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Megyn Kelly Vaults Into Top 10 of Triton Digital July Podcast Rankings as Dan Bongino Moves Into Top 5

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Megyn Kelly Vaults Into Top 10 of Triton Digital July Podcast Rankings as Dan Bongino Moves Into Top 5

Triton Digital has released its July podcast rankings and the signs are encouraging for Dan Bongino and Megyn Kelly.

The Megyn Kelly Show improved its position by three spots, moving into 10th. It is joined in the top 10 by fellow SiriusXM Podcast Network show Pod Save America, which was up one spot from the previous month in eighth place.

The only other show that saw positive movement inside the top ten was The Dan Bongino Show. The Cumulus Podcast Network program moved up one place to fifth in the Top Podcasts by Weekly Average Downloads category.

The top four places were unchanged during July as NPR News Now, Up First, Dateline NBC, and Crime Junkie remained the best-finishing programs.

Other prominent shows included The Charlie Kirk Show (14th), The NPR Politics Podcast (15th), The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show (19th), Consider This From NPR (23rd), and The Mark Levin Podcast (25th).

The top five Sales Networks By Weekly Average Downloads in the Triton Digital rankings were iHeart Audience Network, SiriusXM Podcast Network, NPR, Wondery, and Audioboom.

Meanwhile, radio companies with podcast divisions like Audacy Podcast Network (6th), Cumulus Podcast Network (8th), and Salem Podcast Network (11th) also so strong showings during July.

Lester Holt, Savannah Guthrie to Lead NBC News Primetime Coverage of Democratic National Convention

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Lester Holt, Savannah Guthrie to Lead NBC News Primetime Coverage of Democratic National Convention

NBC News is plotting its coverage for the Democratic National Convention, and Lester Holt and Savannah Guthrie have been tabbed to lead the way in primetime.

Lester Holt will anchor NBC Nightly News from Chicago during each night of the convention. He will anchor primetime coverage of the event by himself on Monday evening from 10-11 PM ET. Savannah Guthrie will join him in the Windy City on Tuesday (10-11 PM ET), Wednesday (9-11 PM ET), and Thursday (9-11 PM ET) on both NBC and its streaming platform, NBC News Now. Guthrie will anchor TODAY from Chicago on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Additionally, Kristen Welker will host daily editions of Meet the Press NOW on the streaming platform at 4 PM ET. She will be based in Chicago from Monday through Thursday.

In total, NBC News will have more than two dozen anchors, correspondents, producers, and reporters on location from the event.

The 2024 Democratic National Convention is scheduled for Monday, August 19th through Thursday, August 24th at the United Center in Chicago.

Portland Trail Blazers Leaving ROOT Sports

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The Portland Trail Blazers organization is parting ways with ROOT Sports, agreeing to a split with the regional sports network with one year remaining on the contract. This move brings the Trail Blazers in a cadre that includes the Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns as teams to move on from cable television and pursue other broadcast opportunities. While no announcement has been made about where fans can watch games, a report from Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal indicates that as many as four over-the-air stations are aiming to air the teams. Moreover, a direct-to-consumer app is reportedly in development, which would allow fans to view games away from a traditional television apparatus.

Warner Bros. Discovery exited the regional sports network business last year, placing ROOT Sports in complete ownership by the Seattle Mariners. John Stanton, the majority owner of the team, stated earlier in the summer that the plan was to continue operating the network independently for the 2025 season. Yet in the last six months, the outlet has now lost the Seattle Kraken and Portland Trail Blazers, raising questions pertaining to the sustainability of the outlet.

“Trail Blazers basketball will no longer air on ROOT Sports, but we thank ROOT Sports for years of great partnership,” the Portland Trail Blazers said in a statement. “An exciting announcement on the future television home of Blazers basketball will be made soon.”

The ongoing Ch. 11 bankruptcy of Diamond Sports Group and changes of industry headwinds have raised questions about the viability of regional sports networks going forward. New York Knicks owner James Dolan criticized the new 11-year media rights deals signed by the National Basketball Association with The Walt Disney Company (ESPN/ABC), NBCUniversal (NBC, Peacock) and Amazon (Prime Video), claiming that they threaten “to completely eliminate” regional sports networks. This point of contention was raised after an increased amount of exclusive and nonexclusive games for national partners, presumably reducing the overall number of games for regional sports networks.

As Diamond Sports Group tries to determine its reorganization plan after receiving an extension from the bankruptcy court, it is currently looking to continue operations beyond the 2024-25 NBA season. The Sinclair subsidiary had originally planned to cease operations following the 2024 MLB season; however, a deal with Amazon that includes a $450 million proposal with creditors to continue business has now altered the equation.

The NBA had previously agreed to a deal with Diamond Sports Group in which the league and the 15 teams under the Bally Sports banner would receive control of their broadcast and digital rights in the offseason. Amid the bankruptcy proceedings, the company has dropped and/or lost teams such as the San Diego Padres, Arizona Coyotes and Florida Panthers, and sources indicated to Friend that Diamond Sports Group is close to losing one more team in the NBA. Among the group of teams that could reportedly leave are the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic.

The Trail Blazers broadcast a preseason game over-the-air on FOX 12 KPTV, owned by Gray Television, and the network also presented regular-season games for the Rip City Remix of the NBA G League. Additionally, the organization has its own production team and sells advertising inventory for games as well. The Trail Blazers will try to qualify for the NBA Playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 season when the Western Conference team was eliminated in the first round.

ESPN Amplifying its Data-Driven Storytelling and Broadcasts for NCAA Sports, NBA and WNBA

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ESPN Amplifying its Data-Driven Storytelling and Broadcasts for NCAA Sports, NBA and WNBA

In a recent announcement, ESPN revealed that it has established a new long-term partnership with Genius Sports. This agreement will play a critical role in revolutionizing the way ESPN presents live sports analysis, not only for NCAA games but also for NBA and WNBA broadcasts.

With this collaboration, ESPN will have access to real-time team and player statistics from Genius Sports, the sole provider of official NCAA Data. This means that ESPN can now access data from over 65,000 NCAA games annually, covering various sports such as basketball, football, ice hockey, volleyball, and soccer

“Genius Sports is a proven entity in the space that we know very well from our previous work together,” said Jeff Bennett, Vice President, Stats & Information Group, ESPN in a release. “The new long-term agreement creates a runway for both sides to ideate into the future using augmented reality live execution concepts in ways that unlock the next generation of fan experiences.”

In addition, ESPN and Genius Sports are extending their partnership to include WNBA player-tracking data insights. Through this deal, ESPN gains access to Insight, a state-of-the-art tool used by all NBA and WNBA teams. This technology will allow ESPN to efficiently research, analyze, and create video clips showcasing team and player performance in both leagues.

“Following on from our work with ESPN to power the first fully branded sports broadcast with Marvel and immersive March Madness augmented megacasts, we are delighted to strike a major expansion with ESPN,” said Mark Locke, CEO of Genius Sports in a release. “As well as powering crucial NBA and WNBA insights, ESPN can utilize Genius Sports technology to power all of its NCAA data needs including next generation context experiences through our new GeniusIQ technology.”

Cumulus Media Announces Podcast Network Leadership Changes

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Cumulus Media Announces Podcast Network Leadership Changes

Cumulus Media has announced Carolyn Chauncey’s promotion to Senior Vice President, Marketing and Podcasting. In her role, Chauncey will lead the network’s day-to-day operations, content acquisition, editorial, and production. She will continue to direct corporate marketing for Cumulus Media, Westwood One, and the Cumulus Podcast Network and will report to Collin R. Jones, President of Westwood One and EVP, Corporate Strategy & Development for Cumulus Media. 

In a release, the company says Chauncey brings nearly three decades of media experience to the position, having achieved senior leadership positions in broadcast radio, video, digital, print, and experiential at companies such as Conde Nast Publications, Time Warner, and VEVO. Chauncey joined the company in 2016 and has overseen ad sales solutions, creative services, and audience development for Westwood One.

In another change, Jason Soderberg has been elevated to Vice President, Podcast Operations and Production. He will be responsible for managing all audio and video production for the podcast network as well as platform relations.

Additionally, Megan Devine has been promoted to Vice President, Podcast Sales Planning and Yield Optimization. The company said her role will help better align podcast sales planning and yield optimization with revenue-generating activities.

Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith: ‘Inside the NBA’ Has a Chance to ‘Make Television History Again’

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Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith: ‘Inside the NBA’ Has a Chance to ‘Make Television History Again’

While Charles Barkley has done plenty of talking about the ongoing saga with Warner Bros. Discovery and TNT losing out on NBA media right, the other three members of the team have not been as vocal. Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith was a guest of The Matt Thomas Show on SportsTalk 790 AM in Houston and Thomas asked Smith about what could be happening after next season.

“Inside the NBA is the greatest television program in the history of sports,” Thomas said to Smith. “And people want to know what it’s going to be like in a couple of years. Do you have any sort of answer at this point, or at least any sort of insight of the future of Inside the NBA after next season?”

Smith replied he is getting that question quite a bit as one would expect.

“It’s interesting,” Smith said. “I’ve been all over the world, man, and I hear that same question. I’ve been to Abu Dhabi. I’ve been to Europe. I’ve been to Miami. I’ve been to New York. They’re like, ‘what’s going on with the show?’ Everyone asks me that same exact question.

“For me, I feel a little bit like LeBron, his year when you got to eventually make an announcement. ‘We’re taking our talent to…’ “And if it’s with WBD, which is Turner, TNT, that would be fine. But if it’s somewhere else, I think the one thing that the four of us have, and I don’t take this lightly, this is really serious. We have the opportunity, collectively, if we move collectively, to create one of the most monumental sports movements in sports television history, where we can make sure that the producers, directors, stats, audio, visual, everyone is still employed.

“Before, we’re just really highly paid talent. We have an opportunity, possibly through all of the calls that I’m getting, to make television history again. And that, to me, is more important to make sure that the people that really helped us get to where we are, are still part of that.”

Smith and Thomas talked about some of the features of Inside the NBA such as Smith’s big board he uses to show highlights, things that have become staples of the show that will be greatly missed if it were to go away.

Smith said those things are, “so embedded in the fabric that we have to continue to be part of the NBA. And I’m excited, again, if the four of us move together, it’s going to be something. Or stay together at WBD. It will be something so monumental that no one has ever seen, ever, in sports television history.”

Report: Nicole Auerbach Entering Expanded Role with NBC Sports

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Report: Nicole Auerbach Entering Expanded Role with NBC Sports

Nicole Auerbach, a longtime college sports writer for a variety of outlets, announced last week that she was leaving The Athletic after seven years with the sports digital publication. Within her statement posted on X, she expressed gratitude for the company, looked back on what it was able to build and conveyed that she would have an announcement about her future plans soon.

As NBC Sports continues to bolster its coverage of college sports, Auerbach is taking an expanded role with the sports division where she will serve as the lead insider on coverage of college football and college basketball, including the Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference and Atlantic 10 Conference. Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal was the first to report Auerbach’s new job. Part of the role also includes regular columns and a new podcast for NBC Sports Digital platforms.

“After a great start last season, we look forward to Nicole expanding her insider role to include college basketball, while also adding a podcast and written content as we continue to deliver in-depth college sports coverage across our platforms,” Sam Flood, executive producer and president, NBC Sports Production, said in a statement.

Auerbach joined NBC Sports last year as a college football insider where she contributed to weekly editions of B1G College Countdown within the company’s first season of a seven-year deal with broadcast rights to the Big Ten Conference. The broadcast property will make its return to the air on Saturday, Sept. 7 in a matchup between Colorado and Nebraska on NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports begins its football coverage with four consecutive days of prime time programming, starting with the National Football League kickoff game between the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, a rematch of the 2023 AFC Championship Game.

“It’s a dream come true to work with NBC Sports across all of their college sports platforms,” Auerbach said in a statement. “I’ve always prided myself on my ability to break – and explain – the biggest news while also telling stories about the human side of sports, and NBC Sports is the perfect home for me to do both. I can’t wait to get to work.”

Auerbach was recently at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 where she covered swimming competitions for The Athletic, her final assignment with the digital outlet after seven years. Before her time with the publication, she worked as a national college sports reporter for USA TODAY where she served audiences across multiple platforms. The University of Michigan graduate was honored as the youngest winner of the National Sportswriter of the Year award by the National Sports Media Association in 2020.

In addition to her expanded role with NBC Sports, Auerbach will continue to host radio programming on SiriusXM. Earlier in the week, she hosted alongside Ben Hartsock on the SiriusXM College Sports Radio channel where they welcomed a variety of guests to contribute to the overall conversation.

CBS News Provides 4 Dates to JD Vance, Tim Walz for Vice Presidential Debate

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CBS News Provides 4 Dates to JD Vance, Tim Walz for Vice Presidential Debate

CBS News has long been tabbed to host a Vice Presidential debate. It has now given prospective dates to JD Vance and Tim Walz for when it could happen.

“Today, CBS News invited both vice-presidential candidates to participate in a debate in New York City,” a statement from the network read. “We provided the campaigns with four dates as options: Sept. 17, Sept. 24, Oct. 1 and Oct. 8,” the statement continued. “We look forward to their responses and providing voters with an opportunity to hear directly from the vice-presidential candidates.”

Tim Walz, the Minnesota Governor and running mate for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, wasted no time in responding to the offer. In a post to X, he wrote “See you on October 1, JD” seven minutes after CBS News announced the potential dates.

JD Vance, the Ohio Senator serving as running mate for former President Donald Trump atop the Republican ticket, shared that he has accepted the invitation from CBS News to debate on October 1st, and challenged Walz to an additional debate.

“Not only do I accept the CBS debate on October 1st, I accept the CNN debate on September 18th as well. I look forward to seeing you at both!” he wrote in a post to social media.

Radio Hall of Fame Selects Induction Ceremony Committee

BMM Staff
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Radio Hall of Fame Selects Induction Ceremony Committee

The Museum of Broadcast Communications has revealed their Nashville Induction Ceremony Committee for the 2024 Radio Hall of Fame ceremony.

The event will honor the 2024 inductees at the Omni Nashville on September 19th. It will be the first time the ceremony is held in Music City.

The Induction Ceremony Committee consists of broadcasters and music industry professionals who will promote and generate excitement for this live event in Nashville.

Lon Helton, an inductee from 2022, has been selected as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Members of the Nashville Induction Ceremony Committee include:

  • Bobby Bones, “The Bobby Bones Show”, Inductee                                                                       
  • RJ Curtis, Country Radio Seminar
  • Dan Endom, iHeartMedia-Nashville
  • Blair Garner, Inductee 
  • Lon Helton, Country Aircheck, Inductee
  • Gerry House, Inductee
  • Kurt Johnson, Townsquare Media                                                                       
  • Dan Mandis, “Nashville’s Morning News with Dan Mandis”/WWTN-FM                      
  • Gene McKay, Inside Radio/Country Insider
  • Mike McVay, McVay Media
  • John Shomby, Country’s Radio Coach                                                                              
  • Julie Talbott, Premiere Networks  
  • Greg Thompson, Big Loud Management                                 
  • Clay Travis, “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show”
  • Bud Walters, Cromwell Group, Inc. 

Dennis Green, Co-Chair of the Radio Hall of Fame, said: “The Radio Hall of Fame is delighted to have a who’s who of broadcasters participate in welcoming people to Nashville to honor the 2024 induction class to the Radio Hall of Fame.  We are excited to bring the event to Nashville for the first time and having broadcasters with ties to the Music City get the word out and be a part of this special event.”                                    

Libsyn Ads Tabs Rick Selah, Stephen Pickens, Anthony Savelli, Stephen Perlstein as New Executives

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Libsyn Ads Tabs Rick Selah, Stephen Pickens, Anthony Savelli, Stephen Perlstein as New Executives

After strong revenue growth, Libsyn Ads has announced the elevation of Rick Selah to Chief Revenue Officer as part of several new appointments.

Selah joined Libsyn in 2022 and has previously worked as the Director of Content Partnerships and the Executive Vice President of Sales for the company. Before joining the company, Selah had co-founded Pod Ad Reps which was ultimately acquired by Libsyn.

“Podcast advertising is rapidly gaining traction, drawing more advertisers eager to reach engaged audiences with sophisticated targeting and measurement on par with other digital channels,” said Selah. “We’re continuing to invest in product innovation and deepen our talent pool to expand relationships with advertisers and agencies, empowering more brands to harness the power of our host-read, dynamic, and programmatic ad offerings as we enter our next phase of accelerated growth.”

With the company now expanding to cover hundreds of podcasts, it has expanded its executive team. Stephen Pickens and Anthony Savelli have each been promoted to Executive Vice President of Sales. Industry veteran Stephen Perlsetin has been added as the Senior Vice President of Publishing.

The executive expansion comes after Libsyn revealed a 24% year-over-year uptick in host-read ads during the first half of the year.

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