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20 Brands in 20 Days: Allan Lamberti, WPLR, New Haven

David Hill
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20 Brands in 20 Days: Allan Lamberti, WPLR, New Haven

Fifty-five years. Same call letters. Same format. And same unwavering commitment to rock and roll.

WPLR New Haven doesn’t just have longevity — it has genuine staying power. Most radio stations can only dream about this kind of endurance. According to Allan Lamberti, the station’s program director and rock format coordinator for Connoisseur, “We are one of I think five or six across the country that can claim that sort of a legacy.” The reason is simple: it never lost sight of who it is. In a radio landscape where legacy stations have died, flipped formats, or slowly faded, WPLR is thriving because “Being the voice of New Haven, being live and local, and the legendary personalities — it is just how it all comes together.”

The Talent Behind the Legacy

Walk through the WPLR day part, and you understand what that means in practice. Chaz and AJ in the morning have been on the station for 22 years, building themselves into recognizable commodities in Greater New Haven. “They cannot go anywhere in Greater New Haven without somebody saying, ‘Hey, is that AJ?'” Lamberti notes. A few years ago, the pair won a Marconi Award for market personality — a testament to staying power in a fast-moving format. Chaz is the front person; AJ is the wacky side guy. Ultimately, they’ve formed a partnership that has taken the morning show “by storm.”

Then there’s Mike Lapitino in afternoons, about to cross 40 years in the exact same day part. Forty years. “If you have been driving home in Connecticut for the last 40 years, every day at 5 p.m. you hear his voice, except for when he takes a vacation,” Lamberti says with genuine reverence. Lapitino has been named to the Connecticut Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame and will be inducted in October. He’s not just a personality — he’s an institution. Midday host Phil keeps momentum rolling with music and hourly features, including live lunch and the class reunion (three songs from a different year). At night, Jon Kamal hosts and runs a local music show on Sunday nights, deeply embedded in the New Haven music scene. “We’re very lucky to have the lineup that we do during the week,” Lamberti says.

The through-line is unmistakable: everyone is homegrown. Everyone is from Connecticut. Everyone is ingrained within the community. There’s no revolving door of outside talent chasing bigger markets. These personalities grew up listening to WPLR. Now they’re the reason new generations do the same.

Evolution Without Abandonment

But longevity isn’t just about talent — it’s about never losing the thread of what makes the station unique. WPLR hasn’t stayed static. Instead, it’s evolved intelligently. “We have moved truly from the natural evolution of what AOR was in the 70s and into the 80s into a mainstream rocker,” Lamberti explains, moving from AOR in the ’70s and ’80s toward mainstream rock. “We touch into the 2000s. And we know that music has evolved, but we haven’t forgotten where we came from.” The station’s philosophy is deceptively simple: embrace the depth of the music and the catalog and do cool things on the air.

That philosophy shows up in the details. For 13 years, WPLR has done the 1776 for the week of the Fourth of July, playing 1,776 songs in a row without a repeat. “Nobody else in our market and nobody else nearby is doing anything like that,” Lamberti says. This Labor Day, they’re running an A-to-Z week for back to school that will take eight days to complete. They’ll also do random double-shot weekends — one might be all live cuts from the library, the definitive live versions; the next might be an ’80s weekend or a ’90s weekend. Random. Surprising. Dynamic. “Every time they tune in, they are surprised,” Lamberti says. “That really is the objective.”

Strategy Meets Adventure

This is where strategy meets risk-taking. Most radio programming operates on sameness, locking in a format and executing it day after day, week after week. WPLR does the opposite. Within guardrails (it’s still a rock station, still serving its core community), the station creates a listening experience that’s anything but predictable. When asked whether WPLR attributes its longevity to this sense of adventure, Lamberti doesn’t hesitate: “Yes, I I think our listeners allow us to take chances now and then as long as it fits the attitude and the legacy and the brand of the station.” That permission — that trust from the audience — is what separates WPLR from stations that have failed. The audience knows what WPLR is. They trust the brand. And they’re willing to be surprised because the surprises fit, reinforcing rather than contradicting the core identity.

Exporting the Philosophy

Now, as rock format coordinator for Connoisseur, Lamberti is trying to export that philosophy. He oversees 18 rock stations, and his mission is clear: get them to stop doing the same thing week after week and start creating special features that matter to their markets. That 1776 concept? Six other Connoisseur stations did it this year, and “their listeners were overwhelmed and couldn’t believe that what they were hearing,” he says. One program director even admitted: “If he had heard this on his competitor, he would have been pissed.” “That’s something that I’ve really been able to work with a lot of great guys and help develop their brands and try new things that maybe they hadn’t had an opportunity to do,”

Lamberti says. “We certainly encourage them coming up with fun ideas. Let’s make radio fun.” Fun is the word that keeps bubbling up in this conversation. It sounds simple. It sounds like a cliché. Lamberti knows this. “I know it’s cliche, but you know, find something you love and you never have to work a day in your life. But it’s not untrue,” he says. “The listeners make it fun. The colleagues here, everybody on the station makes it fun. The community makes it fun.”

The Standard of Longevity

WPLR has cracked something that most legacy radio stations haven’t. It’s not just preservation — it’s preservation paired with evolution. It’s not just nostalgia — it’s nostalgia rooted in a living, breathing present. And it’s not just survival — it’s growth within a niche that matters.

After 55 years as the same call letters, the same format, the same market-leading rock station, WPLR hasn’t become an artifact. It’s become a standard. And in a format where success is measured in decades, that’s the only longevity that counts.

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 Parker Hillis Feels the Time Was Right for To Rebrand SportsRadio 610 To 95.7 The Fan

John Mamola
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Why Parker Hillis Feels the Time Was Right for To Rebrand SportsRadio 610 To 95.7 The Fan

Today marks a new beginning for Audacy’s sports talk brand based in Houston, Texas. For 32 years, SportsRadio 610 has been known as Houston’s sports talk leader. But today, the brand and signal are forever changed as Audacy officially launches 95.7 The Fan with the kickoff of the Houston Texans’ 25th season set to begin. A moment that was in the works for years under the leadership of Brand Manager Parker Hillis.

“The timing ended up being perfect because of our amazing partnership with the Houston Texans,” said Parker Hillis, brand manager of 95.7 The Fan. “For us to start our new era at the start of an incredible era for them, it’s poetic for us. It made all the sense in the world to share in that moment with them. It’s football Christmas for us and the perfect storm in putting this all together.”

95.7 The Fan is the latest example of Audacy ensuring the company’s top sports talk outlets are being served to an FM audience. The station serves as Audacy’s 23rd sports talk brand on the FM dial, with several joining the ranks beginning this year in Chicago, Buffalo and Los Angeles.

For Hillis, who’s been serving as brand manager of 95.7 The Fan since May 2022, the shift to FM has been a long time in the making.

“It’s ultimately been a really long process. I’ve been lobbying for the move since day one when I began,” said Hillis. “We’ve been putting the pieces in place for eighteen months to two years. It was a slow process because it wasn’t a question if we were ready. It was a question of where do we go regarding the brand and signal.”

A Long Road To FM

While discussions had taken place over several years, the shift to FM did not become a realistic possibility until recently. Hillis said recent changes in Audacy management helped change that. The company’s increased focus on building sports talk brands on FM also played a key role. Those shifts moved the conversation from a possibility to a potential reality.

Finally, the moment came when approval was granted. For Hillis, it was a special moment to get across the finish line.

“The hardest part for me was keeping it quiet and under wraps for a handful of months,” noted Hillis. “I knew how exciting it was going to be for my team. Six months ago, I noticed the tides beginning to turn. To get the confirmation it was happening about three months ago was exciting.”

The opportunity for a legacy brand to shift to FM is unique. With that goal in mind following his arrival in Houston four years ago, Hillis approached building the brand in preparation for when the opportunity would arrive. While the Houston market does have sports talk on the FM dial, Hillis says the market desired more.

“For Houston, this is a gamechanger. I felt for a long time this market has been desperately in need for a true full market FM sports brand. We have such a rabid fanbase, that the market has been underserved,” said Hillis. “We’ve been operating as a station that was ready to go on the FM dial. We were just waiting for the opportunity by being FM ready. Had there been one, we probably would already be there.”

While the branding is evolving around the new FM signal, the station will retain its legacy 610 AM position. That preserves more than three decades of familiarity among Houston sports fans. Hillis and Audacy followed a similar path by keeping the AM signal alongside the shift to FM.

Hillis noted that over the past several months, research with focus groups showed that while the shift to FM was desired, a section of the audience still preferred what they’ve always known.

“The AM represents a handful of things with us. First and foremost, a level of consistency. It didn’t make sense to get rid of a legacy brand that’s been around for 32 years,” said Hillis. “We’ve received some feedback where maybe ten percent still prefer listening to their sports talk on the AM dial. There’s something nostalgic about that, and that’s really cool.”

A Fresh Look

He also noted that having the brand on both AM and FM creates opportunities to eventually split the brands. In addition, that approach could provide additional room for growth. Hillis said there are currently no plans for another rights deal on either dial. However, retaining the AM signal provides Audacy with additional options.

Unlike other Audacy sports talk brands shifting to FM, 95.7 The Fan is not just shifting to the FM band but also rebranding as The Fan. Moreover, the brand is synonymous with Audacy, stemming from WFAN in New York City. To date, 95.7 The Fan will be the 13th Audacy sports talk brand using The Fan branding.

“Over time we just got generically lumped in with the casual listener as ‘Sports 610.’ There hasn’t been a ton of separation. To us, there’s a power to having a unique and strong brand name like ‘The Fan’ or ‘The Ticket’ or ‘The Game.’ We had to determine what’s the value of SportsRadio 610 versus the value of a strong, well-regarded, more widespread sports brand name like ‘The Fan,’” explained Hillis.

Of anything regarding the shift to FM, Hillis noted that in the final stages of planning, the conversation about shifting to ‘The Fan’ was the item that took the most time and effort.

“The Fan speaks to the foundation and philosophies of what our radio brand is. We are a voice for fans and a place they can come to connect. This station is a collection of Houston sports fans walking these halls,” said Hillis. “I’m sure there will be questions regarding why go with a brand name that exists around the country. For me, that brand speaks to who we are and it’s a bonus that we get to share that moniker with so many strong stations around the country.”

With the rebrand comes a new look and a new logo as well. Hillis admits he’s not the most savvy graphic artist and admitted to using AI for early mockups of what he envisioned. In the end, Hillis said the logo was the element of this process he was most proud of. He noted every element of the logo has some tie to the Houston area, building on the connection the station has with the sports fans that encompass it.

“The light blue represents the city of Houston. The tile pattern is also an homage to the city as well,” said Hillis. “For a Houstonian that sees our logo, our hope and expectation is they see that light blue and tiles and know instantly this is Houston’s sports station. It’s a tip of the cap to the city.”

Serving Space City

Hillis says he doesn’t feel any added pressure with the switch to FM but instead approaches it as a unique opportunity. 95.7 The Fan is taking over an FM signal that was the cluster’s best-performing FM music brand in 95.7 The Spot.

Typically, when a sports talk station shifts to an FM signal, it replaces an underperforming music brand. Hillis credited The Spot’s successful run in attracting audiences and hopes to continue building upon that foundation.

“The Spot has been incredible. It’s been a powerhouse. Yes, it’s certainly a risk, but a risk that ultimately corporate and the building felt was taking for us. We believe in the power of the Houston sports audience,” said Hillis. “This is a statement that I believe that there is power in the sports talk brand unlike any other time in the past. That’s the opportunity in front of us… We’re stepping into big shoes, but it’s not pressure.”

For Hillis, the launch of 95.7 The Fan represents more than a frequency change or a new logo. It is the culmination of a vision that began when he arrived in Houston and an opportunity to take a brand with more than three decades of history into its next chapter.

SportsRadio 610 will continue to live on the AM dial, preserving the identity and connection that generations of Houston sports fans have come to know. But on FM, 95.7 The Fan has the chance to introduce that connection to an even larger audience.

“I’m the most aggressive and optimistic person you’ll find about our product and our team. I fully expect us to win and be not just competing against the other sports stations in market, but the top stations across the demographic,” said Hillis. “I truly believe we have what it takes to be a number one station in men and adults… There’s a lot of buzz and we couldn’t be doing this at a better time.”

The timing only adds to the significance. As the Houston Texans begin their 25th season, 95.7 The Fan is beginning its first. For Hillis, that makes the launch feel less like an ending and more like the start of something much bigger.

After 32 years as SportsRadio 610, Houston’s sports station now has a new frequency, a new identity and a new opportunity. The signal has changed. The mission hasn’t. The next era of Houston sports talk begins today.

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

What News/Talk Radio Has to Do to Compete With Low Podcasting Spot Loads

Garrett Searight
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What News/Talk Radio Has to Do to Compete With Low Podcasting Spot Loads

AM/FM radio has a spot-load problem, and podcasting just made it a lot more obvious. According to new data from Magellan AI, podcast advertising loads climbed to 8.75% of all in-show content during the second quarter of 2026.

In plain terms, less than nine minutes of every 100 minutes of podcast audio is now an ad. That’s a strikingly low number, and it puts a spotlight on just how different the audio landscape has become.

Consider what 8.75% actually looks like in practice. It’s 5.25 minutes of ads in a full hour. If a news/talk radio station tried running only 5.25 minutes of spots per hour, sales leadership would face some very uncomfortable questions from ownership. Meanwhile, podcasters can point to numbers like this and say, essentially, “we told you so.” Fewer ads have always been part of the pitch, and now there’s hard data behind it.

This isn’t a fluke or a temporary dip. It’s a strategic choice, and it’s one podcasting is likely to keep making. Podcast networks understand that a lighter ad load is a differentiator, maybe the differentiator, when it comes to winning listeners away from traditional broadcast. As long as that stays true, radio is fighting an uphill battle it probably can’t win on this particular front.

Why the Gap Won’t Close

Podcasting didn’t get here by accident. Low ad loads are baked into the medium’s identity, and audiences have come to expect them. Once listeners get used to a leaner ad experience, they rarely want to go back. That’s the trap radio finds itself in: it can’t simply match podcasting’s ad load without gutting revenue, but it also can’t ignore how far behind it now looks by comparison.

Broadcast radio operates on a different economic model. Local and national ad inventory funds everything from talent salaries to news operations, and stations don’t have the luxury of trimming spot loads down to podcast levels. So the ad-load gap isn’t closing anytime soon, and it’s probably not closing at all. Radio isn’t going to run 5.25 minutes of spots per hour regardless of format, and pretending otherwise doesn’t help anyone plan for what’s next.

That reality forces a different question. If radio can’t out-compete podcasting on ad load, what can it actually control? The answer comes down to content, and it always has.

Content Has to Do the Heavy Lifting

If AM/FM radio wants to hold its ground, the programming has to earn every one of those extra ad minutes. Listeners will tolerate a heavier spot load, but only when there’s a real payoff waiting on the other side of the break. That payoff needs to show up consistently, not just during sweeps or during a hot topical week.

Engaging hosts matter here, and so does information listeners can’t easily get elsewhere. Interactivity matters too, whether that’s call-ins, text lines, or hosts who actually respond to their audience in real time. None of this is new advice, but it matters more now than it did five years ago, because the competition has changed. Podcasting isn’t a niche alternative anymore; it’s a mainstream habit, and it’s chipping away at listening occasions that used to belong to broadcast.

Programmers who treat content quality as non-negotiable will have a fighting chance. Those who lean on habit and inertia won’t. Audiences today have more options than ever, and they’re increasingly willing to use them. Loyalty has to be earned continuously, and it’s earned through the work, not through market position or legacy signal strength.

None of this means radio is doomed. It means the margin for mediocre programming has shrunk, probably permanently. Stations that invest in genuinely compelling content can still win listeners’ attention, even with a heavier ad load working against them. But stations that coast will keep losing ground to a medium that’s proven it can deliver a lighter, more listener-friendly experience. The data backs it up, and the numbers aren’t likely to move in radio’s favor anytime soon.

Radio Talent Help: Responding Matters More Than You

Kevin Callahan
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Radio Talent Help: Responding Matters More Than You

Over the past two days, I had the pleasure of speaking with different air talents who are aggressively looking for work. For the purpose of this conversation, it does not matter what company they worked for or what round of layoffs they were part of. What matters is a specific phrase that came up during all of the calls.

In our business right now, everyone is time starved. We are all wearing three or more hats, managing multiple clusters, and trying to keep up with an endless inbox. However, the single biggest gift you can give to another human being right now is remarkably simple: your time.

As author Rick Warren famously put it, “The greatest gift you can give someone is your time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back.” Psychologist Philip Zimbardo echoed that exact sentiment, writing, “The greatest gift that you can give to others and to yourself is time. Embrace the gift of time whether you give it or receive it.”

The Silent Inbox

During my conversations this week, the personalities said something to me that stuck:

“I’m just happy you responded to my request for your time.”

They shared stories of sending out dozens of emails that disappear into the corporate void. They left voicemails that go unreturned. And they reached out to industry colleagues only to be met with total silence.

Now, I know we are all doing more than we ever have before. I know your calendar is packed from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. But taking just five or ten minutes to talk to someone who is out of work and trying to find a path forward is incredibly easy. Furthermore, it carries immense weight.

How to Give Time in Easy Ways

Giving your time does not mean you have to offer everyone a job. Nor does it mean you need to clear an entire afternoon for an in-depth career audit. Sometimes, giving your time simply means validating another person’s value in a moment when they feel invisible.

Here are a few simple, low friction ways to give your time to colleagues and pros looking for their next step:

  • Acknowledge the Message: If you get an email or LinkedIn message from a talent looking for work, do not ignore it. Instead, send even a three-sentence reply saying, “I don’t have an opening right now, but I received your demo, appreciate your work, and will keep my ears open.”
  • The 10-Minute Sanity Check: Offer a brief ten-minute phone call. Let them bounce an idea off you, ask about market trends, or get feedback on a fresh aircheck. That short conversation can reset their confidence for the entire week. Above all, let them do most of the talking.
  • Pass the Line: If you know a PD or GM in another market who might be hiring, take thirty seconds to forward the talent’s info with a quick personal note. Connecting two good people takes almost zero effort on your end. Yet it can completely change the trajectory of someone else’s career.
  • The Courtesy Pass for Sales: Outside of unsolicited, automated sales pitches on LinkedIn (I do not answer those either), taking five seconds to reply to a real vendor saves everyone time. Try responding with a simple, “That’s not something we can use right now,” “I couldn’t possibly get budget approval for that,” or “Check back in six weeks to see if our needs change.” This lets them move on without endless follow-ups.

Answering the Call

We talk a lot in this industry about family, mentorship, and preserving the future of local radio. But culture and community are not just built on stage at industry conventions. Instead, they are built in the everyday moments when nobody is watching.

The next time a message pops up in your inbox from a personality looking for a hand up, will it go unread? Pick up the phone, write the quick email, and share a small slice of your day. Time is finite. However, using a tiny piece of yours to help someone else is the easiest gift you will ever give.

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 All The Smoke Is Proof Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson Have Found Their Second Act

John Molori
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Why All The Smoke Is Proof Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson Have Found Their Second Act

The All the Smoke podcast, hosted by ex-NBA stalwarts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, bills itself as a show that “will dish on the latest news and drama from on and off the court without boundaries.” The description does not do it justice. Barnes and Jackson were really good basketball players who played in an era when toughness was still a requisite. However, All the Smoke goes far beyond basketball commentary.

As players, Barnes and Jackson did not win any popularity contests. In fact, they were considered two of the toughest and most ornery players in the league. Barnes and Jackson played hard and pushed the rules, as well as their opponents’ patience, to the limit. They were the type of players you hated to play against or simply just hated.

That attitude and fearlessness are now available for your viewing and listening pleasure on All the Smoke.

Barnes and Jackson are making an impact. They’ve had some tremendous guests on the show, including Harold Reynolds, Jeff Passan, Cecil Fielder, Barack Obama, Charles Barkley, Will Ferrell, Michelle Obama, Horace Grant, Keyshawn Johnson, Dusty Baker, Cheryl Miller, Mike Epps and many more top-flight personalities from the sports and entertainment world.

Depth And Context

Be warned: If you decide to tune in to All the Smoke, the program is certainly no-holds-barred. Bare-knuckled commentary and a few F-bombs will be dropped. I have no issue with this because it fits the context of the program. Barnes and Jackson are not there to shock you. But if you listen, they might just educate you.

This duo has one hell of a good time on the show, but there is also a real depth to All the Smoke.

In addition to possessing vibrant, and sometimes virulent, attitudes, both Barnes and Jackson have developed really good interview skills. Many of their guests are peers from their NBA playing days, but they do not miss a beat when they step outside their hoops comfort zone. In July, they broadcast a show from the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia. These guys know sports and have the ability to communicate sports.

Moreover, they have that same communicable knowledge of life’s ebbs and flows.

All the Smoke is presented in a laid-back setting, but the topics are often anything but comfortable. Barnes and Jackson delve into every aspect of sports, from game plans to off-field issues. They frequently offer their respective takes on news headlines and social justice issues as well. The pair makes no bones about their political stances and has absolutely zero agendas. Barnes and Jackson made a few bucks in their playing days, so they are hardly doing this for the cash.

I cannot speak for their initial goal. But if it was to create a podcast with a different look, feel and temperament, All the Smoke fits the bill.

Barnes and Jackson are not going to ask stock questions. They are going to go off the grid with real talk. They do not always get responses as direct as the questions, but at least they have the guts to ask.

Unexpected Twists

Don’t get me wrong, All the Smoke is not all about serious stuff. Barnes and Jackson love to have fun with a show topic. They did just that on an episode that featured top-flight guests like Deion Sanders, Ice Cube, Eric Dickerson, Sammy Sosa and Dominique Wilkins. Did they talk to these A-listers about memorable interceptions, movies, touchdowns, home runs or baskets? No, the topic was about athletes who had the best and worst Jheri Curls in the 1980s and 1990s.

The interviews were highlighted by Deion Sanders once again boasting about his curl, “It looked wet, but it was dry!” Just awesome.

Barnes and Jackson challenge conventional viewpoints and offer new perspectives and options for thought. This is not your run-of-the-mill sports podcast. You are not going to get scores, game highlights or the same repetitive analysis. All the Smoke is atypical and presents a distinctive attitude.

While this pair resides squarely on the razor-sharp edge of sports talk, they are still all about heart. Barnes and Jackson were teammates on the 2007 “We Believe” Golden State Warriors, an eighth-seeded team that upset top-seeded Dallas in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. That team was led by Don Nelson, the Hall of Fame coach and five-time world champion player with the Boston Celtics, who passed away on August 9.

Barnes and Jackson recorded a special version of All the Smoke to talk about that team and remember Nelson.

All the Smoke finds its truth in the hosts themselves. Both Barnes and Jackson have experienced the ups and downs of basketball and life, with on- and off-court issues in their careers. They have ridden high on winning teams and been at the center of controversies and legal issues. In short, they have lived. They are human, with the same flaws and foibles we all possess.

If you watch All the Smoke, you may not agree with, or even like, Barnes and Jackson. But you will realize that these are two very intelligent, provocative and articulate men.

Truly Unique

We live in an age of copycat media. If something works on one network or platform, you can bet that something similar is going to be on three or four others within the next few weeks. All the Smoke tosses this cookie cutter to the floor and steps on it. The style, look, sets and hosts are quite singular. Barnes and Jackson don’t BS anyone about anything.

They also share a lot of cool ‘What If’ stories. One was about how superstar point guard Jason Kidd almost joined the San Antonio Spurs in the midst of the team’s championship dynasty. Jackson played in San Antonio at the time and interviewed Kidd about the move that never happened.

Barnes and Jackson are bold and brash, but when I watch All the Smoke, I see two guys who truly respect the games. They can sit and reflect on great sports moments while also bringing a level of realism and grit to the conversation. There is definitely an emotional and personal texture to the hosts’ rough edges.

As a guest on the show, Steve Kerr, Barnes’ former coach with the Warriors, told the story about Barnes bringing his twin sons to a Warriors team meeting. When Kerr announced the starting lineup for a game against San Antonio and it included Barnes guarding Kawhi Leonard, his twin boys stood up and started cheering for their dad. Kerr stated that it remains one of his favorite all-time memories.

Barnes and Jackson can be intimidating because they pull no punches and do not hesitate to debate interview subjects or each other. Still, big-name guests seem to want to be on the show and engage in conversation. Barnes and Jackson are media forces to be reckoned with, both with more than 1 million followers on Instagram. If you haven’t checked out their podcast, you should, just to see what All the Smoke is about.

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 Larry Mendte Found His Voice in Talk Radio on 710 WOR

Krystina Alarcon Carroll
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How Larry Mendte Found His Voice in Talk Radio on 710 WOR

Since 1979, Larry Mendte has graced TV and radio airwaves across the United States. Winning countless awards and accolades, he is living proof that with passion and drive, anything can be accomplished.

His passion for media started as a little kid: “I’m told the story that [as a child] I used to get lost on purpose just so I could hear my name announced in the store.”

He added, “I used to watch the news, and I used to take media in. I used to call into radio stations when they had a contest, even though I didn’t know the answer, just to get on the air. So it seemed like it was something I was destined to do.”

Finding His Path in Radio

However, it wasn’t until college that Mendte received true direction. “When I went to college, I worked at the college radio station, and they got an internship in radio at the old WFIL radio. It was a top 40 station, but back then they actually had newsrooms, and they made me their reporter. During my internship, I got to anchor there a couple of times, and I loved it. And I decided then that’s what I want to do, but I think it was always in me.”

He quickly bounced around from market to market, starting in Eureka, California, and in less than 10 years he made it to New York. “I was only 27 at the time; they hired me as the weekend anchor at WABC in New York.”

But Mendte wasn’t long for local TV. He helped bring Access Hollywood to life in 1996 and later wrote notable feature pieces like “The Beanie Baby Soldier” and “The Children of 9/11.”

It wasn’t until later in Mendte’s career that he added commentary to his list of “can do’s.” “When I was hired at WPIX in New York, they had me doing commentaries, and they were played at all the Tribune stations and live TV stations. So it was like 30-some TV stations across the country, and I really loved it. Just loved it, doing the commentaries.”

Blending Storytelling and Opinion

This skill, combined with his incredible storytelling ability, gives Mendte a unique ability to captivate his WOR audience. “I think what we do in the radio, and I never would have guessed this at the time, is a nice conglomeration of [storytelling and opinion] together,” Mendte affirmed.

“The storytelling is extremely important. Understanding the story is extremely important. But having a strong opinion, and not being afraid to tell it, and to be able to tell it in an articulate way, is just as important.” He added, “And if I combine those two things with a wealth of experience from doing news all around the country, and probably seeing at least once before everything we talk about now, I think in a way the whole career was building to be able to do talk radio.”

Mendte believes, “Talk radio is in almost every way much freer than any of the television I did, [because] it’s building a story. We’re doing a commentary live on the air. Everything else I’ve been able to do, except for the live shots I did, I’ve been able to craft it. The crafting is immediate.”

Partnering with Curtis Sliwa on WOR Mornings

Today he’s not crafting his show alone. In March, Mendte, Tom Cuddy, and the WOR team welcomed Curtis Sliwa to the morning show. “It’s exceptional to have him as a partner. We get into a pretty heated argument probably once a day on the air [because] we disagree on a lot of things, and we have no problem playing that out on the air.”

Mendte went on to say, “But afterwards, sometimes we just smile at each other. Sometimes we keep talking about it, but it never carries on into the rest of the show or into the relationship.”

Mendte emphasized how important it is to speak with someone with a different opinion. The added bonus with Sliwa is the energy he brings to the mic. “Somebody asked me one time what it’s like co-hosting with Curtis,” Mendte recalled. “I said, ‘It’s like being in a rodeo, you just hold on.’ And that’s the way I felt. I mean, he knows so much. He talks so fast. He’s got a shtick down that he’s been doing for years and years. He’s forgotten more about radio and talk radio than I’ll probably ever learn at this point. But the fact that [we as a team] work [well and] organically.”

But there is a fine line the pair don’t want to cross. “So as long as we don’t go overboard, as long as it never becomes personal, and as long as people seem to like it, I think it’s an important part of the show. But we still joke around; there’s camaraderie, we agree on a lot of things.” What’s important for listeners to know is, “It’s always going to be an honest conversation with Curtis and I, who have a wealth of different experiences.”

Advice for the Next Generation of Journalists

For those looking to follow in Mendte’s footsteps, he says, “Things have changed dramatically [since I started in the industry]. But the one thing that hasn’t changed is a drive.”

Mendte believes so long as you are motivated, you can become successful in media. Both he and his wife, Dawn Stensland-Mendte, who hosts a talk show on 1210 WPHT, are living testaments to this sentiment.

Except, it’s significantly easier now than when they were coming up in the industry. “People growing up today have the opportunity to do a story right now. They can take their phone and go do a story.”

Commending many independent journalists, like Nick Shirley, who are using social media to get stories out there, Mendte noted, “I am so jealous, and I’m so proud of them, and I think it’s a necessary evolution of journalism.” He added, “[Journalists today] have the opportunity to see a story and report it immediately and get the world to watch it. And that’s powerful. So if you want to do this, do 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.

Radio Programmers: Stop Settling, Be Like The Movies Today

Jim Ryan
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Radio Programmers: Stop Settling, Be Like The Movies Today

Nobody goes to the movies anymore, or do they?

The movie theater is dead and will never come back. At least that’s what we thought 6 years ago during the COVID pandemic. Just 2 years later, on May 27, 2022, Tom Cruise flew onto the big screen with “Top Gun: Maverick,” and suddenly there was a box office hit. Indeed, what a hit it was — grossing over 700 million dollars in ticket sales.

Movie Theaters Make a Comeback

In case you hadn’t heard, last weekend was record-shattering at movie theaters everywhere. The business that was totally over in 2020 set an all-time weekend record. Notably, the U.S. and Canada total gross was just over 426 million dollars. The premiere of the latest Spiderman movie led the charge. I was responsible for about $40 of that total. Parking near my local theater was impossible. Later, when I made the long walk to my car after the movie, several people almost came to blows trying to get my spot. Yes, it was that busy.

The dinosaur movie theater business has roared to life. Clearly, not everyone is sitting on their sofa watching Netflix. If you’re asking why, the answer is simple — compelling reasons exist to leave the house. It started with Tom Cruise and continues with Spiderman. Additionally, there’s an almost 3-hour rendition of Greek mythology in “The Odyssey.” These are movies that couldn’t wait for streaming release.

Radio Can Learn from the Movies

Some have the same perception of radio that they did for the movie theater. However, I believe — just like the movie business has grown — radio can grow too. We simply need to generate more compelling content. I’m not saying you need to emulate the Mancow stunt of 1993. That stunt stopped traffic on the Bay Bridge for a haircut in morning rush hour. It could land you in jail. Yet, why can’t we make some content that gets people talking? It’s time to take more chances.

Examples from America’s Largest Markets

Take a look at the two largest markets in America. The biggest show in New York this spring with adults 25-54 was the Breakfast Club. The outspoken Charlamagne Tha God does not do conventional radio. Significantly, even his interviews from Kamala Harris to Kevin Hart end up getting media coverage. This makes his brand bigger. In LA, it’s Woody on Alt or Klein and Ally on KROQ. While Woody’s antics are well known, Klein and Ally also depart from the norm. When Klein’s car was stolen, they tracked it live on the morning show until the vehicle was recovered. Furthermore, Ally got her IVF injections in the studio during their broadcast. Listeners could hear the real moment unfold. That content beats the heck out of another wreck on the 405. The audience was in on real life. Were they sure it would work? Probably not. But they took a chance and it did.

The Challenge Ahead

Now, more than ever, we have to stand out from the crowd. There is so much content available today. Consequently, you cannot afford to blend in or be like everyone else. I challenge every program director and morning show. Do this before the fall rating period begins. Regardless of format, create something truly memorable. Let’s give the audience something to talk about. People will think about radio and go out of their way to use us. You can take a chance by doing something big and different. Alternatively, you can wait for your parent company. Hope for a million-dollar marketing budget. I think my idea might be more realistic. Do for your brand what Tom Cruise and Spiderman did for the movies.

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.

Lee Harris Exits 77 WABC, Worldwide News Network

Garrett Searight
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Lee Harris Exits 77 WABC, Worldwide News Network

Barrett Media has confirmed Lee Harris is leaving 77 WABC and Worldwide News Network after a brief tenure with Red Apple Media. His departure comes less than three months after joining the company.

What We Know: Harris joined 77 WABC and Worldwide News Network in May. He was hired to help launch the new audio news operation following the end of CBS News Radio. Worldwide News Network began operations May 23rd, filling a void created by CBS News Radio’s shutdown. After less than six weeks, Red Apple Media elevated Harris to Senior Vice President of News and Programming. He took on additional responsibility for programming strategy and content development at 77 WABC and Red Apple Audio Networks.

John Catsimatidis tells Barrett Media a personnel issue arose between Harris and the company. Catsimatidis ultimately asked for Harris’ resignation, which he tendered on Wednesday.

What They Said: “I am outraged. And I am mad as hell because I treat all my people — I don’t care if it’s a dishwasher, I don’t care if it’s an executive — I treat them equally. And I care for them … Make sure he doesn’t come to me for a reference. I’ve got people that work here for 30 years, 35 years, 40 years. If you read my book, you’ll see that all our people are here a long time. I’m here to protect them.” -Red Apple Media owner John Catsimatidis

Harris, however, shared a different sentiment and tone.

“I had a fantastic time working for John Catsimatidis getting the Worldwide News Network up and running. He’s a brilliant entrepreneur who sees opportunity where others don’t. I’ve decided to go back to work on my suite of tech products for audio and news because, like John, I am devoted to the success of this industry.” -Lee Harris

What Remains Unclear: It is unclear who will step into the shoes vacated by Harris’ exit. It is also unclear who will run the day-to-day operations in the immediate aftermath of the departure. There is also a clear disconnect between how Harris and Catsimatidis view the departure, based on the statements each gave to Barrett Media.

What It Means: Harris is a radio legend and a member of the National Radio Hall of Fame. His departure marks a significant change for both 77 WABC and Worldwide News Network just months after Red Apple Media launched the network. Moreover, the timing comes after Harris had been given an expanded leadership role. That makes the move particularly notable for the company’s growing news operation.

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.

Beasley Media Group Reports 9.6% Revenue Decline During 2026’s 2nd Quarter

Garrett Searight
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Beasley Media Group Reports 9.6% Revenue Decline During 2026’s 2nd Quarter

Beasley Media Group reported lower revenue in the second quarter as traditional advertising remained under pressure. The company also highlighted progress in its push toward digital and higher-margin revenue.

What We Know: Beasley Media Group generated $44.1 million in net revenue during the second quarter, a 9.6% decline from the prior year. Meanwhile, digital revenue accounted for 26% of total revenue, while local advertising represented 74%. National advertising contributed another 13% of the company’s total revenue. Beasley has continued shifting its business toward digital and direct revenue as traditional advertising faces ongoing challenges.

What the Numbers Show:

Metric Q2 Revenue Change Direction
Net Revenue $44.1 million 9.6% ↓ ▼
Audio Net Revenue $32.5 million From $39.8 million ▼
Digital Revenue $11.7 million 11.6% ↓ ▼
Adjusted EBITDA $5.3 million From $4.7 million ▲

What They Said: “While second quarter results continued to reflect pressure across portions of the traditional advertising marketplace, we are encouraged by the progress we’re making in transforming Beasley into a more diversified, higher-margin media company. Our digital and local direct spot businesses continue to build momentum, our cost structure is significantly more efficient than it was a year ago, and we remain focused on improving the quality of our revenue. We believe these initiatives are creating a stronger operating foundation and positioning the Company for more consistent financial performance over the long term.” -Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley

What It Means: Beasley’s results underscore the continued weakness facing traditional radio advertising. However, the improved adjusted EBITDA gives the company a positive point amid declining revenue. At the same time, digital now represents more than one-quarter of total revenue, reinforcing management’s strategy to diversify beyond traditional audio advertising.

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.

Stephen A. Smith Praises Bob Iger’s Purchase Of Los Angeles Lakers: “Unbelievable”

John Mamola
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Stephen A. Smith Praises Bob Iger’s Purchase Of Los Angeles Lakers: “Unbelievable”

Former Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger just bought the Los Angeles Lakers. Executive Josh Kushner joined him in the $12.5 billion deal. Stephen A. Smith praised the purchase by his former boss on SiriusXM radio.

What We Know: Iger and Kushner acquired the Lakers from Mark Walter for $12.5 billion, a record NBA valuation. Moreover, Walter had owned the team for barely 14 months, buying it from the Buss family for roughly $10 billion. Iger served two stints as Disney’s CEO spanning about 20 years before stepping down in March. Additionally, the deal still needs NBA Board of Governors approval. Following the news, Stephen A Smith celebrated his former boss for the purchase.

What They Said: (All quotes from SiriusXM Radio)

Stephen A. Smith on Bob Iger owning the Los Angeles Lakers: “The Los Angeles Lakers have a new owner. One’s name is Josh Kushner. The other owner is the greatest executive I have ever known. The former CEO of Walt Disney, whose name is Bob Iger. You can’t do any better than this if you’re the Los Angeles Lakers. You can’t do any better than this if you’re the NBA.”

Stephen A. Smith on working for Bob Iger: “I worked for this man for many years. He’s a mentor. I love him dearly. He is the best in the best executive I’ve ever known. I don’t give a damn what anybody says. Two stints at Disney, spanning 18 years. Their market cap was at about $51 billion dollars years ago when the man started. He departed, and it was over $252 billion. When you talk about me and where I am today, there’s nobody that I owe more gratitude towards than Bob Iger.”

Stephen A. Smith believes Bob Iger will be great for the Los Angeles Lakers: “The man is next level brilliant. A savant as a businessman, one of if not the greatest ever. The Michael Jordan of executives is what I call him. That’s how I feel about him. He is now the new owner for the Los Angeles Lakers. Unbelievable.”

What Remains Unclear: Questions regarding who stays and who exits under the new ownership remain. Also, a timetable for NBA approval of the purchase is unknown.

What It Means: Iger’s arrival signals a new era of star power for the Lakers. Moreover, he built Disney into an entertainment giant, and Smith believes he’ll do the same for basketball. In addition, the purchase also reflects the surging value of NBA franchises overall. In conclusion, Lakers fans now have two Wall Street-caliber owners guiding the franchise forward.

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

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