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What If the Next New Rock Radio Hit Isn’t New at All?

Keith Cunningham
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What If the Next New Rock Radio Hit Isn’t New at All?

I hate the expression “what’s old is new.” But here we are, and I have to say it. What’s old is new. Or maybe it can be. Last week in this space, I ranted about how “new music discovery” wasn’t an image rock radio can truly own. But let’s flip that on its head and pull out a good win this week.

One of the bigger new hits at RockTernative is 12 years old — Weezer’s “Go Away.” And it leads me to wonder if radio is overlooking a massive opportunity.

Undiscovered gold. Not nostalgia Gold, undiscovered Gold.

In other words, great songs from important artists that may not have been released as singles or hammered so hard they’re permanently tattooed on the Top 200 Gold chart.

Think about it. Programmers are no different than listeners. PDs have musical tastes of their own — guilty pleasures from the Foos, Blink, and Metallica on their phones. But they don’t play them on air because they could be somewhat unfamiliar to the masses, or they fear the higher-ups may not approve. Everyone understands that.

We don’t play that. We didn’t test it. It’s not in the Top 200. Skip.

Listeners and all of radio’s digital competitors disagree. And they’re winning the argument.

To be clear, this is not a call for being the “deep cut” and “B-side” station or format. This is far more strategic: Songs from core artists that never had their moment — but should have.

Because the reality is listeners don’t think in terms of Current, Recurrent, and Gold. They don’t care what “tests,” what charted, what was once in power for 17 weeks, and their jaws would drop if they heard a PD say the library can’t be more than 300 songs.

Listeners like what they like and think selfishly, emotionally, and in moments:

  • “How did I miss this?”
  • “Why haven’t they played this before?”
  • “This is great.”
  • “I want to hear more like this.”

That reaction is the opportunity. It’s like finding that next big new hit, but it may be more powerful — and it’s largely being left on the table.

Streaming algorithms are incredible at giving listeners familiarity and funneling what’s popular to the top. But if something doesn’t hit big the first time, there’s a good chance it never gets a real second chance.

RockTernative can offer that. Strategically. Brands have the ability to reframe a song and create a shared moment around it.

My favorite Jimmy Eat World song is “Bleed American.” As one of my daughters would say, it’s fire, slaps, eats, and cooks. The song was rocketing up the charts in 2001, then 9/11 happened. Pulled. Poof. Gone. Culturally toxic.

If that song were released or rereleased today, I’d double down on it being a “new hit.”

And if a 12-year-old song from Weezer — that was nowhere near the Top 200 Gold — can feel like a great new song to a listener today, then maybe “new” isn’t about release date anymore. Maybe it’s about exposure and timing.

This opens a new lane for RockTernative to own something just as important as “new music” — helping listeners discover what they missed.

Think about all the iconic artists at the format(s), yet there are only a few songs from each in rotation. That’s a giant repositioning opportunity. It’s also a narrative change that could bring creative NTR.

And it’s the right time. Currently, many brands are stuck in purgatory — not really leading new music discovery, but also trapped by historical radio “rules” and “boundaries” with Gold libraries — when there is literally a massive catalog of relevant music sitting in front of them.

  • Music from the biggest artists in the format.
  • Music that fits the brand.
  • Non-singles that cause concertgoers to raise the roof.
  • Songs that could land today if given a second — or first — chance.

Should your brand capitalize on this opportunity? Specialty weekend, daily spotlight, limited rotation lane, etc. — that’s up to you. If so, it must be curated by someone who truly knows the music and does their digging to find missed hits and not stiffs.

But from your phone playlists to mine, maybe the next “new hit” isn’t new at all. Maybe it’s just the one that wasn’t given a real chance the first time around.

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.

How Baseball’s ABS System Is Creating the Drama and Excitement the Sport Needs

John Lund
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How Baseball’s ABS System Is Creating the Drama and Excitement the Sport Needs

Check your timeline. Turn on sports radio. Flip to any TV debate show. One week into the 2026 Major League Baseball season, the dominant conversation in American sports is not the NBA playoff race. It’s not the NFL Draft, and not a superstar holdout. Instead, it’s a tap on a helmet, and a scoreboard graphic. It’s a called strike getting overturned in real time in front of 35,000 people and millions more at home.

The Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System—ABS—has been the top story in sports every single day of the young baseball season. Clips are everywhere, leading SportsCenter and flooding social media. Scoreboard graphics pair with a digital baseball clipping the edge of the zone.

Every outlet is asking the same question fans are asking in the stands: is this the new electricity of baseball, or just a novelty that fades by the All-Star break?

The early answer is clear. It’s electricity.

On Saturday, March 28, in Cincinnati, the Reds hosted the Red Sox with C.B. Bucknor, one of the most infamous umpires in the sport, behind the plate. By the end of the day, six of his eight challenged calls had been overturned. The clips had millions of views before midnight.

Eugenio Suárez stepped in with the bases loaded and two outs. Bucknor rang him up. Suárez tapped his helmet. Overturned. The crowd exploded. Game 7 energy in March. The next pitch? Bucknor rang him up again. Suárez tapped again. Overturned again. Two strikeouts erased in the same at-bat. The Reds’ broadcast said those two overturns drew louder reactions than either home run that day.

A scoreboard graphic beating a 400-foot screamer to dead center? Baseball has stumbled into some magic here.

These ABS clips don’t need a highlight show. They represent every frustrated fan who’s ever wanted to throw a beer at their TV over a missed call by the boys in blue over the last 30 years.

Next came Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena in Seattle. On a full count, he took a pitch and knew it was ball four. The umpire pumped his fist—strike three. Arozarena tapped, removed his elbow guard and shin guard, and started walking to first anyway.

The scoreboard confirmed it: ball four by 0.2 inches. He never broke stride, and the home crowd erupted. It went viral instantly. The no-look pass of baseball. Swagger, personality, and a moment the sport has been starving for. ABS didn’t just get the call right. It made the moment.

Sunday in Baltimore brought something different.

Orioles closer Ryan Helsley turned a ninth-inning walk into a strikeout with a full-count challenge, protecting an 8–6 lead. Twins manager Derek Shelton stormed the field, not to argue the pitch, but to question whether Helsley tapped his cap quickly enough.

He was ejected, becoming the first manager in MLB history tossed over an ABS dispute.

The Orioles broadcast captured it perfectly: “You can’t defeat the robots!” By Monday morning, that line was everywhere—radio, podcasts, highlight shows—the kind of moment you can’t script or manufacture.

By Wednesday, April 1, exactly one week into the season, history arrived again. With two outs in the top of the ninth and the Orioles leading the Rangers 8–3, pitcher Albert Suárez delivered, and plate umpire Manny Gonzalez called ball two. Catcher Samuel Basallo tapped. The scoreboard showed the pitch clipping the zone. Strike three. Game over.

For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a game ended on an ABS challenge.

In one week, the sport produced its first manager ejected over a robot, its first no-look challenge walk, and its first game-ending ABS call. A viral moment every single day.

This isn’t a rollout—it’s a detonation, and baseball needed it.

What separates ABS from a gimmick is simple: it’s strategic, and strategy is watchable. Teams get two challenges. Use them late, and you can swing a game. Burn them early, and you’re exposed. Every fan becomes a strategist.

There’s another wrinkle: only the batter, pitcher, or catcher can challenge—not the manager and not the dugout. One player, moment, and decision that affects everything. Challenge on ego early, and your team may not have one when it matters.

Early numbers reflect that tension. Catchers are winning challenges 64 percent of the time. Hitters, just 42 percent. Some teams are already telling pitchers not to challenge at all. This is chess at 95 miles per hour, and unlike traditional replay, it happens instantly.

No delay, no dead air—just tension, quick resolution, and fan reaction.

For decades, fans had to learn each umpire’s strike zone like a scouting report. Who squeezed pitchers, gave the low strike, and owned the outside corner. There wasn’t one strike zone. There were thirty. Now, for the first time, there’s accountability.

It’s also important to understand what this system is not.

In Korea, the KBO uses full automation. Every pitch is called by a computer and relayed through an earpiece to an umpire. There’s no graphic, reveal, or shared moment. No drama. That’s not theater. That’s a printout.

ABS gets the balance right. The human element stays. The worst misses don’t, and the fans get the moment.

Will some of the novelty fade? Of course. The first challenge will always feel bigger than the thousandth. But we’ve heard that before. The pitch clock was supposed to wear off. It didn’t. It became the game.

ABS is built the same way. It’s not cosmetic; it’s structural. Plus, it changes every close pitch in every close game. That doesn’t get boring. That becomes baseball.

The ratings will tell the full story eventually. They always do. But the early signals are impossible to ignore. Clips drive attention. Attention drives viewership.

Right now, baseball has something it’s been missing for years: a nightly reason to watch—not just for outcomes, but for moments. Because suddenly, any pitch can flip a game. Any player can take control. Any tap of the helmet can bring 35,000 people to their feet.

That’s not a gimmick nor a trend. That’s the sound of baseball finding its pulse again.

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.

Why Joe Thomas is Putting Listeners First with ‘First Thing Today’ on Talk Media Network

Garrett Searight
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Why Joe Thomas is Putting Listeners First with ‘First Thing Today’ on Talk Media Network

When Talk Media Network built its morning lineup, it needed someone who understood both the craft and the audience. Joe Thomas fits that description.

His show, First Thing Today, airs weekdays from 5 to 9 AM ET and Saturdays from 6 to 9 AM ET, and it’s making a distinct mark in a crowded space.

Thomas doesn’t think the show’s job is to tell listeners what to believe. He’s direct about it.

“I really believe that people get inundated by so many people saying ‘You must agree with me’ on their shows,” said Thomas. “I like to just lay it out there. I’ll tell them what I see in the tea leaves, but I’m not trying to sales pitch them an opinion. Their opinion is theirs, and if I do my job right, they’d agree with me — but I’m not going to try to make that an entry barrier.”

That philosophy drives every hour of First Thing Today. Listeners from San Antonio to Portland are responding — many in places where Joe Thomas was never a household name. He credits that connection to something simple — finding out how the news actually lands in real lives.

“I want to know how the news is impacting a listener where they are. We’ve got great response from folks in San Antonio and Portland and places nobody had ever heard of me before,” he joked. “They appreciate the fact that I’ll either read their words from a text message or take their phone call, and just try to find out how all this craziness is hitting them where they are. I can think something’s important, but if the listener doesn’t, then I’m losing.”

Years spent working across different markets built the instincts behind that approach. Thomas knows the difference between Lancaster, New York and Lancaster, Pennsylvania — and more importantly, he knows the people in both places share more than they might expect.

“There are common denominators of people’s lives, and you start from there and build out,” said Thomas. “Everyone’s got those things they’re proud of in their neighborhoods, but there are things that we all get hit with. Having experienced that, it makes it a lot easier for me to tap into what somebody is going through in Youngstown, Ohio, or Greenwich, Connecticut.”

Starting at 5 AM ET gives First Thing Today a competitive edge Thomas embraces fully. By the time other shows are warming up, his audience is already informed.

“It gives us a chance to get out there before everyone else starts spinning it,” Thomas said. “That’s refreshing, especially to the folks who live in central and further west, because they’re getting it at 4 o’clock or 3 o’clock in the morning, and so they’re really getting a jump start on what the stories are going to be.”

That advantage showed itself on New Year’s Day, when a terrorist attack struck New Orleans. First Thing Today was live and talking to people in the city while most of the media world was still catching up.

Saturdays represent another area where Joe Thomas pushed against convention. Most national shows treat the weekend as downtime. He rejects that entirely.

“The listener isn’t working Monday through Friday 9 to 5 anymore,” he shared. “The demographics have changed. Most people, if they don’t have a 5 day a week job, they have a 6 day a week job, or they’re doing a gig job. It’s not ‘hey, I’ve got the weekend off.’ They’re either working their second job, or their first job is a flex job that maybe goes Tuesday through Saturday. Saturdays are so much more of a regular work day for so many people — why would I skip that?”

Away from the microphone, Thomas is navigating the realities of station ownership at WTON in Staunton, Virginia. Challenges have come fast. WTON lost its transmitter tower lease — a blow Thomas calls typically fatal for AM operations. Through relationships built over 17 years in central Virginia, he found a path through it. He expects the station back at full strength soon. Still, the experience clarified something bigger about the state of the industry.

“These big national corporations are struggling with the debt they owe to Wall Street and they can’t focus on their number one customer, which is the listener,” the WTON owner said. “They’re too busy worrying about the customer on Wall Street. Each one’s 6%, 9% down — and it’s great opportunities for guys like me to be individual ownerships.”

Thomas also keeps a sharp eye on how competitors handle their stumbles. Rather than celebrating when a rival struggles, he sees it as a collective loss.

“There are lots of people who celebrate when one of our competitors does something wrong or gets in trouble. I hate that because it makes us all look bad,” Thomas concluded. “That’s either a listener or a client that says, ‘I don’t like radio anymore.’ I want us all to be successful so that we all have to just chase the best.”

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.

While the Focus is on CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Has Built an Interesting Story

Garrett Searight
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While the Focus is on CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Has Built an Interesting Story

When Lester Holt announced he’d be stepping away from the anchor desk, the conventional wisdom was obvious: NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas would take a ratings hit. Lose the face of your franchise — someone widely regarded as one of the most trusted voices in broadcast news — and viewers are bound to follow him out the door. That’s just how it works, right? Except it hasn’t worked that way at all.

Tom Llamas has quietly steadied the ship. More than that, he’s actually helped close a gap that’s been widening for years.

Sure, most of the recent industry conversation has centered on the CBS Evening News. That’s understandable. The changes being implemented there under Bari Weiss carry a certain magnetism for media watchers. Every move generates headlines, and those headlines generate more conversation. It’s a cycle that feeds itself. But while everyone’s watching CBS stumble through its identity crisis, NBC’s been doing something worth noticing.

NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas still trails ABC’s World News Tonight in overall viewership. That’s not a secret. However, the gap in the Adults 25-54 demographic — the one advertisers actually care most about — has shrunk considerably. In the first quarter of 2025, NBC posted its closest margin to ABC in that demo in 25 quarters. You’d have to go all the way back to the final three months of 2019 to find a comparable showing. That’s not a fluke. It’s a trend.

The numbers back it up further. NBC averaged more than a million viewers in the 25-54 demo during Q1. That’s nearly double what CBS drew in the same category. And it puts Llamas right on ABC’s heels. For a newscast that was supposedly vulnerable after its anchor transition, that’s a remarkable position to be in.

Now, some will argue that total viewers are the only number that matters. There’s merit to that argument — overall ratings remain the broadest measure of a broadcast’s reach. It’s the way we judge every show, right, wrong, or indifferent.

But advertisers don’t just buy eyeballs. They buy the right eyeballs. Adults 25-54 represents prime spending years, and brands pay a premium to reach them. NBC News coming close to winning that demographic is enormously valuable. It’s the prize many advertisers are actually chasing.

There’s also a bigger strategic picture here that’s easy to miss. Each evening newscast isn’t just competing for nightly ratings — it’s functioning as a gateway drug for its parent network’s entire ecosystem. NBC wants you watching Tom Llamas at 6:30. Then maybe you stick around for primetime. Then The Tonight Show keeps you up a little later, which means your TV’s already tuned to NBC when you wake up. So you catch the Today show over your morning coffee. One touchpoint leads to the next. Before long, you’re a loyal NBC viewer across the board — and maybe even a Peacock subscriber or a regular on the NBC News NOW streaming channel.

That’s not an accident. It’s a now-tried-and-true strategy. I’ve been a long opponent of the term “ecosystem” being so prevalently used in our business. It sounds ridiculous, in my view. But, the more I think about it, the more it’s true. Especially in today’s TV realm. There are now legitimate ecosystems in television. And the nightly newscast is the foundation. If that foundation is cracking, everything built on top of it wobbles. But if it’s holding firm — if it’s actually gaining ground — then the whole structure benefits.

Llamas has done more than hold the fort following Holt’s departure. He’s rebuilt some credibility in a category the network hadn’t owned in years. The overall ratings race with ABC isn’t even close to over — and it may not be for a while. And I wouldn’t expect NBC Nightly News to overtake David Muir and ABC News’ World News Tonight in the overall ratings anytime soon.

But NBC’s closing argument in the demo battle is getting harder to dismiss. The quiet story of this ratings season isn’t what’s happening at CBS. It’s what’s happening at 30 Rockefeller Plaza every weeknight at 6:30.

Don’t sleep on it.

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.

Phil “PK” Kukawinski Departs Louisville’s ALT 105.1

BMM Staff
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Phil “PK” Kukawinski Departs Louisville’s ALT 105.1

Phil “PK” Kukawinski has exited Connoisseur Media’s ALT 105.1 in Louisville after seven years with the brand. He had served as Program Director and evening host since March 2019.

Kukawinski played a key role in shaping the station’s alternative identity during his tenure. In addition to overseeing programming, he maintained an on-air presence in evenings, helping connect the brand with its core audience.

Kukawinski announced the departure via his social media channels.

Before joining ALT 105.1, Kukawinski held similar programming responsibilities with Times-Shamrock Communications, contributing to Alt 92.1. He also worked as a programming assistant at 89X CIMX, a heritage brand in the alternative space.

Earlier in his career, Kukawinski served as a music director and freelance writer for AOL Radio, where he focused heavily on indie music. That experience helped establish his reputation for discovering and supporting emerging artists.

A graduate of Oakland University with a degree in communication, Kukawinski built a strong foundation for a career in radio programming and content development. His departure follows a period of transition for the Louisville station.

ALT 105.1 changed ownership after Connoisseur Media acquired Alpha Media in the fall of last year, prompting shifts across multiple markets.

It remains unclear what Kukawinski’s next move will be.

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.

Audacy Layoffs Continue, New Regional Leadership Structure Announced

BNM Staff
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Audacy Layoffs Continue, New Regional Leadership Structure Announced

A round of layoffs at Audacy is underway, with the radio company seeing changes at the programming and leadership levels.

If you or someone you know is affected, please email John@BarrettMedia.com and Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.

Barrett Media will continue to update this story as new information becomes available.

Affected Employees

In Houston, the Frito and Katy Morning Show — hosted by Tucker “Frito” Young and Katy Dempsey — has exited at 100.3 The Bull, Barrett Media has confirmed. Young and Dempsey joined the station in January 2025. Previously, they won the 2024 CMA Award for Major Market Personality of the Year, as well as a Marconi Award in 2021. They worked at Y100 in San Antonio before joining the Audacy Houston country brand. Young addressed the news in a Facebook post.

In Cleveland, traffic reporter Joe Czekaj has announced his exit. “I very much loved working for Audacy (WNCX, 92.3, Star 102, and Q 104) and after 7 years with them, I was informed today that my position has been eliminated,” Czekaj wrote in a post on social media. “Thank you to all who tuned in and for the immense support over the years. I’m not sure where I’ll go from here.”

In Seattle, Emma 94.1 and Hot 103.7 Assistant Program Director Doug Duin has departed. He also served as the Music Director of Emma 94.1. He joined Audacy in 2022 after previously spending nine years working in a variety of capacities at crosstown iHeartMedia Seattle.

Matt McAllister shared on Instagram that his run with 100.7 The Wolf in Seattle and 107.9 KMLE in Phoenix has ended. He didn’t disclose whether his co-hosts Gabe Mercer and Ron Koons were also exiting or continuing on.

Additionally, in Seattle, Digital Sales Manager Linda Hansen has exited.

In Riverside, Vicki Pepper-McDonel exits after 13 years at K-Frog 95.1. Pepper-McDonel served as a traffic reporter, public affairs director as well as some fill in shifts and weekends. Her previous stops include several stints across southern California including KUZZ FM in Bakersfield and the former KZLA in Los Angeles.

In Philadelphia, Sportsradio 94 WIP Eagles reporter Devan Kaney is out. Kaney has been with the station since 2022, regularly co-hosting WIP’s morning show alongside Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie. She also took over as the station’s sideline reporter on the Eagles’ radio broadcast late in the 2024 season, following Howard Eskin’s abrupt exit.

Kaney said she intends to remain in the Philly market, and will continue as weekend anchor at Fox 29 in Philadelphia.

Elsewhere in Pennsylvania, Maria D’Antonio has exited middays at Y108. Radio Insight was first to report the news. D’Antonio was with the radio station for more than a decade. In a post on Facebook she expressed her appreciation for her listeners, shared how much she’s loved working in radio, and acknowledged that this wasn’t how she wanted her career to end. With her future unclear, she’s planning to spend time with family and friends as she figures out what’s next.

In Hartford, David Simpson exits his position as afternoon drive talent at Lite 100.5. Simpson has over three decades of experience, including programming and on-air stints in Providence, Boston, and New York.

In Baltimore, Digital Sales Manager Jessica Fessler has departed the company.

In Atlanta, Digital Sales Manager Marcos Pieras has exited.

Restructuring of Market/Regional Leadership

Audacy has also announced plans to do away with Market Managers. Now, the company will utilize Regional Presidents, Regional Vice Presidents, and Senior Vice Presidents/Sales leaders.

In a memo to staffers obtained by Barrett Media, Audacy CEO Kelli Turner unveiled the new structure.

“We’ve made enormous progress over the past year in positioning Audacy for a strong and sustainable future in a fast-changing business and world,” Turner wrote. “Today, to better capture opportunities, scale success, and sharpen our competitive edge, we are putting in place a regionalized sales organization.

“The five regions under our Regional Presidents are now supported by a new group of Regional Vice Presidents. These RVPs will oversee a group of markets designed to scale opportunities and drive revenue growth. Along with the recent change of having Brand Managers reporting into Format Vice Presidents, this is the right approach for our business today and especially for tomorrow.

The new sales structure is built to preserve our deep local roots while removing historical “market walls” that sometimes limit collaboration and reach. It empowers our teams to unlock new local and national budgets, streamline processes, and focus relentlessly on what we do best: driving results for clients and serving our communities.”

Currently, the Regional Presidents at Audacy are:

  • Jeff Federman (West Region, including: Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento)
  • Mark Hannon (East Region, including: Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit)
  • Claudia Menegus (Southeast Region, including: Miami, Orlando, Charlotte, Greensboro)
  • Debbie Kenyon (Central Region, including: Detroit, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee)
  • Chris Oliviero (Chief Business Officer)

The new Regional Vice Presidents are:

  • Dan Barron (Greensboro, Greenville, New Orleans, Memphis, Chattanooga)
  • Matt Bewley (Miami, Orlando, Gainesville)
  • Sarah Frazier (Austin, Dallas, Houston)
  • Kieran Geffert (San Diego, Riverside, San Francisco, Seattle, Sacramento)
  • Micah Goldberg (Denver, Portland, Las Vegas, Phoenix)
  • Pete Kowalski (Detroit, Minneapolis, Madison, Milwaukee, Cleveland)
  • Roxanne Marati (Kansas City, St. Louis, Wichita)
  • Brian Rooney (New York, Boston, Hartford, Springfield)
  • Dave Scopinich (Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Wilkes-Barre)
  • Michael Spacciapolli (Norfolk, Richmond, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Rochester)

Turner added that in spite of some employees moving on from market manager roles, they have been reassigned to other positions. She also addressed the downsizing taking place around the company.

“These decisions are never easy or made lightly, and we are handling this process as respectfully and professionally as possible,” said Turner. “There is a lot of change inside our company, in our industry, and in the world. And I know that can be unsettling. I am grateful for everyone’s continued dedication and focus. Together, we are accomplishing a lot, and I’m confident we have a clearer, more effective structure and path to continue to win. Thank you for all your amazing work.”

Market Manager Changes

With Audacy introducing a new SVP of Sales role, multiple sources tell Barrett Media that Tracy Brandys has accepted that position in Baltimore. Meanwhile in St. Louis, Becky Domyan will not be assuming the role. Sources tell Barrett Media that she has announced that she is stepping down and exiting the company.

Key leaders in Chicago, Boston, and Atlanta are transitioning to different roles too.

Longtime Atlanta boss Rick Caffey steps into the created role of Chairman. Caffey is expected to advise the Atlanta cluster and focus on growing the Urban format for both listeners and clients. Part of his new role includes working closely with Urban Format Vice President, Skip Dillard.

In addition, Chicago Market Manager Kevin Cassidy will reportedly be involved with ‘special company projects’ according to multiple sources. Details on what that will specifically entail were not clear.

Furthermore, Barrett Media has learned that Mike Thomas will step into the position of SVP Programming in Boston. The role change includes joining Mitch Rosen and Chris Kinard as Sports Format Vice President. Prior to becoming Audacy Boston’s Market Manager, Thomas excelled in programming the sports format. He helped build and lead 98.5 The Sports Hub to massive success before exiting to lead ESPN 1000 in Chicago. How his job change affects Ken Laird moving forward is unclear, though sources tell Barrett Media WEEI would like to retain him.

In Greenville, Senior Vice President and Market Manager Steve Sincropi has departed after more than 12 years with the cluster.

Meanwhile, in Richmond, Senior Vice President and Market Manager Bennett Zier will remain with the organization, Barrett Media has learned..

Additional Recent Developments

The layoffs come after the company has announced moves in its upper management ranks.

Last week, Senior Vice President of Programming and Music Initiatives Michael Martin announced he’d step down. Friday, May 1st will be Martin’s final day. He originally joined the company in 2009. While working in San Francisco, he’s led Alice at 97.3 FM, 99.7 Now, and Live 105.

Additionally, Philadelphia Market Manager and Senior Vice President David Yadgaroff announced his intention to retire later this year. His final day will be in late May, concluding a 36-year run with the company.

Detroit Senior Vice President and Market Manager Debbie Kenyon received a promotion earlier this week. She added oversight to Chicago, Cleveland, Madison, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis, among others, as the Central Region President.

*This is a developing story.*

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

The Conclave Sets Date for Final Event and Online Celebration

BMM Staff
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The Conclave Sets Date for Final Event and Online Celebration

The Conclave, the long-running radio and audio industry event, has announced the dates for its final event, as well as an online event to celebrate its legacy.

Conclave 45: The Last Conclave is set for September 15th through the 17th. The final event will be held in Minneapolis.

“This final gathering represents both a culmination and a celebration — bringing the industry together one last time for the signature learning, networking, and idea-sharing experience that has defined The Conclave for half a century,” the organization said.

To register for the event, click here.

Additionally, on Friday, April 17th, an online event will be held to remember the previous iterations of the event. That online event will begin at 2 PM ET.

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.

Fox News Adds Former Miami Mayor Francis Suarez as Contributor

BNM Staff
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Fox News Adds Former Miami Mayor Francis Suarez as Contributor

Fox News has announced it has added Francis Suarez as a new contributor, focusing on legal and political analysis.

Suarez served as a two-term mayor of the city of Miami. He served from 2017 to 2025. He also served as the President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors from 2022 to 2023. His father, Xavier Suarez, also served as mayor of the Florida city.

A Republican, Suarez launched a Presidential bid in 2024. He ended his campaign after he failed to qualify for the first primary debate.

Before serving as mayor of Miami, Francis Suarez worked as a lawyer. Currently, Suarez is the President of Alpha Wave Global, an investment firm with nearly $30 billion in assets.

Francis Suarez is slated to make his debut as a Fox News contributor on Thursday evening. His first appearance will be on Special Report with Bret Baier at 6 PM ET.

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.

HBO Max, truTV To Host Final Four Alt-Cast During Michigan, Arizona Match Up

BSM Staff
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HBO Max, truTV To Host Final Four Alt-Cast During Michigan, Arizona Match Up

The voices of one of college basketball’s most influential groups will return to the spotlight during Final Four weekend. Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball’s famed Fab Five will reunite for a special alternate broadcast of the national semifinal matchup against Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball on Saturday, April 4. The presentation will air on truTV and HBO Max, while the traditional game broadcast will be available across TBS, TNT and HBO Max.

All five members of Michigan’s iconic 1991 recruiting class plan to appear together on-site in Indianapolis. The gathering marks one of the few times the group has reunited publicly in more than 30 years.

Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson will be featured throughout the alternate telecast. Adam Lefkoe will host the broadcast, guiding discussion and reactions as the game unfolds.

The altcast format will lean into conversation and storytelling. The Fab Five are expected to provide real-time analysis, behind-the-scenes memories and reflections on their historic run in Ann Arbor. The approach mirrors other personality-driven broadcasts that have gained traction across major sports events.

Michigan’s Fab Five reshaped the sport when they arrived as freshmen in 1991. The group blended elite talent with cultural influence, helping redefine how college athletes were viewed both on and off the court. Their baggy shorts, black socks and unapologetic confidence became part of basketball’s broader identity.

On the court, the results matched the attention. Michigan reached back-to-back national championship games in 1992 and 1993, cementing the Fab Five’s place in NCAA history. Although a title eluded them, their impact has endured across generations.

Saturday’s alternate presentation aims to tap into that legacy while offering viewers a different way to experience the Final Four. The combination of nostalgia, personality and live game reaction could appeal to both longtime fans and newer audiences.

The Fab Five broadcast will follow the first national semifinal between Illinois Fighting Illini men’s basketball and UConn Huskies men’s basketball, which is scheduled for a 6:09 p.m. ET tip.

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ESPN Radio Reportedly Targeting Matt Jones, Myron Medcalf As Replacement For Clinton Yates

BSM Staff
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ESPN Radio Reportedly Targeting Matt Jones, Myron Medcalf As Replacement For Clinton Yates

ESPN Radio appears to be closing in on its next weekday lineup move following the recent departure of Clinton Yates.

According to a report from Front Office Sports, Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf are currently viewed as the leading candidates to take over the 10 a.m. to noon ET window. While momentum appears to be building, a deal has not yet been finalized but discussions reportedly are ongoing.

ESPN has declined comment to Barrett Media on the reporting.

Both Jones and Medcalf are already part of the network’s radio lineup. The duo co-hosts a weekend program, giving ESPN a level of familiarity and on-air chemistry to build from if the move becomes official. Promoting internal talent would also align with the company’s recent approach to roster adjustments across its audio platform.

Jones currently hosts Kentucky Sports Radio, a program that airs on multiple stations throughout the state of Kentucky, including 630 WLAP in Lexington and outlets in Louisville. However, his current show occupies the same midday timeslot ESPN is looking to fill. Jones also signed a five-year extension with iHeartMedia in February of 2025 which extends through 2029. Both of which could be affecting current discussions.

Meanwhile, Medcalf offers deep reporting experience and a long tenure with ESPN. He joined the company in 2011 as a contributor before transitioning into a full-time role covering college basketball in 2013. Over the years, he has expanded his presence across ESPN platforms, including radio, television and digital.

The opening was created after Yates wrapped up his run with the network last week. Yates joined ESPN in February 2016 and served as a columnist and commentator across various ESPN programs, in addition to hosting his daily radio show from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Yates’ program, Clinton & Friends, debuted on ESPN Radio in January of last year after Mike Greenberg stepped down from his daily Greeny program following a five-year run.

Currently, ESPN Radio is rotating through several different pairings of talent in the interim.

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