Staff
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iHeartMedia Layoffs Hit Programming as Intern John Exits HOT 99.5, Z104.3

After a round of layoffs at iHeartMedia affected leadership and sales, some members of the programming staff throughout the country are starting to be let go, too.

Included in the round of cuts are Intern John at HOT 99.5 in Washington, D.C. and Z104.3 in Baltimore, sources confirmed to Barrett Media. Intern John & Your Morning Show aired from 5-10 AM in each market. Intern John signed a contract extension with iHeartMedia in November. At the time, he revealed that the deal was for three years.

It is unclear how many members of the six-person show have exited. However, Mike Klein has been added to morning drive at HOT 99.5 in D.C. following the show’s exit per the station’s website.

Elsewhere, Kentucky/West Virginia Director of Country Programming Rachel Elliott has exited the company. She oversaw 10 country stations in the region after taking on the role in 2024.

In Connecticut, 105.9 The River midday host Allison Demers announced her last day with the radio brand was Monday.

“Initially, I was very sad, but I know God has more plans for my life as He does for everyone,” wrote Demers. “I just need to be still and trust Him. Remember how He was there for you in the good times, and He will be with you in the bad times too.”

98.1 The Breeze and Classic Hits 103.7 Program Director Ricci Filiar has exited the iHeartMedia San Francisco cluster. He spent 16 years programming the brands. Previous stops include working in Los Angeles at 1110 KRLA and Mega 100, among others.

In West Palm Beach, ‘Meagan Spaghetti’ Lahti is out as afternoon host at Wild 95.5 and midday host on 98.7 The Gator and Wave 92.7 Stuart/Vero Beach. Lahti shared the news of her departure on Instagram.

“I am no longer with iHeartRadio. To my listeners you are no longer subject to my lame jokes. Truly, thank you for letting me be a part of your mornings, middays & evenings for all these years. New chapter ahead. Stay tuned,” wrote Lahti via her Instagram story.

iHeartMedia Colorado Springs Marketing and Promotions Director Aaron Kinnischtzke has announced his exit. He originally joined the company in 2021 as the Promotions Coordinator for the cluster.

In Seattle, Rock 102.5 producer Ryan Gibbons is out after two years with the station. Gibbons joined in July 2024 to produce the BJ Shea and Sarah morning show. He held the same role at Rock 102.5 from 2013 to 2016 with other previous stops in Philadelphia and Milwaukee.

“All good things must come to an end. Today was my last day with iHeart and KZOK. I wanted to reenact this scene but held back. Was this run anything like I imagined? NAH! What’s next? Who knows,” wrote Gibbons on Facebook.

Also in Seattle, Marc James departs his midday show at sports radio KJR after just over a year with the radio station. KJR has not commented on the departure, but has updated their on air lineup to signal the changes. Currently, KJR has listed a 10am-12pm show in James’ place which could lead to potential other changes with the lineup dayparts.

James formerly worked in Tampa, Fla. at SportsTalk Florida 820 WWBA and started his radio career from the Miami-Fort Lauderdale marketplace in 2004. Throughout his career, he has hosted afternoon drive on WFNZ in Charlotte and morning drive on 92.9 The Game in Atlanta.

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.

Megyn Kelly Adding 3 New Shows to True Crime Podcast Network

BNM Staff
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Megyn Kelly Adding 3 New Shows to True Crime Podcast Network

Megyn Kelly has announced a new slate of shows for her MK True Crime network, with three new programs planned.

The MK True Crime Show serves as the flagship show of the network. It features Phil Holloway, Ashleigh Merchant, and Dave Aronberg discussing the biggest true crime stories and the latest developments in those cases. It will also serve as the home of live trial coverage as cases unfold.

Mark Geragos and Matt Murphy will team for In The Well. The two lawyers previously faced off against one another in California courtrooms. They’ll bring expert analysis and high-profile interviews for their show.

Finally, Positively Legal will be hosted by lawyers Mark Eiglarsh and Jonna Spilbor. The show will discuss the most serious legal cases. The duo has been featured on Megyn Kelly’s programs for decades.

“As a former lawyer who has covered legal and true crime stories for decades, going back to my time just starting at Fox News, I’m thrilled to expand our legal coverage with MK True Crime on the MK Media podcast network,” said Kelly.

“Some of these hosts have been a part of Kelly’s Court segments since the beginning, while others have become new friends through The Megyn Kelly Show, but all bring true expertise and will deliver unique, fun coverage of the biggest legal stories in the news,” Kelly concluded.

The new programming offered by the MK True Crime network will debut the week of Monday, April 27th.

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.

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