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Ben and Skin’s Dallas Radio Formula Includes Laughs, Bits, Sports, and More

Mike Stern
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Ben and Skin’s Dallas Radio Formula Includes Laughs, Bits, Sports, and More

There are a lot of myths surrounding Ben Rogers and Jeff Wade — better known to fans as Ben and Skin — who just this week took over hosting mornings on iHeartMedia Classic Rock KZPZ/Dallas. First, the easiest myth to dispel is that they keep getting canned because they’ve worked at several stations in the market.

“The reality is we’ve never been fired from a radio job, which is really remarkable considering we’ve been doing it full time since 2008,” Ben says. “But we have chased opportunities because we’ve always believed in ourselves.”

For context, they have worked at numerous radio stations over the years. After starting at legendary sports talk station The Ticket (KTCK-AM), they have been heard at Live 105.3 (KLLI), ESPN Radio 103.3 (KESN), 105.3 The Fan (KRLD), and 97.1 The Eagle (KEGL-FM) — which was also known as The Freak during their tenure.

Myth Two: They’re Just Sports Guys

Another unfounded belief is that because they came up in Sports Talk, that’s all they can do. Yet now they are anchoring mornings at a Classic Rock station. The main reason for the switch is that, in their experience, many Sports Talk shows are based on conflict. Importantly, that’s not the type of show they prefer. “It’s not really in our DNA to tear one another down,” Skin says. “Our DNA is to build one another up. We come at our show from a different perspective.”

Ben adds that he really doesn’t want to argue with Skin because he’d lose. “If we were doing that old school style show where we had to debate every day, I would have killed Skin by now because I cannot beat him in a debate. If I walk outside and the sky is blue, he could beat me in a debate about whether or not the sky was blue. And I would lose very badly.”

Instead, they prefer to focus on companionship. “The goal is to create an environment or a vibe where people are comfortable listening to us because they know who we are,” Skin says. “There’s a lot of ways to garner that dedication from a listener, but we believe the number one thing is to make people laugh.”

Their show includes bits, skits, pranks, and conversations about everyday life that lend themselves to humor. And to be clear, they still discuss some sports — but differently. “We’re not going to talk about a salary cap on Lone Star. It’s basically: did the Cowboys win? Why or why not? Now we move on,” explains Skin.

However, they will poke fun at their old format. “We like to make fun of tropes like Sports Talk shows that pair two guys from two different cities together. We exaggerate the characters so one is some meathead who played sports but doesn’t know what he’s doing and the other is super announcer-y.”

Myth Three: They’re Not Sports Guys

Ben and Skin will set up an interview with an unsuspecting sports blogger but perform the call as a fake team. For example, there is Nigel and Whippy. Nigel is in his late eighties, while Whippy is in his twenties with no respect for his elders. “Meanwhile, the guest we booked is being held hostage in an improv comedy sketch they think is real,” Skin explains.

While it’s their names on the marquee, the show is truly an ensemble with two other talented people. They are Newshound Kevin “K.T.” Turner and Producer Krystina “K-Ray” Ray. K.T. has been with the guys since 2013. Ben says he can do anything: “he’s an incredible hard worker and he just makes doing radio easy. He gets nowhere near enough credit.”

Krystina went to college with K.T. and adds a unique perspective. “She brings a good feminine vibe, but she also can totally hang with us,” Ben says. “We played Fortnite together and she cussed more than anyone I’ve heard in my life. Honestly, our audience probably likes her more than they like the other three of us.”

While they say their partnership with iHeartRadio and their show on Lone Star is their number one priority, they haven’t completely walked away from sports-related content. Earlier this year, they launched The Haymaker Network — a local sports talk network that exists on YouTube.

Myth Four: They’re Just Content Creators

Still in its infancy, the network already offers several shows. These include The House of Haymaker, which features a cast of creators talking sports; Haymaker Presents, which showcases sports stars in longform interviews; and Star Time, a Dallas Cowboys focused show.

Future plans for the network include more sports-related content. Additionally, they’re stepping into pop culture with The Haymaker Lounge. “For example, it will have a show called Tastemakers, where we find the best burgers, best tacos, best music, best movies,” Ben explains. “It’s a pop-culture show on steroids where we can talk about whatever we want that is not sports.”

While this is a passion project for Ben and Skin, they also know their limitations. Rather than trying to build a podcast network infrastructure on their own, they hired Matt Czizek — who had worked for the Dallas Mavericks at their Studio 41 video streaming operation — as Chief Content Officer. “We think everybody is rushing to do podcasts on video but not everyone knows how to make them look good,” Ben says. “We think that’s a big separator so we went out and hired the best guy we could possibly find to make our stuff look incredible.”

Haymaker Studio is not the pair’s only non-radio venture. Notably, they’re also partners in a brewery called Rollertown Beer Works. They explain that while the obvious choice would have been to name the brewery after themselves, it didn’t seem appropriate because they weren’t actually making the beer.

Instead, much like with Haymaker, they respected their limitations. “We’ve learned from radio that we don’t like it when people come in and tell us how to do our show,” Ben says. “So we don’t want to tell somebody how to make beer. Instead, we went out and found the most talented brew master we could and just stay out of his way.”

Their Superpower

That left them in need of a name. Because they desired to honor the area where their brewery would be located, they settled on a reference to the Frisco Railway. “When the railway came through, they just laid out where they were going and didn’t care if it ruined towns that weren’t on the line,” Ben explains. “So the most resilient towns put their buildings on rollers and used steam engines to roll the town to the railroad in order to survive. We think it’s a great metaphor. If the life you want is over there, you got to be willing to go get it. If you want to pursue a dream, get up off your ass and go do it.”

So far, the venture has been successful. Not only have they already moved to a bigger location, but their beer is also distributed in bars, restaurants, stadiums, and grocery stores. Their biggest seller is The Big German — which was created to honor Dallas Mavericks’ great Dirk Nowitzki. The slogan for the beer, which Ben credits to Skin, is “minimal hops with a smooth finish.” This aptly describes both the beer and the player.

Friends since they were twelve years old, Ben and Skin have always been adventurous. They almost had a career as rappers. However, it didn’t work out. But the failure taught Ben a valuable lesson. “When the music dream crashed and burned, I was devastated. I thought that was my whole identity, which was foolish,” he says. “But once you chase a dream and you don’t catch it, you have this like bulletproof protection to chase another one. You realize ‘I survived failure. It’s not the end of the world.'”

It was that feeling that led to the two working their way into radio on The Ticket. For two people with minimal experience, starting at an extraordinarily successful station in Dallas might have seemed unlikely. But not to Ben: “The idea of it being a long shot to work our way into one of the greatest sports talk radio stations in the country never registered with me. It was more like, ‘sure, why wouldn’t we try that.'”

And it’s that attitude that Skin credits for their success. “Ben’s unwavering belief that we can do anything has been a huge catalyst for all this,” he says. Ben prefers to think of it as the team’s hidden superpower. “I am foolish enough to believe that we can do some crazy shit, and Skin is foolish enough to believe in me.”

But perhaps the best way to sum up their philosophy can be found on the Rollertown Beerworks website. They have posted a manifesto created with help from Ben’s brother. You can see the whole proclamation here, but the first two paragraphs give a good indication of how the guys think:

We are not ones to sit by and let life happen to us. We are not here to be passive recipients or to live in someone else’s vision of the world. We believe the world is what you make of it. We believe that with imagination and hard work anything is possible. We believe in ourselves.

To Ben, the manifesto underscores the energy they use to approach everything. “It fuels our belief that we could host a morning show on Lone Star, that we could start a brewery, that we could create our own podcast network. We are swinging for the fences, chasing dreams.”

But he also knows the road isn’t always smooth. “It doesn’t mean our dreams are all going to happen. Our journey started off by failing a million times and we’ll fail a million more. But what gets us excited about life is when you don’t know how successful something is going to be. That is more interesting and fulfilling than just taking a paycheck doing something you don’t like.”

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.

20 Brands in 20 Days: Andre Yancey: 94.7 The Block, NYC & 102 JAMS, San Francisco

David Hill
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20 Brands in 20 Days: Andre Yancey: 94.7 The Block, NYC & 102 JAMS, San Francisco

Andre Yancey’s trajectory through radio demonstrates what happens when you combine genuine warmth with strategic rigor. At eighteen, he showed up at KMEL in San Francisco with ambition and a dream born from listening to Rick Chase on afternoon drive. He’d spent three years trying to get on a street team, driven by a single image: a radio companion making people feel less alone. When the morning zoo stuck a microphone in his face during a gas giveaway, he went for it. It worked.

Now, decades later, he straddles two coasts for Audacy as Assistant Brand Manager at 94.7 The Block (KXBK-FM) in New York and Brand Manager of 102 JAMS (KRBQ-FM) in San Francisco. That instinct — to keep people company, to make them feel less alone — runs through everything he does. But he backed it up with a full MBA from NYU, graduating in 2025, with a focus on organizational and change management, finance, and strategy. He’s the rare radio leader thinking in parallel about both the soul of the medium and the mathematics that keep it alive. At Audacy, where he’s built consecutive award-winning content, that balance between artistry and analytics has become his defining leadership approach.

Radio is for Everybody

Walk into a conversation with Yancey, and you’ll quickly notice he talks about the audience as dynamic human beings, not demographic buckets. This philosophy came from growing up in the South Bay, where his friends and family didn’t organize around format boundaries. He watched KMEL and KYLD dominate as twin cultural forces and understood something fundamental: the Bay Area’s power came from its diversity and refusal to be sorted.

“There’s a time where, whether it was a hip hop, rock song, or even country, people would say that’s my jam, and I want to bring the essence of that back,” he explains. “My generation, I believe, was the first to not be constrained by our parents won’t listen to X, Y, and Z. It was all available to us, and I want that unification and that coalition to really sing loud, and that’s how we’re going to represent the Bay Area properly.”

This ethos now defines both 102 JAMS and 94.7 The Block. At 102 JAMS in San Francisco, he’s rebuilding radio as fundamentally inclusive. “We’re here for everybody,” he says. “So again, I’m going to reference KMEL. When I grew up, they had this tagline called the People Station, music across color lines. This music right here, because of growing up in the South Bay, where my friends were all races and shapes and sizes, just like my family, the same people that were listening to Wu Tang Clan, the same people that were listening to hip hop, were also listening to Linkin Park. They were listening to Metallica. They were listening to Jewel. And they were listening to Nirvana. All of those.”

Building Bridges Between Worlds

What separates Yancey from other radio leaders is his graduate education. While many run their careers on instinct, Yancey recognized a gap: he could feel the industry’s pain but lacked the framework to articulate solutions at scale. He went to grad school to understand why the industry works.

“I went to grad school because I saw what was happening to our industry — the constraints and the pains of it,” he explains. “I grew up on the personality side and on the street team side, and then grew into leadership. What happens after I’m in brand management? How do I create help create a balance between business and the craft? I studied that from a private equity vantage point at NYU. I would go in, speak with my professors, and think through how I could build a bridge between the two so that we can serve — have personalities serve locally while also maintaining a healthy business.”

This is what compassion and intelligence look like in practice: studying financial models not to become a suit, but to protect radio itself. To keep voices on air. To keep people employed.

Teaching the Why, Not Just the What

When Yancey left radio to explore other industries, he hit a wall. A McKinsey executive told him his skill set had no currency elsewhere. The experience triggered a commitment to understanding the entire ecosystem. He realized he’d been operating inside radio’s language without understanding radio’s business.

So he went back. He studied. He learned the metrics. “I learned how everything works — how they come up with AQH when TSL is brought up, where that comes from,” he says. “I started understanding the formulas. Then it’s okay, what do ratings actually mean? We need people to listen in different occasions. The biggest stations really win with Nielsen because people are leaving and coming back, leaving and coming back.”

When he moved to New York in 2021, he relaunched the morning program at WCBS-FM post-pandemic, then helped establish 94.7 The Block as Audacy’s most-used urban streaming brand. But here’s where compassion kicks back in: he didn’t keep that knowledge to himself. “Once I understood that, I started talking to my colleagues,” he says. “Often we’re trained to do our job, but we’re not taught all of the whys. And now I try to help as many people as possible because you can perform and knock it out of the ballpark, but you need to understand the why.”

The Two Cities, One Philosophy

At 94.7 The Block in New York, Yancey applies the same inclusive framework as Assistant Brand Manager, helping craft a format that’s become one of Audacy’s most-used urban streaming brand. Rather than retreat from New York gatekeeping, he dug in and learned from tastemakers like DJ Mister Cee and DJ Scratch. The Block format emerged from the same “People Station” philosophy from KMEL, but applied to contemporary streaming and mix show culture. When DJ Mister Cee passed away in 2024, Yancey understood the platform’s deeper meaning — it was a gathering place where tastemakers could be honored and the community could mourn together.
Meanwhile, at 102 JAMS in San Francisco, his role as Brand Manager puts him at the helm of rebuilding a new Audacy station from the ground up. This is his chance to architect an entire brand philosophy, not just support one. The station is a love letter to the Bay Area, as he describes it — a place where companionship and connection are central to everything they broadcast. He’s bringing everything he learned at The Block to San Francisco, but with the freedom to shape the station’s complete identity.

“I want to celebrate women 12 months of the year,” he says. “There’s Pride Month, well, let’s have Pride all the time. Doesn’t matter if you’re from the hood or from the cul-de-sac. This music has affected all of us. How can we be as inclusive as possible so that we can take that strain and stop that chip on the shoulder that everybody carries as they try to make it through these crazy times in this incredibly fast city?”

That’s both a compassionate vision and a strategic one: radio as relief, not division. In a streaming age, the biggest audiences come from removing barriers.

The Message for What Comes Next

As we wrapped our conversation, Yancey offered closing thoughts that crystallize why this combination matters. He believes in radio — all of it. Radio may not look the same in five years, but the core mission — being a companion, creating connection — won’t change. His message was aimed at people grinding it out right now.

“Growth is more than getting a promotion,” he says. “Growth is understanding why we’re doing what we’re doing. For personalities, keep honing your craft. If you want to learn programming, reach out to people and ask. That’s it.”

Simple. Direct. But underneath it is everything Yancey has learned: that craft without business acumen won’t survive, and business acumen without craft is just noise. Compassion without intelligence is sentiment. Intelligence without compassion is cold.

Andre Yancey doesn’t operate from a playbook. He operates from a heart that wants to lift people up and a mind that understands how radio — the business, the craft, and the human connection — actually works. That combination is rare. That combination is winning.

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 Teenagers Ignore Radio But Love Music

Keith Cunningham
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Why Teenagers Ignore Radio But Love Music

The industry is in round-the-clock panic about attracting younger listeners. However, let me tell you something: RockTernative isn’t struggling with teenagers at all. I took my 13-year-old daughter and two of her friends to see AC/DC and The Pretty Reckless in the Bay Area — three hours of high voltage energy in a packed stadium of multiple generations. Notably, the kids were more fired up than I ever was at their age.

How Teens Discover Music Today

Hannah found out about the show herself. Certainly, it wasn’t from radio or an ad or social. Instead, she hunted it down because she wanted to see AC/DC “before it’s too late.” She’s a self-made rocker whose favorite artist changes weekly, this week it’s Ozzy. Her personal playlists bounce from genre to genre.

For me, the night out was going to be a proud Dad moment — and a chance to gather intel.

I’m a walking focus group. Typically, when I’m around anyone with opinions on RockTernative music, radio, morning shows, or social content, my moderator alarm goes off. It’s like we’re being attacked by the Russians, and I go into overdrive — into intel-gathering mode.

But I couldn’t go full-court moderator. Otherwise, Hannah would’ve bailed out the window. So I did as much listening as asking. Importantly, this isn’t quantitative or qualitative data, but I don’t care — there’s something here.

What These Teens Actually Want

Despite not being in the 25-54 demographic, these three girls are exactly the kind of RockTernative fans radio dreams of. If they showed up at station events, staffs would plaster their photos on one-sheets just to prove it’s not all geezers and oxygen tanks.

But more importantly, they know the music. They want the stories. They go to shows, collect vinyl, wear the band shirts. All three play instruments. Two are in a punk band. One is an admitted Swiftie. And all three are headed into 8th grade.

I remember 8th grade — radio was a best friend. Not for these girls. Notably, radio is only for when their parents put it on. That may not shock you, but there’s more to this:

They don’t dislike radio. They’re not “too cool” for it. They’re not tired of “the hits.” They just already have “the hits” in their pocket. The problem? They’re not seeking out radio because the medium isn’t giving them anything they don’t already have. That’s the key.

The Real Opportunity

They’d seek out radio if it gave them something they cared about — and something they can’t get from their phones. Specifically, they want discovery (Gold and New), personality, storytelling, community, and a tribal identity. If they feel invited and think it’s worth their time — they’ll listen (on an app, of course).

My mission isn’t to turn teenagers into weeklong P1s. While that would be nice, today’s programmers would settle for a few check-ins or a specialty appointment each week. But most believe radio won’t ever convert the younger generation. They think it needs to go commercial free or become the obscure songs medium. That’s wrong.

Attracting younger demos isn’t impossible. Furthermore, it doesn’t require saying goodbye to 35+ listeners. Brands just need to find the right levers, but they won’t be found unless the right questions are asked. When was the last time you actually spoke to teenagers about radio?

What Their Music Choices Revealed

But here’s what really resonated that night. The drive to the show was an all-AC/DC playlist and they knew every song. On the way home, I let them pick any songs they wanted at max volume. I was prepared for an indie music explosion, but their choices said everything:

  • No Doubt – Just A Girl
  • The Pretty Reckless – Death By Rock & Roll (triggered by the concert)
  • ABBA – Dancing Queen
  • The Cure – Boys Don’t Cry
  • Bratmobile – I’m In the Band
  • Billy Idol – Rebel Yell
  • RHCP – Can’t Stop
  • Damone – What We Came Here For
  • Rolling Stones – Start Me Up
  • Dorothy – I Come Alive
  • Offspring – Come Out and Play

Is that the perfect hour on your station? No. On any station? No. But it was the perfect hour for them.

Put ABBA and the Stones aside — any RockTernative programmer can see how some of their peanut butter can be mixed with your chocolate, in the right setting.

What This Music Selection Means

Not one of those songs is too old, too new, too niche, or too mainstream. In fact, notice they didn’t even choose one “current.” These kids are less concerned with the hottest new thing. Instead, they’re more about vibe, authenticity, a song’s personality or message, and what they can sing along with.

RockTernative music isn’t losing teens — but radio did lose teens by ignoring them. And if nothing changes, the upper demo won’t be far behind.

Give them a real reason and they’ll be dancing in the aisles just like they did at Levi’s Stadium. These teenage girls dragged ME to AC/DC — and they’ll drag themselves to radio too, if radio gives them something worth dragging toward.

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 Christmas 2026 Be The Greatest Day In American Sports History

John Lund
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Could Christmas 2026 Be The Greatest Day In American Sports History

I’ve spent the last week trying to figure out whether Christmas 2026 is the greatest sports day in American history. The more I look at it, the harder it becomes to argue against it.

Forget the Super Bowl, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day. Forget Final Four Saturday. All those days are iconic. But none of them can match the combination of star power, television audiences, revenue, and juicy storylines we’re getting under the tree on December 25, 2026.

Plan Accordingly

The day begins at noon Eastern with an NBA Finals rematch. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs taking on Jalen Brunson and the defending champion Knicks at Madison Square Garden. In most years, that would be the Christmas headliner. In 2026, it’s simply the opening act.

One hour later, the NFL enters the picture with Packers-Bears, featuring Caleb Williams and Jordan Love in one of the oldest rivalries in American sports. Before that game even reaches halftime, the NBA rolls out Heat-Celtics, featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum.

By late afternoon, it’s a playoff rematch when Josh Allen and the Bills face Bo Nix and the Broncos. That could be one of the most-watched regular-season games of the year. Then LeBron James goes back to LA when the 76ers meet Luka Doncic and the Lakers on another channel.

The night only gets bigger. At 8 p.m. Eastern, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder meet Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves in a matchup that could easily preview the Western Conference Finals. Fifteen minutes later, the NFL counters with an NFC Championship rematch featuring Rams-Seahawks, the best rivalry in the NFL right now.

Then, just when most people should be winding down for the night, Nikola Jokic and Stephen Curry take center stage with Nuggets-Warriors. Featuring two future Hall of Famers, the game won’t even tip off until 10:30 p.m. Eastern. Yet it could still attract a larger audience than most nationally televised games during the NBA season.

A Rare Combination

What makes this day feel different is not just the schedule. It’s the concentration of star power and storylines. The NFL and NBA have placed many of the biggest stars in American sports under one giant Christmas tree.

The audience numbers could be staggering. Recent NFL Christmas games have drawn audiences that rival playoff games. There is every reason to believe Packers-Bears could exceed 25 million viewers. Bills-Broncos could approach 20 million, while Rams-Seahawks could draw numbers that most primetime broadcasts would envy.

The NBA’s five-game Christmas package should add tens of millions more viewing occasions throughout the day. When everything is totaled, Christmas Day could easily generate more than 100 million viewing occasions across the NFL and NBA.

That’s an important distinction: not viewers, but viewing occasions. The same fan might watch Wembanyama at noon, Caleb Williams in the afternoon, LeBron at dinner, Josh Allen in the late afternoon, Stafford in primetime, and Steph Curry before midnight. Networks love that because attention has become the most valuable currency in sports media.

The longer they can keep viewers engaged, the more valuable every commercial, sponsorship, and streaming subscription becomes.

That’s why Netflix fought for Christmas football, and why the NFL continues expanding its holiday footprint. That’s why the NBA refuses to surrender the day it invented. None of these leagues are competing for a three-hour window anymore. They’re competing to own an entire day of consumer attention.

What makes Christmas unique is that everyone is available. Nobody is at work. Kids are out of school. Families are home. The food is on the table, presents have been opened, and millions of Americans are gathered around televisions.

For the leagues and networks, it’s the closest thing to a perfect environment.

Time To Decide

That brings us back to the original question. What sports day is better?

The Super Bowl is bigger, but it’s one game. Masters is more prestigious, but it’s one event.

Thanksgiving gives us three NFL games. New Year’s Day provides a handful of major college football matchups. All are fantastic.

However, none offer eight marquee events featuring some of the biggest stars in sports stretched across 11 consecutive hours.

That is why Christmas 2026 feels different. It’s not just one game or one moment. It’s an entire day built around sports. From Wembanyama at noon to Steph Curry approaching midnight, plus star NFL quarterbacks throughout. Fans will have a constant stream of meaningful games, superstar athletes, and must-see television.

The NFL and NBA have created their own version of a sports Christmas feast and served it on the biggest holiday of the year.

The only problem is that somewhere between Josh Allen, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Victor Wembanyama, and all the rest, we’re supposed to find time to celebrate Christmas too.

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 Talk Radio Has a Built-In Advertising Advantage Over Independent Podcasters

Pete Mundo
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Why Talk Radio Has a Built-In Advertising Advantage Over Independent Podcasters

News/talk radio has spent years debating whether podcasting competes with the radio show. That debate is long over. The data continues to show that the advertising dollars have decided it for us.

A new study from Magellan AI showed that podcast spending climbed 23% in the 2nd quarter. The increase came as advertisers expanded podcast campaigns and added thousands of new brand commitments. And on top of that, 1,297 brands advertised on podcasts for the first time.

Who spent the money? Insurance spending jumped 60% quarter over quarter, making it the fastest-growing industry tracked by Magellan AI. Energy followed with a 52% increase, while jewelry spending rose 47%. VPN advertisers also increased spending by 42%. Those are perfect industry fits for News/Talk listeners. They’re often business owners; they have disposable income, and they are incredibly engaged with the content they consume.

Radio Already Has the Infrastructure — It Just Isn’t Using It

Now, as for the content itself, what if I told you that there was a medium that already had the hosts? It already has the studios. It already has producers. It already has guests.

It already creates 15-20 hours of original content every week. And it has a massive platform to promote these podcasts.

A podcaster would kill to start with that infrastructure. Yet plenty of stations still treat the podcast as the place where yesterday’s radio show goes to die.

It just can’t be viewed as supplemental gravy anymore. And while many stations are doing a great job on this front, some are still too lazy. They’re simply uploading Hour 1, Hour 2, and Hour 3. There’s no hook in the headline. Segments aren’t broken up to serve the consumer.

Advertisers are either purposefully buying or, through programmatic ads, sampling their marketing with your brands. It’s our job to give the new advertisers and the (hopefully) growing consumer base a reason to keep coming back. Make their lives easy and hassle-free. Make the content stand out. And promote it.

Cannibalization Isn’t the Real Threat — Losing the Listener Elsewhere Is

The question isn’t whether podcasting will cannibalize radio. The bigger risk is allowing others to monetize our listeners after they turn off the radio.

And they will turn it off, not because they don’t like radio, but simply because other options are available and intriguing, and if they’re home, traveling, or just out for a walk, time-delayed listening may be more convenient for them. The consumer has more power than ever before. As does the advertiser. And to combat it, we have to put our best foot forward. Not just for the radio product.

From a host and programming perspective, if someone listens to your morning show live three days a week and consumes two segments via podcast the other two days, you haven’t lost a radio listener. You’ve extended the relationship with that listener. And now you’ve created additional inventory to monetize.

That’s where your cannibalization line becomes even stronger. Radio spent too long worrying that on-demand listening would replace terrestrial listening. But the consumer made that decision irrelevant. They’re going to listen on demand somewhere. The only question is whether they’re consuming your content when they do it.

The good news: It’s not too late. No matter what the doomsdayers claim. Every day, new podcasts launch from people with nowhere near talk radio’s built-in audience. Many will fail. A few will succeed. With talk radio’s head start, the opportunity is there for the taking. The time is now: Execute. Implement. Own the space.

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.

Carsen Talks Country Radio, Big D & Bubba, and Life Behind the Mic

Bethany Kent
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Carsen Talks Country Radio, Big D & Bubba, and Life Behind the Mic

Jessica “Carsen” Humphreville never set out to become a country radio fixture. She grew up in Connecticut, and country music was not exactly the soundtrack of her childhood. But nearly a decade after joining Big D & Bubba, she now hosts her own syndicated midday show, Country with Carsen, runs day-to-day operations for Silverfish Media, and has become one of the most recognized voices in the format.

Ahead of another award-nomination season, I caught up with Carsen to reflect on how she got here and where her focus lies today.

A Connecticut Kid Discovers Country

Carsen grew up in Connecticut, not exactly a location known for country music. But Carsen’s introduction to country music came from an unlikely source: her father, who worked at NBC. He came home one night talking about a concert airing that evening, featuring “some guy named Garth Brooks.” She watched him perform in a hat, sing about a rodeo, and get soaked in the rain before jumping off a ladder. The next day, she found 92.5 WWYZ on the radio and never looked back.

“90s country reeled me in, and altered the trajectory of my life,” she said. Even as the “weird kid” who listened to country in a school full of other tastes, she found something in the format that felt real. “Country is accessible, relatable, and genuine,” she explained, “even if I didn’t know what latigo was.”

That early spark carried her through college and eventually into a radio career that would take her far from Connecticut.

Joining a Team That Wanted Her to Be Herself

When Silverfish Media brought Carsen on board in 2016, she became the first female cast member of Big D & Bubba. Looking back nearly ten years later, she does not take that moment lightly.

“I don’t take it for granted, getting to join a team that was already at the top of their game,” she said. According to Carsen, the team wanted a female voice, but they wanted her to bring her own personality rather than fit a preset mold. There was no script to follow and no character to play.

Since then, she and her castmates have grown together. “They make me sharper and better and more creative every day,” she added. She credits the team for opportunities she says would not have existed otherwise, and she does not plan on going anywhere. “I will never have a better job than this,” she said, “and I hope to never have to prove that. They’re stuck with me.”

The Interviews That Stay With Her

Talking with country’s biggest stars is part of Carsen’s daily routine, but a few conversations stand out. She would talk to Garth Brooks every day if she could. “He’s so thoughtful in the answer to every question he’s asked,” she said.

Brad Paisley and Keith Urban also rank among her favorites, largely because both artists love discussing music beyond their own catalogs. She and Paisley have spent hours talking about the Rolling Stones’ country influences, while she and Urban share a mutual love of Iron Maiden.

For Carsen, those moments capture why she got into radio in the first place. “I got in this business because I love music, and talking about music is my favorite way to connect with people,” she said. Whether the guest is famous or not, finding that connection remains the highlight of any conversation for her.

That philosophy also shapes what she hopes listeners take away from her show. She wants new listeners to hear themselves reflected in her interviews, not through talk of a new single or project, but through shared, ordinary moments. “I’d love listeners to hear themselves in my interviews with their favorite artists,” she said. Laughing about an artist’s kids or their dog resonates more than a promotional plug ever could. “Those silly human things,” she added, “tie us all together.”

Trading the Mic for a Management Title

In 2023, Carsen added a new title to her résumé: Director of Operations & Programming for Silverfish Media. Despite the promotion, her priorities have not shifted much. “Whatever the title may imply, my focus remains on the content of our shows,” she said. Day to day she’s booking interviews, selecting music, and building programming that stations want to carry.

The hardest part of the job, she said, is saying no. “I don’t enjoy the turn down,” she admitted. Turning down an interview that does not fit the audience, or holding off on adding a song she personally loves, does not come easily to her. And that decision-making happens only after she wraps up ten hours of daily radio between Big D & Bubba and Country With Carsen.

Home Is Where the Couch Is

Ask Carsen for a favorite Nashville spot that is not on any tourist list, and she will point you toward her own living room. “It’s huge, and easily accessible to Diet Coke and snacks,” she said. Guests are always welcome, though if she is forced to leave the house, she recommends the Eighth Room, a spot within walking distance of her condo so the couch is never too far away.

Right now, her playlist centers on nostalgia. Beautiful Creatures’ self-titled debut album turns 25 this month, and Carsen recently filmed a video with the band’s bassist and guitarist to mark the anniversary. “It didn’t get its due back in the day,” she said, and she hopes fans finally give it a listen. She hopes the renewed attention could lead to a reunion show or two on the calendar, joking that she might need a few days off if that happens.

Passing the Mic

As has become tradition, I asked Carsen who she would like to spotlight in the format. She had high praise for Gideon Dean of WBQK, calling him deeply passionate about country radio and clever with social media. “I adore him,” she said, “he’s so passionate about our format and beyond clever with social media.” She also pointed to his show, Equal Play, as proof of his commitment to supporting women in the format.

She also hopes someone hires Ashley “Lux” Elzinga, who recently lost her job. Carsen has long admired Elzinga’s connection to her communities and her range across music radio, marketing, sports, and social media. “Whoever grabs her will be getting a superstar,” she said.

From a curious kid in Connecticut to a leading voice in Nashville radio, Carsen’s story reflects what keeps country listeners coming back: connection, honesty, and a genuine love for the music.

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.

Nick Rivers Joins Beasley Media Charlotte Radio Cluster

David Hill
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Nick Rivers Joins Beasley Media Charlotte Radio Cluster

Charlotte’s radio landscape just shifted. Beasley Media Group hired Nick Rivers as Assistant Program Director for WSOC-FM/Country 103.7 and WKQC-FM/K104.7.

What We Know: brings nearly two decades of radio experience to this role. Most recently, he spent 6.5 years with Hubbard Radio in West Palm Beach as assistant brand manager and music director for WIRK and WEAT. He also hosted afternoon drive on WIRK and nights on WUBE in Cincinnati. Notably, Rivers returns to Charlotte—where his career began nearly 20 years ago—and he’ll host afternoon drive at Country 103.7.

What They Said: “Nearly 20 years after my career began in Charlotte, I’m coming home,” Rivers told leadership. Proximity to his daughter Charleigh made this particularly meaningful. Vice President Mac Edwards praised Rivers’ “programming expertise, on-air creativity and fresh energy.” He called Rivers “the perfect fit for this key role.” Chief Content Officer Justin Chase said Rivers’ “experience and passion for great radio” matter. These qualities become “tremendous assets” to both stations.

What Remains Unclear: The months-long search process generated considerable attention, yet specifics about competing candidates remain undisclosed. Furthermore, the full scope of programming changes beyond Rivers’ afternoon shift hasn’t been announced. Additionally, his strategic role shaping content direction across both stations needs clarification. Questions about Charlotte’s broader competitive positioning also linger.

What It Means: This appointment signals Beasley’s investment in strengthening Charlotte operations. Moreover, it reflects a broader industry trend: experienced talent returning to foundational markets. Consequently, Rivers’ leadership could meaningfully reshape the competitive dynamic at both Country 103.7 and K104.7. Rivers officially starts August 24, 2026.

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.

KIRO Newsradio, 830 WCCO, KNX News, KYW Newsradio Win National Edward R. Murrow Awards

Garrett Searight
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KIRO Newsradio, 830 WCCO, KNX News, KYW Newsradio Win National Edward R. Murrow Awards

KIRO Newsradio, KNX News, KYW Newsradio, and 830 WCCO earned national recognition Thursday. The stations were among the radio outlets honored with 2026 National Edward R. Murrow Awards.

What We Know: The Radio Television Digital News Association announced its 2026 National Edward R. Murrow Award winners, recognizing excellence across broadcast and digital journalism. In Large Market Radio, KIRO Newsradio won Best Breaking News Coverage, while 830 WCCO earned Continuing Coverage. KYW Newsradio took home Hard News, and KNX News won Best Newscast. WBUR in Boston also received Overall Excellence.

What’s at Stake: The honors highlight the continued importance of local radio newsrooms as audiences consume information across more platforms. Meanwhile, the Network Radio category produced a notable showing for ABC News, which won Continuing Coverage, Hard News, Podcast, and Sports Reporting. CBS News Radio also captured Overall Excellence and Newscast honors, even though the network ended its radio operation earlier this year.

What Remains Unclear: RTDNA hasn’t yet provided additional details about the winning entries beyond their categories and organizations. The association plans to formally recognize the national winners during its Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala on October 12th at Gotham Hall in New York City.

What It Means: The results give several major radio news operations another significant industry accolade. For CBS News Radio, the recognition also offers a final distinction for a nearly century-old news operation that ended in May. ABC News, meanwhile, continues to demonstrate strength across multiple forms of network radio journalism.

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.

Prime Video Announces 2026-2027 NBA Schedule Including Exclusive Coverage Of Emirates NBA Cup

John Mamola
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Prime Video Announces 2026-2027 NBA Schedule Including Exclusive Coverage Of Emirates NBA Cup

Prime Video unveiled its 2026-27 NBA schedule Thursday. Season two of NBA on Prime tips off Friday, October 23, with a doubleheader.

What We Know: The Knicks face the Celtics at 7 p.m. ET, followed by Kevin Durant’s return to Austin as the Rockets meet the Spurs at 9:30 p.m. Additionally, Prime’s postseason coverage expands this year, culminating in an exclusive Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks, 76ers, Spurs and Lakers each appear 10 times this season. Notably, Prime Video’s NBA coverage across 67 regular-season games last season averaged 1.00 million U.S. viewers. The package also introduced 14 games in new broadcast windows, signaling an expanded approach to scheduling in its debut year. Prime Video recorded double-digit increases across all key adult demographics under 55. That included gains of 11 percent among adults 18-34, 20 percent in the 18-49 demo, and 16 percent among adults 25-54.

What They Said: Jay Marine, Global Head of Sports, Prime Video: “As we prepare to tip off our second season of NBA on Prime, we’re thrilled to present an exceptional lineup of games featuring the league’s biggest stars, iconic rivalries, and high-stakes matchups within the Emirates NBA Cup and expanded postseason coverage, including our first-ever exclusive Eastern Conference Finals. Building on the momentum of our inaugural season, we look forward to continuing to deliver our innovative coverage to the global community of Prime members, connecting fans with the game they love no matter where they are and bringing them closer to the action than ever before.”

What Remains Unclear: Prime hasn’t specified full Play-in Tournament matchups yet, though six games are set across three nights in April. Meanwhile, talent scheduling per game is unknown.

What It Means: Ultimately, Prime Video is doubling down on last season’s debut for the platform. The expanded postseason slate, including the Eastern Conference Finals debut, signals growing confidence in its NBA package. Consequently, competition among streamers for premium sports rights looks poised to intensify further.

2026-2027 Prime Video NBA Schedule

(via Amazon Prime Video PR)

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 Announces Full 2026-2027 NBA Schedule Celebrating 25th Anniversary Of Game Coverage

John Mamola
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ESPN Announces Full 2026-2027 NBA Schedule Celebrating 25th Anniversary Of Game Coverage

ESPN and ABC have released their 2026-27 NBA broadcast schedule. The slate marks ESPN’s 25th straight season covering the league.

What We Know: NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC returns as the league’s lone national game of the week, kicking off December 12 with the Knicks visiting the Heat. A January 30 Rivals Week quadrupleheader features LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić. Christmas Day brings a Knicks-Spurs Finals rematch across both networks. Last season’s coverage set momentum for this expansion: the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season on ABC and ESPN averaged 1.9 million viewers through 80 telecasts, up 11% from the year before and the network’s best mark since 2018-19.

What Remains Unclear: The release doesn’t specify full postseason plans beyond the regular-season slate. Talent assignments for broadcasts is also unknown at the current time.

What It Means: The schedule leans heavily on marquee debuts, rivalries and star power to sustain last season’s ratings surge. With the Knicks, 76ers, Lakers and Spurs leading appearances, ESPN and ABC are betting on recent contenders to drive tune-in. Christmas Day and the January 30 quadrupleheader stand out as the season’s biggest early tests.

2026-2027 NBA on ESPN/ABC Schedule

(via ESPN PR)

DateTime (ET)GameWhere to Watch
Wed, Oct. 217:30 p.m.Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Miami HeatESPN
Wed, Oct. 2110 p.m.Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles LakersESPN
Thu, Oct. 227 p.m.Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ersESPN
Thu, Oct. 229:30 p.m.Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City ThunderESPN
Wed, Oct. 287 p.m.Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana PacersESPN
Wed, Oct. 289:30 p.m.Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas MavericksESPN
Wed, Nov. 47 p.m.Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit PistonsESPN
Wed, Nov. 49:30 p.m.Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio SpursESPN
Wed, Nov. 117 p.m.Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York KnicksESPN
Wed, Nov. 119:30 p.m.Golden State Warriors vs. Houston RocketsESPN
Wed, Nov. 187 p.m.Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami HeatESPN
Wed, Nov. 189:30 p.m.Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas MavericksESPN
Wed, Nov. 255 p.m.Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ersESPN
Wed, Nov. 257:30 p.m.Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City ThunderESPN
Wed, Nov. 2510 p.m.San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail BlazersESPN
Sat, Dec. 128:30 p.m.New York Knicks vs. Miami HeatABC
Wed, Dec. 167 p.m.Washington Wizards vs. Boston CelticsESPN
Wed, Dec. 169:30 p.m.Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesESPN
Fri, Dec. 2512 p.m.San Antonio Spurs vs. New York KnicksESPN, ABC
Fri, Dec. 252:30 p.m.Miami Heat vs. Boston CelticsESPN, ABC
Fri, Dec. 255 p.m.Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles LakersESPN, ABC
Fri, Dec. 258 p.m.Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesESPN, ABC
Fri, Dec. 2510:30 p.m.Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State WarriorsESPN, ABC
Wed, Jan. 67:30 p.m.Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ersESPN
Wed, Jan. 610 p.m.New York Knicks vs. Golden State WarriorsESPN
Fri, Jan. 87 p.m.Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ersESPN
Fri, Jan. 89:30 p.m.Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas MavericksESPN
Wed, Jan. 137 p.m.New York Knicks vs. Boston CelticsESPN
Wed, Jan. 139:30 p.m.Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City ThunderESPN
Wed, Jan. 207 p.m.Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn NetsESPN
Wed, Jan. 209:30 p.m.Miami Heat vs. San Antonio SpursESPN
Fri, Jan. 227 p.m.New York Knicks vs. Atlanta HawksESPN
Fri, Jan. 229:30 p.m.Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio SpursESPN
Wed, Jan. 277 p.m.Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland CavaliersESPN
Wed, Jan. 279:30 p.m.Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesESPN
Fri, Jan. 297 p.m.Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto RaptorsESPN
Fri, Jan. 299:30 p.m.Charlotte Hornets vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesESPN
Sat, Jan. 3012:30 p.m.Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami HeatABC
Sat, Jan. 303 p.m.Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City ThunderABC
Sat, Jan. 305:30 p.m.San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State WarriorsABC
Sat, Jan. 308:30 p.m.Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York KnicksABC
Wed, Feb. 37 p.m.New York Knicks vs. Detroit PistonsESPN
Wed, Feb. 39:30 p.m.Utah Jazz vs. Houston RocketsESPN
Sat, Feb. 68:30 p.m.Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio SpursABC
Wed, Feb. 107:30 p.m.Golden State Warriors vs. Boston CelticsESPN
Wed, Feb. 1010 p.m.LA Clippers vs. Los Angeles LakersESPN
Fri, Feb. 1210:30 p.m.Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles LakersESPN
Sat, Feb. 138:30 p.m.Golden State Warriors vs. New York KnicksABC
Wed, Feb. 177 p.m.New York Knicks vs. Detroit PistonsESPN
Wed, Feb. 179:30 p.m.Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City ThunderESPN
Fri, Feb. 267:30 p.m.Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston CelticsESPN
Fri, Feb. 2610 p.m.Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver NuggetsESPN
Sat, Feb. 278:30 p.m.Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York KnicksABC
Sun, Feb. 281 p.m.Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs(From Moody Center in Austin, Tex.)ABC
Sun, Feb. 283:30 p.m.Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas MavericksABC
Wed, Mar. 37:30 p.m.Toronto Raptors vs. Miami HeatESPN
Wed, Mar. 310 p.m.San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver NuggetsESPN
Fri, Mar. 57 p.m.Boston Celtics vs. Detroit PistonsESPN
Fri, Mar. 59:30 p.m.San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston RocketsESPN
Sat, Mar. 68:30 p.m.Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles LakersABC
Sun, Mar. 71 p.m.Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston CelticsABC
Sun, Mar. 73:30 p.m.Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver NuggetsABC
Wed, Mar. 107 p.m.Orlando Magic vs. Miami HeatESPN
Wed, Mar. 109:30 p.m.Atlanta Hawks vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesESPN
Sat, Mar. 138:30 p.m.Philadelphia 76ers vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesABC
Sat, Mar. 1310:30 p.m.LA Clippers vs. Portland Trail BlazersESPN
Sun, Mar. 1412 p.m.Boston Celtics vs. New York KnicksABC
Sun, Mar. 142:30 p.m.San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City ThunderABC
Wed, Mar. 177:30 p.m.Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City ThunderESPN
Wed, Mar. 1710 p.m.Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles LakersESPN
Wed, Mar. 247:30 p.m.San Antonio Spurs vs. Boston CelticsESPN
Wed, Mar. 2410 p.m.Philadelphia 76ers vs. Golden State WarriorsESPN
Sun, Mar. 2812:30 p.m.New York Knicks vs. Orlando MagicESPN
Sun, Mar. 283 p.m.Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston RocketsESPN
Wed, Mar. 317 p.m.Golden State Warriors vs. Philadelphia 76ersESPN
Wed, Mar. 319:30 p.m.Denver Nuggets vs. Dallas MavericksESPN
Wed, Apr. 77:30 p.m.Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio SpursESPN
Wed, Apr. 710 p.m.Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles LakersESPN
Sun, Apr. 116 p.m.TBDESPN
Sun, Apr. 118:30 p.m.TBDESPN

In addition to its regular season coverage, ESPN platforms are the exclusive home of the NBA Finals on ABC, the 2027 Western Conference Finals and the 2027 NBA Draft and also broadcast first- and second-round NBA Playoff games.

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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