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YouTube Sets New High Water Mark as Streaming Share Hits 49.6%, Nielsen Data Shows

Garrett Searight
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YouTube Sets New High Water Mark as Streaming Share Hits 49.6%, Nielsen Data Shows

Streaming accounted for nearly half of all television viewing in August, according to Nielsen. YouTube reached a platform-record 15.8% share as overall streaming usage declined.

What We Know: Nielsen’s August 2026 edition of The Gauge found that streaming represented 49.6% of total television viewing. However, overall television usage fell 4.4% as the FIFA World Cup ended and students returned to school. Streaming usage also declined, dropping 3.2% from July, although the category gained share because its decrease was smaller than television’s overall decline.

What The Numbers Show: YouTube led individual media distributors with 15.8% of all TV viewing after its monthly usage climbed 6%. Netflix followed at 7.7%, while Disney’s streaming platforms, including Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu, combined for 4.8%. Amazon Prime Video accounted for 4.2%. Meanwhile, cable captured 18.9% of television viewing, ahead of broadcast’s 17.5%. The remaining 14% fell into Nielsen’s other category. Disney’s streaming services and Paramount Streaming each gained 0.1 share point during the month.

What’s At Stake: Streaming platforms continue to command a larger portion of television viewing, even during seasonal downturns. YouTube’s record performance also highlights its ability to attract viewers beyond younger audiences, with viewing among adults 50 and older increasing 9%. Meanwhile, cable’s share edged higher despite a 3% decline in usage, while broadcast lost 2.0 share points as sports viewing fell sharply following the World Cup.

What It Means: Streaming’s growing share reinforces its position as television’s dominant viewing category. Still, August’s results show that seasonal programming shifts can influence audience behavior across platforms. YouTube’s gains also underscore its growing influence in the television marketplace, while traditional broadcasters will look to football season to help restore viewing in the coming months.

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.

Ken Carman Questions NBA Teams Charging More To Watch “Watered Down” Regular Season Games

John Mamola
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Ken Carman Questions NBA Teams Charging More To Watch “Watered Down” Regular Season Games

Ken Carman believes the NBA is pricing out its own fans. The 92.3 The Fan host says Cleveland Cavaliers viewers are feeling it most.

What We Know: Carman raised the issue Thursday on The Ken Carman & Anthony Lima Show. Specifically, he criticized a $119 cost to watch regular-season Cleveland Cavaliers games as part of team’s new multi-year agreement with DAZN. According to a recent survey, the Cavaliers ranked last in accessibility when it came to accessing games on television. Following the survey, Carman reacted saying the Cavs and the NBA could be wadding into some troubling waters.

What They Said: (All quotes via The Ken Carman & Anthony Lima Show):

Ken Carman questions why fans should pay more money to watch a devalued NBA regular season: “It’s a slow burn in the NBA. You’re telling me I have to pay $119 for a product you told me over and over and over again doesn’t matter. That’s regular season NBA basketball. We have spent the last decade plus watering the product down in the regular season. Now you’re paying $119 for it? Okay, so now I don’t want to pay $119 for it. Alright, so where am I supposed to find my Cavs coverage?”

Ken Carman says fans looking for Cleveland Cavaliers coverage today will cost them: “We talk about them [Cavaliers] on the fan. But again, if I can’t see it, am I really going to have a lot of opinions on it? Let me go further. You go to ESPN.com or anything like that. I guess I’ll read the recap. Except half of those are AI recaps, it seems. So, are you really even getting the full scope of things? Okay, let me get the full scope of things. Let me go to The Athletic. Well, I got to pay a subscription fee to the Athletic… But I think you have a lot of people are going, “man, am I just going to get nickel and dimed over everything here?”

Ken Carman on the dangers of making things more difficult for fans to watch games: “If you can’t get access to it, you’re less likely to buy a ticket. You’re less likely to buy merchandise. You’re less likely to be involved in the organization as it is. And then Owen [producer] comes in and hands me this sheet, which is the Cavaliers TV and streaming schedule. Honestly, this looks like a call sheet. This looks like something Kevin Stefanski [former Cleveland Browns head coach] stuck in front of his face and called from.”

Ken Carman calls for change in accessing Cleveland Cavaliers basketball games on television: “I love the [Cleveland] Cavs, and they’re good people over there. This has to change as soon as possible. They got to do something. This is bad. You’re 30th out of 30 teams in terms of accessibility?”

What Remains Unclear: It remains unclear if Carman pulls back on Cavaliers coverage because of complaints about accessibility. Whether or not NBA teams will pivot based on fan feedback regarding their new local television and streaming deals is yet to be seen.

What It Means: Ultimately, Carman sees a business risk, not just an inconvenience. Fans who cannot watch tend to stop buying tickets and merchandise. In addition, they have less reason to form opinions and talk about the team. Consequently, the NBA may be shrinking the very audience it hopes to grow. However, with time comes familiarity. The NBA is likely to build a streaming centralized hub next season who could alleviate some of the pain points for NBA fans.

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.

Elon Musk Makes $1 Billion Investment Into Skydance

Garrett Searight
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Elon Musk Makes $1 Billion Investment Into Skydance

Elon Musk has reportedly invested $1 billion in Skydance, adding a major technology figure to the media company’s financial picture. The reported investment follows media mogul John Malone’s prediction that Musk would become an investor through SpaceX.

What We Know: The reported $1 billion investment would bring Musk closer to Skydance CEO David Ellison, whose company recently completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Yesterday, Malone predicted that SpaceX could invest between $8 billion and $10 billion in Skydance as part of a potential global content distribution agreement. Malone also pointed to the longstanding financial relationship between Musk and David’s father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison. The news of Musk’s reported investment was first reported by Semafor’s Ben Smith.

What’s At Stake: An investment from Musk could provide Skydance with additional capital as it manages its expanded media holdings. Moreover, a relationship with Musk’s businesses could create opportunities to distribute content through new platforms. However, the reported $1 billion investment falls below the $8 billion to $10 billion that Malone predicted SpaceX could contribute.

What Remains Unclear: The specific terms of Musk’s reported investment, including its structure and any potential conditions, haven’t been established publicly. It’s also unclear whether the investment involves Musk personally, SpaceX, or another entity connected to his business interests. Neither the potential scope of a content distribution agreement nor a timeline for additional investments has been established.

What It Means: Musk’s reported investment would strengthen the ties between technology and traditional media as Skydance works to manage its expanded business. Additionally, the development follows Malone’s public prediction of a broader partnership involving SpaceX. Whether that larger arrangement materializes remains to be seen.

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.

Dan Le Batard: Pardon the Interruption An “American Icon” Television Program

John Mamola
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Dan Le Batard: Pardon the Interruption An “American Icon” Television Program

Pardon the Interruption turns 25 today on ESPN. Dan Le Batard says the ESPN staple has earned its place as an American icon.

What We Know: Pardon the Interruption debuted on ESPN on October 22, 2001. Since then, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon have co-hosted the show together. Meanwhile, Le Batard became a frequent guest host and later launched Highly Questionable on ESPN in 2011. In recognizing the program’s 25th anniversary Thursday, Le Batard marveled at the continued viewership wins for the program despite the show being an appointment and not catering to a growing on-demand audience culture.

What They Said: (all quotes via The Dan Le Batard Show):

Dan Le Batard believes Pardon the Interruption is in a class all its own: “My show [Highly Questionable], Around the Horn, gone. What has stayed there as an American icon, one of the best sports shows there has ever been is at 5:30. These two old guys who have chemistry that’s super unusual. Who love each other but argue all the time, and have genuine television friendship. It’s the rarest of things.”

Dan Le Batard says the genuine love that Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser have is unique: “I put Pardon the Interruption in a totally different class from all of the other takers. Because you know they love each other. It’s not performative. They actually love each other. They’re on television. Inside the NBA has this. The FOX Sports broadcast with [Jay] Glazer and those guys has this. There are very few that these people all love each other.”

Dan Le Batard credits the continued viewership success of Pardon the Interruption: “Those old guys, 25 years in, to have in the 5:30 time slot, like totally random. Still a show that does the bigger numbers than First Take. Bigger numbers than [Pat] McAfee. Bigger numbers than everyone 25 years in at 5:30 after a quarter of a century…People don’t watch SportsCenter the way they used to. PTI has dwarfed SportsCenter for more than a decade in terms of what the numbers they do.”

Dan Le Batard believes it’s odd that appointment studio television works with Pardon the Interruption: “People are watching this stuff totally differently. An appointed time is when it’s available to you, and it’s still doing numbers when that’s not even how people watch television anymore? No, don’t tell me about [PTI] as a lead into SportsCenter. 4:30 is not a good time. 530 is not a good time. It’s just the time.”

What Remains Unclear: Right now, PTI is riding a viewership surge into the milestone. In fact, the show averaged 794,000 viewers in September, its best September since 2015. However, neither host has said how long the run will continue.

What It Means: Ultimately, Le Batard’s praise carries extra weight because he helped shape the show in some manner over the past 25 years. Moreover, he argues PTI succeeds despite a time slot and viewing habits working against it. As a result, the “American icon” label rests on both chemistry and raw numbers. In short, few studio shows reach 25 years with their original hosts. Pardon the Interruption continues to be a daily staple for sports fans despite the changes in appetite, investment, and overall interest of studio programming.

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.

Larry Elder, Mike Gallagher, Hugh Hewitt to Host Salem Election Night Coverage

Garrett Searight
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Larry Elder, Mike Gallagher, Hugh Hewitt to Host Salem Election Night Coverage

Salem Radio Network is preparing a multi-platform lineup for the 2026 Midterm Election. The network’s election night coverage will begin at 6 PM ET on Tuesday, November 3rd, with hosts like Larry Elder, Mike Gallagher, and Hugh Hewitt leading the way.

What We Know: Salem Radio Network will feature Larry Elder, Mike Gallagher, and Hugh Hewitt during its election night coverage, with each host taking a shift as results come in. Elder will lead the first three hours beginning at 6 PM ET, followed by Gallagher from 9-11 PM ET and Hewitt from 11 PM-1 AM ET. Additionally, Larry O’Connor will extend his morning show from 5-9 AM ET on Wednesday, November 4th. On Election Day, O’Connor will also host a five-hour live stream on Townhall.com from 7 PM to midnight, featuring election insights and results in conjunction with Decision Desk HQ.

What They Said: “With control of Congress at stake, the 2026 midterms could have enormous consequences for the remaining two years of President Trump’s term. From the rise of Democratic Socialist candidates and calls to impeach the president to the question of whether pollsters are once again underestimating conservative Republican voters, there are major stories to follow on election night. Our team will be there as the results come in, bringing audiences the reporting and analysis they need to understand what is happening across the country.” -Salem Radio Network and Salem News Channel Senior Vice President Phil Boyce

What Remains Unclear: Salem hasn’t detailed which additional contributors or analysts will join its hosts throughout the evening. The network also hasn’t outlined specific plans for how its radio coverage will coordinate with Salem News Channel’s election night programming.

What It Means: Salem Radio Network’s programming gives listeners extended coverage across election night and into Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, O’Connor’s Townhall.com livestream adds a digital component, combining live analysis with Decision Desk HQ’s election results. Together, the plans position Salem to reach audiences through traditional radio and online platforms as control of Congress hangs in the balance.

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.

FIFA Officially Opens Up Bidding For US Rights To 2030, 2034 World Cup

John Mamola
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FIFA Officially Opens Up Bidding For US Rights To 2030, 2034 World Cup

FIFA has put the 2030 and 2034 men’s World Cup U.S. media rights up for auction. Bids are due November 19, and with partners able to add the 2034 tournament to their bids.

What We Know: FIFA launched its tender Thursday, marking its first U.S. men’s World Cup rights sale since 2011. Meanwhile, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon and Disney have all shown interest, according to CNBC. FOX Sports paid $425 million for 2026, and that tournament shattered U.S. viewership records. In fact, matches averaged 13.5 million viewers, up 166% from 2022.

What They Said: FIFA Chief Business Officer Romy Gai: “We want to be flexible. We expect a big number of participants, both from the linear side and from the streamer side, but we want to listen to what is relevant for them, and then we can build up the best case together.”

What Remains Unclear: It’s unclear what the rights for either or a combined package could warrant. Several estimates have the total in the $1-2 billion range. Time zones could play a factor, but it’s unknown if networks could shy away because of the challenges of live programming in off hours for US audiences.

What It Means: Looking ahead, FIFA says it would prefer one partner holding both English and Spanish rights. There’s also the argument about streaming matches for free online, whether or not networks would allow or prefer that option. The next four weeks will bring plenty of rumor, but the proof of concept that the 2026 tournament provided should warrant a high price tag. It should be noted the Netflix already has large investments in the FIFA 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cup as well as rights to broadcast the 2030 men’s tournament in Spain and Andorra.

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.

Spotify Reports 16% Revenue Increase During 2026’s 3rd Quarter

Garrett Searight
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Spotify Reports 16% Revenue Increase During 2026’s 3rd Quarter

Spotify continued to grow its global audience in the third quarter, while improving profitability. The streaming platform reported higher revenue, stronger margins, and growth across its paid and free services.

What We Know: Spotify reported its third-quarter 2026 financial results on October 22nd, highlighting continued growth across its music, podcast, and audiobook businesses. Premium subscriptions increased alongside monthly active users, while gross margin and operating income exceeded expectations. The company also pointed to its expanding entertainment offerings as a driver of engagement and future growth.

What The Numbers Show:

MetricThird-Quarter Result
Premium Subscribers306 million (+9%)
Monthly Active Users788 million (+11%)
Total Revenue$5.8 billion (+16%)
Gross Margin33.0% (+136 basis points)
Operating Income$779 million

Revenue and operating income converted from euros to U.S. dollars using an approximate €1 = $1.16 exchange rate. Year-over-year growth reflects reported figures.

What They Said: “This was a quarter where we did what we said. We’ve built a strong business that keeps compounding, we invest when we see a path for growth, our costs are moderating, and there is more runway ahead…Spotify not only enjoys industry-leading engagement, but we also have the most passionate and engaged music, podcast and book fans in the world on our platform. That’s why we continue to grow and take share. Every time we expand what’s on Spotify, we bring in new listeners and give existing ones more reasons to come back, almost every day.” -Spotify Co-CEO Alex Norström

“Spotify is in one of the few categories that actually stands to thrive in the agentic age. This is because agents excel at replacing and taking care of things people would rather not do. People love getting rid of chores. But entertainment is the opposite. Nobody asks an agent to ‘summarize a song’ for them. The whole point of getting rid of those chores is to free up even more time for the things that you actually enjoy.” -Spotify Co-CEO Gustav Söderström

What It Means: Spotify’s latest results reinforce its position as a major player in digital entertainment. Subscriber growth and improving margins give the company a stronger financial foundation as it expands beyond music. Meanwhile, its executives see artificial intelligence as an opportunity to enhance discovery and personalization rather than replace the entertainment experiences listeners value.

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.

Ross Zapin Leaves SiriusXM, Joins TKO’s On Location as Head of Music

Jason Barrett
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Ross Zapin Leaves SiriusXM, Joins TKO’s On Location as Head of Music

Longtime SiriusXM executive Ross Zapin has left the satellite radio company for a new role at TKO. Zapin has joined On Location, TKO’s global premium hospitality company, as SVP, General Manager and Head of Music.

What We Know: TKO confirmed the move to Barrett Media. Zapin reports to Brian Wilder, Chief Business Officer of On Location. In his new role, Zapin will lead and grow On Location’s music and sports crossover business. That work spans touring hospitality, festival services, owned and operated events, and sports rights holder partnerships.

On Location serves as the official hospitality partner to more than 150 rights holders. That list includes the NFL, the LA28 Olympic Games, the NCAA, WWE, and UFC. TKO acquired On Location from Endeavor in a deal that also included IMG and Professional Bull Riders.

Zapin arrives with deep music industry roots. Before joining SiriusXM, he worked in promotion at DreamWorks Records. While with SiriusXM, he led promotions, events, and talent relations. The company also tapped him to run its Hollywood studios operation and build its Los Angeles presence in 2019. Most recently, he served as SVP and General Manager of events, promotions, and West Coast operations.

Additionally, Zapin also oversaw high-profile live events for SiriusXM, including the company’s Small Stage Series. Howard Stern Show listeners know him as well. He often turned up as the subject of on-air bits.

What Remains Unclear: SiriusXM has not said who will take over Zapin’s responsibilities. With his move to TKO, it’s unclear if Zapin will appear on Stern’s show going forward. Whether the King of Media is supportive of Zapin’s move is also unknown.

What It Means: SiriusXM loses one of its most-connected music executives. His relationships with artists, managers, and labels took decades to build. Now, TKO gets to put that network to work. As a result, On Location gains a true music and business specialist. He arrives as the company pushes deeper into the space where sports, live music, and premium experiences meet.

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.

Pat McAfee Monday Night Football Alt-Cast Draws Average Audience Of 351,000

John Mamola
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Pat McAfee Monday Night Football Alt-Cast Draws Average Audience Of 351,000

Pat McAfee’s first Monday Night Football Field Pass AltCast reportedly drew an average of 351,000 viewers on ESPN2. Meanwhile, Commanders-49ers delivered 17.9 million viewers across all platforms.

What We Know: The week six matchup aired across ESPN’s networks. Including ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes and NFL+. According to Sports Business Journal, ABC led with 10.312 million, while ESPN’s main telecast drew 6.688 million. Additionally, NFL Network’s Next Gen Stats AltCast attracted 469,000, topping McAfee’s 351,000. This was the debut for McAfee’s alt-cast during Monday Night Football.

What The Numbers Show (Combined Data via ESPN PR & Sports Business Journal)

WeekMatchupOverall Viewership (Avg)Alternate Cast / Combined Viewership (Avg)
5Bills vs. Rams19.5 million1.1 million (ESPN2 ManningCast and NFL Network)
6Commanders vs. 49ers17.9 million820,000 (ESPN2 McAfee Alt-Cast and NFL Network)

WEEK SIX ONLY

Network / BroadcastAverage Viewership (Avg)
Overall Audience (Commanders v 49ers)17.9 million
ESPN (Main Broadcast)6.688 million
ABC (Simulcast)10.312 million
ESPN2 (McAfee Alt-Cast)351,000
NFL Network (Next Gen Stats Alt-Cast)469,000

What Remains Unclear: ESPN still hasn’t addressed the AltCast’s debut performance publicly. Furthermore, the network continues to withhold standalone ManningCast numbers this season. As a result, a clean comparison between the two AltCasts remains difficult.

What It Means: For McAfee, the debut represents a modest start on football’s biggest weekly stage. Still, his AltCasts have performed better elsewhere, including an average of 1.2 million for January’s College Football Playoff National Championship. Moreover, ESPN plans a McAfee alternate broadcast for its Super Bowl in February. Ultimately, that stage will test whether Field Pass can grow into a true ManningCast complement this season.

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.

CNN Anchor Bianna Golodryga Leaving Network After Nearly a Decade

Garrett Searight
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CNN Anchor Bianna Golodryga Leaving Network After Nearly a Decade

Bianna Golodryga is leaving CNN after nearly a decade with the network. The anchor announced her departure on social media, teasing an upcoming career move.

What We Know: Golodryga has spent nine years at CNN, where she covered major news stories and contributed to the network’s programming. Before joining CNN, she worked at Yahoo! News. She also built an extensive broadcast journalism career at ABC and CBS, co-anchoring the weekend edition of Good Morning America before later co-hosting CBS This Morning. Her departure marks another career transition for the veteran journalist, who says she has accepted an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

What They Said: “After nine wonderful years at CNN, I’ve decided to leave for an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. I’m grateful for the experiences, friendships and support from fabulous colleagues during my CNN years. Exciting news to share very soon!” -Bianna Golodryga

What Remains Unclear: Golodryga hasn’t revealed where she’ll work next or provided details about the opportunity behind her decision. She also hasn’t shared a timeline for announcing her next move. Her comments suggest she’ll reveal more about her plans soon, although she hasn’t indicated when that announcement will come.

What It Means: Golodryga’s exit concludes a significant chapter in a career spanning several major news organizations. Her experience across CNN, ABC, CBS, and Yahoo! News gives her a broad background in television and digital journalism. While her next destination remains unknown, her promise of upcoming news suggests she’s preparing for another professional opportunity.

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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