NewsNation is set to present a special called The Decline and Fall of San Francisco. Bill O’Reilly will anchor the event.
In the special, O’Reilly will speak with former Mayor Willie Brown about the challenges facing the city in recent years.
“I full time, and I still am, without the power and authority, and believe me, the collection of people from, I think from the social workers world, mean well but don’t understand the mentality of some individuals,” Brown said of his relationship with today’s Democratic Party. “There were people who, really, I think meant well, but they did not understand.”
He will also speak with Michael Shellenberger, the author of San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities, to discuss the homelessness, drug, and crime issues in the area.
The special NewsNation broadcast helmed by Bill O’Reilly will air on Thursday at 9 PM ET. It will pre-empt On Balance with Leland Vittert.
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The Miami Marlins are returning to familiar airwaves. The club announced a new multi-year partnership with Audacy that makes 104.3 WQAM the flagship home for Marlins baseball across South Florida. The agreement restores a historic relationship while expanding the team’s reach on both radio and digital platforms.
Under the deal, WQAM will air every regular-season game. Coverage includes full play-by-play, along with pregame and postgame shows. Fans can also stream broadcasts through the Audacy app, giving the team a broader digital footprint.
Opening Day coverage will air on 560 AM, marking the official start of the new partnership.
The move reconnects the Marlins with WQAM, which served as the franchise’s first flagship station in 1993. That shared history played a key role in bringing the two sides back together.
“Marlins baseball has a deep connection with fans across South Florida, and it is especially meaningful to reunite with WQAM,” said Caroline O’Connor, the team’s president of business operations. “Audacy’s platforms will help us reach fans wherever they are while continuing to grow the Marlins brand.”
Audacy sees the deal as both a nod to tradition and a step forward.
“Bringing Marlins baseball back to WQAM is a powerful homecoming,” said Claudia Menegus, Audacy’s regional president. “By leveraging the reach of 104.3 FM and 560 AM, we are creating a strong destination for fans across the region.”
In addition to game coverage, the partnership includes expanded team programming. WQAM will feature interviews with manager Clayton McCullough, players and team executives. The station will also carry offseason content and regular updates designed to keep fans engaged year-round.
NEWS: The NEW Radio Home of the Miami Marlins is @1043wqam! ⚾️📻
Listen to every @Marlins game all season long on our new flagship home.
The majority of game broadcasts will air on 104.3 FM WQAM, with select broadcasts (including Opening Night) airing on 560 AM. pic.twitter.com/o7TTkUw8VM
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Tara Servatius is going national. At least for one day, as she’ll guest host The Mike Gallagher Show on Friday.
The 98.9 WORD morning host will helm the Salem Radio Network nationally syndicated show on Friday morning in Gallagher’s stead. It will mark her first appearance on a national program, Gallagher said.
“You’re in for a real treat,” Gallagher said to his audience in announcing that Tara Servatius will guest-host his show. “Joey Hudson, of course, is my go-to guest host. But I also wanted you to get a little bit of a sampling of a local host at a great radio station. 98.9 WORD, the voice of the Carolinas, they are a powerhouse talk station. They’re truly, I would guess, one of the biggest by listenership and percentages in the market, one of the biggest talk stations in America.
“They’re just a great radio station. It’s the station where I started my career decades and decades ago,” Gallagher added. “So it feels good to be back home again and good to be on their lineup. I come on right after Tara, and Tara is going to join us tomorrow as your guest host.”
Mike Gallagher added that Tara Servatius hosts a different style of program than he does, but is happy to provide a platform for her to speak to a wider audience.
“She’s very unique, very different. She’s not as caller-driven as I am, but is smart as a whip,” Gallagher said. “She comes from sort of an investigative journalist newspaper background. But she has become enormously successful and popular, and I think you’re going to appreciate Tara on tomorrow’s Mike Gallagher Show.”
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ESPN is bringing one of poker’s most recognizable events back to its platforms. The network has reached a multi-year agreement with the World Series of Poker to air extensive coverage of the WSOP Main Event, including a live, prime-time finale on linear television.
The agreement marks a renewed partnership between the two brands, which played a major role in popularizing poker on television.
As part of the deal, ESPN will present more than 100 hours of coverage across its platforms. Action begins July 2 with streaming coverage of Day 1A of the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em World Championship on the ESPN App. The company will also produce edited episodes for its linear networks, focusing on storytelling and key moments from the tournament.
The highlight of the package comes in early August. ESPN will air the Main Event Final Table live over three consecutive nights from August 3-5. Each broadcast will run from 9 p.m. to midnight ET, giving the tournament a national, prime-time stage.
Ashley O’Connor, ESPN’s vice president of programming and acquisitions, said the return of the WSOP represents an important moment for both the network and its audience.
“We’re excited to showcase the intensity and unpredictability of this tournament across our platforms,” said O’Connor.
WSOP CEO Ty Stewart echoed that sentiment. He pointed to the long-standing relationship between the two brands and its impact on the game’s growth. Stewart added that the renewed partnership will help introduce poker to a new generation of fans through expanded coverage and modern distribution.
ESPN first aired the WSOP Main Event in 1987. Over the years, the network became closely associated with many of the tournament’s most memorable moments and champions. The coverage helped elevate poker’s popularity, particularly during the early 2000s boom.
Now, both sides are aiming to build on that legacy. By combining live broadcasts with digital streaming and edited storytelling, the new agreement reflects how audiences consume sports content today.
All-in with this pair! ♦️♠️❤️♣️
ESPN & World Series of Poker (@WSOP) reach multi-year deal to bring Main Event back to ESPN this summer
• Aug. 3-5 | 3-night live finale for Main Event Final Table • 100+ hours of multi-platform coverage
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95.7 The Game’s Joe Shasky offered a blunt assessment of Netflix and its presentation of Major League Baseball Opening Night, criticizing the streamer’s approach while also urging fans to rethink their resistance to streaming.
Speaking on 95.7 The Game’s The Morning Roast, Shasky said Netflix missed an opportunity to establish credibility with core baseball audiences. Instead of leaning into the sport’s traditions with the Opening Night broadcast, he believes the platform tried too hard to entertain.
“If Netflix is going to go out on a limb and do sports, the last thing that they need to do to legitimize themselves to true sports fans is go all entertainment crazy,” Shasky said. “Amazon Prime when they first got in. What did they do? We’re gonna sign Al Michaels. That worked for sports fans.”
His comments reflect a broader concern that newer broadcast partners may prioritize spectacle over substance. While experimentation can help attract casual viewers, Shasky suggested that authenticity remains essential. Especially for a sport with deep historical roots.
That theme carried into his critique of the broadcast’s talent choices, using Prime Video as the example with Michaels. Shasky questioned why Jon Miller, a longtime voice of the San Francisco Giants and former national broadcaster with ESPN, was not included in the production.
“Why didn’t they bring in Jon Miller? He’s one of the most beloved kind of grandpa characters in baseball and really in sports,” said Shasky. “To be a master of the ceremony of the pregame festivities [on Netflix]. Is there anybody who’s a better talker in front of like podium, and can blend in the history of the game. He should have been at the beginning.”
The broadcast last night kicked off a media rights agreement that Netflix and MLB signed last year. That partnership brings Opening Night to the streaming platform with more than 90 million subscribers in the U.S. and Canada and over 300 million globally.
Because of the subscriber figures, Shasky took a firm stance against what he views as excessive backlash to streaming distribution. He argued that complaints about games moving away from traditional television to Netflix should no longer reflect reality.
“All of us sports fans, we got to stop complaining,” he said. “Who the hell doesn’t have Netflix? There are like 300 million subscribers on Netflix. My mother is almost 70 years old knows how to Netflix. My 89 year old grandfather has Netflix and knows how to operate it. We got to stop complaining.”
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CNN has experimented with a revamped presentation in select shows. It has not drawn rave reviews from former host Don Lemon.
During Wednesday’s edition of The Don Lemon Show, the former CNN host shared that even though he believes the network treated him poorly upon his exit, he still believes that the outlet includes “the best journalists in the business.”
But he believes The Lead with Jake Tapper, being hosted from Tapper’s office and Anderson Cooper 360, prominently displaying podcast microphones and Cooper rolling up his sleeves, cheapens the brand.
“To me, it’s cringe,” Lemon said of the alterations. “Because the reason people watch CNN is for the credibility of Jake (Tapper), and Anderson (Cooper), and Erin (Burnett). And there is sort of this illusion — if you want to put it that way — about television news. It’s larger than life. The colors are brighter than in real life. It’s big fancy sets that glow. That’s what it is.
“But ultimately, that’s eye candy. What people tune in for is the editorial. It is whatever the network is, the tone and tenor of their news, and for credibility. It’s not because someone is speaking into a podcast mic with their sleeves rolled up. And I would lean into it,” Lemon continued. “We’re (expletive) CNN! Yeah, we look great, but also we’re going to have a backbone. And we’re going to have some teeth into our editorial. We’re going to hold this administration accountable. And we’re not going to put on election deniers. We’re not going to put on people who come on just to lie.”
Don Lemon concluded by stating that he understands the experiment, but doesn’t believe in it.
“They’re trying something. I give them credit for that, but it is so cringe to watch,” he said. “I’m just being honest.”
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NBCUniversal is going big for America’s 250th birthday. The company’s local station group today launched Our 250 (Nuestros 250), a multiplatform campaign spanning its NBC and Telemundo-owned stations to mark the country’s semiquincentennial.
It culminates on July 4 with six hours of live coverage of Sail4th 250 events in New York Harbor — the largest assembly of international ships in U.S. history.
NBCUniversal Local Chairman Valari Staab framed the initiative as a unifying moment.
“Our country’s 250th anniversary is a significant milestone for all Americans, and a meaningful opportunity to bring us together to share our pride as citizens, recognize our nation’s achievements, and honor our rich history,” she said.
“We’re excited to launch this special initiative to inform, entertain and support our communities as we count down the final 100 days to our national celebration on Independence Day, which we’re proud to commemorate by presenting Sail4th 250’s festivities to audiences nationwide.”
The campaign delivers news coverage, specials, and features across broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms. NBCUniversal Local is also an official media partner of Sail4th 250, a non-partisan nonprofit organizing goodwill events in the Port of New York and New Jersey, July 3-8.
NBC News and Telemundo will jointly produce English and Spanish-language coverage from 7 AM to 1 PM ET, featuring tall ships from 46 nations, naval vessels, and a 100-plus aircraft aerial review led by the Blue Angels.
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Sports media personality Dan Le Batard believes baseball remains the most resistant sport when it comes to changes in how games are presented. He shared those comments in reaction to Netflix’s MLB Opening Night broadcast which he felt reinforced that idea.
DuringThe Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Le Batard addressed the backlash tied to comedian Bert Kreischer appearing during the telecast. While he supports innovation, he questioned whether that specific approach matched the expectations of baseball’s audience.
“Bert Kreischer… can annoy people,” Le Batard said. “Bert Kreischer on your baseball broadcast is not something I would do. If Dennis Miller and Tony Kornheiser don’t work on the Monday Night Football broadcast… a comedian around baseball is just simply not going to work on the broadcast, given what the customer base is.”
Although critical of the execution, Le Batard emphasized that Major League Baseball must remain open to experimentation as streaming platforms enter the space. He pointed to the shifting media landscape and the challenges facing traditional regional sports networks as reasons to embrace new ideas.
“If you’re inviting the streaming services into the game… you’ve got to allow them to change some of what it is that you’re doing in the future,” he said. “Baseball fans are going to be more reluctant than any other fan.”
Le Batard noted that baseball’s slower pace actually creates an opportunity for added entertainment elements. However, he acknowledged that the same characteristic also contributes to fan resistance when those elements disrupt the traditional flow.
“I would love comedians to be around the broadcast,” he said. “I would like more entertainment, and can’t think of a game that’s slower than cricket that would allow me for more room to have comedians as part of a broadcast.”
Netflix and MLB agreed to a three-year media rights agreement last year. That partnership brings Opening Night to the streaming platform with more than 90 million subscribers in the U.S. and Canada and over 300 million globally.
Still, Le Batard stressed that knowing the audience remains critical. Baseball viewers, he argued, have long preferred a consistent and familiar presentation, making any deviation more noticeable and often less welcome.
“You can only push the envelope so much, and you can’t do it with baseball fans,” Le Batard said. “Baseball fans are the last place that wants a comedian around their broadcast, but it’s the first place in sports that I want a comedian around the broadcast.”
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The Florida Association of Broadcasters will honor two of the state’s most influential media figures this summer, naming Caroline Beasley and Jeannie Blaylock as its 2026 Hall of Fame inductees.
The pair will be recognized during the Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame Gala and Awards Ceremony on June 18 at The Breakers Palm Beach.
The Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made lasting contributions to radio and television across the state. Inductees must have at least 25 years of service in broadcasting and a strong professional connection to Florida. Moreover, the selection process emphasizes leadership, innovation, integrity and community impact.
Beasley serves as chief executive officer of Beasley Media Group, where she oversees a major portfolio of radio stations nationwide. She has played a key role in expanding the company’s footprint and modernizing its approach to content and audience engagement. In addition, her leadership has helped position the company as a significant player in the evolving audio landscape.
Blaylock has built a long-standing career in television journalism as an anchor at First Coast News. She is widely recognized for her community-focused reporting and storytelling. Throughout her tenure, she has earned a reputation for connecting with viewers and highlighting issues that impact local audiences.
“Caroline Beasley and Jeannie Blaylock represent the very best of Florida broadcasting,” said FAB President and CEO Pat Roberts. “Their careers reflect exceptional leadership, professionalism and a deep commitment to serving their communities.”
He added that the organization takes pride in recognizing their contributions and celebrating their lasting influence on the industry.
FAB selected this year’s inductees from a pool of nominations submitted by current and former employees of member stations. Afterward, the Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame Selection Committee reviewed candidates and chose the final honorees.
The organization, a nonprofit chartered by the state, works to support and promote collaboration among broadcasters and affiliated businesses. It also advocates for the interests of local radio and television stations while encouraging strong connections with the communities they serve.
With the upcoming ceremony, FAB continues its tradition of spotlighting leaders whose careers have shaped Florida’s broadcasting landscape.
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WFAN morning hosts Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti raised questions about Netflix’s approach to Major League Baseball’s Opening Night broadcast last night, calling parts of the presentation excessive and, at times, confusing.
Speaking Thursday on WFAN’s Boomer & Gio, Giannotti took issue with several entertainment elements layered into the game featuring the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. He questioned the intent behind the added spectacle and whether it aligned with the audience tuning in for baseball.
“What I don’t understand is what all of this last night. Who was that for?” Giannotti said. “The WWE guy coming out [saying yeet]… Burt Kreischer coming out and screaming to the crowd? Who’s that for? I mean, it’s fine, it’s entertainment. The two cars and the dancers and trolley cars and all that music… Who it’s for?”
Giannotti’s comments reflected a broader concern that the production leaned too heavily into showmanship. He suggested on WFAN that while entertainment has a place, it should not overshadow the game or spectacle of Opening Night itself.
Esiason, meanwhile, focused on the volume of cross-promotion embedded throughout the broadcast. He acknowledged the business rationale but described the execution as overwhelming for viewers.
“They have a very short period of time to promote everything that they have on their streaming service,” Esiason said. “So I think that’s why they did what they did… and it was just over the top. I mean, it was just ridiculous. It was in your face everywhere.”
In addition, Esiason expanded the conversation to MLB’s broader media strategy. Netflix and MLB agreed to a three-year media rights agreement last year. That partnership brings Opening Night to the streaming platform with more than 90 million subscribers in the U.S. and Canada and over 300 million globally.
Esiason argued that the league’s increasing presence across multiple platforms reflects a clear financial priority.
“I think they’re just thinking about… being partners with as many different providers as they possibly can to make as much money as they can,” he said this morning on WFAN. “I think that’s what Major League Baseball is trying to do… expand their footprint in the streaming services, in these networks and these different apps. That’s what their [MLB] job is. That’s what the commissioner’s job is”
Netflix vice president Gabe Spitzer recently said he has leaned on a decidedly disruptive adjective: the platform wants to present sports “in an eventized way,” he told Sports Business Journal.
Both hosts made it clear that innovation is expected. However, they suggested that balance remains critical, especially on a night as significant as Opening Night.
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