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Lisa Berigan Returns to BIG100 as Mid-Day Host in Washington, D.C.

David Hill
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Lisa Berigan Returns to BIG100 as Mid-Day Host in Washington, D.C.

iHeartMedia Washington, D.C. has named Lisa Berigan the new mid-day host at BIG100. She steps into the role immediately.

What We Know: Berigan joins BIG100 — “DC’s Classic Rock” — in the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. slot, Monday through Friday. Notably, this is a return engagement; she previously held this exact position through October 2024. She will also continue her on-air presence at both 97.1 WASH-FM and 98.7 WMZQ. Berigan reports directly to Dustin Matthews, Director of Rock Programming for iHeartMedia Washington, D.C.

What They Said: Matthews wasted no words in his praise. “No one connects with the DMV like Lisa Berigan,” he said. “Her passion for this music, authentic storytelling and deep connection with listeners have made her a trusted companion for Washington audiences for years.” Berigan, meanwhile, kept it simple and personal: “Coming back to BIG 100 truly feels like coming home.”

What Remains Unclear: The circumstances behind Berigan’s October 2024 departure have not been addressed publicly. Additionally, whether her roles at WASH-FM and WMZQ will shift in scope remains unstated. No long-term contract details were disclosed.

What It Means: This move signals that iHeartMedia is doubling down on familiar, trusted voices in a competitive market. Furthermore, Berigan’s multi-station presence gives the company a unified personality across its D.C. portfolio. For listeners, the return means a recognizable voice is back curating the workday soundtrack. Simply put, iHeartMedia is betting on connection over novelty.

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.

Cecilia Vega: ‘I Very Much Fear What Comes Next’ for 60 Minutes After Exit

Garrett Searight
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Cecilia Vega: ‘I Very Much Fear What Comes Next’ for 60 Minutes After Exit

CBS News made sweeping changes to 60 Minutes on Thursday. That included the exit of Cecilia Vega. She’s now speaking out about her firing.

What We Know: Cecilia Vega was one of several 60 Minutes staffers to depart the show on Thursday. She originally joined the news magazine in 2023. Following her exit, she released a statement to Michael M. Grynbaum of The New York Times expressing her concerns about the show’s future.

What They Said: “I was fired today. My contract as a correspondent for 60 Minutes was not set to expire until March 2027. I have the utmost respect and admiration for my colleagues at 60 Minutes and the stories that air every Sunday. But I very much fear what comes next for and the future of the legendary broadcast. In recent months, my producing teams and I have experienced efforts to insert political bias into our stories. Reporting teams have held back on submitting story pitches about important news topics out of fear of the internal repercussions. Let’s call this what it is: censorship, both imposed and self-driven. It is dangerous for the show and dangerous for democracy.” -Cecilia Vega

What Remains Unclear: Who else, if anyone, will exit 60 Minutes. Of the seven correspondents from the past season, only four remain.

What It Means: Cecilia Vega becomes the latest in a string of those exiting the program who have shared worries about its editorial direction. Questioning or criticizing what has been labeled as “corporate interference” has become a common theme for those departing. At some point, those folks move from “disgruntled employees” to truth tellers.

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.

YouTube Tops Streaming Platforms Earning Global Streaming Ad Growth

John Mamola
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YouTube Tops Streaming Platforms Earning Global Streaming Ad Growth

Streaming advertising dollars continue to flow with YouTube winning the race. According to a new survery, marketers are putting more money into streaming TV with YouTube sitting atop the pecking order.

What We Know: DoubleVerify’s 2026 Global Insights report reveals a clear spending surge across premium streaming platforms. Surveying more than 2,000 marketers and 22,000 consumers across more than 20 global markets, the findings are significant. YouTube led all platforms, with 70% of marketers increasing investment there. Netflix (65%), Amazon Prime (59%), and Samsung streaming environments (48%) also saw notable gains. YouTube’s dominance reflects its status as a destination spanning nearly every media vertical — sports, news, entertainment, podcasts, and beyond.

What They Said: Collette Spagnolo, vice president of marketing, integrated marketing & analytics at DoubleVerify: “Globally, streaming TV has become a core part of the modern media mix. Marketers are recognizing the value of platforms where consumers are spending more of their viewing time, particularly environments that can deliver both scale and measurable business outcomes.”

What Remains Unclear: The report doesn’t break down how budgets are shifting away from linear TV in any fashion. Additionally, it’s uncertain whether YouTube’s lead reflects brand preference or simply its unmatched scale across content categories. Furthermore, how smaller streaming platforms compete for remaining ad dollars remains an open question.

What It Means: Streaming is no longer a test budget for advertisers — it’s a primary one. Advertisers are chasing fragmented audiences onto connected television platforms where performance is measurable, audience is shifting, and engagement is high. Consequently, platforms that can prove ROI will continue attracting the lion’s share of investment from these advertisers.

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.

MLS Reports Viewership up 62% Year Over Year at FIFA World Cup Break

John Mamola
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MLS Reports Viewership up 62% Year Over Year at FIFA World Cup Break

Major League Soccer (MLS) is having one of its best start ever. Viewership, attendance, and social engagement are all climbing heading into the FIFA World Cup break this summer.

What We Know: MLS averaged 7.9 million live viewers per week through the first three months of 2026. That’s a 62% year-over-year jump. Notably, this season marked a shift, with games no longer locked behind the Apple TV paywall, expanding accessibility for fans. Opening weekend drew the highest attendance in league history. Additionally, MLS boasts the youngest fan base in major North American men’s pro sports, averaging 39.6 years old.

What They Said: Camilo Durana, MLS Chief Business Officer: “The growth we’re experiencing this season reflects the consistency and momentum MLS has built over the last three years. From continued rising viewership to record-setting attendance across multiple clubs and expanding digital and social engagement. Fans are connecting with the league at unprecedented levels as global attention on soccer continues to build ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup.”

What Remains Unclear: How much of the viewership surge stems from broader Apple TV access versus World Cup anticipation remains an open question. Furthermore, whether MLS can sustain this momentum beyond the summer tournament is still unknown.

What It Means: Timing is everything. MLS Commissioner Don Garber saw the opportunity on the wall with the FIFA World Cup around the corner that interest in this season would be high. By removing the added paywall that MLS fans had to pay for, of course viewership will rise. If it didn’t, that would signal a more dire situation for the league. Plus, with Apple signing a new five-year agreement with F1 and possibly losing their MLB rights in the coming years, the MLS had to make an impression to Apple and other streaming companies. A 62% leap is impressive, but it should also have been expected.

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.

Nielsen Executive Admits More Change Needed To Address Future of Diary Use in Markets

John Mamola
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Nielsen Executive Admits More Change Needed To Address Future of Diary Use in Markets

Nielsen is attempting to address the continued challenges facing the the diary-based radio ratings service. During a recent webinar, the company plans a hybrid approach to its diary-based ratings system, citing falling response rates, rising costs, and shifting consumer habits.

What We Know: Nielsen operates diary-based measurement in hundreds of smaller radio markets. Meanwhile, the top markets migrated to Portable People Meters (PPM) years ago. Additionally, earlier this year, Nielsen launched its mobile-enabled mSurvey platform, adding a digital layer to diary collection. However, executives now say that upgrade alone isn’t enough to sustain long-term viability. According to Nielsen, survey response rates have dropped 13% year over year despite no methodological changes to prospecting.

What They Said: Imran Hirani, Nielsen’s leader for diary operations: “We have some additional hills to climb. We do need to think about something that’s more substantive change to be able to address these issues.”

What Remains Unclear: Nielsen hasn’t confirmed exactly what their full approach is going to be or a timeline for that execution. It also remains unknown whether the new methodology could eventually replace diaries entirely, even though Nielsen stated it does not plan to do so. Beyond that, the company hasn’t specified how clients will be notified before test data rolls out early next year.

What It Means: As the world evolves into a more digital world, Nielsen is still playing catch up. It is encouraging that Nielsen recognizes the challenges surrounding survey participation. However, the problem is not new. For years, there have been signs that consumers are increasingly unwilling to volunteer for an outdated process. Competing demands on their time have only intensified that trend. If participation continues to decline at its current pace, it raises serious questions about how smaller-market radio brands will measure success and demonstrate value to advertisers.

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.

2026 Edward R. Murrow Awards Winners Announced

Garrett Searight
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2026 Edward R. Murrow Awards Winners Announced

The RTDNA has announced the winners of the 2026 Edward R. Murrow Awards.

What We Know: The organization released the winners of all 14 regions at once. In the past, it has released them region by region, once per day. Winners of the Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards will advance to the national competition. Those victors will be announced in August. National winners will be celebrated at the Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala on Monday, October 12th at Gotham Hall in New York City.

What It Means: The Edward R. Murrow Awards continue to be a major deal to local radio and television brands. Those dedicated to producing high-quality local journalism celebrate the victories like a Super Bowl win. Now we wait to see which local brands will accept national awards in the coming months.

And the Winners Are…

Region 1 – Radio Large Market

Breaking News Coverage
Seattle ICE Protests Turn Violent
KIRO Newsradio
Seattle, WA

Continuing Coverage
Following Trump’s immigration crackdown across WA state
KUOW
Seattle, WA

Digital
OPB
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Portland, OR

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Spanish language music is popular and big business but feeling the effects of immigration crackdowns
Mountain West News Bureau
Boise, ID

Excellence in Sound
The Quest to Touch a Gray Whale
88.5 KNKX-FM
Seattle-Tacoma, WA

Excellence in Writing
The 7:35 Commentary
KIRO Newsradio
Seattle, WA

Feature Reporting
‘I just wanna go home’: In aging Oregon, older and vulnerable adults struggle to get by
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Portland, OR

Hard News
The Boy In The Tent
KIRO Newsradio
Seattle, WA

Investigative Reporting
The Mayor’s Letter
KIRO Newsradio
Seattle, WA

News Documentary
Fentanyl fuels a persistent ‘hot spot’ at Seattle’s 12th and Jackson. What will it take to fix it?
KUOW
Seattle, WA

News Series
Wired, Wired West: AI data center boom sparks concerns over energy and water
Mountain West News Bureau
Boise, ID

Newscast
Seattle’s Morning News
KIRO Newsradio
Seattle, WA

Podcast
The Evergreen: ‘I don’t want to find out if they’re going to put me in a detention center’
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Portland, OR

Sports Reporting
More Than A Home Run
KIRO Newsradio
Seattle, WA

Overall Excellence
KIRO Newsradio
KIRO Newsradio
Seattle, WA

Region 1 – Radio Small Market

Breaking News Coverage
Heavy rains in Lincoln County close roads, flood homes and prompt boil water order
Montana Public Radio
Missoula, MT

Continuing Coverage
Typhoon Halong Coverage
Alaska Public Media, KYUK and KNBA
Anchorage, AK

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
St. Paul community marks WWII evacuation with commemorative softball game in Anchorage
Alaska Public Media and KUCB
Anchorage, AK

Excellence in Sound
A spectacle, a celebration and a labor of love as geese descend on Freezeout Lake
Montana Public Radio
Missoula, MT

Excellence in Writing
Selection of stories from Brian Bull
KLCC
Eugene, OR

Feature Reporting
‘The Last Supper:’ Boise Art Museum exhibits artist’s lifework on death row final meals
Boise State Public Radio
Boise, ID

Hard News
‘We got hope’: The few who remain in storm-ravaged Kipnuk race to rebuild
Alaska Public Media
Anchorage, AK

Investigative Reporting
Roseburg’s private homeless camps blur business and charity
Jefferson Public Radio
Medford, OR

News Series
A Changing Trail
KYUK Public Media
Bethel, AK

Podcast
Howl
Boise State Public Radio and Idaho Capital Sun
Boise, ID

Sports Reporting
For Samoans in Anchorage, cricket means connection to culture and each other
Alaska Public Media
Anchorage, AK

Overall Excellence
KLCC
KLCC
Eugene, OR

Region 2 – Radio Large Market

Breaking News Coverage
The L.A. Firestorm
KNX News
Los Angeles, CA

Continuing Coverage
The L.A. Fire Disaster
KNX News
Los Angeles, CA

Digital
This Ethiopian Woman was Tortured by Her Government. The U.S. is Sending Her Home Anyway
The California Newsroom and KQED
San Francisco, CA

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Introducing ‘Love You for You:’ Conversations Between Trans Kids and Their Loved Ones
KQED
San Francisco, CA

Excellence in Innovation
Californians On Trump’s Second Term
KQED and The California Newsroom
San Francisco, CA

Excellence in Sound
Meet the Duduk Whisperer: A Bay Area Armenian Folk Musician Revives Centuries of Soul
KQED
San Francisco, CA

Excellence in Writing
Train Nerds Taking Over BART This Weekend for Trendy Sport: Speedrunning
KQED
San Francisco, CA

Feature Reporting
She Stops School Fights Before They Start. Oakland May Cut Her Job
KQED
San Francisco, CA

Hard News
Some Families Separated at the Border Got Free Legal Aid. The US Just Cut That Contract
KQED
San Francisco, CA

Investigative Reporting
California Doctors Urge Ban on Engineered Stone as Silicosis Cases Surge
KQED
San Francisco, CA

News Documentary
Rebuild or leave? One Black family in Altadena decides their future after Eaton Fire
LAist
Los Angeles, CA

News Series
Cities Crack Down on Encampments
KQED
San Francisco, CA

Newscast
The L.A. Firestorm: 9:30pm
KNX News
Los Angeles, CA

Podcast
Rebuilding a life, 100 miles at a time
LAist
Los Angeles, CA

Sports Reporting
San Francisco Giants’ Mental Wellness Team is One of the Largest in Major League Baseball
KQED
San Francisco, CA

Overall Excellence
KNX News
KNX News
Los Angeles, CA

Region 2 – Radio Small Market

Breaking News Coverage
Federal officials say 200 undocumented immigrants arrested in Carpinteria, Camarillo raids
KCLU AM/FM
Thousand Oaks-Santa Barbara, CA

Continuing Coverage
The lasting impacts of the Moss Landing battery plant fire
KAZU
Monterey, CA

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Watsonville farmworkers train as doulas to help other Indigenous women
KAZU
Monterey, CA

Excellence in Innovation
KVPR Weekly News Wrap
KVPR/Valley Public Radio
Fresno, CA

Excellence in Sound
Flying dogs! Homeless dogs flown from Ventura County to the Midwest to ease shelter overcrowding after Southern California wildfires
KCLU AM/FM
Thousand Oaks-Santa Barbara, CA

Excellence in Writing
From AI to social media, these grieving parents hope new state legislation could help protect kids online
KCLU AM/FM
Thousand Oaks-Santa Barbara, CA

Feature Reporting
A rescue camel lives with his human best friend on a ranch in Ventura County
KCLU AM/FM
Thousand Oaks-Santa Barbara, CA

Hard News
How physically present must state lawmakers be during session, if at all?
Hawaii Public Radio
Honolulu, HI

Investigative Reporting
‘It’s unprecedented’ – Central Valley beekeepers devastated by honeybee die-offs
KVPR/Valley Public Radio
Fresno, CA

News Documentary
Apocalypse: 80 Years Later – KCLU News commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II
KCLU AM/FM
Thousand Oaks-Santa Barbara, CA

News Series
Farm fertilizers contaminate thousands of wells in the Salinas Valley
KAZU
Monterey, CA

Podcast
Central Valley Daily: Feb. 21: Author Mas Masumoto On Finding The ‘Sounds Of Our Histories’
KVPR/Valley Public Radio
Fresno, CA

Sports Reporting
For surfers, Santa Cruz waves are priceless. A new report gives them a dollar value
KAZU
Monterey, CA

Overall Excellence
Hawaii Public Radio
Hawaii Public Radio
Honolulu, HI

Region 3 – Radio Large Market

Breaking News Coverage
The Murder of Charlie Kirk
KSL NewsRadio
Salt Lake City, UT

Continuing Coverage
Seeking asylum on the southern border
KJZZ News
Phoenix, AZ

Digital
KJZZ
KJZZ News
Phoenix, AZ

Excellence in Innovation
OVERWHELMED: Autistic patients say conditions at Arizona State Hospital are making them worse
KJZZ News
Phoenix, AZ

Excellence in Sound
Phoenix Symphony performance to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day
KJZZ News
Phoenix, AZ

Excellence in Writing
What it was like to cover Charlie Kirk at the peak of his MAGA triumph
KJZZ News
Phoenix, AZ

Feature Reporting
Brenda Stuart’s Kidney Journey
KOA
Denver, CO

Hard News
A psychedelic sacrament. A Provo police raid. What counts as a religion?
KUER
Salt Lake City, UT

Investigative Reporting
AZ inmate filed fake documents for years before officials say he used them to get out of prison
KJZZ News
Phoenix, AZ

News Documentary
In-Depth: The quest to restore what was lost for Indigenous people in Colorado
Colorado Public Radio
Denver, CO

News Series
EVICTED: Maricopa County has an eviction problem. Not everyone agrees on how to solve it
KJZZ News
Phoenix, AZ

Newscast
KJZZ Morning Newscast, July 15th at 8:04 a.m.
KJZZ News
Phoenix, AZ

Podcast
Purplish
Colorado Public Radio
Denver, CO

Sports Reporting
New tech is enhancing basketball games for blind, low-vision fans
KJZZ News
Phoenix, AZ

Overall Excellence
Colorado Public Radio News
Colorado Public Radio
Denver, CO

Region 3 – Radio Small Market

Breaking News Coverage
U.S. citizen in Arizona detained by immigration officials for 10 days
Arizona Public Media
Tucson, AZ

Continuing Coverage
2025 Immigration Enforcement
Aspen Public Radio and Aspen Journalism
Aspen, CO

Digital
Horse Racing Industry
Wyoming Public Media
Laramie, WY

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Pueblo Azul provides peer-support and resources in Spanish for parents raising kids with disabilities
Aspen Public Radio and Aspen Journalism
Aspen, CO

Excellence in Sound
Trona Mine Tour
Wyoming Public Media
Laramie, WY

Excellence in Writing
Arizona now has AI-powered cameras for fire detection. Where does that leave human lookouts?
KNAU Arizona Public Radio
Flagstaff, AZ

Feature Reporting
Indigenous youths finish historic journey down Klamath River with help of Aspen-based nonprofit after dams removed
Aspen Public Radio and Aspen Journalism
Aspen, CO

Hard News
Local parents urge Polis to sign bill requiring social media crackdown on illegal activity after losing kids to overdoses
Aspen Public Radio and Aspen Journalism
Aspen, CO

News Documentary
The Buzz: Mental Health Care in the Pima County Jail
Arizona Public Media and Arizona Luminaria
Tucson, AZ

News Series
Toxic Waste or Economic Fuel? Effort quietly underway to bring nuclear to rural Colorado
KUNC News
Greeley-Fort Collins, CO

Newscast
Local KUNC newscast from 6 a.m., Oct. 23, 2025
KUNC News
Greeley-Fort Collins, CO

Podcast
Back From Beyond
KZMU Moab Community Radio, Grand County Search and Rescue, Grand County Active Transportation and Trails, and Moab Office of Tourism
Moab, UT

Sports Reporting
Steamboat Springs produces many elite Nordic Combined athletes. But the women can only fly so high
KUNC News
Greeley-Fort Collins, CO

Overall Excellence
KUNC News
KUNC News
Greeley-Fort Collins, CO

Region 4 – Radio Large Market

Breaking News Coverage
Minnesota lawmakers shot in political assassination
WCCO Radio
Minneapolis, MN

Continuing Coverage
Annunciation Church and School Mass Shooting
WCCO Radio
Minneapolis, MN

Digital
Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Coverage
Wisconsin Public Radio
Madison, WI

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
‘We went from invisible to visible’: Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier navigates changed political landscape
MPR News
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

Excellence in Innovation
Build Your Ballot & Statewide Voter Guides: Powering Informed Civic Participation Across Two Election Cycles
MPR News
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

Excellence in Writing
‘Beauty and pain’: Dispatches from the Palestinian territories by Milwaukee residents
WUWM
Milwaukee, WI

Feature Reporting
As milk prices dropped, these Minnesota farmers put their cows out to cuddle
MPR News
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

Hard News
‘Come out to the community’: Milwaukee groups call for shared risk in wake of Judge Dugan’s arrest
WUWM
Milwaukee, WI

Investigative Reporting
Sludge is used as fertilizer across Wisconsin. How much is tainted by PFAS?
Wisconsin Public Radio
Madison, WI

News Documentary
To The Best of Our Knowledge: On Pilgrimage With Dorothy Day
Wisconsin Public Radio
Madison, WI

News Series
Yemeni Coffee in Brew City
WUWM
Milwaukee, WI

Newscast
August 28, 2025
WCCO Radio
Minneapolis, MN

Sports Reporting
‘Motherpuckers’ teach women’s hockey with joy and inclusion, and a little irreverence
MPR News
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

Overall Excellence
MPR News
MPR News
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

Region 4 – Radio Small Market

Digital
KAXE.org Multimedia News Coverage
KAXE/KBXE
Grand Rapids-Bemidji, MN

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Anishinaabe Bizindamoo Makak – New Rice, Manoominike and Northern Lights
WTIP and Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe
Grand Marais, MN

Feature Reporting
75 years of culture, dancing, and joy
WXPR Public Radio
Rhinelander, WI

Hard News
Historic Land Transfer
WXPR Public Radio
Rhinelander, WI

News Documentary
Meet the black-footed ferret & the people fighting for the species
South Dakota Public Broadcasting
Sioux Falls, SD

News Series
USS Pierre Commissioning
KCCR
Pierre, SD

Sports Reporting
Ski Team Snow Struggles
WXPR Public Radio
Rhinelander, WI

Region 5 – Radio Large Market

Breaking News Coverage
May 16th Tornado Coverage
KMOX
St. Louis, MO

Continuing Coverage
The St. Louis Tornado
St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis, MO

Digital
STLPR
St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis, MO

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
A Nebraska boy was bullied and called a ‘cotton picker.’ His mother is demanding accountability
The Midwest Newsroom and Nebraska Public Media
Lincoln, NE

Excellence in Innovation
Remember Me
St. Louis Public Radio and The Marshall Project – St. Louis
St. Louis, MO

Excellence in Sound
How Foley artists make Halloween horror flicks sound so spooky
St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis, MO

Excellence in Writing
Jeremy Goodwin
St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis, MO

Feature Reporting
Trump’s transgender ban is forcing this Kansas officer out of the Army: ‘Damn this hurts’
KCUR 89.3
Kansas City, MO

Hard News
‘Bring Carol home’: ICE snatches rural Missouri mom at immigration check-in
The Midwest Newsroom and St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis, MO

Investigative Reporting
How did a St. Louis man die in ICE custody?
St. Louis Public Radio and The Midwest Newsroom
St. Louis, MO

News Documentary
Bob Dole, the ADA and the power of collective activism
KCUR 89.3
Kansas City, MO

Newscast
STLPR Newscast Monday, May 19 – After the Tornado
St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis, MO

Sports Reporting
How a Kansas college runner ended up ‘on the verge of death’ after 102-degree practice
The Midwest Newsroom and KCUR
Kansas City, MO

Overall Excellence
KMOX Newsroom 2025
KMOX
St. Louis, MO

Region 5 – Radio Small Market

Breaking News Coverage
Des Moines school superintendent arrested by ICE
Iowa Public Radio
Des Moines, IA

Continuing Coverage
Des Moines School Superintendent Ian Roberts Arrested By ICE
WHO Radio News
Des Moines, IA

Digital
KBIA
KBIA Public Radio
Columbia, MO

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Experts: Executive orders redefining biological sex attempt to erase intersex people
KBIA Public Radio
Columbia, MO

Excellence in Sound
Mobile Funk Unit
KBIA Public Radio
Columbia, MO

Excellence in Writing
Harshawn Ratanpal
KBIA Public Radio
Columbia, MO

Feature Reporting
In Hannibal, Mark Twain’s legacy lives on through Tom & Becky program
KBIA Public Radio
Columbia, MO

Hard News
Summer food program’s logistical challenges
Iowa Public Radio
Des Moines, IA

Investigative Reporting
Dumped in Berger
KBIA Public Radio
Columbia, MO

News Documentary
A Night at the Inn
KBIA Public Radio
Columbia, MO

News Series
One Small Bite
KBIA Public Radio
Columbia, MO

Newscast
WHO Radio News at Noon
WHO Radio News
Des Moines, IA

Podcast
Voice Imprints
Siouxland Public Media
Sioux City, IA

Sports Reporting
Renewal of MU-KU rivalry extends beyond the football field
KBIA Public Radio
Columbia, MO

Overall Excellence
WHO Radio News
WHO Radio News
Des Moines, IA

Region 6 – Radio Large Market

Breaking News Coverage
Wilmer-Hutchins School Shooting
KRLD Radio
Dallas, TX

Continuing Coverage
Texas Floods
KUT
Austin, TX

Digital
KUT Explainer Videos
KUT
Austin, TX

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
‘These are neighbors’: Union Corridor highlights religious diversity of Houston’s southwest suburbs
Houston Public Media
Houston, TX

Excellence in Innovation
Talk of Texas
Texas Standard
Austin, TX

Excellence in Sound
‘El más dulce recuerdo’: 30 years later, Selena’s presence still felt in Corpus Christi
Texas Standard
Austin, TX

Excellence in Writing
Three Black Texans were lynched 130 years ago. How can Austin preserve their memory?
KUT
Austin, TX

Feature Reporting
Huston-Tillotson Jazz Orchestra performs at sold out venue — just three years after its formation
KUT
Austin, TX

Hard News
San Antonio special education teacher says she’s been injured more this year than ever before
Texas Public Radio
San Antonio, TX

Investigative Reporting
Texas college students left without a path to finish their degree
Texas Public Radio
San Antonio, TX

News Documentary
24 Hours at Austin’s 911 Mental Health Call Center
KUT
Austin, TX

News Series
Blood Work: Inside America’s Plasma-for-Cash Economy
Texas Public Radio
San Antonio, TX

Newscast
KRLD Morning News – July 10th, 7am
KRLD Radio
Dallas, TX

Podcast
The Disconnect: The Long Con
KUT
Austin, TX

Sports Reporting
After the flood, football helps heal in Kerrville
Texas Public Radio
San Antonio, TX

Overall Excellence
KRLD
KRLD Radio
Dallas, TX

Region 6 – Small Market Radio

Continuing Coverage
Walmart Mass shooting six years later
KTEP Public Radio
El Paso, TX

Digital
Marfa Public Radio
Marfa Public Radio
Marfa, TX

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Bowie High Students win landmark case against Border Patrol
KTEP Public Radio
El Paso, TX

Excellence in Innovation
A Whole Other Country
Marfa Public Radio
Marfa, TX

Excellence in Sound
A Whole Other Country
Marfa Public Radio
Marfa, TX

Excellence in Writing
A Whole Other Country
Marfa Public Radio
Marfa, TX

Feature Reporting
The Kentucky Club
KTEP Public Radio
El Paso, TX

Hard News
Immigration Court Prayer Vigil
KTEP Public Radio
El Paso, TX

News Documentary
A Whole Other Country
Marfa Public Radio
Marfa, TX

News Series
A Whole Other Country
Marfa Public Radio
Marfa, TX

Podcast
A Whole Other Country
Marfa Public Radio
Marfa, TX

Overall Excellence
Marfa Public Radio
Marfa Public Radio
Marfa, TX

Region 7 – Large Market Radio

Breaking News Coverage
Ground stop at Detroit Metro Airport
WWJ Newsradio 950
Detroit, MI

Continuing Coverage
Operation Midway Blitz
WBBM Newsradio
Chicago, IL

Digital
WBEZ Music Coverage
WBEZ Chicago
Chicago, IL

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Chicago’s Death Gap
WBEZ Chicago
Chicago, IL

Excellence in Innovation
Answering Chicago’s immigration questions about Trump’s deportation campaign
WBEZ Chicago
Chicago, IL

Excellence in Sound
One Ohio man’s mission to immortalize a ‘sacred instrument’
The Ohio Newsroom
Cleveland, OH

Excellence in Writing
Student group banned by DePaul continues to run covert birth control delivery service
WBEZ Chicago
Chicago, IL

Feature Reporting
The Youngstown Lifeguard Academy is teaching teens to swim against the tide
The Ohio Newsroom
Cleveland, OH

Hard News
Illinois professors face threats after landing on Charlie Kirk group watch list
WBEZ Chicago
Chicago, IL

Investigative Reporting
Chicago’s Lead Crisis
WBEZ Chicago, Grist and Inside Climate News
Chicago, IL

News Documentary
Becoming Bovino
WBEZ Chicago and Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago, IL

News Series
Chicago graduation rate rises as absenteeism surges
WBEZ Chicago and Chalkbeat Chicago
Chicago, IL

Newscast
704 am WDET News
WDET-FM
Detroit, MI

Sports Reporting
Hundreds tried out to be the Akron RubberDucks announcer. Here’s who knocked it out of the park
Ideastream Public Media
Cleveland, OH

Overall Excellence
WBBM Newsradio
WBBM Newsradio
Chicago, IL

Region 7 – Small Market Radio

Breaking News Coverage
Lee Street Killings
WGLT-FM
Normal, IL

Continuing Coverage
Groups that help survivors of domestic violence face cuts and restrictions
WMUK-FM
Kalamazoo, MI

Digital
WFIU News
WFIU/WTIU
Bloomington, IN

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Points North: Big Abe’s Net
Interlochen Public Radio
Traverse City, MI

Excellence in Sound
Screech owl babies return to the wild after weeks at raptor center
Interlochen Public Radio
Traverse City, MI

Excellence in Writing
Sturgeon season breaks records; Alpena education center set to close
WCMU Public Media
Mount Pleasant, MI

Feature Reporting
As ICE plans to move into Baldwin prison, residents hope jobs will stay
Interlochen Public Radio
Traverse City, MI

Hard News
Bitcoin mining farm in eastern UP prompts school to pause expansion
WCMU Public Media
Mount Pleasant, MI

Investigative Reporting
‘Nothing but problems’: Confronting the living conditions at Fox Ridge Apartments
WMUK-FM and NowKalamazoo
Kalamazoo, MI

News Documentary
Rush to Kill: Biden commutes 37 death sentences
WFIU/WTIU
Bloomington, IN

News Series
Oak Wood’s grip on Bloomington-Normal mobile home residents
WGLT-FM
Normal, IL

Newscast
Huber Heights Fentanyl Bust
WHIO Radio
Dayton, OH

Podcast
Points North: Some Things Never Change
Interlochen Public Radio
Traverse City, MI

Overall Excellence
IPM News: For the Good of All
Illinois Public Media
Urbana, IL

Region 8 – Large Market Radio

Breaking News Coverage
Charlotte immigrant corridor empties amid Border Patrol surge; some shops close indefinitely
90.7 WFAE
Charlotte, NC

Continuing Coverage
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Budget Crisis
WFDD
Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, NC

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Overdose deaths among Black, Hispanic residents have surged in Mecklenburg County
90.7 WFAE
Charlotte, NC

Excellence in Innovation
Education 101
WUNC News
Raleigh-Durham, NC

Excellence in Sound
The wild world of Civil War reenactment
WUNC News
Raleigh-Durham, NC

Excellence in Writing
The hunt for a million dollar fish
WUNC News
Raleigh-Durham, NC

Feature Reporting
How the Latino Faithful in North Carolina Remember Pope Francis, the First Latin American Pope
WUNC News
Raleigh-Durham, NC

Hard News
Family says critically ill man was pressured into deportation order after ‘Charlotte’s Web’ sweep
90.7 WFAE
Charlotte, NC

Investigative Reporting
How a gap in Tennessee’s probation system leaves domestic violence victims in danger
Nashville Public Radio and ProPublica
Nashville, TN

News Documentary
The Debt: What Tennessee owes its public HBCU
Nashville Public Radio and Tennessee Lookout
Nashville, TN

News Series
From Politics to Paychecks
WUNC News
Raleigh-Durham, NC

Newscast
WFAE
90.7 WFAE
Charlotte, NC

Podcast
The Broadside
WUNC News
Raleigh-Durham, NC

Sports Reporting
The hunt for a million dollar fish
WUNC News
Raleigh-Durham, NC

Overall Excellence
WFAE
90.7 WFAE
Charlotte, NC

Region 8 – Small Market Radio

Breaking News Coverage
West Virginia National Guard members shot in Washington D.C.
WCHS MetroNews
Charleston, WV

Continuing Coverage
Data centers in Kentucky
Louisville Public Media
Louisville, KY

Digital
WEKU
WEKU
Lexington, KY

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Us & Them: Black West Virginians With Substance Use Disorder Face Unique Challenges
West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Charleston, WV

Excellence in Innovation
Louisville Public Media adds digital tools to help you learn about Kentucky lawmakers
Louisville Public Media
Louisville, KY

Excellence in Sound
The Gift of Music
WUKY
Lexington, KY

Excellence in Writing
Stable Recovery Program Pairs Horses with Addiction Recovery and Hard Work
WEKU
Lexington, KY

Feature Reporting
The Gift of Music
WUKY
Lexington, KY

Hard News
Suicide of Kentucky teen investigated as financial ‘sextortion’
WKU Public Radio
Bowling Green, KY

Investigative Reporting
Flock Safety license plate reader coverage
Louisville Public Media, Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting and Kentucky Public Radio
Louisville, KY

News Documentary
Healing After Helene: One year after the storm that changed East Tennessee
WUOT
Knoxville, TN

News Series
Camp Lejeune Justice Act Series
Public Radio East
New Bern, NC

Newscast
West Virginia Morning News
WCHS MetroNews
Charleston, WV

Podcast
Lexington drumming program helps those with Parkinson’s disease
WEKU
Lexington, KY

Sports Reporting
Kentucky square dance clubs
WEKU
Lexington, KY

Overall Excellence
West Virginia Public Broadcasting
West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Charleston, WV

Region 9 – Large Market Radio

Breaking News Coverage
Terrorist Attacks Bourbon Street Revelers on New Years Day
WWL Radio
New Orleans, LA

Continuing Coverage
Ten Inmates Escape the New Orleans Jail Prompting Months-Long Manhunt, Investigation
WWL Radio
New Orleans, LA

Digital
WWL Radio
WWL Radio
New Orleans, LA

Excellence in Innovation
Born after the storm
WWNO/WRKF and Be Loud Studios
New Orleans, LA

Excellence in Sound
New Orleans musicians feel the heat of rising temperatures: ‘You can hear it in the music’
Gulf States Newsroom
New Orleans, LA

Hard News
Should Bourbon Street be a 24/7 pedestrian mall? Truck attack reignites old debate
WWNO/WRKF
New Orleans, LA

Podcast
The True Cost of Fertilizer
WWNO/WRKF
New Orleans, LA

Sports Reporting
Big Game has Big Impact
WWL Radio
New Orleans, LA

Overall Excellence
WWNO/WRKF
WWNO/WRKF
New Orleans, LA

Region 9 – Small Market Radio

Feature Reporting
Emmett Till remembered through events marking 70 years since the teenager’s brutal murder
Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Jackson, MS

Hard News
Islamic school’s effort to expand draws anti-Muslim backlash
WBHM 90.3
Birmingham, AL

News Documentary
…a death, a bridge, and a seat on the bus.
Alabama Public Radio
Tuscaloosa, AL

News Series
20 years later, remembering Hurricane Katrina
Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Jackson, MS

Newscast
WBHM Newscast from May 2, 2025
WBHM 90.3
Birmingham, AL

Podcast
Track One: Shelved, Episode 1: Patty
Little Rock Public Radio
Little Rock, AR

Sports Reporting
In a big step for Alabama, youth cricket comes to Pelham
WBHM 90.3
Birmingham, AL

Overall Excellence
WBHM
WBHM 90.3
Birmingham, AL

Region 10 – Large Market Radio

Breaking News Coverage
Deadly fire at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility
WBUR
Boston, MA

Continuing Coverage
Front Lines of ICE in Boston
WBUR
Boston, MA

Digital
WBUR
WBUR
Boston, MA

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
On Point’s Falling Behind: The Opportunity Gap
WBUR
Boston, MA

Excellence in Sound
A ‘radically inclusive’ brass band believes anyone can learn to play
WBUR
Boston, MA

Excellence in Writing
Bye-bye beetle? Massachusetts is close to eradicating an invasive bug.
GBH News
Boston, MA

Feature Reporting
Emily started puberty blockers during a raging state and national debate
WBUR
Boston, MA

Hard News
How has the FBI changed under Trump? In Boston, agents are more involved in local actions.
GBH News
Boston, MA

Investigative Reporting
Need an ambulance in Massachusetts? It could leave you thousands in debt.
GBH News
Boston, MA

News Documentary
On Point: The Opportunity Gap
WBUR
Boston, MA

News Series
San Patrignano’s drug rehab model
WBUR
Boston, MA

Podcast
Scratch and Win
GBH News
Boston, MA

Sports Reporting
‘I just gambled our entire savings away’: Young adults in Mass. are hooked on online sports betting
WBUR
Boston, MA

Overall Excellence
WBUR
WBUR
Boston, MA

Region 10 – Small Market Radio

Breaking News Coverage
Karen Read Murder Trial
WATD
Marshfield, MA

Continuing Coverage
A Nonprofit Fails a Community, and Questions Lead to the Capitol
Connecticut Public
Hartford, CT

Digital
Vermont Public
Vermont Public
Colchester, VT

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Outside/In: Order on the pickleball court!!!
NHPR
Concord, NH

Excellence in Innovation
Meeting Monitor: Using AI to surface local news
Connecticut Public
Hartford, CT

Excellence in Sound
‘Jaws’ live: Celebrating film’s 50th and the thrill of its eternal score
CAI
Cape Cod, MA

Excellence in Writing
NHPR
NHPR
Concord, NH

Feature Reporting
3 Vermonters on their late-in-life diagnoses
Vermont Public
Colchester, VT

Hard News
New Hampshire said felons couldn’t be fishing guides. An angler sued to change that.
NHPR
Concord, NH

Investigative Reporting
In midst of budget crisis, an unusual move helped ally of NH Chief Justice collect $50K
NHPR
Concord, NH

News Documentary
Outside/In: The Brick Lady of St. Louis
NHPR
Concord, NH

News Series
Sudden Separations: Immigration Enforcement in Vermont
Vermont Public
Colchester, VT

Newscast
Connecticut Public’s ‘Morning Edition’ with Lori Mack
Connecticut Public
Hartford, CT

Podcast
The Final Days of Sgt. Tibbs
NHPR
Concord, NH

Sports Reporting
Come for the fights, stay for the fun: Connecticut’s pro hockey season begins
Connecticut Public
Hartford, CT

Overall Excellence
Moments in Connecticut: A look at 2025 from Connecticut Public
Connecticut Public
Hartford, CT

Region 11 – Radio Large Market

Breaking News Coverage
Plane Crash in Northeast Philadelphia
KYW Newsradio
Philadelphia, PA

Digital
Voter’s guides
WHYY News
Philadelphia, PA

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
King: A year in the life of a Pittsburgh public school (Digital story, audio segments 1, 3, 5, 6 to meet stated time limit)
Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation/WESA
Pittsburgh, PA

Excellence in Sound
‘Music from the heart’: Bluegrass tradition blossoms at a family-owned music shop in Bucks County
WHYY News
Philadelphia, PA

Excellence in Writing
Jukebox Journey
WHYY News
Philadelphia, PA

Feature Reporting
A Brooklyn school backed by Jay-Z said students could graduate debt-free. Now they’re buried in it.
New York Public Radio – WNYC
New York, NY

Hard News
In the trenches in Kensington, rookie police officers see change
KYW Newsradio
Philadelphia, PA

Investigative Reporting
Delaware County residents plagued by longer ambulance rides, emergency room waits
WHYY News
Philadelphia, PA

News Documentary
The MOVE Bombing: 40 years later
KYW Newsradio
Philadelphia, PA

News Series
Double Jeopardy: From Classroom to Courtroom
Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation/WESA
Pittsburgh, PA

Newscast
The Villanova Pope: KYW Newsradio Newscast from 9:30am, May 9th, 2025
KYW Newsradio
Philadelphia, PA

Podcast
The MOVE Bombing: 40 years later
KYW Newsradio
Philadelphia, PA

Sports Reporting
Suburban Philadelphia skaters find community in roller derby: ‘The harder you hit them, the more you love them’
WHYY News
Philadelphia, PA

Overall Excellence
WHYY News Storytelling in 2025
WHYY News
Philadelphia, PA

Region 11 – Radio Small Market

Breaking News Coverage
Renowned musician Chuck Mangione dies at 84
WXXI Public Media
Rochester, NY

Continuing Coverage
New York’s Prison Strike
North Country Public Radio
Canton, NY

Digital
NCPR’s Instagram presence
North Country Public Radio
Canton, NY

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
What’s In A Name?
North Country Public Radio and Adirondack Explorer
Canton, NY

Excellence in Sound
A Winter Waterfowl Hunt on the St. Lawrence River
North Country Public Radio
Canton, NY

Feature Reporting
40 Feet In The Air
WAER Syracuse Public Media
Syracuse, NY

Hard News
Rally in Sackets Harbor for the return of detained children
North Country Public Radio
Canton, NY

Investigative Reporting
A student’s assault allegations reveal reporting gaps in Rochester schools
WXXI Public Media
Rochester, NY

News Series
The Dannemora Prison Escape, Ten Years On
North Country Public Radio
Canton, NY

Newscast
French Street Fire
WBEN NewsRadio 930
Buffalo, NY

Podcast
Health on the Margins
Radio Catskill
Jeffersonville, NY

Sports Reporting
A Tree Rodeo comes to northern New York
North Country Public Radio
Canton, NY

Overall Excellence
NCPR
North Country Public Radio
Canton, NY

Region 12 – Radio Large Market

Breaking News Coverage
Potomac Crash
WTOP-FM
Washington, DC

Continuing Coverage
Penn North Mass Overdoses
WBAL-AM
Baltimore, MD

Digital
WBAL.COM
WBAL-AM
Baltimore, MD

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
‘You cannot take history away’: For D.C., Black Lives Matter Plaza isn’t truly gone
WAMU 88.5 FM
Washington, DC

Excellence in Writing
Josh Speigel Commentary
WBAL-AM
Baltimore, MD

Feature Reporting
How D.C.’s history leaves Home Rule vulnerable to federal interference
WAMU 88.5 FM
Washington, DC

Hard News
Coming Home
WTOP-FM
Washington, DC

News Documentary
State of Addiction 2025
WBAL-AM
Baltimore, MD

News Series
National Insecurity
WTOP-FM
Washington, DC

Newscast
November 13, 2025 7:00 am
WTOP-FM
Washington, DC

Overall Excellence
WTOP-FM
WTOP-FM
Washington, DC

Region 12 – Radio Small Market

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
VCU withheld the degree of a pro-Palestinian campus activist for months
VPM News
Richmond, VA

Feature Reporting
Endangered Butterfly
WVTF Radio IQ
Roanoke, VA

Hard News
Virginia and Lumber Tariffs
WVTF Radio IQ
Roanoke, VA

Investigative Reporting
‘Idleness and boredom’: The cost of understaffing Virginia’s only state-run youth correctional facility
VPM News
Richmond, VA

News Documentary
Mountain Hurricane
WVTF Radio IQ
Roanoke, VA

News Series
Wallens Ridge
WVTF Radio IQ
Roanoke, VA

Newscast
WVTF Radio IQ
WVTF Radio IQ
Roanoke, VA

Overall Excellence
WVTF Radio IQ
WVTF Radio IQ
Roanoke, VA

Region 13 – Radio Large Market

Continuing Coverage
Concerns over immigration and immigration enforcement during Trump’s first year of second term
Central Florida Public Media
Orlando, FL

Digital
Digital Coverage Across South Florida
WLRN News
Miami, FL

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Coverage of immigration issues
WUSF
Tampa, FL

Excellence in Innovation
Your Florida team covers state government
WUSF
Tampa, FL

Excellence in Writing
Fort Lauderdale’s Suzie Toot tap dances her way to drag’s biggest stage
WLRN News
Miami, FL

Feature Reporting
Bending the Bars: Hip-hop album showcases the talent at Broward County jails
WLRN News
Miami, FL

Hard News
A woman’s choice to self-deport from Sarasota pushes her family to consider the same
WUSF
Tampa, FL

Investigative Reporting
Killer Train
WLRN News and the Miami Herald
Miami, FL

News Series
Detained in Georgia
WABE
Atlanta, GA

Newscast
WOKV FM
WOKV FM
Jacksonville, FL

Podcast
Keeper and Killer: How a brother’s murder in the Florida Keys tests the criminal justice system
WLRN News
Miami, FL

Sports Reporting
Swinging through history: How a golf course shaped Tampa’s Black community
WUSF
Tampa, FL

Overall Excellence
WUSF
WUSF
Tampa, FL

Region 13 – Radio Small Market

Continuing Coverage
Florida State University Campus Shooting
WFSU Public Media
Tallahassee, FL

Digital
Environment and Agriculture Web Coverage
WUFT
Gainesville, FL

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Historic Payout for Black Farmers
WUFT
Gainesville, FL

Excellence in Innovation
The Last Straw
WUFT
Gainesville, FL

Excellence in Sound
Public transportation’s importance, during a race!
WUFT
Gainesville, FL

Hard News
Protestors gather to demand contract for Piedmont’s maintenance team
WUGA
Athens, GA

Podcast
The Rundown
WUFT
Gainesville, FL

Overall Excellence
WUGA
WUGA
Athens, GA

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.

Inner Harbor Media launches 87.7 The Spot in Syracuse with ’90s hits format

David Hill
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Inner Harbor Media launches 87.7 The Spot in Syracuse with ’90s hits format

Inner Harbor Media has launched 87.7 The Spot in Syracuse, NY. The station went live at 3 pm yesterday, playing exclusively hits from the 1990s and early 2000s.

What We Know: The launch song was Quad City DJ’s “C’mon N’ Ride It (The Train).” The station’s core artist lineup includes Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, TLC, Nirvana, Mariah Carey, Pearl Jam, Dr. Dre, and *NSYNC. The format targets a generation that came of age during one of pop music’s most commercially dominant eras. Listeners can find the station at 877thespot.com.

What They Said: The Spot VP and Station Manager Sam Furco says the nostalgia factor is central to the station’s identity. “People still love the music of the ’90s,” he said. “These songs bring back memories of high school, road trips, concerts, and great times.” Furco added that the goal is building a fun, upbeat station Syracuse can connect with every day.

What Remains Unclear: No talent announcements have accompanied the launch of The Spot. The station’s programming hours and daypart strategy have not yet been disclosed. It also remains to be seen whether Inner Harbor plans to add a morning show or syndicated programming to build audience structure.

What It Means: The launch signals continued confidence in nostalgia-driven formats among independent operators. Meanwhile, Syracuse gains a new competitive option in a market that has seen limited ownership diversity. For Inner Harbor Media, the move represents a calculated bet that millennial listeners will respond to a familiar, music-forward station in the heritage-rich Central New York market.

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.

Could Pat McAfee Be the Most Trusted Man in Sports Media?

John Lund
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Could Pat McAfee Be the Most Trusted Man in Sports Media?

Pat McAfee actually dressed up Wednesday night, which alone told you ESPN viewed this as important television. Gone was the cutoff tank top and the sleeveless “I just left a backyard wrestling event in Indianapolis” look. Instead, McAfee traded his usual attire for a black short-sleeve collared shirt because ESPN had suddenly handed him primetime television and a parade of the most powerful people in sports.

The visual mattered because what ESPN threw together at the last minute wasn’t just another McAfee show. Rather, it was a giant flashing signal about who matters in modern sports media and why.

With an unexpected primetime opening after the Knicks quickly swept the Cavaliers, ESPN suddenly found itself scrambling to fill airtime. As a result, the network landed on The Prime-Time State of Sports, hosted by McAfee and his crew. The programming featured nearly every major commissioner in American sports: Adam Silver, Gary Bettman, Rob Manfred, Cathy Engelbert, Don Garber, and Dana White.

Meanwhile, the NFL was technically represented by ESPN insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport because, as McAfee explained, Roger Goodell was “out of pocket.”

Still, there sat McAfee in the middle of it all, looking like the average guy who somehow wandered into the world’s most powerful sports board meeting. Only this wasn’t accidental. In fact, every commissioner wanted to be there.

That’s the real story. Not necessarily what was said over those two hours because the talking points themselves were predictable enough: expansion, AI, technology, global growth, “improving the fan experience,” and endless optimism about both the present and future..

Creating the Environment

Every commissioner sounded like they attended the same corporate retreat. You know the ones where leagues brainstorm future buzzwords while staring at PowerPoint slides and drinking expensive sparkling water. Even so, the bigger takeaway was this:

Pat McAfee has somehow become sports media’s safest space. Which, frankly, is incredible considering he built his empire screaming into microphones, punting footballs shirtless, and sounding like every guy at Buffalo Wild Wings after three domestic beers and a same-game parlay loss.

Yet somehow, commissioners trust him more than almost anybody in sports television. After all, Wednesday night made it easy to understand why. McAfee isn’t trying to nail anybody to the wall. As a result, that immediately separates him from almost every major sports media personality today because modern sports television is built around confrontation, debate, viral clips, and manufactured outrage.

Too often, somebody is yelling, interrupting, or pretending a Tuesday night officiating controversy is a constitutional crisis. McAfee’s formula, however, is different because he’s the everyman. He talks like fans talk. Reacts the way fans react. More importantly, he asks the kinds of questions normal people would ask.

Most importantly, he doesn’t approach interviews like he’s trying to defeat the guest.

Over two hours, McAfee asked every commissioner the same three questions.

What’s going right? What keeps you up at night? And what does the future look like? That was the entire blueprint.

McAfee Is Simply Different

Simple, fan-friendly, and probably terrifying to traditional sports media people who think every interview needs to turn into A Few Good Men.

There were no ambushes, hostile cross-examinations, or performative outrage designed specifically to generate social media clips.

After 30 years in sports radio and television, I can tell you exactly what most hosts would’ve done with that lineup. They would’ve hunted controversy in search of viral moments. Whenever commissioners came on my shows over the years, the temptation was always there. You wanted the uncomfortable answer, the tense exchange, or the moment everybody talked about the next morning.

McAfee went the opposite direction.

He brought up officiating and embellishment with Adam Silver. Lottery reform came up too. The NBA’s issues with flopping and Oklahoma City’s whistle-heavy playoff run floated through the conversation. Still, McAfee never pushed Silver into a defensive crouch or tried to turn the segment into courtroom drama.

Eventually, Tyrese Haliburton handled some of the heavier lifting afterward by discussing foul embellishment and competitive balance, and that pattern repeated itself throughout the night.

The commissioners handled broad “state of the league” conversations, while league-connected ESPN personalities helped flesh things out afterward. Jeff Passan joined the baseball discussion. P. K. Subban handled hockey. Monica McNutt discussed the WNBA. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford appeared on the NFL side, though that conversation became more about Stafford himself than the league.

Throughout it all, McAfee remained exactly what he has always been: a fan with a microphone.

Setting a Welcoming Tone

That sounds simplistic, but it’s his superpower because McAfee doesn’t feel like a media guy. That’s not an insult. It’s exactly why this worked. Traditional sports media often approaches leagues like prosecutors building a case. McAfee approaches them like a fan sitting at a bar.

That’s a completely different energy, and the leagues clearly trust it.

This also wasn’t exactly a Presidential State of the Union address, and that felt intentional too. This was Pat McAfee hosting a primetime “State of Sports,” not Bob Costas moderating a roundtable on modern baseball analytics. ESPN clearly understood the tone it wanted from the start. This wasn’t designed to be a hard-hitting journalistic summit where commissioners got dragged under studio lights and interrogated for two hours.

Instead, it was supposed to feel loose, comfortable, relatable, and fun.

That’s why McAfee worked. If ESPN wanted somebody firing follow-up questions like they were presenting evidence in a congressional hearing, the network has plenty of people capable of doing that. However, that’s not what commissioners wanted to walk into on short notice. They wanted McAfee’s environment.

You could see it in the body language throughout the night. I can’t remember seeing Adam Silver more energetic in a public setting. Gary Bettman looked almost suspiciously relaxed. Meanwhile, Rob Manfred, a commissioner who often looks like he’s bracing for impact during interviews, seemed completely comfortable. Nobody looked tense or defensive. More importantly, nobody looked like they were walking into a money-laundering investigation hosted by Stephen A. Smith.

Stephen A. dominates interviews. Conversations bend around him. He creates moments, headlines, and sometimes brush fires visible from space. McAfee, on the other hand, doesn’t operate that way. He facilitates, celebrates, and amplifies. Stephen A. often becomes the story. McAfee makes the guest the story, and that’s precisely why commissioners trust him.

A few times, McAfee even committed what some media types would consider a cardinal sin by admitting he “doesn’t know” when asked about certain non-football issues. Most professional screamers at ESPN would never utter those two dirty words.

Trust is Currency

Maybe the perfect summary of the entire night came at the end of nearly every interview when McAfee sent off some of the most powerful people in sports with the same line.

“We appreciate the hell outta ya.”

Not exactly how Vin Scully would have done it, but perfect for what this show was.

The commissioners weren’t there because ESPN called. They were there because McAfee created an environment they trusted. To a man, they all knew they weren’t getting ambushed or walking into some made-for-social-media interrogation where the host tries to become the clip.

Instead, they were there to promote their sports, and, unsurprisingly, they all delivered variations of the same message. The future is bright. Technology and AI will improve the fan experience. Global expansion is coming. Their leagues are healthier than ever. Sponsors remain engaged. Fans are passionate. Most importantly, the best is still ahead.

For two straight hours, commissioners essentially repeated, “Business is booming, and wait until you see what our app does in five years.”

ESPN loved every second of it because this wasn’t journalism nearly as much as it was relationship management. It was a giant televised peace offering between ESPN and its billion-dollar league partners. Why wouldn’t they embrace it? These commissioners aren’t just guests. They’re business partners tied directly to television rights deals worth astronomical amounts of money.

In many ways, ESPN handed each league a two-hour commercial wrapped inside a relaxed, fan-friendly atmosphere where commissioners could promote the future of their sports without fear of stepping into a televised ambush.

McAfee was the perfect host because, unlike many modern television personalities, he doesn’t come across like he’s trying to outsmart everybody in the room. That authenticity matters. After all, fans can spot fake instantly. Instead, McAfee still feels like the guy yelling at referees from his couch right alongside everybody else. The only difference is that he now happens to be doing it while sitting across from commissioners.

That relatability has become incredibly powerful.

The night proved something important. The most influential person in sports media right now may not be the loudest debate guy, or the sharpest insider or the toughest interviewer. It may be the guy powerful people trust not to make the interview about himself.

In a sports media world built increasingly around ego, outrage and viral clips, Pat McAfee somehow built the safest room in sports. For two hours every major league in America voluntarily walked into 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.

What Mainstream Radio Can Learn From Christian Radio Right Now

Phil Becker
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What Mainstream Radio Can Learn From Christian Radio Right Now

I knew the Momentum conference was different before I arrived in Orlando .

You could see it in the pre-planning. The design aesthetics. The social media. The way Christian Music Broadcasters presented the event before anybody checked into the hotel.

I have walked through countless carpeted convention hallways wearing a lanyard and carrying a branded tote bag. I’ve watched grown adults nod thoughtfully while someone recycles the always-popular “We need to meet the audience where they are.”

Then I came to Momentum.

I am writing this from Orlando, where I was asked to speak on the main stage at Christian Music Broadcasters’ Momentum conference. My session was called “Perception Is The Real Problem.” I shared how radio is perceived, how we got here, and why we allowed it to happen. Most importantly, I presented a no-cost, no-financial-loss formula for how we can start fixing it.

My Conference History

I have attended CRS, Morning Show Boot Camp, NAB, The R&R, Gavin, and The Conclave. I have also produced my own conventions. Plenty of smart people and valuable conversations happen at each.

This is not a takedown of any of them.

However, the education, inclusion, logistics, and production level at Momentum exceed every radio convention I have attended, including my own.

The stage design, screens, audio, lighting, pacing, selected speakers, performances, and content all prove that Michelle Younkman and her team understand that audience experience is the mission.

Practicing What It Preaches

Imagine that: a radio event practicing what it preaches about audience experience.

Meanwhile, half of mainstream radio is still trying to improve the listener experience by running a PUMM report to find the best hours to hammer people with spots.

There is also an accessibility here that mainstream labels should notice. The record community and artists are not simply dropped in for a photo and a fast exit through a side door — which is also the name of my new single at country radio.

They are available. They appear willing to connect and work alongside the people helping audiences discover their music. Apparently, community works better when people are actually allowed to commune.

The conference is held at Sapphire Falls Resort in Orlando. Time is built in for attendees to go to Universal, rather than spend four days wandering a fluorescent hallway. That beats texting someone to ask if they can meet you at the Red Bar in the Encore lobby.

Although that bar does have some killer peanuts on the table — which, ironically, is the name of my second single at country radio.

The Real Problem With Radio

Radio spends an extraordinary amount of time talking about ratings, revenue, and resources. All important. All real. But we often discuss them like separate problems, when, in reality, they are outcomes of the bigger issue: perception.

How are we perceived by listeners? By advertisers? By artists? By young talent? By our own employees? By ourselves?

Lazarus Didn’t Come Back for Panels

There are many who wonder if the business is dying or how to keep our revenue alive. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead for a purpose. He did not bring him back to moderate a panel called “Monetizing the Tomb.”

Meetings at Momentum do not begin with, “How’s business?” They begin from a place of mission. The room is filled with hopeful, inspired people. They do not need yet another breakout session about authentic storytelling.

Momentum feels different because Christian radio is not gathering around its decline. In fact, it is thriving. As of last month, Christian radio became the most popular format by total station count in America.

Not Asking You to Convert

Mainstream radio does not need to become Christian radio. That is not my argument.

But it may need to borrow a little faith.

Faith that talent is worth developing.

Faith that radio can still be more than a delivery system for contesting and commercials. More than playing songs everybody already heard on TikTok and pretending discovery is happening.

The DJ With Every Name

Especially when the person calling it new music is a host named DJ Kidd Shotgun T-Bone Big Daddy Bubba Broadway Ace Hollywood Seabreeze. That host is telling listeners to lock it in and rip the knob off like the knob has not been gone since 2008.

The industry has spent years asking for more: more ratings, more revenue, and more resources.

The first move is not receiving more.

It is becoming something people want to believe in again.

That was the foundation of my message on stage: the better we are perceived, the more we can achieve, and the more we will receive.

For an industry searching for resurrection, it might be worth paying attention to the people who still believe in one.

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 Rock Radio Brands Must Stay Loud Between Memorial Day and Labor Day

Keith Cunningham
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Why Rock Radio Brands Must Stay Loud Between Memorial Day and Labor Day

Spring and Fall are the seasons that get the attention: research, tactical funding, the most pressure. But Summer is the season that can truly separate the best from the rest. It can expose who’s built a brand, who’s building a brand… or who’s in coast-mode.

Many brands treat Summer like a three-month permission slip to relax and take the foot off the gas. “Ratings don’t matter as much.” “Everyone’s distracted.” “We’ll get serious again in September.” But while that mentality may be understandable, it’s more dangerous now than ever.

Memorial Day hits and listener lives explode into chaos — vacations, camps, beaches, new routines, different commutes, new habits. And when one habit breaks, it’s often replaced by another.

Summer is the Most Dangerous Season in Radio

Summer brings distractions, but also opportunity. And it’s a battleground. Hollywood learned this long ago. A studio’s year can be made or broken between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Brands like Coke, Red Bull, and Taco Bell don’t relax in Summer — it’s when they flex. Even inside RockTernative circles, Summer is festival season. It’s when artists are the most present and aggressive. While it may be harder to stand out, the brands and bands that stay loud all Summer stand a better chance to carry momentum and win in the Fall when the stakes are higher.

RockTernative should think the same way. Summer is both an opportunity and threat. Brands can touch new cume or further grow loyalty amongst loyalists. But Summer is also when a brand can lose the most listeners. There’s zero guarantee they’ll come back once the Labor Day hangover is gone. Especially now, when every listener has a thousand alternatives in their pocket.

One Boat Trip Away From Losing a Listener Forever

This isn’t paranoia. Every radio show or brand is one Lake Powell boat trip away from being replaced by whatever a friend puts on Bluetooth. If it’s your show or brand coming out of the speakers, you may have just stolen a new listener for life.

This doesn’t mean programming to P1 jet skiers. It means sharpening the Summer mindset. Because floating in neutral may not get you back to the boat.

Even if you’re taking vacation days or the GM calls for Summer Fridays, it doesn’t mean the audience is. They’re living harder and making new choices every day. Let competitors go away to sleepover camp — your brand can be the one that refuses to disappear.

Here’s how: Be Everywhere

Sounds cliché, I know. Some brands don’t even have street teams anymore. But in 2026, “being everywhere” matters more than it did in 1996. Be at every concert, even the fringe ones. Be at the beaches, lakes, parks, fairs, parades, downtown block parties, city BBQs. Show up with purpose. Give people a reason to listen to your brand instead of Spotify, Shawn Ryan or “Call Me Daddy.”

Cume will be erratic. That can be a good thing — the perfect time to experiment. New show characters or benchmarks, specialty shows, clocks or music burns. Give that local influencer a shot. Try things you’ve been scared to try. Summer is the lowest-risk, high-reward season for reinvention or evolution. It reminds the audience your brand is alive and awake… not off surfing waves in Hawaii.

Sound Like Summer

Make your brand sound and feel like the season listeners are living. Content and promotions that scream Summer. Imaging that reflects the mood. Flash mobs. Pop-ups. Daily deals. Listener challenges. I love what KROQ did last summer — they moved the morning show to “Summer Hours,” keeping it on until 11a. Making your brand sound like Summer isn’t a stunt. It’s being in tune and connected — and that’s how to win new cume and grow loyalty that lasts into the Fall.

And that’s the real point here.

Summer may be a break for some, but that mindset is dangerous. Summer is when a brand can easily lose listeners and never get them back… or they can attract new listeners and keep them for years.

That’s why Summer separates the best from the rest.

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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