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News Media Reacts to President Donald Trump Publishing Video Showing Barack and Michelle Obama as Apes

BNM Staff
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News Media Reacts to President Donald Trump Publishing Video Showing Barack and Michelle Obama as Apes

President Donald Trump has come under fire for a social media post that shows former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, as apes.

In a video published on his Truth Social account late Thursday evening, a one-second clip of Barack and Michelle Obama’s faces being imposed over cartoon primates is seen.

The video subsequently went viral, with many observers, including those who routinely support President Donald Trump, calling the subject matter racist.

In a statement from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, she argued that the video clip comes from an internet meme and isn’t racist in nature.

“This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from The Lion King,” Leavitt said. “Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.”

There are no gorillas or apes that appear in The Lion King.

On social media, many news media members shared their displeasure with the video clip, some calling for President Trump’s removal from office over the situation.

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Connoisseur Media Names Deidra Lieberman as West Coast Regional Manager of National Sales

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Connoisseur Media Names Deidra Lieberman as West Coast Regional Manager of National Sales

Connoisseur Media has appointed Deidra Lieberman as its new Regional Manager of National Sales for its West Coast operations.

As part of her new role, she’ll oversee the national sales efforts for the company’s stations in Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, Palm Springs, and Anchorage.

“I’m honored to join Connoisseur Media as Regional Manager of National Sales for the West Coast,” said Lieberman.  “Connoisseur’s ability to drive national revenue through great local radio is unmatched, and I am thrilled to work alongside Jeff Warshaw, Tina Murley, our Market Managers, Katz Media, and all our valued clients across the country.  We’re building something big, and I’m proud to help drive results at scale through local execution.”

Lieberman has held several sales executive roles in the San Francisco and San Jose markets during her career. She’ll report directly to the Senior Vice President of the Western Region and Bay Area Market Manager, Tina Murley.

“Deidra is a powerhouse,” said Murley.  “She brings intensity, strategic vision, and an aggressive sales mindset that aligns perfectly with where Connoisseur is headed as a company. She knows how to compete, how to lead, and how to win. I’m thrilled to have her on my leadership team and excited for the impact she will make across the West Coast.”

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Toronto Blue Jays Analyst Buck Martinez Retires

BSM Staff
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Toronto Blue Jays Analyst Buck Martinez Retires

Buck Martinez has announced his retirement from broadcasting, bringing an end to one of the most enduring and recognizable careers in baseball media. Martinez, whose association with the Toronto Blue Jays spans more than four decades across multiple roles, will step away from the booth following the 2025 season.

Martinez shared the news in a personal statement reflecting on a journey that began when he arrived in Toronto as a player in May 1981. What he initially believed might be the closing chapter of his playing career instead evolved into a lifelong bond with the franchise and its fans.

That relationship culminated this fall with a memorable postseason run, including Game 7 of the World Series, which Martinez described as both a joy and an honor to call.

“It has been a fantastic journey with Sportsnet, the Blue Jays and the wonderful Blue Jays fans all over the world. Thank you all for embracing me and welcoming my family and me in a way that has made us feel like we are part of yours,” wrote Martinez.

Following the conclusion of the season, Martinez said he and his wife, Arlene, spent time reflecting on the future. After several conversations, the couple decided it was the right moment for him to retire and focus on life beyond broadcasting.

“I will dearly miss my working partners, the leadership at Rogers, and the Toronto Blue Jays baseball club, all of whom made it so much fun to be at the ballpark talking about the game I’ve loved for my whole life,” said Martinez. “To the fans specifically, I will miss the “selfies,” the handshakes and the welcoming smiles. I will never forget any of those, nor the unwavering support and generosity, which has meant more than words can say. I look forward to continuing to root for the Blue Jays along with you, and you’ll always be in my heart.”

Sportsnet President Greg Sansone praised Martinez’s impact on both the network and the sport, calling him a legend whose voice became synonymous with summer baseball in Canada. Sansone noted Martinez’s passion, preparation, and commitment to excellence as qualities that defined his long tenure with Sportsnet.

Martinez’s broadcasting career began almost immediately after his playing days, as he transitioned into television work in 1987. Across two stints with the Blue Jays, spanning 1987 to 2025, he called more than 4,000 games, becoming a fixture for generations of fans. His résumé also includes extensive work for national and international outlets, including ESPN, TBS, TSN, MLB International, and XM Radio, along with coverage of multiple All-Star Games, postseason series, World Series matchups, and World Baseball Classics.

Toronto Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro highlighted Martinez’s unique legacy with the organization, pointing to his rare distinction of serving as a player, manager, and broadcaster. Shapiro credited Martinez with connecting generations of fans through storytelling, insight, and authenticity that extended far beyond the microphone.

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‘The Fred Show’ Added To KISS 107.1 Cincinnati Beginning February 9

BMM Staff
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‘The Fred Show’ Added To KISS 107.1 Cincinnati Beginning February 9

iHeartMedia Cincinnati is making a significant move in morning radio by bringing a nationally recognized show to one of the market’s most competitive dayparts. Beginning Monday, February 9, KISS 107.1, Cincinnati’s top hit music station, will debut The Fred Show in the weekday 6–10 a.m. ET slot.

The addition marks a strategic programming shift for KISS 107.1 as the station looks to further strengthen its connection with younger audiences while maintaining its leadership position in the market. Known for its fast-paced humor and personality-driven segments, The Fred Show arrives with an established following and a format built around daily interaction, pop culture conversation, and listener engagement.

Hosted by longtime morning personality Fred, the show features a tight-knit ensemble that includes Kaelin, Paulina, Showbiz Shelly, Jason Brown, and Keke. Together, the group blends comedy, relationship talk, trending topics, and audience participation into a high-energy presentation designed to keep listeners engaged throughout the morning commute.

“We can’t wait to introduce ourselves to Cincinnati and step into the next chapter with this legendary brand in such an incredible city,” shared Fred.

Station leadership echoed that enthusiasm, framing the launch as a natural fit for the market’s evolving tastes. Jonathan Shuford, Director of Programming and Brand Strategy for iHeartMedia Markets Group, described the show as a bold addition that aligns with the station’s vision.

“Fred and the team’s energy, passion, and humor are going to completely upend the morning routine in the Tri-State area and we’re honored to have them be a part of the KISS 107.1 family,” said Shuford.

The Fred Show brings national credibility to the lineup, but it also carries a strong local emphasis. While the program airs in multiple markets across the country, each affiliate allows room for community-focused conversation and market-specific engagement. That flexibility has played a key role in the show’s growth since joining Premiere Networks’ national lineup in 2023.

Fred, whose real name is Christopher Frederick, has built his career through stops in Austin and Charlotte before landing at iHeartMedia Chicago’s 103.5 KISS FM in 2011. Outside the studio, he maintains a wide range of interests, including aviation and philanthropy, and remains active with several charitable organizations nationwide.

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92.9 The Wave Rebrands With Yacht Rock for Coastal Virginia

BMM Staff
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92.9 The Wave Rebrands With Yacht Rock for Coastal Virginia

Max Media of Coastal Virginia is steering one of its heritage signals in a new direction, as 92.9 The Wave officially rebrands as “Yacht Rock for Coastal Virginia.” The decision marks a format shift designed to better align with regional lifestyle and evolving listener tastes. It positions the station squarely in the lane of smooth, melodic hits that dominated the late 1970s and 1980s.

Songs from Michael McDonald, The Doobie Brothers, Toto, Kenny Loggins, Steely Dan, and Christopher Cross form the backbone of the new playlist, which Max Media believes fits naturally with Coastal Virginia’s relaxed, water-centric culture.

Operations Manager Jay West said the decision reflects both audience demand and a renewed appreciation for music tied to what many listeners consider a simpler, more optimistic era. “These songs have the ability to bridge generations. There’s a real thirst for this music from a smoother, simpler era. The 70’s & 80’s are back in style,” said West.

Keith Barton, vice president and general manager of Max Media of Coastal Virginia, described the reimaging as a strategic evolution rather than a departure from the station’s core mission.

“The reimaging of 92.9 The Wave as Coastal Virginia’s Yacht Rock station is a natural fit,” said Keith Barton, Vice President and General Manager of Max Media of Coastal Virginia. “This format delivers feel-good music that listeners know and love. We’re excited to introduce a station that reflects the relaxed coastal lifestyle of our community.”

Beyond the music, the station plans to lean heavily into local identity and personality-driven programming. Familiar on-air voices will remain part of the lineup, guiding listeners through a curated mix of Yacht Rock titles, including deeper cuts that rarely receive traditional radio airplay. The station also intends to expand coastal-themed promotions, contests, and community events that reinforce the brand’s connection to life on and around the water.

From a broader industry perspective, the move reflects continued fragmentation within music radio formats, as operators prioritize niche branding and lifestyle alignment over wide but less defined musical lanes. Yacht Rock, once considered a novelty label, has emerged as a reliable performer in several markets, particularly in coastal and retirement-heavy regions where listener loyalty and time spent listening remain strong.

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The Ben Shapiro Show Sees Top 10 Jump in January Podtrac Rankings

BNM Staff
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The Ben Shapiro Show Sees Top 10 Jump in January Podtrac Rankings

The January Podtrack podcast rankings are out and The Ben Shapiro Show saw a strong jump into the top 10 during the month.

During 2026’s first month, The Daily Wire podcast saw a five-position increase compared to the prior month. The Ben Shapiro Show earned the seventh overall spot on the U.S. Unique Monthly Audience list.

The six programs about The Ben Shapiro Show remained completely unchanged compared to December. Those podcasts were NPR News Now, The Daily, Up First from NPR, Dateline NBC, Fox News Hourly Update, and Pardon My Take.

Other news-centric podcasts also saw strong finishes during the month. The Shawn Ryan Show earned a two-place improvement to 13th overall, while The Ezra Klein Show made its first appearance in the top 20 at 14th. Similarly, The NPR Politics Podcast also cracked the top 20, taking the final position on the list.

iHeartAudience Network and iHeartPodcasts remained the top two publishers on the Top U.S. Podcast Publishers & Networks list.

It was followed by NPR, Acast, Lubsyn, Vox Media, Disney, Fox Audio Network, DailyWire+, and PodcastOne in the top 10.

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Pat McAfee Admits Personal Struggle With Winning Approval From Those He Feels Should Like Him

BSM Staff
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Pat McAfee Admits Personal Struggle With Winning Approval From Those He Feels Should Like Him

Pat McAfee has built one of the most polarizing and commercially successful brands in modern sports media, and he understands that part of that success comes with a cost. Not everyone is going to like what he does, how he does it, or the space his program occupies within the industry.

During a recent interview with Dan Dakich of OutKick, McAfee acknowledged that reality while offering a rare glimpse into how criticism affects him personally. He did so even as his show continues to thrive across multiple platforms. McAfee agreed with Dakich’s assertion that he cannot win over everyone. That reality holds regardless of how he presents himself or his show.

“I think that’s real. I think I know that, and understand it at this point,” McAfee said. “I don’t love it though. I get bummed out sometimes when people who I think should like me, or I would get along with and they don’t like me. That bums me out.”

McAfee’s comments reflect a level of self-awareness that is not always associated with his loud, unapologetic on-air persona. Since transitioning from an NFL punter into a full-scale media entrepreneur, he has made his priorities clear. Authenticity matters more to him than universal approval.

That approach has helped him build a massive following, but it has also placed him squarely in the crosshairs of traditional sports media critics.

McAfee’s run of success however tells a different tale despite his critics. January was the second-best month for ESPN since 1996, but The Pat McAfee Show saw its best month ever on the network. During the first month of 2026, the program averaged 575,000 total viewers between the linear and digital options. That figure marks a 15% increase compared to its previous record, which was set in December 2025.

The Pat McAfee Show delivered its second-largest single-day audience since joining ESPN on January 19th, drawing 915,000 viewers. That Monday followed the NFL Divisional Round. It also coincided with the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. The day further benefited from the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday

While the program has delivered strong engagement and attracted a younger audience, its free-flowing style has challenged traditional norms tied to network studio programming. Despite the criticism, McAfee has remained consistent in his message. He has said he is not trying to be everything to everyone. Instead, he focuses on serving the audience that connects with his brand. That approach has remained central, even if it alienates others within the industry.

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Several Leagues Reportedly Attempting To Accelerate Media Deal Talks Ahead of NFL Discussions

BSM Staff
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Several Leagues Reportedly Attempting To Accelerate Media Deal Talks Ahead of NFL Discussions

The next major shakeup in the sports media landscape may not wait for the NFL to make its move. With the NFL expected to reenter rights negotiations much sooner than anticipated, several professional leagues are exploring whether it makes sense to accelerate their own talks.

According to reporting by John Ourand of Puck, multiple leagues with deals expiring later this decade have expressed concern that an aggressive NFL negotiation window could absorb available capital across the media ecosystem.

That anxiety has prompted early conversations about reopening contracts well ahead of schedule.

Among those signaling flexibility is the PGA Tour, where new CEO Brian Rolapp has reportedly told current partners that the tour remains open to discussions as early as the next one to two years. Rolapp’s perspective carries weight, given his long tenure inside the NFL.

MLB and the NHL both have national deals expiring within the next five years, placing them squarely in the window where timing could influence leverage. MLB currently maintains relationships with several NFL partners, including FOX Sports, NBC Sports, ESPN , and Netflix. The NHL’s primary U.S. partner remains ESPN, but also carries a rights agreement with TNT Sports.

With the amount of money flowing to rights deals in 2024 and 2025, many expect the NFL to pursue significant rights fee increases when it returns to market. The NFL has hinted they are open to the process that could begin as soon as this fall. Given the NFL’s unmatched audience dominance, expectations say the league could seek fees that exceed current NBA benchmarks by a wide margin.

The market has already shown signs of strain. After the NBA finalized its $77 billion rights package in 2024, several properties encountered resistance, including Formula 1, which ultimately secured a deal only after intervention from Apple.

For leagues outside the NFL orbit, the outlook appears clear. Waiting too long could mean negotiating in a market already depleted by the NFL’s gravitational pull, while acting early may offer a rare chance to lock in stability before the next financial reset arrives.

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Chris Oliviero Still Yet To Name Permanent Overnight Host on WFAN

BSM Staff
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Chris Oliviero Still Yet To Name Permanent Overnight Host on WFAN

WFAN’s latest programming reset may have begun with the highly publicized return of Craig Carton, but the station’s transformation still remains unfinished as one key position continues to draw unexpected attention.

More than a month after Carton rejoined the station’s weekday lineup, WFAN has yet to name a permanent overnight host. While the gap might appear minor in a schedule dominated by marquee dayparts, station executives say the reaction has revealed just how deeply listeners care about every hour of the broadcast day.

Chris Oliviero, chief business officer and New York market president for Audacy, acknowledged that the response caught him off guard. Speaking recently with Newsday, Oliviero said listener curiosity about the overnight vacancy generated more discussion than some of the station’s headline-grabbing moves.

“The fact that we did not announce a permanent overnight host got a lot of attention. To me, I was kind of like, ‘Oh, it was just a mention in passing in a press release. Maybe the last paragraph. No one’s going to ask anything.’ Guess what? We got a ton of questions on it,” said Oliviero to Newsday. “Which I love because, again, it’s a metric of passion. People care about all 24 hours in the day.”

Since the station elevated Chris McMonigle from overnights to afternoon drive alongside Carton, it has relied on fill-ins. Those fill-ins have covered the overnight daypart. The group includes Al Cintron, Gordon Damer, and Pete Hoffman. The shift follows Tommy Lugauer’s After Hours show. That program wraps at midnight or 2 a.m., depending on whether WFAN carries live night games.

Oliviero emphasized that, despite the lack of a permanent name, the station remains committed to live and local programming throughout the night.

“The commitment to live and local overnights is there. We will see if and when — and it’s a question of when, it’s not a question of if — it’s a question of when we feel we have found the right person to do that permanently,” said Oliviero.

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Shannon Sharpe Says He Would Love To Return to ESPN

BSM Staff
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Shannon Sharpe Says He Would Love To Return to ESPN

Shannon Sharpe is not closing the door on a return to ESPN, even after one of the most turbulent stretches of his media career. The Pro Football Hall of Famer said this week to Front Office Sports that he would welcome another opportunity to reunite with ESPN and longtime on-air foil Stephen A. Smith if network executives decide the timing is right.

Sharpe emphasized that any reunion would be out of his hands but made it clear his interest remains strong. He pointed to the continued growth of his digital platforms as evidence that his audience has remained engaged and loyal despite recent controversy.

“That’s not my call. I would love to go back if they were to call. Burke [Magnus], Jimmy [Pitaro], Dave Roberts. That is their call. But obviously, I’m more than willing, I’m more than capable, “ Sharpe said.

After departing Undisputed on FS1 in 2023 following a highly publicized split with Skip Bayless, Sharpe joined Smith on First Take in a part-time role the following year. In mid-2024, he signed a multi-year extension that elevated his standing within the network while also allowing him to expand his independent media ventures, including Club Shay Shay and Nightcap.

By early 2025, Sharpe was fielding interest in Shay Shay Media as his distribution agreement with The Volume, founded by Colin Cowherd, neared its conclusion. Industry speculation suggested Sharpe could command a deal comparable to other top podcast entrepreneurs.

Those plans unraveled last spring when Sharpe became embroiled in a highly publicized lawsuit that ultimately led to his departure from ESPN. Although the matter was settled, the fallout effectively ended his time at the network.

Even so, Sharpe said his relationship with Smith never wavered. He told FOS the First Take host for offering consistent personal support and maintaining frequent communication during the aftermath.

Since then, he said viewership for Club Shay Shay and Nightcap increased throughout the 2025 NFL season, including a rise in live-episode engagement. For now, Sharpe says he remains focused on building independently while staying open to what comes next. Whether that path leads back to ESPN remains uncertain, but his presence in sports media shows no sign of fading.

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