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Kane Brown To Recieve ‘Country Champion Award’

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Kane Brown To Recieve ‘Country Champion Award’

The People’s Choice Country Awards will name Kane Brown this year’s Country Champion at its upcoming award show later this month.

Brown follows Wynonna Judd as the second Country Champion Award recipient.

Brown’s career includes 11 Country radio number-one songs. He is noted as the first black artist to headline and sell out Boston’s Fenway Park in 2023. His numerous awards and recognition include the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2024 Artist Humanitarian Award.

Jen Neal, Executive VP of Live Events & Specials, NBCUniversal, said, “Since the beginning of his career, Kane Brown has ensured that his legacy will extend beyond music. His dedication to empowering and supporting younger generations is nothing short of inspiring, and we’re thrilled to honor him with the Country Champion Award.”

The People’s Choice Country Awards, hosted by Shania Twain, will air live from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7 pm (CT) on NBC and Peacock.

Gregg Giannotti: Anybody Criticizing John Sterling or WFAN ‘Is Off the Mark’

BSM Staff
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Gregg Giannotti: Anybody Criticizing John Sterling or WFAN ‘Is Off the Mark’

Gregg Giannotti and Boomer Esiason reacted to the news that John Sterling would be coming out of retirement to call New York Yankees playoff games on WFAN as well as a series at the end of the regular season. Sterling announced his retirement earlier this year after the season had started, which forced the station to use several different voices to call games this season, with Justin Shackil and Emmanuel Berbari getting a majority of the games.

Giannotti mentioned this was something he had brought up before as a possibility and said, “I thought it would happen. I wanted it to happen. It did and I think it’s the right thing to do and I think that anybody who criticizes it is off the mark..In the traditional sense of somebody retiring and then coming back when someone thinks that they have the job does not apply here. This is different in the way that he left. It was a surprise. Nobody expected it when it happened and the guys who have been calling the games, especially the younger kids and Justin Shackil and Emmanuel Berbari got an opportunity that fell into their laps…They got to call a ton of games.

“These guys got an opportunity of a lifetime to be able to call these games in the regular season and put that on their resume, something that would have never happened if John didn’t decide after starting this season to retire.”

Giannotti wanted to make sure people realized that Audacy called Sterling and asked him if he would be interested in doing this. He said, “It’s not like John muscling his way back into the booth and swatting these guys away.”

Giannotti and Boomer Esiason also talked about the idea that this is a better way for John Sterling to get to go out and end his career with a meaningful game.

“He’s gonna do the playoffs and I think that’s it. His last game will be a playoff game, it’s not gonna be some random game in April or May where he’s just like, alright screw it I’m done.

“And by the way, we’re gonna love to hear John Sterling doing those games and calling those playoff games. It’s gonna be awesome.”

Former WCBS 880 Anchor Brigitte Quinn Joining 600 WICC in Bridgeport For New Show

BNM Staff
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Former WCBS 880 Anchor Brigitte Quinn Joining 600 WICC in Bridgeport For New Show

600 WICC in Bridgeport has announced it is adding a new local show in the 12-2 PM window hosted by former WCBS 880 anchor Brigitte Quinn.

Quinn had hosed middays on WCBS since January of last year after moving over from anchoring on sister station 1010 WINS. Quinn had a long history with the New York all-news stations, working at WCBS from 1988 to 1996, and at 1010 WINS from 2013 to 2023. She departed Audacy New York after WCBS ceased operations last month.

“Ever since my family and I moved back to beautiful Connecticut, I’ve become a faithful WICC listener,” said Quinn. “I’m delighted to be joining such a great news/talk radio station, ‘The Voice of Connecticut’.”

Quinn will replace the nationally syndicated Erick Erickson Show in the station’s lineup, bringing all local content to the Connecticut news/talk outlet from 5 AM-6 PM.

The addition of Quinn comes on the heels of the announcement that WICC would add an FM simulcast. It will be heard at 95.9 on the FM dial.

Quinn’s new show on the Connoisseur Media station will begin on Monday, September 30th.

Renee DiNino Former ‘River 105.9’ Hartford, CT Midday Host joins WFSB-TV

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Renee DiNino Former ‘River 105.9’ Hartford, CT Midday Host joins WFSB-TV

Renee DiNino, former midday host at iHeartMedia Classic Hits WHCN (The River 105.9)/Hartford, CT, has joined Gray Televisions WFSB-TV. She will focus on community projects and canine stories.

She shared news from her first day on her Facebook page.

Midwest Communications Adds A Pair Of Stations In Kalamazoo, MI

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Midwest Communications Adds A Pair Of Stations In Kalamazoo, MI

Midwest Communications has expanded its footprint in Kalamazoo, MI, with the purchase of Rock WZYY/Mattawan and Oldies WQXC (Cool 101)/Allegan from Forum Communications. The price for the duo was $625,000.

WZUU is a “Bob & Tom” affiliate with local hosts for midday and afternoon with Alice Cooper and “Alice’s Attic” evenings. “Cool 101” has local hosts from 6 am to 6 pm.

Midwest’s Kalamazoo cluster includes Hot AC WZOX (Hits 96.5), Variety Hits WVFM (106.5 Jack-FM), Adult R&B WTOU 1660/95.5 (The Torch), Country WNWN (Win 98.5) and News/Talk WKZO 590/106.9.

Roger Goodell to CNBC: When it Comes to Streaming, ‘You Have to Go Where Your Fans Are’

BSM Staff
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Roger Goodell to CNBC: When it Comes to Streaming, ‘You Have to Go Where Your Fans Are’

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell appeared on CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box’ ahead of tonight’s first ever game for the league in South America. The interview touched on a number of subjects including potential international expansion as well as the league’s partnership with various streamers. Tonight’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles will be a streaming-only game on Peacock.

After a question asking how the league plans to take NFL football everywhere, Goodell said, “The reality is the media platforms are essential in that process. We obviously want to reach the most number of people we can through our media partners because that’s how they mostly experience football. But the reality is when we bring our NFL regular season games here, it just creates a whole new environment. It creates really the spark that lights the flame, and everything seems to really take off after that point in time.”

As for the international fandom, Goodell said, “And we have 38 million fans here already. We hope this will really ignite this market and really become passionate football fans. And we’re obviously continuing our games in Europe, we’re continuing games in the UK as we’re going to Spain next year, we’ll be in Germany this year, hopefully back to Mexico next year. So we really believe playing the games is a big part of making our game global.”

Goodell was also asked about how far out he thinks the league can go especially given the time difference involved in playing in in Europe. “Well, we can’t change the time zones, but I would say that we learn from every experience,” he said. “And I think the trip down here, talking to players on both teams yesterday, the trip down here being 11 hours, 11 hours plus for both teams, they really didn’t have the same impact, and they think it’s really the time zone. So that’s a big factor for the guys. We play once a week, so that helps. We can adjust when they get back to their home cities tomorrow. They’ll be on a similar time zone, and they’ll also have eight days before the next game.”

When it comes to the new NFL media rights deals involving streamers, Goodell said, “The bottom line is you have to go where your fans are and our fans are moving off on the streaming platforms. Netflix is a good example of that. Peacock’s a good example of that. Amazon’s a good example of that. Our fans are on different platforms, and we need to reach them. But at the same time, over 85 percent of our games are still available on free television. We think we have the most fan friendly policies for our fans and the media world of any league by far.

“…Streaming also brings in technologies that I think are going to be really valuable to improve the experience for consumers. There are more things that they can do with their platforms and technology that I think is going to be very, very positive with our fans.”

Missouri Radio Station Owner Steve Kasper Passes Away

BMM Staff
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Missouri Radio Station Owner Steve Kasper Passes Away

Steve Kaspar, the owner and CEO of Kasper Broadcasting and radio stations Country KFAV/Warrenton, MO, and Traditional Country KWRE-AM/Warrenton, died Wednesday, September 4, following a sudden medical emergency. He was 71 years old.

The news was announced on the KFAV Facebook page:

“Kaspar Broadcasting of Missouri is deeply saddened to report the passing of our owner, Steve Kaspar.”


“Steve died suddenly Wednesday evening after going to the Emergency Room at a local hospital. He was 71.”

“In addition to being the owner and CEO of Kaspar Broadcasting of Missouri, Steve was also an accomplished musician and songwriter, a passionate pet lover, believer in community, and a proud patriot.”

“Steve was married to his wife Pat for 45 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons- Ryan, Alex, and Trevor. A daughter-in-law, Lafayette and two granddaughters-Lillian and Olivia. He also leaves behind his radio station family, some of whom he had known for over 40 years.”

Funeral arrangements and a special radio memorial service are pending.

Dallas Mavericks, TEGNA Agree to Multiyear Broadcasting Rights Deal

BSM Staff
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The Dallas Mavericks have announced a new, multiyear broadcasting rights agreement with TEGNA that will televise its games within the state of Texas on free, over-the-air television. This agreement helps games reach about 10 million people in the state, nearly tripling the current number of households the Mavericks were able to reach previously, utilizing a variety of TEGNA-owned stations. Beginning with the Mavericks game against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 26, KMPX Dallas-Ft. Worth will broadcast all games that are not exclusively televised at the national level. Additionally, 15 or more games will be simulcast on WFAA Dallas-Ft. Worth, and games will also be broadcast on stations in cities such as Waco, Tyler and Abilene among others.

Under this new agreement, WFAA becomes the official local broadcast partner of the Mavericks and will bring fans comprehensive behind-the-scenes coverage from Joe Trahan, its lead sports anchor. WFAA and TEGNA will lead the local and regional advertising and sponsorship sales for local games, while TEGNA continues working with partner broadcast companies for additional Texas markets, announcements of which are expected to be divulged in the coming days. WFAA broadcast 13 Mavericks games for free on over-the-air television last season after the NBA and Diamond Sports Group reached an agreement enabling a limited number of contests to air in this capacity through the end of the season.

“We are looking forward to giving Dallas Mavericks fans every opportunity possible to watch our exciting team build on the momentum of its incredible run to the NBA Finals last season,” Patrick Dumont, governor of the Dallas Mavericks, said in a statement. “Our new agreement with TEGNA helps meaningfully deliver on that goal by broadcasting more games to more local homes than in any period in franchise history. Through our new partnership with TEGNA and our expanded relationship with WFAA, more Mavs fans than ever before will be able to watch the team they love.”

“This is an incredible day for Mavs fans and our partners across Texas, and we are grateful to the Mavericks organization for their partnership and trust,” Brad Ramsey, senior vice president, media operations at TEGNA, said in a statement. “Mavericks fans, our audience, and our advertising partners had an unbelievable reaction to the 10 games we made available last season, and we are thrilled to build off of that momentum and make every game, home or away, available to more fans, in more homes.”

Mavericks games had previously been broadcast on Bally Sports Southwest; however, Diamond Sports Group, the owner of the network, rejected its agreement with the team under Ch. 11 bankruptcy. Within court filings, Diamond stated that the Mavericks organization requested the mutual termination of the agreement and that the Debtors subsequently determined that the deals could not be rendered profitable.

“We are excited to tip off the new season by bringing our games to more MFFLs across Texas,” Cynt Marshall, chief executive officer of the Dallas Mavericks, said in a statement. “It was a pleasure working with TEGNA last season to deliver additional viewing experiences for ten games. Building on the overwhelmingly positive feedback received, we look forward to providing millions more Mavs fans access to watch our games throughout the entire season. Stay tuned and let’s go Mavs!”

“Our team is passionate about giving our audience great local stories, and this further cements WFAA as the go-to place for live, local sports,” Carolyn Mungo, vice president and station manager of WFAA, said in a statement. “Our team could not be more excited to help take the Mavericks viewership to new heights.”

Consumers are able to find more information about the new television arrangement by visiting the Mavericks official website, which has a dedicated landing spot to its broadcast coverage. The Spanish-language content that currently airs on Ch. 29 will be relocated to a different channel ahead of the regular season, and KMPX will become a locally programmed and independent station. More details pertaining to the future of this entity will be communicated to the fans and viewers before the season commences.

iHeartMedia names Jill Strada Atlanta SVP Programming

BMM Staff
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iHeartMedia names Jill Strada Atlanta SVP Programming

Jill Strada has been named iHeartMedia SVP Programming for the Atlanta market.

Spencer Byrnes, Atlanta Market President, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Jill Strada to the iHeart Atlanta team. Jill has a remarkable talent for launching, developing, and elevating brands in fiercely competitive markets. Her proven track record of success and unwavering dedication to excellence make her an outstanding addition to our leadership team.”

Strada added, “I am absolutely delighted to join iHeartMedia Atlanta. I extend my deepest gratitude to Spencer Bynes and Tony Travatto for this incredible opportunity. This is a company where innovation meets passion, and I’m eager to contribute to the growth of our brands, collaborate with such a brilliant group of people, and to lead such a talented team. Being part of America’s top audio company is an honor, and I’m excited about the incredible journey ahead.”

In her new role, Strada will oversee Country WUBL (94.9 The Bull), Top 40 WWPW (Power 105.3), Spanish Top 40 WBZY (Z105.7), Hip Hop WRDG (96.1 The Beat), Regional Mexican WBZW (96.7 El Patron) and News WBIN (Bin 640).

Other career stops include Miami, Boston, New York, and Orlando. She succeeds Meg Stevens, who moved into a new role with the company earlier this year.

Amazon Reportedly in ‘Late-Stage Talks’ to Add Diamond Sports Group DTC Apps on Prime

BSM Staff
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Amazon Reportedly in ‘Late-Stage Talks’ to Add Diamond Sports Group DTC Apps on Prime

Amazon is reportedly in late-stage talks with Diamond Sports Group that would grant it the rights to livestream broadcasts of select teams within the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball on its Prime streaming service through Bally Sports local direct-to-consumer applications. Diamond, a subsidiary of Sinclair, currently has 26 teams across the three leagues within its portfolio that it televises across an array of Bally Sports-branded regional sports networks.

If an agreement between the two entities is reached, the streams would reportedly be non-exclusive and potentially include outlets such as Roku or YouTube with access to the applications as well. The linear broadcasts of the game would be simulcast on the Bally Sports regional sports networks if Diamond is able to exit Ch. 11 bankruptcy, which it has been in for over a year since filing for such status last March.

Earlier in the year, Amazon agreed to provide Diamond with $115 million in financing, a cash infusion contingent on Diamond being able to exit Ch. 11 bankruptcy. That offer was reportedly pulled last week, with sources cited by Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal indicating that the broadcast landscape had changed and altered the value of such a deal for Amazon.

The new streaming service, should it be created, would charge approximately $20 a month for access to local games for home teams through the Prime service, according to Josh Kosman of the New York Post. This would allow fans to access games without a cable subscription, something that could cause a further decline in the pay TV penetration rate amid hastened cord cutting.

Diamond is in the midst of trying to finalize a restructuring plan to exit Ch. 11 bankruptcy and is in the process of modifying its restructuring support agreement through finalizing a new naming rights agreement and raising additional capital. The company reached deals with the NBA and NHL to televise teams within its portfolio through at least the 2024-25 seasons, after which its status will be determined based on the state of the bankruptcy.

Diamond is also looking to gain authority to use cash received in its $495 million settlement with Sinclair to make an Additional First Lien Paydown that was agreed upon after an extended timeline within the Ch. 11 case and differing projections from Debtors as compared to “what formed the basis of the RSA and the first lien lenders’ agreement to accept take back debt.”

These negotiations are reportedly taking place as Major League Baseball objected to the deals with the NBA and NHL and requested both agreements to be unsealed. U.S. bankruptcy judge Christopher Lopez declined and approved both contracts, allowing for Diamond to continue its discussions with Amazon and other streaming services. Robert D. Manfred Jr., the commissioner of Major League Baseball, indicated that the league is looking for a national streaming regional sports network in the future. Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, recently stated that the company is interested in expanding its local sports coverage on its forthcoming Flagship direct-to-consumer product, which is set to launch in the second half of 2025.

Diamond currently has streaming rights to the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays. The company broadcasts regional games for the aforementioned teams, along with the Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers, all of whom have contracts that expire after the end of the season. If Diamond is able to emerge from Ch. 11 bankruptcy, junior creditors are expected to assume operations of the company.

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