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Taylor Swift Coverage Should Be a Reminder to Sports Radio

Garrett Searight
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Taylor Swift has set the sports media world ablaze — for better or worse — with her appearances at a pair of NFL games in the last two weeks.

Make no mistake about it: complaining about the amount of coverage she is getting reeks of an inferiority complex.

We love sports. It’s why we do what we do, and why we chose the career field we did. And in our narrow view, no one should be able to come into our stratosphere and take the limelight away from the thing we love, right?

Wrong.

The coverage of Taylor Swift, whether it be from CBS, NBC, or your local sports radio stations, embodies Radio 101: Play. The. Hits.

You know what everyone outside of sports radio spent the summer talking about? Taylor Swift. You know what drives traffic on every single platform? Taylor Swift. You know who the most famous woman — maybe the most famous person — on the face of the planet is? Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift content is the “Is Joe Flacco elite?”, “Is LeBron better than Michael?”, and “Give me your Mount Rushmore for (insert franchise here)” topics rolled into one. She drives traffic, reaction, engagement, and ratings. Isn’t that what we’re all trying to do?

We’re all after notoriety, publicity, and attention. To say you aren’t is disingenuous. Taylor Swift just happens to embody those things, and for the time being, is spending her free Sundays watching someone she may or may not actually be dating.

Many pundits have been preoccupied with the amount of coverage she has received. Of course the NFL is going to attach itself to her. Quite literally, she’s more famous than the league is. And the ever-hungry corporate beast that is the NFL is always looking for new ways to make fans. Do you know why the NFL let ESPN+ and Disney+ air an alternate broadcast featuring Toy Story characters? It wasn’t because they were bored! They’re (for lack of a better term) indoctrinating your kids to like football!

Of course sports radio hosts and stations are going to talk about her. She’s the most famous person in the world, and she’s dropped her legions of fans and followers at your doorstep. Now, is it likely that you’re going to end up growing a passionate Swifty following for your brand? Hell no.

But what does Radio 101 entail? Play the hits. Capture the moment. Talk about what everyone is talking about.

What is everyone talking about? Taylor Swift. What has a history of driving traffic, engagement, and reaction? Taylor Swift.

I understand if you’re sick of the content. Driving things into the ground until it’s pulverized into dust is what we do, like it or not. I also understand if you don’t want to talk about her, Travis Kelce, seeing her on the broadcasts, or anything to do with her. I totally get it.

But don’t stand in the way or bitch and moan about the people that do. They’re just doing what they’re supposed to do.

NBC Considering Bid for Expanded College Football Playoffs

BSM Staff
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NBC Considering Bid for Expanded College Football Playoffs

The 12-team College Football Playoff is being shopped around to interested networks, and NBC is considering pursuing becoming the new home of the CFP in 2026.

Preliminary discussions for media rights of the expanded national championship tournament are underway. NBC was among five media companies that made presentations. It’s believed that the next media rights deal for the 12-team playoff will involve multiple networks.

ESPN will air the quarterfinals, semifinals, and national championship game of the expanded playoffs in 2024 and 2025. CFP officials are also currently hearing pitches for rights to the first round. Those initial four games will be played on campuses.

With NBC starting its run this year as one of the new homes of the soon-to-be expanded Big Ten, pursuing the CFP makes sense.

“I think the College College Football Playoffs are a very unique, exciting package,” NBC Sports president of acquisitions and partnerships Jon Miller told Front Office Sports recently. “The expansion obviously brings a lot more attention and focus to the sport in December and January.”

At this point, it appears that about 10 media entities are interested in bidding for the CFP.

Fox News Leads CNN, MSNBC During Coverage of Danilo Cavalcante Chase

BNM Staff
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Fox News Leads CNN, MSNBC During Coverage of Danilo Cavalcante Chase

The two-week saga of the manhunt for Danilo Cavalcante, the convicted murderer who escaped a Pennsylvania prison on August 31st, came to a conclusion on September 13th, when he was taken into custody that morning. Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC all dedicated major coverage to the event.

During his time on the run, the residents of South Coventry Township, which has a population of approximately 2,600, were gripped with fear as hundreds of law enforcement officials descended upon the area. Cavalcante was identified inside homes, slipped through police search perimeters, altered his appearance, appeared at the doorsteps of people he knew years ago, and stole both a van and a firearm.

Pennsylvania State Police had given daily updates on the search for the escaped convict. Fox News Channel led in live press conference coverage, according to Nielsen Media Research, for each of those days, including the final day (September 13th) when they had announced he was in custody:

Monday, September 11, 2023 (2:03-2:16 p.m.)

  • Fox News Channel: (2-3 p.m.) 1.240 million viewers; 157,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: (1-3 p.m.) 0.785 million viewers; 97,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: (2-3 p.m.) 0.575 million viewers; 124,000 adults 25-54

Tuesday, September 12, 2023 (9:34-9:48 a.m.)

  • Fox News Channel: (9-10 a.m.) 1.324 million viewers; 133,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: (9-10 a.m.) 0.978 million viewers; 112,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: (9-10 a.m.) 0.540 million viewers; 103,000 adults 25-54

Wednesday, September 13, 2023 (10:00-10:34 a.m.)

  • Fox News Channel: (10-11 a.m.) 1.464 million viewers; 193,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: (10-11 a.m.) 0.919 million viewers; 72,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: (10-11 a.m.) 0.762 million viewers; 139,000 adults 25-54

On Thursday, September 14th, in Georgia, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee denied District Attorney Fani Willis’ request to have all 19 defendants, including former President Donald Trump, to be tried together in October in the Georgia election subversion case. Instead, Trump and 16 co-defendants will move forward on their own schedule.

The two remaining co-defendants, pro-Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro and former Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell sought speedy trials and are scheduled to begin this month.

Fox News Channel also led its cable news competition in coverage of the Georgia hearing:

Thursday, September 14, 2023 (10-11 a.m.)

  • Fox News Channel: 1.285 million viewers; 137,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: 0.952 million viewers; 135,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 0.574 million viewers; 126,000 adults 25-54

Thursday, September 14, 2023 (11 a.m.-noon)

  • Fox News Channel: 1.301 million viewers; 167,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: 0.886 million viewers; 124,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 0.544 million viewers; 141,000 adults 25-54

Cable news averages for September 11-17, 2023:

Total Day (Sep. 11-17 @ 6 a.m.-5:59 a.m.)

  • Fox News Channel: 1.111 million viewers; 138,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: 0.805 million viewers; 87,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 0.433 million viewers; 82,000 adults 25-54
  • Newsmax: 0.177 million viewers; 20,000 adults 25-54
  • HLN: 0.124 million viewers; 32,000 adults 25-54
  • CNBC: 0.120 million viewers; 27,000 adults 25-54
  • Fox Business Network: 0.117 million viewers; 14,000 adults 25-54
  • The Weather Channel: 0.097 million viewers; 21,000 adults 25-54
  • NewsNation: 0.061 million viewers; 12,000 adults 25-54

Prime Time (Sep. 11-16 @ 8-11 p.m.; Sep. 17 @ 7-11 p.m.)

  • Fox News Channel: 1.751 million viewers; 191,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: 1.259 million viewers; 116,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 0.483 million viewers; 98,000 adults 25-54
  • Newsmax: 0.296 million viewers; 31,000 adults 25-54
  • NewsNation: 0.080 million viewers; 19,000 adults 25-54

Top 10 most-watched cable news programs (and the top programs of other outlets with their respective associated ranks) in total viewers

1. The Five (FOXNC, Tue. 9/12/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.851 million viewers

2. The Five (FOXNC, Thu. 9/14/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.746 million viewers

3. The Five (FOXNC, Mon. 9/11/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.709 million viewers

4. The Five (FOXNC, Wed. 9/13/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.648 million viewers

5. The Five (FOXNC, Fri. 9/15/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.585 million viewers

6. Hannity (FOXNC, Wed. 9/13/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.463 million viewers

7. Jesse Watters Primetime (FOXNC, Wed. 9/13/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.454 million viewers

8. Jesse Watters Primetime (FOXNC, Thu. 9/14/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.442 million viewers

9. Jesse Watters Primetime (FOXNC, Tue. 9/12/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.385 million viewers

10. Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC, Mon. 9/11/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.255 million viewers

148. Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN, Wed. 9/13/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.871 million viewers

375. Varney & Company (FBN, Mon. 9/11/2023 10:00 AM, 60 min.) 0.345 million viewers

415. Fast Money Halftime Report (CNBC, Wed. 9/13/2023 12:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.290 million viewers

432. Forensic Files (HLN, Tue. 9/12/2023 10:30 PM, 30 min.) 0.263 million viewers

451. America’s Weekend Headquarters (TWC, Sat. 9/16/2023 9:00 AM, 60 min.) 0.240 million viewers

670. Cuomo (NWSN, Wed. 9/13/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.148 million viewers

Top 10 cable news programs (and the top  programs of other outlets with their respective associated ranks) among adults 25-54:

1. Gutfeld! (FOXNC, Wed. 9/13/2023 10:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.329 million adults 25-54

2. The Five (FOXNC, Thu. 9/14/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.329 million adults 25-54

3. The Five (FOXNC, Mon. 9/11/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.309 million adults 25-54

4. The Five (FOXNC, Tue. 9/12/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.295 million adults 25-54

5. The Five (FOXNC, Fri. 9/15/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.291 million adults 25-54

6. The Five (FOXNC, Wed. 9/13/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.284 million adults 25-54

7. Hannity (FOXNC, Wed. 9/13/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.279 million adults 25-54

8. Gutfeld! (FOXNC, Tue. 9/12/2023 10:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.275 million adults 25-54

9. Jesse Watters Primetime (FOXNC, Thu. 9/14/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.265 million adults 25-54

10. Gutfeld! (FOXNC, Thu. 9/14/2023 10:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.264 million adults 25-54

15. Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC, Mon. 9/11/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.222 million adults 25-54

41. The Source with Kaitlan Collins (CNN, Wed. 9/13/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.185 million adults 25-54

234. Forensic Files (HLN, Tue. 9/12/2023 10:30 PM, 30 min.) 0.091 million adults 25-54

341. Squawk On The Street (CNBC, Wed. 9/13/2023 9:00 AM, 180 min.) 0.064 million adults 25-54

356. America’s Weekend Headquarters (TWC, Sat. 9/16/2023 8:00 AM, 60 min.) 0.062 million adults 25-54

571. Cuomo (NWSN, Thu. 9/14/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.037 million adults 25-54

603. Mornings with Maria Bartiromo (FBN, Wed. 9/13/2023 8:00 AM, 60 min.) 0.035 million adults 25-54

Source: Live+Same Day data, Nielsen Media Research

Henrik Lundqvist ‘Felt the Energy’ During Stanley Cup with NHL on TNT

Derek Futterman
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The NHL on TNT is entering its third season on the air since inking a seven-year media rights contract with the National Hockey League, bringing fans all of the action from a sport burgeoning in popularity. Warner Bros. Discovery is coming off its first broadcast of the Stanley Cup Final, the first that was exclusive to cable television in 29 years. It will now look to pair its game offerings with the Bleacher Report-branded sports tier on the Max streaming service in an effort to expand its audience and make the contests more accessible to fans.

The network will showcase a preseason doubleheader on Thursday, Oct. 5 before the start of the regular season, marking the return of the acclaimed studio team. Wayne Gretzky, Anson Carter, Paul Bissonnette and Henrik Lundqvist, all of whom recently signed multi-year contract extensions with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, will join host Liam McHugh for pregame, intermission and postgame coverage for featured games. Following a year where the cast culminated the program from Las Vegas, Nev. for the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers, they aim to utilize the energy evinced from the experience to propel the show to new heights this year.

“For me, first time doing it in-arena – I’ve been doing that for two years during regular season and a few games in the playoffs from the studio,” Lundqvist said. “To get an opportunity to do the show from the arena and get the atmosphere, that was awesome. We’re not playing, but you can definitely feel that energy in the building, and that’s something I’ll remember going forward.”

Lundqvist joined the NHL on TNT throughout last season on a more regular basis, balancing the role with duties at Madison Square Garden both in a business operations role and as a studio analyst with MSG Networks. Bringing the perspective of a goaltender to the air is an invaluable facet of the panel that is very much a deficiency on other regional sports networks around the league. Furthermore, it allows host Liam McHugh to better utilize the studio analysts, accentuating their strengths to set them up for success.

“I think that’s kind of what makes this group special,” McHugh said. “We all want to hear what each other has to say. We’re interested in the stories, and if someone says something stupid, everyone else on this panel lets them know about it.”

While the panel was in Las Vegas for the Stanley Cup, Lundqvist revealed that it had production meetings on a daily basis to devise a plan to combat the high noise level within T-Mobile Arena. With amplitudes potentially at risk of peaking, it was essential that the entire team ensure that they would be able to produce a broadcast that was easily understood and discernible to the viewing audience. Throughout the night, there is always constant communication between employees in the production niche and the on-air talent in front of the camera.

“[It is] trying to explain and make hockey entertaining for an American audience,” Bissonnette said. “Oftentimes we’ll be behind there in the back of the set and if something happens, we’re saying, ‘Hey should we demo this?’…. I think you guys can see how it comes to light with not only the help of the other guys on the panel, but the people behind the scenes as well.”

Being within the championship atmosphere, McHugh found value in being able to call on players who have experience competing for hockey’s ultimate prize. Even if it involved consistent battles against the noise, conversations with these analysts were heard loud and clear.

“It’s so great to have Gretzy and Hank in an atmosphere where the Stanley Cup is on the line and you have guys with experience who have been in that situation,” McHugh said. “I think what we’ve all learned is [to] lean on the guys who have been there.”

In addition to his role with the NHL on TNT, Bissonnette is the host of the extolled Spittin’ Chiclets podcast and frequently contributes to the game of hockey through a variety of other mediums. There is a contrast in his style between both platforms, underscored by neglecting to pester New York Rangers fans while representing TNT as he does on the podcast, but he is still evolving and considers himself fortunate to be among versatile, adept personalities.

“I think from year one to year two, we continued to continue bringing the things we felt we were strong in and added a lot of new components as well,” Bissonnette expressed. “It’s been a blast; it’s been a great learning experience.”

The studio broadcast drew inspiration from Inside the NBA, the heralded National Basketball Association program with Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Charles Barkley that has become a fixture among NBA fans. Viewers have observed a strong, palpable chemistry among this group, who look forward to an exciting 2023-24 season and preparing for another Stanley Cup broadcast in the year afterwards. Through their camaraderie and congeniality that complements the traditional live game broadcast coverage, the studio team is poised to continue their improvement over the life of the broadcast deal and continue disseminating their insight and expertise to a national audience.

“I’m just having a blast with this crew, and to me, that’s what it comes down to,” Lundqvist said. “I love being connected to the game, but in the end, it’s about the crew and having fun every time we see each other.”

Greg Hill: NFL, Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift All Working Together for Publicity Stunt

BSM Staff
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Are Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and the NFL in cahoots to drive publicity for each other? That’s what WEEI morning host Greg Hill believes.

During The Greg Hill Show Tuesday, the Boston-based host led a discussion about whether or not Swift was more popular than the NFL. Co-host Courtney Cox argued that it’s undeniable she is more famous than the NFL on the global stage. Meanwhile, colleague Jermaine Wiggins argued the pop start isn’t even the most popular artist in America.

“The reason this came up is because of the massive fraud, charade that is being pulled on America by all of them,” Hill said. “And that’s Kelce, that’s her, and that’s the NFL. Who is it benefiting the most? I think Courtney is right. I don’t think Taylor Swift needs the publicity.”

Producer Chris Curtis claimed 2.5 million people in Brazil watched Super Bowl LVII, while only 2 million attempted to get tickets for Swift’s shows in the country. Cox argued that was an apples-to-oranges comparison.

Hill maintained the alleged relationship between Swift and Kelce is simply a ploy by the NFL to seek out a new potential fan base with Swift’s massive following.

Jon Jansen: If Taylor Swift Increases NFL Fandom, It’s a Good Thing

BSM Staff
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As a luxury suite began to fill over the 45-yard line at MetLife Stadium, many fans in the lower bowl turned around to try to spot Taylor Swift, the Grammy Award-winning superstar who has made headlines in recent weeks for her alleged relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

NBC Sports also had several of its cameras positioned towards the box, ready to capture Swift’s body language and reactions to specific plays, especially touchdowns. Swift was shown a total of 17 times on Sunday Night Football, which reported an average of 27 million viewers and growth across the board in viewership from women.

With a devoted fan base of “Swifties” closely tracking her every move, major broadcast networks know that part of their audience is tuning in just to see her at the game. As a result, they have made it a point to accentuate how they implement her as part of the broadcast – whether that be through playing off her lyrics, explaining the basics of football or outright welcoming them on the air.

“I was on [social media] Sunday night, and there were people I know who are huge Jets fans say, ‘Enough already,’” Mike Stone, morning co-host on 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit, shared on Tuesday morning. “As a football fan; as somebody who’s watching the game, do you really care that much that they show her in the booth in the suite?”

“I don’t,” replied co-host Jon Jansen. “It doesn’t matter to me [and] it doesn’t affect my viewing experience.”

Jansen, a former NFL offensive tackle, understands that while continuously presenting footage of Swift may not be the most appealing to traditional football fans, it is helping grow the game en masse. Swift’s social media following surpasses that of the NFL, and her presence seems to be broadening the interest in the game aside from her interactions with Kelce.

“If you’re going to bring in a whole new demographic – not that all of them are going to stick around; some of them are there just there because it’s Taylor Swift [and] they’re huge fans,” Jansen said, “[but] ‘Swifties’ – if some of them are going to stick around, great – increase the fandom.”

Later in the show, Stone read several text messages from listeners with remarks varying from the fact that her fanbase would be unable to take over a stadium and the meager puns the announcers were making in relation to her songs.

“The Lakers have been running this shtick for decades,” Stone said. “It’s annoying, but that’s what networks do everywhere they go.”

Another message reversed the situation and asked how concertgoers would feel if Kelce and the Chiefs were brought up every five minutes. By acknowledging the contrasting demographics and differentiating interest levels in each topic, however, it only reaffirmed the point being promulgated by Jansen about the NFL trying to capitalize on the situation.

“Because Taylor Swift is jumping around because of a touchdown, [maybe her fans will think], ‘Well, why is she so excited? Can I be that excited about this?’”

Joe Buck: I’m Not Looking Up Taylor Swift Lyrics for Cute References

BSM Staff
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Taylor Swift has taken over the NFL world with her reported romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Despite the attention, ESPN’s Joe Buck says he won’t be referencing her on a broadcast anytime soon.

During an appearance on The Michael Kay Show Monday, Buck was asked if he had done any homework on the pop star with the intention of working in references during future broadcasts.

“I would not be the guy looking up lyrics trying to cutely add something in for a tip of the cap to all the Swifties out there. So no, I’m glad to just do a football game. I’m kind of glad to do football tonight,” Buck said as ESPN New York 98.7’s Peter Rosenberg said, “I love you for that”.

“I don’t even think you’d have to look up because I know you’re cool enough that you probably know some of her songs,” replied Kay.

“I’m not cool enough,” Joe Buck joked, “but I do have two daughters in their 20s both living in the great city of New York who went to both the New York Taylor Swift concert and one of them followed her to Kansas City, which from what I’m told it was the genesis of this whirlwind romance with one Travis Kelce.”

Swift was in attendance at Sunday Night Football between the New York Jets and Chiefs. The broadcast was the most-watched Sunday television program since Super Bowl LVII, garnering 27 million viewers.

News Coverage of Donald Trump Should Never Subside

BNM Staff
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It has been a landmark week for the two front runners in the 2024 presidential race and an embarrassing week for those who cover them. Both President Joe Biden and the defeated, twice impeached and four-times indicted Donald Trump made public appearances. The President’s historic, Mr. Trump’s diabolical. 

It’s the week in which Trump went berserk at rallies in Michigan and Iowa with the following non-sensical, dangerously untrue statements that largely went unchecked on major media.

First, let’s talk about the venues where the two candidates spoke. Headlines across the media landscape made it seem both Biden and Trump were supporting the UAW in its strike against automakers. Here is the lede from CBS. “President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will both be in Michigan this week to show support for UAW autoworkers on the picket line”.  

CBS was not alone, taking the easy way out to portray their totally different Michigan visits as equal. Biden’s history-making appearance on the picket line was not comparable to Trump’s speech at a non-union parts factory packed with Trump supporters who when questioned admitted — despite the signs they were carrying — they were not in the UAW and were not there to support unions, but to support Trump. The UAW president criticized Trump’s previous positions on unions and said he felt it “odd” that Trump would support union workers at a non-union shop. 

Much of that context was missing from media reports on the very different Michigan appearances. 

Elsewhere on Trump’s campaign trail last week he inadvertently said Jeb Bush started the Iraq war, he defeated George Bush in the 2015 primaries, and a week before was convinced he defeated twice-elected Barack Obama in 2016. Clips of these missteps and delusional rants were all over the internet, from X to Threads, but not found in major media from networks to The Washington Post and The New York Times.

But Trump’s obvious confusion is not the only issue. He also showed his mean, unfit for civilized conversation side. He openly mocked the serious injury Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul suffered at the hands and hammer of a Trump supporter.

“How is her husband doing by the way?” Trump said with a smirk, his MAGA crowd laughing along. One of Trump’s outbursts has been getting rightful attention. His social media attack on combat veteran and retiring Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which suggested Mark Milley be charged with treason and executed was picked up by a large chunk of the media, as was Milley’s response during his retirement speech. Milley pointedly reminded the nation that he didn’t swear an oath to a “would-be dictator”. 

So, all that leads to the serious question of what the media should do about covering Trump’s disrespectful, crude, and dangerous comments when he is riffing at a rally or online. Some who are tired of hearing it just want him to go away and think the media should ignore his nonsense. A respected friend and colleague of mine opined that the lies, distortions, and insults from Donald Trump are not worth reporting anymore. It’s not news. We have heard it all before. 

I respectfully and profoundly disagree.

The American public must hear what the leading GOP candidate is saying. It can’t be kept in the echo chamber of right-wing propaganda outlets that cater to his hardcore 30 percent of the country. There will be a general election after the Republican primary and moderate members of his party and independents must know what he has been saying.

Light remains the best disinfectant in politics. And it is with all seriousness and not at all lightly or flippantly that I remind those who want to just ignore this treacherous, treasonous politician of the regret millions of Germans suffered when they did not speak up during the rise of Adolph Hitler. 

Donald Trump has threatened his political opponents, the media, and the judicial system. He has engaged in anti-Semitic tropes, misogyny, and anti-immigrant rhetoric. American media cannot ignore him, no matter how tempting. 

FOX Sports Radio Added to Sports 1440 in Edmonton

BSM Staff
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FOX Sports Radio Added to Sports 1440 in Edmonton

After debuting last month, Sports 1440 in Edmonton has bulked up its daily lineup by adding syndicated shows from FOX Sports Radio.

“We heard loud and clear from our listeners that they wanted even more sports coverage, and now that’s going to happen overnights and on weekends with FOX Sports Radio,” said Jackie Rae Greening, Sports 1440 Program Director. “We’re excited for their great team to join ours!”

The network’s morning show — Two Pros and a Cup of Joe with LaVar Arrington, Brady Quinn, and Jonas Knox will be heard from 4-7 AM. Additionally, The Jason Smith Show with Mike Harmon and The Ben Maller Show will be heard consecutively from 9:00 PM-4:00 AM. The entire FOX Sports Radio lineup will be heard on weekends in the Alberta capital.

The addition of the network lineup coincides with local programming being announced on Sports 1440. The Kevin Karius Show is heard from 7-11 AM, while Fantasy Frenzy with Halley & Douglas airs from 11 AM-12 PM. The Lowdown with Lowetide airs from 12-2 PM, with The Jason Gregor Show handling afternoon drive from 2-6 PM.

Sports 1440 is owned and operated by Stingray Radio. It is the lone sports station in the Edmonton market after the abrupt shutdown of TSN 1260 in June.

MLB.TV Sees Record Numbers in 2023

BSM Staff
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MLB.TV Sees Record Numbers in 2023

When MLB.TV was launched in the summer of 2002, the product revolutionized the way people consume the game of baseball, especially for people out of the home marketplaces of their favorite teams. The app has engendered people to become immersed in fandom across the country, a cable television subscription notwithstanding, and has been one of the most successful streaming packages on the market.

In the 2023 season, Major League Baseball reports that there were 12.7 billion minutes of action watched on the platform, up 9% from last year. Furthermore, the outlet has experienced a 14% increase in users, along with a concurrent 17% increase in the games watched. These changes are attributable to the remodeled portal, and likely the rules changes that have hastened play and grown offensive output.

MLB had a 24-minute decrease in the average length of a standard, nine-inning contest and a 7% increase in runs per game, leading fans to come to the ballpark in droves.

The out-of-market streaming service further backed the trend that baseball is on somewhat of a resurgence, with fans ages 18-24 watching 16% more games in 2023 than last season. MLB.TV had nine of its top-10 most-watched days in its 21-year history in 2023, including the top five of all-time. Overall, the number of games watched from start to finish rose by 17%, evidence of the sport being able to more effectively capture the attention of consumers.

Major League Baseball’s postseason coverage begins on Tuesday afternoon with Wild Card round matchups in both the American League and National League on ABC/ESPN.

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