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Why Every News/Talk Radio Station Can’t Follow the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Lead

Peter Thiele
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Why Every News/Talk Radio Station Can’t Follow the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Lead

If you are in the radio industry, taking calculated risks is not on the drawing board right now. There are many reasons why.

Any loss of ratings and revenue is avoided. In professional sports, it is called tanking. Your favorite NFL team may be in the middle of the pack but is very competent. The team you love is playoff-adjacent. So, teams often tank for a season or two to rebuild.

Perhaps it is time to tank on your show and rebuild. How about tanking in your life and building up yourself? Is it your station that needs to tank?

So, if you are a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers — your team has been competitive for decades. In the last decade or so, the Steelers had a winning record and likely made the playoffs. Sadly, the Steelers are not ready for a Super Bowl run.

How about your show? Is it competitive? Is it a winner? I had a show host tell me a couple of years ago that he does not care about the ratings. He does a show for himself. If you are paid to host a news/talk radio show, you are in a treasured position. It is an honor to host a show. If you are not interested in your audience, why are you here?

Your Show Should Imitate Real Life

If you have been doing essentially the same show for the past several years, it is time to reassess. Is your show like the Pittsburgh Steelers? Is it better than most but not at the top of the pile? Long-term survival would indicate that thinking is a failing strategy. You don’t want someone at corporate to demand change and examine every moment on your broadcast.

Let’s talk about your life. Is it time to tank? I am not writing about destroying everything in your existence. We all have things to address. Many of these things are destructive to our personal and business lives. It could be drinking, gambling, a hobby, a bad relationship, a dysfunctional work situation.

Do you need to cut something out? I have a friend who was totally immersed in his hobby. It was a perfectly constructive endeavor that provided him with enjoyment. Well, his hobby became all-consuming. The pastime that was meant to take his focus off stress at work became a 24/7 obsession. He decided to take a break. He had a basement full of equipment, and sold it all. Later, he found that he had become a servant of his hobby.

Is there something in your life that dominates your existence? Do you need to simplify? Again, this is a very personal question. I don’t want to tell you what to do. You may need to take a step back on a few things. I know a talk show host who was the go-to guy in his community. He hosts a morning show and seemingly served on many boards and was the master of ceremonies for many events every year. Here was the problem: he woke up at 4 in the morning and got home at 9 every night. This dedication was bruising everything in his life. His marriage, family, and show had become damaged. This guy resigned from most of his commitments and limited himself to a handful of events each month.

Are you overextended? Is there balance in your life? Is it time to pull back from some commitments?

Time to Rebuild Your Station

What about your station? Does it need to tank and reinvent? Obviously, we as an industry have revenue challenges and need to be profitable. Your station may need a refresh. What is going on with your station’s imaging?

When is the last time that you updated the station’s sound? I was listening to a great news/talk radio station recently that was using a news theme from the ’90s. I like the ’90s like everyone else, but if your presentation sounds like 1990, change it. What about your station’s narrator? Is the imaging voice now wallpaper? You may want to evaluate it carefully.

I know that reimaging a station is a tremendous project. If you run a music station, a reimaging project can start with a dozen liners and a snappy new legal ID. News/talk radio is much more complicated and time-consuming. But if it needs to be done, this may be the moment.

Speaking of imaging, is it the writing? Is the imaging too predictable? It’s the Joe Blow Show on AM 950 KKWW. That doesn’t say anything, and your host should be able to say their own name. It is a pet peeve of mine when hosts are allergic to saying their name. Do you want new fans? Do you think that everyone listening knows the lineup of your station by memory?

PPM data says that the average person listens to 10 stations per week. Say your damn name and give your station’s address often. Introduce yourself to new friends. You would do that at a party, correct? If that is true, do you expect your listeners to know what they are listening to and who you are?

Embracing Change

We should always be questioning things. Your life, career, and news/talk radio station are in flux. I can guarantee one thing in life — change! It is human nature to fight change. We like things the same. You have that favorite restaurant. You love a certain singer or band.

Sometimes, we need to evaluate things in our lives. Simplifying may be the best way to make yourself happy and successful. Take a day to think through things. Take a day off and remove all distractions. Think about all the things in your life. Focus on what is working, look at what can be tweaked, and the things that need to be blown up.

Many of us in radio have sprinted into change. We have moved across the country. We start from scratch in new cities. And we have loaded our cars on trailers behind a U-Haul, arriving at an apartment that we have only seen on a website.

Don’t let your desire for stability interfere with your success.

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 Great Radio Stations Need Weeds to Grow

Kevin Robinson
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Why Great Radio Stations Need Weeds to Grow

With fewer staff in all broadcast clusters, quickly minimizing the weeds and fertilizing the flowers is metaphorically how a radio brand evolves.

Consider this weed analogy: Walk through a botanical garden and every plant looks perfect. Every flower is planted with purpose. Every hedge is trimmed. And every blade of grass seems to know exactly where it belongs.

By contrast, take a hike through a real meadow in the middle of spring, and you’ll discover something different. Wildflowers bloom in every direction, filling the landscape with color and life. Yet when you get down on one knee and look closely, you’ll also find dandelions, thistles, patches of crabgrass, and plenty of weeds.

The flowers are spectacular because they’re alive. They’re not perfect.

Great radio stations are no different.

The Sound of Success

From the listener’s perspective, the best-built stations sound effortless. The top personalities are entertaining and engaging. Moreover, today’s tools allow big imaging — even in small markets — creating momentum. The well-curated playlist, assisted by intelligent music software, allows the music to flow naturally. It all appears seamless.

Inside the building, however, every successful station has weeds. It could be rancor about the state of the business, launching of a new ensemble morning show, the sales effort at odds with talent, or dialogue on the strategic direction of a brand.

The difference between a station that’s growing and one that’s standing still isn’t whether weeds exist. Rather, it’s whether management is willing to cultivate the flowers while coaching through the imperfections — the weeds.

Cultivating Excellence

Years ago, I inherited an air staff that had become experts at protecting the playlist. Every break was technically clean. They “hit the post.” They read the liner. And they introduced the next song.

Mission accomplished.

The problem? Nothing they said gave listeners a reason to choose them over Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, or SiriusXM.

The talent “sounded good.” However, they did not create breaks that were memorable.

So the challenge I offered was to leave their fingerprints on every break. Get loose. Tell a personal story. Express an opinion. Put a smile on the listener’s face. Build one personality moment every quarter hour that could not be duplicated by an algorithm.

At first, the talent in the room got quiet. For years they had been conditioned to believe that the safest break was the shortest break. In reality, safe radio rarely builds passionate fans. Instead, it builds background noise.

The Path Forward

Eventually they embraced the challenge. At the onset, stories were too long. Some jokes bombed. Breaks drifted and, without a liner card, exits were unpolished. Those were weeds. That is part of the process.

One of the biggest mistakes programmers make today is confusing mistakes with failure. They are not the same thing.

Today’s radio operators have access to far more data than twenty years ago. We know the importance of minute-by-minute listening. Moreover, we are able to measure — with minute detail — social engagement. We analyze streaming sessions, podcast downloads, digital consumption, and web traffic. That is valuable information.

However, data should inform creativity — not replace it. When every break becomes a math equation, personalities stop taking chances. Then listeners stop paying attention.

Building Legendary Radio

The personalities who build loyal audiences are not perfect. They are authentic, curious, and locally engaged. No morning show became legendary by playing it safe. No great feature was brilliant the first time it aired. Everything memorable began as an imperfect idea.

Radio Hall-of-Famer and Barrett Media contributor Scott Shannon‘s philosophy has always centered on the idea that successful stations are constantly evolving. Scott has often emphasized that the best stations are never complacent. Greatness involves improving talent, music, promotions, and execution — even when they are already winning.

Scott is quoted as saying: “Great radio stations are never finished. They’re always a work in progress.”

Talent Coach Tracy Johnson relates that new shows are messy at first, and that’s normal. “Every new morning show is going to struggle at first. That’s part of the process. Don’t judge it by the first few weeks — keep coaching, keep refining, and let the chemistry develop.”

The Competitive Advantage

The best programmers I have worked with were not obsessed with catching mistakes. Instead, they were obsessed with developing potential.

Radio has never faced more audio competition than now. Every dashboard, smartphone, and smart speaker offers listeners unlimited choices. Additionally, algorithms recommend songs. Artificial intelligence can write scripts. Podcasts dive deep into virtually any subject.

Talent is radio’s greatest competitive advantage. Give them the space to stumble and grow. If your station never has weeds, it probably is not planting enough flowers.

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.

iHeartMedia Reports 4.7% Revenue Increase During 2026’s 2nd Quarter

Garrett Searight
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iHeartMedia Reports 4.7% Revenue Increase During 2026’s 2nd Quarter

iHeartMedia delivered stronger revenue growth in the second quarter as digital audio and podcasting continued to drive results. The company also highlighted new opportunities in video podcasting across major streaming platforms.

What We Know: iHeartMedia reported second-quarter revenue of $977 million, up 4.7% from the same period last year. The company saw its strongest growth in digital audio and podcasting, while its Multiplatform Group declined. Meanwhile, operating income remained essentially flat, and Adjusted EBITDA fell modestly. iHeartMedia also pointed to its expanding video podcast strategy, including recently announced distribution relationships with Netflix and Disney’s Hulu.

What the Numbers Show:

MetricQ2 ResultChange
Total Revenue$977 million🟢 ↑ 4.7%
Digital Audio Group Revenue$364 million🟢 ↑ 12%
Podcast Revenue$162 million🟢 ↑ 21%
Multiplatform Group Revenue$536 million🔴 ↓ 2%
Operating Income$36 million🟢 ↑ 0.4%
Adjusted EBITDA$152 million🔴 ↓ 2.9%

What They Said: “We’re pleased with our second quarter results, generating Adjusted EBITDA of $152 million, slightly above the midpoint of our previously provided guidance range. Our consolidated revenue was $977 million, up 4.7% compared to the prior year quarter and above our guidance. Our podcast revenue momentum continues, up 20.7% compared to prior year, and in addition to helping propel our growth as the #1 podcast publisher, our broadcast radio assets have also allowed us to develop and drive the new video podcast marketplace – an incremental growth opportunity for us, including on streaming video services including Netflix and Disney’s Hulu, which we announced today. And our work in building our digital assets continues to pay off; this is the sixth consecutive quarter in which the Digital Audio Group Adjusted EBITDA is larger than the Multiplatform Group Adjusted EBITDA.” -CEO Bob Pittman

What It Means: iHeartMedia’s results reinforce the company’s shift toward digital audio and podcasting. At the same time, traditional broadcast remains important to its strategy. Now, the company sees video podcasting as another avenue for growth. If that marketplace expands, iHeartMedia could leverage its podcast scale and broadcast reach to compete for audiences across streaming platforms.

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.

WTOP Expands ‘Top News Podcast’ With Hourly Updates and Video

Garrett Searight
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WTOP Expands ‘Top News Podcast’ With Hourly Updates and Video

WTOP is expanding its podcast strategy with a revamped Top News Podcast designed for faster, on-demand news consumption. The Washington news outlet will add frequent weekday episodes and a video version later this year.

What We Know: WTOP plans to launch the enhanced Top News Podcast later this year as an extension of its on-air news operation. The podcast will deliver 12 to 14 episodes each weekday, with concise 20-minute updates refreshed hourly from 6 AM to 7 PM. The new format will also include a video version for digital platforms. As a result, WTOP will give listeners and viewers more ways to access its coverage throughout the day. Additionally, WTOP is looking to hire two producers for the podcast. Those positions will help lead production and shape the editorial direction of the show. The project will be developed with Gamut Podcast Network, Hubbard’s podcast division launched in 2025.

What They Said: “This new podcast represents a natural evolution of the WTOP brand. It meets news consumers where they are — on more platforms than ever before — allowing us to grow our audience and develop new revenue streams.” -WTOP Director of News and Programming Julia Ziegler

What Remains Unclear: WTOP hasn’t announced the exact launch date for the revamped Top News Podcast. The company also hasn’t disclosed how the new podcast will affect the existing podcast lineup or provided details about the two producer positions.

What It Means: WTOP’s expansion reflects the growing importance of on-demand audio and video for local news organizations. By refreshing its content throughout the day, the station can create more opportunities to reach audiences beyond traditional radio. Moreover, the video component could help WTOP compete for attention across platforms where audiences increasingly discover news. The expanded production operation also signals that Hubbard sees podcasting as a larger part of WTOP’s digital strategy.

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.

Hall of Fame Game Viewership On NBC Sports Highest Since 2017

John Mamola
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Hall of Fame Game Viewership On NBC Sports Highest Since 2017

Football returned Thursday night in Canton. So did a crowd NBC Sports hadn’t seen in years for the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.

What We Know: NBC’s Panthers-Cardinals broadcast drew 6.99 million viewers Thursday, the network’s Hall of Fame Game audience since 2021. That year, Cowboys-Steelers pulled 7.33 million on FOX Sports. It’s also NBC’s best Hall of Fame number since 2017, when Cowboys-Cardinals drew 8.3 million. This year’s total edged last year’s Chargers-Lions game (6.90 million) by just over 1%.

What The Numbers Show: (Last Four Years Viewership)

YearViewership (Average)
20266.99 million
20256.90 million
20245.2 million
20235.9 million

What Remains Unclear: NBC Sports didn’t details viewership on broadcast versus Peacock streaming.

What It Means: Even with the uptick, this year’s audience trails the pre-2017 era badly. The last Sunday night edition in 2015, averaged 11.0 million on NBC. Since the move to Thursday nights, only two broadcasts have topped 7 million, and both featured the Cowboys. Thursday’s number is a win by recent standards, but the ceiling remains far below previous years on weekend dates.

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.

Boogie D Departs KCJK as Cumulus Reduces Staff

David Hill
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Boogie D Departs KCJK as Cumulus Reduces Staff

Cumulus Media’s latest layoff round hit Kansas City hard. Power 105.1 (KCJK) lost its entire on-air staff this week.

What We Know Morning host Shay Moore and Program Director Jowcol “Boogie D” Dolby departed during the cuts. Moore had hosted mornings since May 2023, following seven years at Hot 103 Jams (KPRS-FM). Dolby oversaw the station’s transition to Hip Hop in 2023. Leadership hasn’t announced a new format yet, though industry chatter suggests changes are coming.

What They Said Moore confirmed her exit on Facebook, stating: “Just got the word from management, I’m open and available to do whatever from now on! I am no longer working for Power 105.1 in Kansas City.” Meanwhile, Dolby posted on Instagram: “I just want to say thank you KC!! Thank you for rocking out with me for 7 years at 12noon for the noon mix!! Today was my last day and could be my last in radio something I have been since the early 90’s but other things will come along soon!!”

What Remains Unclear No timeline exists for KCJK’s programming return. The station hasn’t revealed its new format direction. Furthermore, replacements for Moore and Dolby remain unnamed. Cumulus hasn’t addressed how this affects Kansas City’s two-station Hip Hop landscape alongside KPRS-FM.

What It Means Although market speculation suggests a format change at KCJK, the station’s future still remains unclear. Two of its most notable personalities exiting marks a significant turning point. This upheaval reflects the broader pattern of recent Cumulus layoffs. Stay tuned.

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.

Peter Alexander On MS NOW Show Debut: I’m an ‘Advocate For the Facts’

Garrett Searight
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Peter Alexander On MS NOW Show Debut: I’m an ‘Advocate For the Facts’

Peter Alexander launched his new MS NOW program Monday, bringing his decades of political reporting to a solo show. The veteran journalist says State of Play will focus on facts rather than partisan advocacy.

What We Know: State of Play debuted at 11 AM ET Monday on MS NOW. Alexander joined the network after spending more than a decade at NBC News, where he covered the White House and national politics. The new program marks Alexander’s first solo broadcast after years as a correspondent and anchor. He also takes on roles as MS NOW’s chief national reporter and breaking news anchor. His comments about the new program came in an interview with Arlington Magazine. Alexander described the show as an opportunity to engage viewers while maintaining a focus on reporting and accountability.

What They Said: “MS NOW is a pro-democracy brand, and I hope to produce a show that is respectful and curious and inclusive. There’s no litmus test to watch; everybody is welcome. The show invites those who are making headlines and determining policy to sit down with me. I like to say that Americans deserve facts, not spin. I view myself not as an advocate for Republicans or Democrats, but as an advocate for the facts. That doesn’t change, no matter where I work.” -Peter Alexander

What Remains Unclear: Alexander enters a crowded cable news environment with a clear emphasis on political reporting. However, it remains to be seen how State of Play will distinguish itself from MS NOW’s other daytime programming.

What It Means: Alexander brings extensive Washington experience to a network seeking to establish its identity. His emphasis on facts and interviews could give MS NOW another recognizable journalist-led program as it builds its daytime lineup.

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.

Steve O’Donnell: Goal Is NASCAR Becoming a Network “Must-Have” Property

John Mamola
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Steve O’Donnell: Goal Is NASCAR Becoming a Network “Must-Have” Property

Steve O’Donnell wants NASCAR on every screen possible. The NASCAR CEO laid out his vision for the sport during a recent appearance on Bussin’ With The Boys.

What We Know: NASCAR’s media rights are currently spanning more than five partners. FOX Sports, Amazon Prime Video, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC Sports are among them. But O’Donnell has bigger goals in mind by making the sport more of a “must have” as opposed to how networks may consider it today. The NASCAR CEO sat down for an exclusive interview with Bussin’ With The Boys to explain his outlook.

What They Said: (All quotes via Bussin’ With The Boys)

NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell wants NASCAR to be a destination sport for networks/steaming platforms: “We have a big opportunity now in the next three to four years to kind of come together. Right now I’d say, we’re a nice to have sport. When you look at networks and everything, not a must have. That’s the goal. We want to be a must have sport. If you’re any one of these networks, any digital, streaming, you better have NASCAR because that’s where eyeballs are going to be. We got to put ourselves in a position to do that. I think we’re on our way.”

NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell on his desires for faster growth than ever before: “When I started, we were we were literally chasing IndyCar. If we can just be bigger than IndyCar, this will be unbelievable. Now, I want to look at I want to be the fastest growing sport in the world. We got some work to do, but we got to rally around that and go.”

NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell on younger demos coming to the sport: “Attendance is up. Rating are up. The biggest thing for us, we’re seeing is young people. We used to be the king of the 55 year old demo. That’s growing, The young we were struggling. Now with Amazon, Fox, we’re seeing that younger demo grow, which is big for us. Now we got to keep them though.”

What Remains Unclear: O’Donnell didn’t specify which networks might expand or reduce their NASCAR commitments. His goals shouldn’t come as a shock, but regarding how he plans to achieve them remains unknown.

What It Means: NASCAR is betting its future on becoming essential, not optional, programming. Younger viewership gains give O’Donnell leverage heading into future negotiations. Still, turning “nice to have” into “must have” requires sustained ratings growth and added attention in a crowded marketplace. Ultimately, the next few years will test whether NASCAR could compete on a higher level with more adaptions and partnerships to showcase the sport to new audiences.

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.

Classic Country Radio Returns to 92.5 Mobile Market

David Hill
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Classic Country Radio Returns to 92.5 Mobile Market

Dot Com Plus flipped 92.5 W223BX Saraland/92.1 WZEW-HD3 Fairhope to Classic Country. The new “92.5 The Bandit” launched with Alabama’s “Dixieland Delight” and Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.”

What We Know The company ended its R&B Oldies format after stunting for just one week. First, they rotated Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” with Gwar’s cover version. Subsequently, they shifted to Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff” paired with Widespread Panic’s cover of “Hot In Herre.” This creative strategy built anticipation before revealing the new format direction.

What’s at Stake The Classic Country format directly challenges two established country competitors in the footprint. iHeartMedia operates 95KSJ (94.9 WKSJ Mobile) while Cumulus Media programs 102.7 WXBM (Milton, FL). Both outlets target current country audiences actively. This aggressive move suggests Dot Com Plus believes Classic Country can capture distinct listener demand.

What Remains Unclear Dot Com Plus’s larger strategic vision with these lower-power signals needs explanation. Why abandon the R&B Oldies format after such a brief run? What specific market research drove this Classic Country decision? Furthermore, the company’s long-term format commitment remains uncertain.

What It Means This flip reflects ongoing format experimentation across smaller radio markets nationwide. Ratings pressures and competitive dynamics drive rapid format changes constantly. Classic Country offers Dot Com Plus a differentiated lane away from current-based competitors. However, capturing audience attention requires sustained execution in this crowded marketplace.

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.

ESPN Launches Second Season of ‘Official Visit with Rece Davis’

John Mamola
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ESPN Launches Second Season of ‘Official Visit with Rece Davis’

ESPN is launching an official visit tour feature interviews with Rece Davis. The College GameDay treks around the county for a sit down with top coaches and players ahead of the season.

What We Know: Davis hosts ESPN’s College GameDay, which enters its 40th season in 2026. This marks his second straight year leading a multi-part college football feature series. This season follows 2025 visits with Bill Belichick, Ryan Day and others. The new series runs beginning today through August 14 across SportsCenter, with a compilation airing tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Guests include Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, Ole Miss’s Trinidad Chambliss, Miami’s Mario Cristobal, Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire and Notre Dame’s CJ Carr.

What They Said: ESPN producer Jonathan Whyley: “We’ve been doing some version of all-access on campus for more than 15 years. This year we wanted to push even further — getting Rece out of the studio and into the real spaces where these coaches and players live their lives. There’s something really special about spending time with them before the season starts. Because once fall camp opens and the games begin, everyone’s world gets smaller — the access tightens and the walls go up. Sitting with a coach in his favorite lunch spot or riding with him in his car, before any of that pressure sets in, gives you a completely different person. That’s what we’re chasing with this series.”

What Remains Unclear: ESPN didn’t provide any details on the selections of the schools represented this year.

What It Means: The series’ return signals ESPN’s push toward deeper, informal storytelling before access tightens once fall camp begins. It also builds momentum heading into GameDay’s milestone 40th season. The season kicks off September 5 from LSU for the show’s 500th road broadcast. For Davis, the series is an added layer he provides for the college football fan. Depth, insight, and reporting that builds on an already impressive resume with the network.

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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