Home Blog Page 1420

Cox Media Group Launches Business Radio 860 in San Antonio

BNM Staff
-
0
Cox Media Group Launches Business Radio 860 in San Antonio

Cox Media Group has flipped the format of its 860 KONO station from oldies to business, taking on the Business Radio 860 brand.

The station has been airing programming from Bloomberg Radio since flipping the format. It is unclear what local programming — if any — will appear on the brand.

The station had featured an oldies format after relaunching in 2017, according to RadioInsight. For the prior three years, it served as the San Antonio affiliate of CBS Sports Radio.

The station is using “Context Changes Everything” as its positioning statement.

KONO-AM is a Class-B signal with 5,000 watts of daytime power and 900 watts at night. The Cox Media Group signal covers the entire San Antonio market.

‘Breakfast Ball’ with Mark Schlereth, Craig Carton and Danny Parkins Off to a Great Start on FS1

John Molori
-
2
‘Breakfast Ball’ with Mark Schlereth, Craig Carton and Danny Parkins Off to a Great Start on FS1

FS1’s new morning sports show ‘Breakfast Ball‘ is just that, a ball. I love the on-air combination of Craig Carton, Mark Schlereth, and Danny Parkins. Specific kudos to FS1 for the hiring of Schlereth. With everything skewing younger these days on television, it’s nice to see a 50-something dude as the host and centerpiece of a sports program.

Each of the talents on this program bring a different skill set. Carton is the seasoned and prototypical sports shock jock, a veteran of WFAN and FOX – ranting and raving his way through multimedia formats and life’s ups and downs.

Schlereth is the grizzled former NFL lineman with Washington and Denver, a three-time Super Bowl champ who has always shone brightly as a media personality regardless of the network. Parkins is part of a new breed. He joined Fox Sports this year coming off a successful run as co-host of the Parkins & Spiegel Show on 670 The Score in Chicago.

I love the mix of this ensemble cast. While Schlereth opens the show, there really isn’t a host per se. Everyone kind of jumps in and gives their opinions, but leaves space for the others. On the premiere show, Monday, August 26, Schlereth opened the proceedings. His understated, yet emotional tones have long been a favorite of mine. He can talk about all aspects of football, from offensive line play to quarterbacking to defense while also adeptly commenting on other sports.

Carton’s strengths are emotion and his true love of sports. He’s a wise guy and will always try to find the sarcastic, funny angle on a topic, but that’s essential on ‘Breakfast Ball’. Schlereth is not a comedian, and neither is Parkins. Carton definitely carries the comedic load on the program. He is an absolute ball of fire. In his Big Deal segment, Carton unloads superlatives and generally goes off big time. It’s fun to watch.

Parkins is a whole different story. Let’s be honest, this guy does not look like the typical, squared jawed sports gabber. He’s almost nerdy in his appearance, but he is smart, quick-witted, and on point. Parkins made his bones in the tough Chicago sports market, and he’s now bringing that to the national spotlight. 

I love the way he dissects an issue and provides hot takes, like on the premiere edition when he said that Caleb Williams is already the best quarterback in Chicago Bears history. Parkins pulls no punches and does not cling to contemporary wisdom or the status quo.

Carton, Schlereth, and Parkins offer bright, intelligent, and enthusiastic interaction. They really fill the two hours with quality and content. Different perspectives and backgrounds, diverse life paths, good experiences and bad experiences, this is what Carton, Schlereth, and Parkins bring to ‘Breakfast Ball’. They are unlike any triumvirate in sports programming today.

The Tuesday, August 27 show opened with a discussion of CeeDee Lamb signing a huge contract with the Cowboys. Carton said that he still has a lot of concerns with the Cowboys given the young and inexperienced talent around Lamb and Dak Prescott. The Breakfast Ball production team mixes in stat graphics as well as highlights as the panel discusses a particular issue. That video variety brings the show to a different level of information.

Again, with the hot take, Parkins said that no skill position player means more to the Cowboys than Lamb. Carton, an unabashed Jets fan, then moved the discussion to the pressure on Aaron Rodgers to bring a title to New York. Schlereth opined that Rodgers needs to win another ring to be at the “big boy table” with the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, and others. Parkins countered that only Manning and Rodgers have four MVPs.

In the Contend or Pretend segment, the panel discussed which NFC team they trust the most. Parkins picked the Detroit Lions, and Schlereth backed him up, saying that Jared Goff is the top 10 quarterback no one talks about. Carton, however, disagreed saying that the Lions still have much to prove and that Green Bay and Chicago are better than last year.

While the conversation went on, graphics showed betting odds for NFC title contenders. This was a solid back-and-forth on an interesting subject. The trio then moved onto the Panic Button segment. I like the quick hitting topics with nifty titles that ‘Breakfast Ball’ offers. They keep the show moving and don’t waste 20 minutes on one story. These segments give the show pacing and variety.

With an actual panic button situated in the middle of the studio desk, Carton reached over with authority and hit it for the Buffalo Bills. His Jet fandom came out, saying that New York is for real and will take the title from Buffalo. He also cited several good players who are no longer with the Bills and made the interesting point that coach Sean McDermott might be being set up to be the fall guy.

Schlereth hit the panic button on the Pittsburgh Steelers citing the so-called quarterback battle between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. In a funny retort, Parkins interjected that he saw a worse battle between Mitchell Trubisky and Mike Glennon while covering the Bears.

Carton hit the panic button for the Jaguars with Parkins saying that the Texans are now better than Jacksonville and that he expects Trevor Lawrence to be only average. One thing that stands out about these ‘Breakfast Ball’ cats is that they really know their sports.

There are no lulls in the conversation and while I know the topics are planned in pre-production, the hosts definitely free wheel with their comments and debates. Later in the show, as Parkins predicted the Jets to finish third in the AFC East, Carton dawned a gigantic Jets hat and shook his head in anger.

For his bold prediction, Schlereth went back to his former team, the Broncos, and predicted that quarterback Bo Nix would win Rookie of the Year. He pointed to Nix’s number of games played in college, his maturity, and leadership. Carton joked that Schlereth was acting like Broncos’ head coach Sean Payton’s spokesperson.

I like that these guys don’t let any of their cohorts get away with anything on the show. They razz and dog each other at every opportunity. Perhaps the most surprising take in the Bold Prediction segment was Carton’s assertion that the Chiefs will not make it to the AFC title game.

‘Breakfast Ball’ actually reminds me of the film, The Breakfast Club – a diverse group of characters stuck in a room together, having to get along and figure things out for themselves. The conversation is engaging. The subject matter is topical, and the personalities are bright, interesting, and informed. The program has had a tremendous tip off, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the ‘Breakfast Ball’ bounces from here.

Chick-fil-A Hates Radio

Peter Thiele
-
2
Chick-fil-A Hates Radio

What??? Yes, it is true. Chick-fil-A hates radio. If there was a company that has cashed in on earned media on talk radio, it is Chick-fil-A. Here is the clash between content and cash.

Chick-fil-A is an awesome brand. The service and the food are amazing. The company’s values closely mirror the News/Talk audience. This company has built an amazing brand on spending huge advertising dollars on TV and radio rubes who give free plugs. Before being accused of being a Chick-fil-A hater, I love this restaurant.

I often write about reflecting your audience. It is an essential ingredient for radio success. A listener-focused experience means that your audience thinks that you’re speaking directly to them about things in their lives. Eating is a big thing. We all eat. We all grab something quick and delicious from time to time. Chick-fil-A is certainly a very popular choice. There is an old adage about why buy the cow when the milk is free. If you are getting free plugs on air and social media by influencers, why pay for them?

Radio is a business. Ultimately, our main job is to make money. The greatest source of income for radio stations is spot advertising. Most of our radio companies also monetize social media and websites. I like making money. I like the idea of your endorsement being the most precious commodity on your radio station. Why are you giving that away? In 2019, radio was less than 3% of Chick-fil-A’s advertising budget. They spent 100 million dollars on TV and $2,600,000 on radio. I am going to make a guess that radio has provided more that 10 million dollars on earned (Free) media for this company. I personally believe that you should really consider banning the discussion of any corporation that does not spend money on your station. We are giving away the farm. When radio espouses the delights of a major corporation for free, we are devaluing our worth.

Chick-fil-A spends a bunch on college football. We will be barraged with ads this season. The rest of the TV ads are really targeted to the opposite of the News/Talk core audience. These ads are very well produced. They are female focused. Moms are the target of these ads. Not very News/Talk oriented. Why then college football?

Chick-fil-A is an Atlanta based company and the original footprint was in the southeast. College football is a cultural staple in this region of the country. I lived in SEC country for a decade. If you are not going to the game, there will be a party to watch the game. It is like Super Bowl Sunday every Saturday during the football season. I grew up in the Twin Cities where there is NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA. I didn’t understand the insane passion for college football. Chick-fil-A did and that has been an advertising focus.

There is a justifiable and essential push of hosts putting aspects of their lives on social media. It shows connectivity for the audience. Many hosts post videos at events in their communities. Depending on the company, social media posts are as much a part of the job as hosting a show. All radio influencers are hunting for content. Many radio people are introverts and are really hermits. We are living in 2024. Your exciting life must be chronicled to encourage more listening. Chick-fil-A plugs are too easy and accessible. Sadly, Chick-fil-A hates radio and your plugs are the cheapest promotion in the world.

I have worked in buildings where plugging a non-advertiser was an offense that could get you fired. Not today though. I just HATE radio receiving short shrift. Our industry has demonstratable marketing successes that help build businesses from small to large. Commercial radio still receives approximately 90% of ears in your market on a weekly basis. We are HUGE.

With millions of websites, the rise of Artificial Intelligence, TV, streaming, satellite radio, podcasts etcetera, radio is still a major player. We are undersold. Radio gives stuff away. As an industry, we need to stop that. Our value is essential. I am a radio believer. I know that with segmenting audiences on every advertising platform, radio has been consistent and very resilient. I am sick and tired of radio not receiving the respect that we deserve.

Chick-fil-A loves your free plugs, but they will never pay for it if they continue to get free advertising. It’s not like Chick-fil-A is spending some money with your radio station. They are not. I can only think of a couple of times where Chick-fil-A spent a tiny bit of dough on non-traditional revenue events. They purchased a booth at a radio event geared at families. That is not a schedule. Chick-fil-A hates us.

Ok, looking for content? Use your platform to promote an advertiser or a business that could become a client for your company. Help promote your station’s brand. The local eatery will be excited and likely will share your visit. There is the opportunity to get more clicks, likes and shares from that business than from a large corporation.

Radio Needs To Get Younger…And Older

Robby Bridges
-
0
Radio Needs To Get Younger…And Older

Thank you for the feedback on my column touching on CHR’s proclivity of late to play 20, 25 even 30-year-old gold. Certainly, an argument and a strategy that 45-year-olds are heavier users, giving radio more QHs and the most direct path to a ratings/revenue win is to play to them at CHR and worry less about breaking new music or focusing on the old “Hot Hits” like 30 song playlist. Radio was told by agencies local and national that advertisers wanted 25-54, and that meant getting younger on adult stations (we’ll circle back to that) and older at contemporary formats, particularly CHR, abandoning any effort to be “the teen station” or even the 12-34 station in a market. Combine this fact with increasingly mediocre programming caused by the continuous cutting of innovation and resources, new technology, and choices, and TSL has fallen off a cliff among young people. Unless we’ve decided as an industry collective, we are going to target this last group of 35-54-year-olds who grew up with radio until they age out and then give up and turn in our licenses; we ought to: 1) get younger at CHR (and other contemporary formats and 2) ALSO not be afraid to get older at gold formats.

CHR needs to engage younger listeners, and the only way to do it is first to learn to talk to them. That’ll mean innovating and trying new content on the air and probably returning to some vintage tactics that will feel new again, as it has been so long since they’ve been used. It involves hiring talent, marketing, a sales staff that gets the excitement of a young forefront format and radio station plus, embracing new music and current music and not relying on gold and certainly not 20+ year old titles. That will also require a rebuild of the artist-label-management-radio echo system and not just with the big guys, with independent artists and labels too. CHR just hasn’t been cutting-edge for far too long.

Second, whether it’s the programming options that drive Sirius XM subscribers, listening to online stations, streaming, Music Choice on cable, or even YouTube channels, there is a huge appetite for older hits and more niche formats within them. Radio needs to reengage the 50+ audience who have been turned off by the tight playlists, pre-1975 music leaving the air mostly, long stop sets, etc. This also requires talent, marketing, and a sales force that understands and will sell the format with the knowledge that baby boomers have enormous disposable income and will spend it when they want to. As a matter of fact, boomers have just about all the disposable consumer income in the US.

Does radio have the will to double down and do it? That’s another question…

Tyrone Johnson is on a Journey at 97.5 The Fanatic

Demetri Ravanos
-
0
Tyrone Johnson is on a Journey at 97.5 The Fanatic

Tyrone Johnson knows that nothing in this business is guaranteed. This is a guy that has had just about every job you can in radio – sports and otherwise. In 2022, he finally became the host of his own show. Two years later, he’s still holding down afternoon drive at 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia, but there has been plenty of change around him.

First, the show lost co-host Hunter Brodie, who was laid off by parent company Beasley Broadcasting in 2023. Earlier this year, it was time to say goodbye to executive producer Jenn Scordo when she was let go. 

Johnson and co-host Ricky Bottalico have been thrown their fair share of curve balls, but Johnson says he doesn’t think the show is stuck in a state of just trying to survive.

“I like the show, today,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, some of the changes that happened, and none of them were my choices. But overall, I’m very pleased with the state of the show right now.”

Coming from the other side of the glass, Tyrone Johnson says there is a lot he cannot turn off in his mind. He has some strong opinions about the way a show is supposed to work, but he tries to make that a problem for himself, not for his colleagues, especially not his producers.

“I’m still prepping the show as if I’m producing the show,” he says, clarifying that he isn’t stepping on toes. He just cannot let himself feel unprepared and that, in his view is the job of a producer. 

He equates the host/producer relationship to a player/coach relationship. A player has to go out there and perform, but the coach’s job is to have that player as prepared as he can possibly be.

The last time Johnson was anyone’s producer, that anyone was Mike Missanelli. After two years apart, Missanelli and 97.5 The Fanatic reunited earlier this month. He and Johnson aren’t reunited, Missanelli is in middays while Johnson remains in afternoons.

Still, there are plenty of people that would like for them to be reunited. That makes Johnson want to say the F word.

Flattered. What were you thinking?

It wasn’t the F word I was thinking of either. It’s human nature to want to return to the familiar, so while it makes sense that some listeners are connecting dots in their minds, isn’t it a little frustrating for Johnson? After all, he has grown professionally. He has proven that he can do the same job Missanelli can. Even if it’s meant as a compliment about the previous work they did together, doesn’t Johnson want people to get away from tying he and Missanelli together?

“Some people, before a football game, need the coach’s pep talk,” he explains. “I was a person who was more like, ‘You know what, coach? Tell me about the game plan.’ I don’t need the pep talk because I kind of show up ready. Everybody’s different in that way, and that makes it less frustrating. 

“I hear it. I’m aware of it, but it doesn’t bother me only because I can just do the best job I can do every day. Whether they liked me or didn’t like me, my work doesn’t change.”

Another thing that makes it less frustrating is that chatter isn’t coming from inside his own building. Scott Masteller took over as program director of 97.5 The Fanatic in January and Johnson says that “has been a tremendous blessing.”

“He actually believes in me,” Johnson says, “and that’s not a knock on anybody else, but it feels really good to show up to work and know that your boss really believes in you and wants to give you tools to make you better every single day, and to be available if you have any questions that can make you better. So, it’s been a breath of fresh air. It’s helped me immensely to have Scott in the building.”

Masteller doesn’t make his support of Johnson a secret. He was eager to tell me that he is pleased with the progress the afternoon show has made and the work Johnson has done to get it there.

You’ve seen the ratings in Philadelphia. WIP’s lead over The Fanatic is no secret, but both Masteller and Johnson point out that there’s a lot to be optimistic about in afternoon drive. 

“It’s been slow growth, but it’s been steady every single book, and I just want to thank everybody for riding with us on this journey,” Johnson says.

Nothing in sports radio moves the needle like the NFL does, so that growth may be about to get a nice boost.

Johnson swears Eagles fans have been more patient with the team since winning Super Bowl LII, but disharmony between a quarterback and head coach is a gift no matter what market you’re in. The reaction may not always be what he expects, but Johnson knows all of his listeners have an opinion they want to share.

“It used to be a lot more negative than it is now,” he says. “There are some fans right now that won’t actually believe that Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts aren’t best friends. That would have never even have occurred to a single fan pre-Super Bowl.”

Growth doesn’t come always easily, and it almost never comes quickly. There’s plenty Tyrone Johnson will admit he still needs to work on. His show has seen a lot of change since it went on the air just two years ago, but what he has now is working. He’s confident that he’s on the right path. He’s been on so many different paths during his time in this business, that he should know when what he is doing isn’t working.

New 77 WABC Business Reporter Joe Connolly Believes in the Power of Local Radio

Garrett Searight
-
0
New 77 WABC Business Reporter Joe Connolly Believes in the Power of Local Radio

Joe Connolly spent more than 30 years at WCBS 880 before the station ceased operations earlier this week. He was a hot commodity and was scooped up by 77 WABC, and he couldn’t be more excited.

As one might expect, after being the subject of losing his job due to a corporate decision to end his radio station, one of the biggest things Connolly is excited about is returning to work for a station that features local ownership, as 77 WABC is under the direction of John and Margo Catsimatidis of Red Apple Media.

“My excitement level is DEF CON Five or whatever it is,” he joked. “The energy is just so high here. But people are really nice and very friendly. I’m really looking forward to getting back into locally-owned radio. I think that the key to the future of radio is a large part the fact that it’s locally owned. That’s how it was when I started out in radio many years ago. They were usually locally owned stations, because the local owner cares about their community, and this is local ownership at a whole new level. All of the things that they’re doing, they’re really — I hope, I think, — helping a lot of radio stations learn how to thrive again through new ways.”

In his new role with the station, he’ll host one-minute features on local businesses. Business Success Stories with Joe Connolly will air on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with Connolly featuring interviews with local business owners to detail what has led to their success.

Joe Connolly wasn’t always a business reporter. In fact, he got his start in the sector completely by chance.

“I got the business news job a long time ago when the business guy called in sick. So I started doing his reports,” Connolly admitted.

He’s been covering the Big Apple business beat ever since. It’s something the new WABC reporter quickly learned to enjoy.

“I immediately loved covering business news, because most of the time you can give people useful, usable, good information, helpful information that they can use to try to figure out how to get a better job, how to negotiate for a raise, or how to save money. “With the business news, I immediately found that you didn’t have to fight to make your stories relevant, because they were about money and educating your kids.

“As a reporter, even if you go to a one-alarm or two-alarm fire, you try to find something to make it relevant. We’re always trying to make whatever we cover relevant, and the business news is instantly, automatically relevant.”

While talking about business was always instantly relevant, so were the stories of the people behind those operations. Joe Connolly told Barrett Media he enjoys telling the stories of merchants big and small.

“I started covering small and mid-sized businesses, and I really like being with business owners, because they are solutions-oriented. They find a way through problems. They’re not just hand-wringing, and I always try in my business reports to include solutions, or potential solutions to economic issues, not just list the list for problems. And business people are like that. They’re very solutions-oriented. So it’s a great beat to cover because sometimes you can report, something that helps people.

“I like to pride myself on doing a business report using no numbers,” Connolly said. “But often, the best business news stories are just talking at a party or social gathering. It’s often possible to do a business story with no numbers in it.”

So, combining his love of reporting on business news and telling the stories of business owners and operators, coupled with working for a locally-owned station like 77 WABC, is essentially a best-case scenario for Joe Connolly after the demise of WCBS 880.

“I love business news. I’m thrilled to be back on locally-owned radio at a very unique level.

“There are a million stories. New York is people of all ages, all ethnicities, all experiences, all backgrounds,” Connolly added. “It’s endless. And they love talking about their business. Business owners love — this was part of the reason for my success so far on this — business owners love talking about their business and hearing other business owners talk about their business.”

MSG Networks, YES Network to Launch ‘The Gotham Sports App’ Ahead of NBA, NHL Seasons

BSM Staff
-
0
MSG Networks, YES Network to Launch ‘The Gotham Sports App’ Ahead of NBA, NHL Seasons

Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment (GAME), a joint digital venture between MSG Networks and the YES Network that was formed earlier in the year, will launch The Gotham Sports App ahead of the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League seasons. The app will encompass MSG+ and the YES App on one platform, thus becoming the exclusive regional TV Everywhere and direct-to-consumer streaming home of the programming service. This joint venture will be the official streaming home of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Brooklyn Nets and New York Yankees.

Fans who tune into games through cable and satellite providers will receive The Gotham Sports App at no additional cost. Prospective subscribers will be able to select from packages focused on MSG+, the YES App or the Gotham Package containing both services. Access to MSG+ content only will cost $29.99 per month and $279.99 annually, along with a gamepass option to view a single event for $9.99.

“We are excited through GAME to bring New York area fans their favorite teams in one state-of-the-art app,” Andrea Greenberg, president and chief executive officer of MSG Networks, said in a statement. “With the increased fragmentation of outlets carrying fan favorite sports programming, The Gotham Sports App allows fans of our teams one easy access point for New York area sporting events from MSG Networks and the YES Network.”

Fans who aspire to subscribe to programming offered on the YES App can choose to pay $24.99 per month or $239.99 annually for the year. The Gotham package with both services together is priced at $41.99 per month and $359.99 for the year.

“The new Gotham Sports app will deploy GAME’s best-in-class technology to deliver a greatly enhance fan experience, showcasing the best in New York sports all in one place,” Jon Litner, chief executive officer of the YES Network, said in a statement. “The app, which will be free to our distributors’ authenticated customers, will provide one convenient digital destination for our programming services and for fans of some of the most iconic teams in all of sports.”

MSG Networks and the YES Network announce the creation of Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment in January, utilizing technical and operational synergies associated with both company’s streaming service. The joint venture also has turn-key digital content distribution services, which includes platform technology, operational support and comprehensive data analytics to third parties.

Krater 96, Honolulu Says Aloha To ‘Murphy, Sam & Jodi Show’

BMM Staff
-
0
Krater 96, Honolulu Says Aloha To ‘Murphy, Sam & Jodi Show’

SummitMedia AC KRTH (Krater 96)/ Honolulu has added Colbert Media Group’s “Murphy, Sam & Jodi” morning show. The Baton Rouge-based nationally syndicated show is heard in over 50 markets nationwide.

“Krater 96” is the fourth SummitMedia affiliate for the show, joining the companies Hot AC WURV (103.7 Your Variety)/Richmond, AC KSRZ (Star 104.5)/Omaha, and AC WVEZ (Mix 106.9)/Louisville.

Learn more about the “Murphy, Sam & Jodi” show here.

ESPN Extends Partnership with USTA, to Televise US Open Tennis Through 2037

BSM Staff
-
0
ESPN Extends Partnership with USTA, to Televise US Open Tennis Through 2037

ESPN and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) have extended their relationship with a new 12-year media rights agreement that will keep the US Open tennis tournament on ESPN through 2037. The deal begins in 2026 and marks the longest-term tennis agreement at ESPN, which will also make the network the home of the entire tournament in Latin America, as well as the Caribbean and in Canada on TSN and RDS. ESPN Deportes will continue serving as the exclusive Spanish-language home of the US Open in the United States. The deal was brokered by IMG, which represents the USTA for media rights.

Under the new deal, the United States Tennis Association will assume host broadcaster duties from ESPN starting in 2026. At that time, ESPN will focus its production resources on over 260 hours of annual coverage planned for the United States, along with hundreds of hours for international territories. The deal grants ESPN expanded streaming rights, allowing the network to roll out more ways for fans in the United States to consume content. Additionally, ESPN2 will present daily live coverage during Fan Week and distribution of prime-time exhibition events that debuted this year on ESPN platforms.

“We take tremendous pride in our 15-year relationship with the USTA,” Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, said in a statement. “This agreement reinforces our long-term dedication to tennis, our capacity to showcase one of the premier events on the annual sports calendar and, as the world’s first sporting event to offer equal purses for its female and male competitors, The Walt Disney Company’s industry-leading commitment to women’s sports.”  

ESPN coverage of the US Open’s final Sunday and middle Sunday will air on ABC, and there will be availability of all play across all courts daily. The company will also introduce a fast-paced, shot-to-shot whiparound coverage style that will debut on ESPN+ during the first week of the main draw within the 2026 US Open. The tournament set viewership records last year, with the Women’s Championship between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka becoming the most-viewed women’s final of any tennis major event in ESPN history and the most-streamed women’s match on ESPN+.

“After many remarkable years of partnership, we are thrilled to extend our partnership with ESPN and the Walt Disney Company, a collaboration that has driven extraordinary growth for the US Open,” Lew Sherr, chief executive officer and executive director of the United States Tennis Association, said in a statement. “This year’s US Open is well on its way to being the most spectacular Championship in our history and together with ESPN, we are energized by an even brighter future. Our shared commitment to expanding the reach of tennis has contributed to significant increase in participation. Together, we will continue to leverage the US Open as a powerful platform to promote our mission to inspire healthier people and communities.”

“This ESPN deal is groundbreaking, not only for the USTA and US Open, but for tennis globally,” Hillary Mandel, executive president and head of Americas, Media at IMG, added in a statement. “The new agreement will super-charge this iconic, captivating Grand Slam’s exposure, production, promotion, content, and economic investment, ensuring record year-on-year growth for the next decade and beyond.”

Jessica Waffles Joins KXT 91.7, Dallas For Local Music Show

BMM Staff
-
0
Jessica Waffles Joins KXT 91.7, Dallas For Local Music Show

Jessica Waffles is joining North Texas public radio AAA KKXT (KXT 91.7 )/Dallas as the new host of “The KXT Local Show.” Launched in 2017, the weekly program showcases an hour of North Texas music across genres, including Hip-Hop, Latin, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Folk, and R&B.

As a part-time photographer and contributor for KXT since 2021, Waffles has captured the vibrant North Texas music scene. Now, she will curate and produce “The KXT Local Show,” connecting with local musicians and music enthusiasts.

Benji McPhail, KXT Program Director, said, “We’re so excited for Waffles to take the mic. Waffles has already been a standout voice on KXT’s digital platforms, and we know listeners are going to connect with her passion for homegrown sounds on-air as much as they have online.”

Waffles, whose first show is tomorrow (8/29), added, “I feel so fortunate that KXT and North Texas are embracing me as a trusted champion of our local music scene. I’m a passionate supporter of North Texas musicians, and I can’t wait to get into the booth and continue that advocacy on air.”

And the name? Waffles told the “Dallas Famous Podcast” that when she was about 16, she fell asleep with her face on a keyboard in a computer class. When she woke up, she had imprints of the keys on her face, and the kids started calling her Waffle Face.

The Los Angeles native has covers area shows for her “Waffles Weekly Project and has been recognized with awards for Best Arts & Culture Journalist and Best Concert Photographer at the Dallas Entertainment Awards.

1...1,4191,4201,421...2,894Page 1,420 of 2,894