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AM/FM Radio Reaches New In-Car Usage Highs, Edison Research Data Shows

BNM Staff
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AM/FM Radio Reaches New In-Car Usage Highs, Edison Research Data Shows

AM/FM Radio listening in vehicles has been a longstanding relationship. But new data from Edison Research shows just how prevalent the usage is.

According to the latest Share of Ear Study data, 53% of all AM/FM radio listening in 2025 happened in cars. That set a new high mark since the study began.

In 2015, that figure was at 42%. In that decade, the figure rose 25%. The 53% mark is a significant increase compared to the lows of 41% and 43% during the pandemic years of 2021 and 2022.

When broken down by demographics, the figure for in-car listening rises to 63% in the Persons 18-34 demo, 58% in the 18-49 demo, and 57% in 25-54.

Of all ad-supported in-car listening, 83% is spent with AM/FM radio. The next closest competitor is podcasts, which rests at 8%. Ad-supported SiriusXM (4%), Ad-supported Spotify (3%), Ad-supported Pandora (2%), and Ad-supported YouTube Music (1%) account for the other percentages of usages.

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Peter Rosenberg: Any “Beef” With ESPN New York Host Michael Kay Is Fugazi

BSM Staff
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Peter Rosenberg: Any “Beef” With ESPN New York Host Michael Kay Is Fugazi

Peter Rosenberg playfully attempted to clear the air after comments he made about WWE play-by-play voice Joe Tessitore sparked speculation about friction with fellow ESPN New York personality Michael Kay.

During a recent episode of the Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg Show posted to YouTube, Rosenberg addressed the reaction to remarks he previously made praising Tessitore’s role as a show facilitator. Some observers interpreted those comments as a slight toward Kay, who hosts the afternoon drive program on ESPN New York 98.7 FM.

Rosenberg said that interpretation missed the context of what he meant when discussing Tessitore, who currently serves as a lead voice for WWE broadcasts of Smackdown.

“I said in an interview that Joe Tessitore is the best point guard I’ve ever worked with,” Rosenberg explained. “As in leading a show. So, I meant TV. I was referring to that specific thing. It’s not the same how I worked with Michael [Kay]. It’s just not the same thing.”

Rosenberg’s clarification focused on the structure of television broadcasts compared with sports talk radio. In television settings, he noted, the lead host often functions similarly to a floor general, directing conversation and keeping segments organized in a tightly formatted environment.

By contrast, Rosenberg’s dynamic with Kay developed over years working together at ESPN New York in afternoon drive. He suggested that makes comparisons between the situations difficult. Rosenberg has appeared on Kay’s programs and worked alongside him in the past. However, the partnership does not mirror the structured television collaboration he referenced when praising Tessitore’s on-air leadership.

However, Rosenberg suggested that the discussion surrounding his comments reflects a broader media narrative that has exaggerated tension between the two personalities.

According to Rosenberg, coverage of the story has leaned heavily on the idea that he and Kay are engaged in an ongoing feud, even though he insists the relationship between them has never reached that level of conflict.

“We work so hard at ESPN New York,” Rosenberg said. “We try to put a good show on every day. If WFAN farts, it gets an article in the New York Post and different places in legacy media.”

Rosenberg continued by arguing that the station’s efforts often receive less attention than perceived drama involving its hosts.

“We’re new. When we do stuff, the only thing that gets written about is me and Michael Kay having a fugazi beef,” Rosenberg said. “We weren’t even pretending for it to be real. It just is what it is.”

This isn’t the first time Rosenberg has mocked coverage of a potential beef between Kay and himself. In January, following several articles framing the two at odds with one another Rosenberg cut loose on those outlets providing that coverage.

“With all due respect, they got a lot of inches to fill. Okay, you guys were bored today,” Rosenberg said. “If our crack staff here at ESPN New York and our radio station were worth the paper they were made on, they’d be taking this article running right to the New York Post,” he joked. “There’s nothing better than show beef than in because it’s all within the station. You’re not sending anyone anywhere else. You’re keeping it all right here.”

Kay has not framed the situation as a serious dispute either, though the exchange between the two hosts has generated conversation among listeners in the competitive New York sports radio market. Both personalities remain key figures within ESPN New York’s programming lineup as the station continues to build its identity while competing with longtime market leader WFAN.

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Boomer Esiason Becomes Longest Running Morning Show Host in WFAN History

BSM Staff
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Boomer Esiason Becomes Longest Running Morning Show Host in WFAN History

Boomer Esiason has reached a milestone at one of the most recognizable brands in sports radio, and the moment arrived in a fittingly unscripted fashion during the very program that helped define his broadcasting career.

During Tuesday morning’s edition of the Boomer & Gio show on WFAN, a caller pointed out that Esiason had officially become the longest-tenured morning host in the station’s history, surpassing the late Don Imus.

The recognition caught the hosts slightly off guard and created a reflective moment on a program that typically thrives on fast-paced sports discussion and humor.

Imus served as WFAN’s morning host from October 7, 1988 until April 12, 2007, helping establish the station’s identity in the earliest days of sports talk radio. His tenure defined the morning slot for nearly two decades and left a lasting imprint on the industry as a whole.

Esiason stepped into the role only a few months later, launching his own run in the mornings on September 4, 2007. Over the years, the former NFL quarterback helped guide WFAN through multiple eras of sports coverage, format evolution and audience changes while maintaining the program’s place as a staple of New York City sports media.

When the milestone surfaced during the show, Esiason downplayed the significance in a way that reflected the tone he has carried throughout his broadcasting career.

“I don’t feel like I’ve been here that long, because I enjoy coming here every single day and working with you guys,” Esiason said while reacting to the revelation on air.

The moment also prompted a response from co-host Gregg Giannotti, who has worked alongside Esiason since joining the program in 2018 and helped shape the modern version of the show that listeners hear each morning.

“That is a high compliment,” Giannotti said. “It doesn’t feel like work, and congratulations on that. You still have a lot in the tank. That’s why it feels weird to acknowledge the feat.”

Esiason’s run in morning drive has spanned nearly two decades and several iterations of the program. Before the current pairing with Giannotti, he spent years alongside Craig Carton on Boomer & Carton, a show that became one of the most recognizable sports radio programs in the country during its run.

Across those years, Esiason’s presence helped WFAN maintain stability in a high-profile time slot that carries enormous importance in radio ratings and advertising. The caller-driven reveal served as a reminder of how long Esiason has remained part of that daily routine for listeners. While the moment arrived quietly during a regular segment of the show, the achievement places him atop a significant chapter in WFAN history.

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.

Los Angeles Kings Reportedly Staying On FanDuel Sports Network West Next Season

BSM Staff
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Los Angeles Kings Reportedly Staying On FanDuel Sports Network West Next Season

The Los Angeles Kings will reportedly continue airing games on FanDuel Sports Network West through the 2026-27 NHL season. The reported move ensures stability for the franchise’s regional television presence. It comes as the broader local sports media landscape continues to evolve.

According to a report by The Sports Business Journal, the arrangement covers the remainder of the current season and extends through next year, including coverage of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The decision provides continuity for viewers and partners. It comes as several regional sports networks face structural changes tied to shifting ownership and evolving distribution strategies.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Angels will maintain a prominent presence on the network during the 2026 MLB season. Nearly every Angels game not selected for national television will air on the channel. Coverage will include expanded studio programming with enhanced pregame and postgame shows. Additional team-focused content will aim to deepen fan engagement throughout the baseball calendar.

The developments follow a significant ownership shift involving the network’s parent company, Main Street Sports Group. The Angels recently acquired the company’s 50 percent stake in the regional network, a move that gives the franchise a larger role in shaping the future of its local media distribution strategy.

As part of that transition, the Angels expect to unveil plans for a new regional sports network in the near future. While details about the platform have not been formally announced, SBJ reports the upcoming network could become the Kings’ primary television home. That change would occur once the current arrangement concludes.

Kings broadcasts had already aired on the channel prior to the ownership change. SBJ reports the Angels are expected to pay the NHL franchise an undisclosed rights fee. The payment would keep those games on the network beginning next 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.

AM 860 The Answer Moving to 1640 in Portland

BNM Staff
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AM 860 The Answer Moving to 1640 in Portland

Salem Media has announced that it is moving AM 860 The Answer in Portland to a new frequency next month.

Beginning on April 1st, The Answer will move from 860 AM to 1640 AM. The station’s lineup, which features the entire nationally syndicated Salem Radio Network, as well as America at Night with McGraw Millhaven — will continue on the new signal.

Both 860 AM and 1640 AM will continue to air the same programming from April 1st through April 17th. Beginning on April 18th, the station will be heard exclusively on 1640 AM.

The 860 AM signal is a Class B, 50,000-watt daytime signal utilizing the KPAM call letters. 1640 AM — utilizing the KDZR call letters — is currently airing a Regional Mexican format. That signal is also a Class B signal, utilizing 10,000 watts of daytime power.

It is unclear what will be done with the KPAM signal after AM 860 The Answer relocates to 1640 AM.

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Rick Savage Returning To Mornings At 91X March 23

BMM Staff
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Rick Savage Returning To Mornings At 91X March 23

Alternative station 91X has brought back a familiar voice and programmer to help guide the brand’s next chapter. The station announced that radio veteran Rick Savage will return to the San Diego outlet to host mornings while also assuming duties as Music Director beginning March 23.

Savage grew up in nearby Poway and developed an early connection to the influential alternative outlet. The station helped shape his musical tastes during his youth in Southern California. That connection later became a professional opportunity in the early 2000s when Savage joined the station. The move helped launch a career spanning media, technology, and sports.

After leaving 91X, Savage went on to work at prominent alternative outlet KROQ-FM while also building experience beyond traditional broadcasting.

His resume includes time with Apple and work connected to the NFL. He also held leadership roles in his own production and management ventures. Those positions helped expand his presence across digital media, content strategy, and artist development. They also allowed him to maintain strong ties to the music industry and entertainment landscape.

Now, Savage returns to the station that helped launch his broadcasting career. He brings a broad background in programming, digital engagement, and audience development. Station leadership believes his familiarity with the brand positions him well to help guide the station’s future direction. His deep roots in the local music community also support that belief.

“Growing up in San Diego, 91X has always been more than just a radio station to me,” Savage said in a statement announcing the move. “It opened me up to a whole new world of music. To be a part of that history and on the same airwaves as so many of my heroes again is literally a dream come true.”

Brand Manager and afternoon host Hilary Doneux expressed enthusiasm about the hire. She noted that Savage’s background and personality align closely with the culture the station wants to reinforce.

“Bringing Rick home was a no-brainer,” Doneux said. “He’s genuine, hilarious, great on the air and deeply plugged into both the music scene and local culture. On top of that, he’s a respected programmer with a strong digital voice. That makes him a perfect fit for where we’re headed.”

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.

94.5 The Moose Hires Breck Kinsey For Middays

BMM Staff
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94.5 The Moose Hires Breck Kinsey For Middays

Connoisseur Media has added a familiar voice to its midday lineup in Mid-Michigan, hiring Breck Kinsey to host middays on Adult Contemporary WCEN in Saginaw.

The move brings the local personality back to a market where she has spent much of her broadcasting career while filling the daypart previously held by Josh Sharrow, who will remain part of the 94.5 The Moose’s lineup in a weekend role.

Kinsey’s return to a full-time weekday shift continues a career that has largely unfolded across stations serving the Great Lakes Bay Region. Listeners in the area have heard her voice across several formats in recent years, and her familiarity with the audience made the transition to Connoisseur’s midday slot a logical next step as the company continues refining its local programming strategy.

Before joining Connoisseur, Kinsey worked for Cumulus Media, where she spent several years handling multiple on-air roles across two stations in the same cluster.

From 2021 through 2024, she maintained a dual presence in the market, hosting middays on Active Rock outlet Z93 while also anchoring afternoon drive on Top 40 station 102.5 WIOG. The combination of formats provided Kinsey with a wide-ranging on-air portfolio, giving her experience connecting with audiences in both rock and contemporary hit radio environments.

Prior to her time with Cumulus, Kinsey built her resume at several other Mid-Michigan outlets, including Country station 98.1 WKCQ, where she hosted nights, and Classic Hits station WLEW in Bad Axe.

Meanwhile, Sharrow’s continued presence on weekends ensures that WCEN retains continuity with listeners familiar with the station’s existing talent lineup.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Paisley Dunn-Banks Announces Departure From Froggy 101.7/104.9

BMM Staff
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Paisley Dunn-Banks Announces Departure From Froggy 101.7/104.9

Paisley Dunn-Banks will soon conclude her run in Kentucky radio as the 7 Mountains Media personality prepares for a career change and a move back to her home state of Colorado.

Dunn-Banks, who currently hosts mornings on 7 Mountains Media’s Country outlets Froggy 101.7/104.9, announced she will exit the station cluster on March 13.

Following a recent trip to Nashville for the Country Radio Seminar, she plans to return to Colorado, where she intends to begin a new chapter working in the fitness industry.

Her departure closes a two-year tenure with the 7 Mountains Media Frankfort cluster, where she balanced several roles beyond hosting the morning show. In addition to waking up listeners each weekday morning, Dunn-Banks also handled responsibilities as Promotions Director for the cluster, coordinating marketing initiatives, on-site appearances, and listener engagement efforts across the company’s stations in the market.

Dunn-Banks joined the Frankfort operation in March 2023 after building a resume across several Midwest radio markets earlier in her career. Before arriving in Kentucky, she served as assistant program director and afternoon host at WCJC, a Country station where she helped shape the station’s programming strategy while also maintaining a daily on-air presence.

Her previous experience also includes afternoon drive roles at KWWK and KBKB. Earlier in her career, Dunn-Banks spent time with Dakota Radio Group, where she held multiple roles while working under the name Paisley Dunn.

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 the Barrett Media Top 20 Lists Matter to Music Radio Professionals

Jim Ryan
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Why the Barrett Media Top 20 Lists Matter to Music Radio Professionals

I was surprised last winter when I received a ballot to vote on the Barrett Media lists for Hot AC and AC.

After being in the same building as WFAN for many years, I knew the relationship between Jason Barrett, Barrett Media, and sports. But music? A tough hill to tackle. When I was number two on the 2024 list behind iHeart’s Chris Conley, I thought “credible” and subscribed.

The Top 20 Music Radio Program Directors

I made a cameo appearance on the 4-Cast a few weeks ago as this year’s Barrett Media lists came out. Unfortunately, my appearance was only after the first two music formats were released. If you watched, you saw me dispute the top of the alternative PD list. The world loves Lisa Worden — as do I — but I strongly felt Kevin Weatherly should have been on top of the list based on the incredible turnaround at KROQ. There’s nothing more difficult than bringing a dead radio station back to life, let alone back to number one in the adult demographic.

Adult/Classic hits saw everyone’s favorite wine collector, Todd Cavanah, and Chris Ebbott on top. In the Urban/Hip Hop formats, Thea Mitchem and Reggie Rouse get the nod — yes! Format heads at iHeart and Audacy, John Peake and Steve Salhany, led AC and Hot AC — who couldn’t agree with that? Rock‘s ratings giants Ryan Castle and Chuck Damico are undeniable.

And who could dispute the success of Keith Hastings and Eric Wellman on the Classic Rock side? Tim Roberts and Mike Preston were Country radio’s favorites. You couldn’t find more respected programmers to lead in that format. Beata Murphy may have been a surprise in CHR, but how exciting to see a young woman at number one in a female-targeted format. Her success should be applauded — and was, by the Barrett Media Top 20.

The voting for programmers can sometimes be political, where the voting for radio shows is not. This is where the Barrett Media voters showed that they were paying attention to content and performance.

The Top 20 Music Radio Shows

I don’t know of a more successful rock show than Preston and Steve. This male-targeted rock show even wins with women in Philly. Elliott got the nod in Alternative. I’m guessing Klein/Ally and The Woody Show divided the voting, as both of those LA-based shows are smoking hot. A syndicated Bobby Bones Show wins Country, but there is no show with a bigger impact on that format.

The Breakfast Club from Power in New York is much more than a radio show. It has become a political force in America and a no-brainer to top the Urban category. Just across the hall from Charlamagne tha God is the non-controversial Jim Kerr as the top show in Classic Rock. Nobody has put in more hours on the New York airwaves than Jim.

Broadway Bill Lee got the most votes in Adult/Classic Hits. That’s a nod to someone who truly stands out in the format. I was lucky enough to work with Broadway and be in the room when he was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.

When it came to CHR, certainly New York or LA would win. It had to be between Elvis Duran and Ryan Seacrest. And then — boom! It was not one of the two shows that are household names, but instead the guy who is still working his ass off every day in a much smaller market. The coveted number one show award goes to Mojo in the Morning in Detroit.

I cheered that win from my tiny Florida office — just as much as I did the day before when Karson and Kennedy took first place in the AC/Hot AC category from Mix in Boston. Yes, Karen Carson in New York as well as Valentine and Ellen K in LA do great work. But Karson and Kennedy check all the boxes. They started at Mix in 2009, took direction, and never got discouraged during the tough times. They’ve become a part of the fabric of Boston. They are the morning show in that market.

The Barrett Media Top 20 lists impressed me. Where else would you find national shows winning in some formats and great local talent in Philly, Detroit, and Boston winning in others? Congratulations to all who made the lists. Nice work, Jason.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

ESPN Has Found A New Quarterback in Pat McAfee

John Mamola
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ESPN Has Found A New Quarterback in Pat McAfee

The beginning of NFL free agency is one of the most anticipated moments on the league’s calendar. Every team starts fresh and begins to spend money. Rumors drive intrigue, and reports drive narrative. This is the moment when everyone becomes an insider and engagement becomes the currency.

On Monday, ESPN officially elevated The Pat McAfee Show into a new stratosphere. The network made McAfee’s program the destination for football fans as NFL free agency began. The three-hour broadcast delivered breaking news, on-site insight, and access to some of the most important people on the NFL’s most important day following the Super Bowl.

The decision to shift the network’s coverage to McAfee’s program carries several layers. The most significant is how it elevates McAfee, a non-ESPN employee, into the role of the new face of ESPN.

Few could have predicted how much McAfee would elevate his game after entering ESPN’s doors. A brash former NFL punter, he has never fit the mold of a traditional broadcaster. Yet McAfee handled one of the most difficult assignments in network television Monday and did so with confidence.

What once was a podcast out of Indianapolis has become a global sports media phenomenon that commands the attention of NFL fans worldwide.

Consider what ESPN built around him.

The network positioned top insiders Adam Schefter and Peter Schrager on site in separate rooms to deliver immediate analysis and breaking news directly through McAfee’s program. McAfee himself even broke news on the very first signing of the free agency period, giving ESPN a layer of exclusivity.

In effect, the network used its own insiders and analysts as supporting pieces to McAfee and his show.

Keep in mind, this is the same ESPN that once created a full television event around the NFL schedule release. Monday represented a different kind of investment.

For ESPN to loan its top talent to McAfee’s platform speaks volumes about how the network views his role moving forward. What began as a partnership where McAfee’s creative freedom remained untouched evolved Monday into a full integration, with ESPN leaning into the energy and structure of his program.

At the same time, McAfee showed something important. He didn’t try to dominate the broadcast. Instead, he played point guard.

Rather than acting as the defining voice of the coverage, McAfee operated like air traffic control, directing the conversation and setting up ESPN’s analysts and insiders for their big moments. He shared his own insight, but he also allowed the network’s heavy hitters to deliver the deeper analysis.

That balance matters.

Monday showed just how much McAfee has grown as a television talent. For all the controversy he has stirred by taking shots at upper ESPN management, it’s also clear he’s coachable. Possibly more coachable than during his NFL playing days.

Would Stephen A. Smith play the role as smoothly as McAfee did? Probably not.

Smith is an A-level talent, the type of personality designed to deliver the home run swing. When he’s asked to play point on First Take, particularly when host Shae Cornette is out, the show can become harder to follow. Smith has had more opportunities to handle that role than McAfee.

Yet on Monday, the former Colts punter showed a level of versatility and growth when the spotlight was brightest. Even when compared to the precision and professionalism of Pardon the Interruption, it’s hard to imagine Tony Kornheiser or Michael Wilbon executing this kind of free-flowing, breaking-news format the way McAfee did.

The ripple effect was noticeable.

NFL Live took a back seat on one of the most important days on the league calendar. ESPN essentially allowed its own traditional programming to step aside rather than drive the coverage.

The gamble paid off. In fact, it may even serve as a preview for how ESPN approaches its first Super Bowl broadcast.

Instead of leaning entirely on its highest-paid personalities, the network chose a different path—an entertainment-first strategy built around arguably the most engaging personality on its roster. And if the collaboration worked this well during free agency, the possibilities become intriguing.

Could ESPN replicate this format during the NFL Draft? What about the opening of training camp? Or the first week of the regular season leading into Monday Night Football?

A prime-time schedule release show built around McAfee suddenly doesn’t sound far-fetched either.

Monday’s broadcast opened the door to countless possibilities during a critical year for ESPN as it attempts to maximize NFL coverage across the entire calendar. That’s why McAfee now feels like the face of the network.

While ESPN’s biggest names still dominate their respective lanes, nothing carries more weight than the shield of the NFL. With the league acquiring a 10 percent stake in ESPN and the network preparing to take over production of NFL Network later this year, the opportunities to expand football coverage are only growing.

And McAfee appears positioned to lead that expansion.

Monday wasn’t just a big day for ESPN’s NFL coverage. It was a defining moment for Pat McAfee.

The former punter who once built a podcast in Indianapolis now sits at the center of the largest sports network in the world, directing the conversation on one of the most important days on the NFL calendar.

More importantly, Monday revealed something ESPN has been searching for in the modern sports media era: A personality capable of sitting at the center of the biggest sports conversation in America and making the entire network orbit around him.

McAfee didn’t just host a show during the opening of NFL free agency. He hosted the show. The show where insiders broke news, analysts delivered context, and fans turned first. That’s not just good programming. That’s positioning.

If ESPN continues leaning into what worked Monday, the network may have found something more valuable than another studio show.

They may have found their quarterback.

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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