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Arizona Coyotes Launch Direct-to-Consumer Streaming Platform

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The Arizona Coyotes announced today a new media rights deal in collaboration with direct-to-consumer streaming company, Kiswe, and Scripps Sports. ‘Coyotes Central’ will bring all locally broadcast games of the team directly to fans across Arizona. The first game being streamed live will take place this evening.

Fans inside the local broadcast market will have access to all non-nationally exclusive live Coyotes games, on-demand replays, pre- and post-game shows, and other exclusive Coyotes content.

Monthly subscriptions will be available for $11.99 with the remainder of the 2023-24 season available for $24.99. Season subscription pricing for the upcoming 2024-25 season will be announced at a later date.

“We are excited to launch Coyotes Central, a new streaming platform that allows Arizona Coyotes fans to watch Coyotes games and original content at their convenience,” said Arizona Coyotes President & CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez in a release. “This innovative direct-to-consumer option is a key component to our overall media strategy, and this partnership with Scripps Sports and Kiswe will enable us to deliver a flexible viewing option in our local broadcast market to our fans and ‘fans in waiting.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Arizona Coyotes and Scripps Sports in expanding access to Coyotes games to all local fans,” said Glenn Booth, CEO of Kiswe. “This new deal highlights the growing trend towards the ‘beam and stream’ model for local sports distribution, and we are excited to continue to work with our partners to reshape sports media consumption.”

“Scripps Sports is focused on helping teams reach their fan bases, and this is another way in which Coyotes’ supporters can watch their team’s games,” said Scripps Sports President Brian Lawlor. “The goal is accessibility. This partnership is all about extending the reach.”

Pete Mundo: ‘I Was More Than Fair’ in 45-Minute Debate With FS1’s Nick Wright

BNM Staff
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Pete Mundo: ‘I Was More Than Fair’ in 45-Minute Debate With FS1’s Nick Wright

After the shooting at the Super Bowl parade in Kansas City earlier this week, KC native Nick Wright took time out of his program on FS1 to lament the state of gun violence in America. In response, KCMO morning host Pete Mundo criticized Wright on social media, leading to an on-air conversation Friday morning.

Wright, who hosts First Things First on FS1, went viral earlier this week after sharing his feelings about times he’s cried in front of his children all involved gun violence.

“Yesterday was the single worst 10 seconds of my life,” Wright said, as he recounted his experience at the parade shooting. In his monologue, Wright called for action against gun violence.

Those statements by Wright led Pete Mundo to respond on social media. While noting he thought the host “is a smart dude and a very talented sports host, ” Mundo said Wright was “totally lost” on the issue.

“Just because you get emotional on TV or radio and get applauded by a bunch of sheep, doesn’t mean you’re making a cogent argument. This was nonsensical and all over the map,” added Mundo.

After Wright responded and said he would come on his show, Mundo welcomed the FS1 host at 8:05 AM CT.

For more than 45 minutes, the two discussed gun control or lack thereof. At times, the conversation became contentious, with the pair arguing about decorum and etiquette during the conversation.

Ultimately, Mundo ended the conversation by noting that he had skipped several commercial breaks during a busy hour of his morning show.

“We’ve done 45 minutes. You know how this works. I’ve blown through more breaks than my producer would care to admit, and I’m gonna get yelled at,” Mundo said. “I’m grateful for the time. I’ll say that much. I appreciate you coming on.”

“Thanks for actually letting me come on,” said Wright. “I think the audience has a very, very clear idea — whether they agree or disagree — with where I stand, and they feel like you think ‘I dunno, man, what can you do?’ So, it was a good talk.”

“Short in substance, long in wind, I guess, might be the best way to put it,” said Mundo. “I used to do sports talk, and I guess I realize how much I don’t miss it. Because in sports talk, the louder you yell the more right you’re perceived to be. And with what we do, that ain’t how it goes. We actually like to have adult conversations. Not like teenage kids yelling about whether or not you should have pulled the pitcher in the 7th inning. Listen, I was more than fair.”

FOX Sports Radio Adds Affiliates in Orlando and Jacksonville

BSM Staff
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FOX Sports Radio Adds Affiliates in Orlando and Jacksonville

FOX Sports Radio has introduced new affiliates in Orlando and Jacksonville. FOX Sports Radio Orlando can now be heard on WRSO 97.9 FM and 810 AM while FOX Sports Jacksonville is available on WFXJ 930 AM. The stations are both operated by iHeart Media.

WRSO in Orlando had been a CBS Sports Radio affiliate from 2013-2016. It was most recently airing Spanish-language news/talk. WFXJ in Jacksonville had previously been a long-time FOX Sports Radio affiliate and was also recently airing Spanish-language news/talk. It is the oldest radio station in the market, having started in November 1925.

Paul Rogers, Area President, North Florida, iHeartMedia said, “The opportunity to return the FOX Sports brand to its original home on AM 930 in Jacksonville was simply too good to pass up. Its appeal cuts across and unites every segment of our community.”

Both markets fall in the Top 50 in the United States, with Orlando coming in at market No. 30 while Jacksonville is market No. 46. Jacksonville will be airing network programming from Fox Sports Radio throughout their daily schedule, while Orlando will air everything except “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” which will continue to be heard on 96.9 The Game.

Longtime Wichita State Voice Mike Kennedy to Miss Games for Cancer Treatment

BSM Staff
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Longtime Wichita State Voice Mike Kennedy to Miss Games for Cancer Treatment

Mike Kennedy, the radio play-by-play voice for Wichita State for 44 years, announced he is receiving treatments for prostate cancer. After being part of 1,419 consecutive broadcasts, Kennedy said he would miss at least two men’s basketball games. Last night was the first of the two as the team travelled to East Carolina and then Charlotte (Sunday Feb. 18). Kennedy hopes to be back behind the microphone Feb. 21 when the Shockers host Tulsa.

“Over the 44 years that I have been privileged to be the play-by-play broadcaster for Wichita State athletics, I have been part of 1,419 consecutive broadcasts of men’s basketball games without ever missing one, and I have loved every minute of that time, representing the WSU programs and the incredible Shocker fans,” Kennedy wrote in a statement posted by the Wichita State Men’s Basketball program X account. “Unfortunately, tonight it is necessary to step back from that labor of love for a moment. I am receiving treatment for prostate cancer, and in order to maintain the optimum schedule for those treatments, I have decided to remain at home and will miss the games at East Carolina and Charlotte. I am roughly two weeks into treatment and tolerating it well and feel good, and if that continues, it is likely I will not miss any more games.

“I want everyone to know that we were fortunate to identify my situation early enough that, while there are never any guarantees, the prognosis for a positive outcome is good, and I am receiving excellent medical care. I have always been blessed with good health and probably have been a little nonchalant about that, but my wife Debbie has stayed after me about keeping regular doctor’s appointments and it was because of that, that the doctors were able to diagnose the cancer in a timely manner. If there is a message in all of this, I urge all men to get checked regularly.”

Shane Dennis, a former baseball player at Wichita State will be the fill-in for Kennedy. Dennis has done play-by-play for Wichita State games carried by ESPN+.

According to the Wichita Eagle, Dennis directed comments to Kennedy at the start of last evening’s pregame show. “I’m very honored to try and fill your shoes,” he said. “I know it will be a shocker to some of Shocker Nation’s system not hearing Mike Kennedy’s voice. But, I’ll do the best that I can do.”

2024 NAB Crystal Radio Awards Finalists See 11 News/Talk Stations Up For Honor

BNM Staff
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2024 NAB Crystal Radio Awards Finalists See 11 News/Talk Stations Up For Honor

The NAB has announced the finalists for its 2024 Crystal Radio Awards, with 11 of the 50 finalists representing the news/talk radio world.

The Crystal Radio Awards were created in 1987 as a way to honor radio stations’ outstanding community service efforts.

The 2024 finalists for the award from the news/talk format are:

  • KFI-AM (Los Angeles)
  • KIRO-FM (Seattle)
  • KRMG-FM (Tulsa)
  • KSL-FM (Salt Lake City)
  • KYW-AM (Philadelphia)
  • WMUN-AM (Muncie, IN)
  • WNRP-FM (Pensacola)
  • WOKV-FM (Jacksonville)
  • WTOP-FM (Washington D.C.)
  • WTAW-AM (College Station, TX)
  • WTIB-FM (Greenville, NC)

Of the 50 finalists, 10 stations will be chosen by a panel of judges representing the broadcast industry, community service organizations, and public relations firms.

Winners will be announced during the We Are Broadcasters ceremony at the NAB Show on April 16th at 12:30 ET.

OutKick Traffic Grows By 22% in January

BNM Staff
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OutKick, the digital conservative and sports media outlet founded by Clay Travis, continues to see expansive growth, with website traffic growing by 22% in the first month of 2024.

The platform saw 7.1 million unique visitors in the month. Additionally, digital video programs from the outlet garnered 33 million views last month, which represented a growth of 29%.

“We kick off the year once again with numbers that not only speak to the platform’s growth but our commitment to providing engaging content to our audience,” OutKick founder Clay Travis said. “OutKick is the only destination for common-sense reporting with talent that’s unafraid to speak their minds on any topic. I’m looking forward to an exciting year and continuing to drive the conversation.”

Social media is where the outlet saw its biggest jumps. OutKick’s social actions on Facebook, X, and Instagram were up 93% compared to December 2023 and 141% in comparison to January 2023. More than 16 million video views were compiled by the platform on Facebook, X, and YouTube. That figure is an increase of 12%.

The news of growth for OutKick comes on the heels of an investment in new programming. Earlier this year, the network announced a new show with Fox News contributor and former professional wrestler Tyrus. His Maintaining podcast will release its second episode Sunday, featuring a conversation with Wolf of Wall Street inspiration Jordan Belfort.

Kevin Harvick to Host New Digital Original Series from FOX Sports

BSM Staff
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Kevin Harvick to Host New Digital Original Series from FOX Sports

FOX Sports has announced that it will be launching a new digital series with Kevin Harvick, who recently joined the company as a NASCAR analyst. As the new host of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour Presented by Nascar on FOX, Harvick will bring his opinions and perspectives regarding pertinent NASCAR storylines and implement guests from the sports and entertainment realms.

Episodes will emanate from the FOX Sports studios in Charlotte and be posted two times per week, including weekend recaps, race previews and analysis of racing news. Furthermore, Harvick will co-host the program with FOX NASCAR studio host Kaitlyn Vincie and NASCAR “Chief Hype Officer” Dylan “Mamba” Smith. The first episode of the podcast will debut on Tuesday, Feb. 20 on FOX Sports digital and social platforms along with the FOX Sports app, FOXSports.com and major podcast platforms.

“Kevin is a superstar, and fans love superstars,” Michael Bucklin, senior vice president of digital content at FOX Sports, said in a statement. “While our television team brings that stardom to the broadcast booth, we’ll deliver it on digital, offering fans even more access to Kevin’s opinions, perspective and personality. It’s an even bigger bonus that he will be joined by Kaitlyn and Mamba, with whom he already has established relationships and who are primed to bring out the best in him.”

Harvick retired from racing at the end of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season and worked as a guest analyst for various NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races. While racing, he was added to the rotation as a play-by-play announcer in the FOX Sports booth for FOX NASCAR’s “Drivers Only” Xfinity Series telecast from 2017 to 2023.

“My new FOX Sports podcast will allow us to spend more time and dig a little deeper into a wider variety of subjects in the racing world,” Harvick said. “It will be a laidback and fun outlet for sharing different ideas and perspectives you can’t get anywhere else.”

The program joins the expanding FOX Sports Podcast Network that features original digital shows from personalities including Skip Bayless, Joel Klatt and Keyshawn Johnson. Additionally, consumers can find the new digital offering wherever they get their podcasts or watch the show on YouTube.

“For the same reason fans loved and followed Kevin as a championship driver, they’ve loved and followed him to the FOX Nascar booth,” Jacob Ullman, senior vice president of production and talent development at FOX Sports, said in a statement. “Now they will follow him to the digital, social and podcasting space. We’re thrilled to incorporate Kevin into all FOX Sports platforms and look forward to everything he will add to our NASCAR coverage.”

NASCAR recently reached new seven-year media rights deals with various media companies that will run through the conclusion of the 2031 season. Within the deal, FOX Sports will continue as a broadcast home of NASCAR racing, carrying the opening 14 races within the NASCAR Cup Series, which includes the Daytona 500. Moreover, this NASCAR season is set to commence this Sunday with the Daytona 500 broadcast at 2:30 p.m. EST this upcoming Sunday.

Shannon Sharpe Re-Signs with ESPN Through End of NBA Regular Season

BSM Staff
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Shannon Sharpe will remain Stephen A. Smith’s First Take foil, at least through the end of the NBA regular season. ESPN announced it re-signed Sharpe to a contract extension earlier today, keeping him as a First Take panelist through the middle of April.

“Being a part of this family has been a blessing and everything about this relationship with ESPN, Stephen A., and First Take has been tremendous,” Sharpe said in a statement posted to @ESPNPR on X. “I look forward to bringing my best as we continue to go head-to-head across different sports.”

Suffice it to say, his co-hosts on First Take were thrilled with the news. Host Molly Qerim said via her X account, “Music to my ears! We’re lucky to have you @ShannonSharpe.” Stephen A. Smith playfully but graciously responded to the news as well:

Sharpe’s media career has exploded since departing Undisputed on FS1. Outside of joining First Take, which has seen multiple consecutive months of viewership growth thanks in part to Sharpe’s participation, his podcast Nightcap with Chad Johnson and Gilbert Arenas reached over one million YouTube subscribers in just five months.

Out of the sports realm, Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast, which focuses more on the entertainment world than sports, also exploded in popularity, thanks in part to a viral interview with comedian Katt Williams. That one interview alone received 50 million views on YouTube, 266 million views across social channels, and resulted in almost 1 million YouTube subscribers following the Club Shay Shay YouTube channel.

Mike Stone Ends Full-Time Run at 97.1 The Ticket

BSM Staff
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Longtime Detroit radio host Mike Stone did his final Stoney and Jansen show this morning on 97.1 The Ticket. Stone had announced back in August he would be stepping away from the show, at least on a full-time basis. The plan is for Stone to continue as a fill-in host and for him to co-host Detroit Lions postgame shows, at least for the next two years. Stone has been a part of the sports radio format for 31 years.

“I am not retiring. I will be here for two years filling in for a lot of shows, Lions football, I will have a presence at the draft. It’ll be different, yes. But, you’ll love the new show, Costa and Jansen…And when those two years are over, who knows, I might want to staty another two years.”

Several callers, special guests and those working on the current show all had a chance to give their best wishes to Stone. “I had to replace an absolute legend…when I got here, you welcomed me with open arms,” Jon Jansen said. “Since then, I have learned…every single day there is something I have learned from you. I am so much better today, not just for being on air, but being a better person, because I have had an opportunity to spend 5 days a week, 4 hours a day having a conversation with you. I thank you for every single minute, every lesson and every opportunity that I’ve had to be around you.”

In prepared remarks, ‘Stoney’ thanked everyone he could think of who had been a part of his radio career from the beginning. From the sales department to engineering, the people who work in the office, his managers, partners, producers and more, Stone tried to hit them all.

Stone began to get emotional as he talked about his former co-host Jamie Samuelsen who passed away in August, 2020 after a battle with colon cancer. He also had difficulty when speaking about his wife and kids and how much they mean to him.

Stone signed on with The Ticket in 2009 and hosted with Rob Parker, Bill McAllister and Samuelsen before starting with Jansen. Prior to his time with the outlet, he was one-half of the Stoney and Wojo Show on WDFN with Bob Wojnowski. ‘Wojo’ made an appearance, in-studio, at the end of today’s show.

Starting Monday, Jim Costa will take Stone’s place and the show will now be known as Costa and Jansen, as he joins Jansen and Heather Park.

Political Campaigns Could Reach 17% More Voters With 20% of Budget Allocated to Radio, New Study Shows

BNM Staff
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As the 2024 election season ramps up, so does political advertising. While campaigns spend heavily on television and digital, a new study conducted by Nielsen reveals radio is an underutilized medium.

According to the Nielsen report, if campaigns shifted their budgets to use 20% of already existing budgets to spend on radio, they could reach 17% more voters.

“Incorporating radio into the broadcast mix early and often will result in better outcomes,” noted Jon Blum, Audacy’s Senior Vice President of Strategy,  Partnerships and Analytics. “Radio complements TV’s ability to reach undecided voters that are unreachable on TV.”

The study shows that campaigns are receiving a diminished return on local TV due to declining viewership. However, with radio’s expanded reach, candidates have the ability to get their message heard by an increased portion of the population.

“When campaigns activate a TV plan, they should activate a corresponding radio plan and incorporate it into the mix with TV,” Blum said. “The portion of the population that isn’t reachable via TV could be the swing vote and what throws it over the top for a candidate.”

Potentially most important to political campaigns, radio reaches a whopping 23% of swing voters who were not seeing or hearing messages with those candidates who only allocated money to television and digital.

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