1130 WISN afternoon host Dan O’Donnell has apologized for a social media post that drew significant backlash over the weekend.
Following U.S. military action in Iran, O’Donnell made a post on X stating that the next target of military action should be Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN).
“Now take out the Supreme Leader of Minnesota,” O’Donnell’s post said. “We will be greeted as liberators.”
He followed up that post with an AI-generated photo of the former Vice Presidential candidate wearing a black turban, similar to that of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
O’Donnell received widespread backlash following the publication of the posts. He later deleted them.
On Tuesday, Dan O’Donnell took to social media to apologize for the comments.
“Hey everyone, I want to take a moment to offer my sincerest apologies for a post I made about Minnesota’s Governor that, quite frankly, I am deeply ashamed of,” the 1130 WISN host wrote. “It was irresponsible and completely inappropriate and I have since taken it down. It served only to deepen divisions at a time when unity and basic human decency are most needed. My primary responsibility as a broadcaster, a father, and a person is to always comport myself professionally, appropriately, and compassionately, and I failed to do that. Again, I am truly, deeply, unequivocally sorry.”
Hey everyone,
I want to take a moment to offer my sincerest apologies for a post I made about Minnesota's Governor that, quite frankly, I am deeply ashamed of.
It was irresponsible and completely inappropriate and I have since taken it down. It served only to deepen divisions…
Dan O’Donnell hosted his afternoon show on Monday as normal. He was not on the air on Tuesday afternoon.
It isn’t the first time a 1130 WISN host has said something about Walz that has put them in hot water. During the 2024 Democratic National Convention, the station’s morning host, Jay Weber, criticized Walz’s special needs son, calling him “a blubbering bitch boy” for crying while his father was introduced as Kamala Harris’ running mate. Weber later apologized and was off the air for two weeks before returning to the daypart.
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After Paramount Skydance was named the winning bidder for Warner Bros. Discovery, questions about regulatory approval abounded. FCC Chair Brendan Carr says worries shouldn’t persist.
While speaking CNBC‘s Arjun Karpal at the Mobile World Congress in Spain on Tuesday, Carr said he believed that the deal wouldn’t face much scrutiny from regulators and would likely be approved quickly.
“If there’s any FCC role at all, it’ll be a pretty minimal role. And I think this is a good deal, and I think it should get through pretty quickly,” Carr said.
Brendan Carr added that there were “a lot of concerns” from the Commission about the proposed deal between Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix.
“That particular combination raised a lot of competition concerns,” he said, adding that the deal “would have a very difficult path” to approval.
He shared that the deal between Paramount and WBD is “a lot cleaner, does not raise at all the same types of concerns.
“I think there’s some real consumer benefits that can emerge from it,” he concluded.
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Bob Costas did more than reminisce about NBC’s basketball glory days during a Tuesday morning radio stop in Philadelphia, as the Hall of Fame broadcaster openly suggested the network’s NBA throwback presentation could return in the future with an even broader reunion of familiar faces.
Appearing on 94WIP Morning Show with Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie, Costas acknowledged that several cornerstone figures from the original run of NBA on NBC were unable to participate in Tuesday night’s special broadcast featuring the San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he left little doubt that the door remains open for a sequel.
“For a variety of circumstances, Marv Albert is not, Ahmad Rashad is not, and Dr. J [Julius Erving] is not. They all wanted to be part of it,” Costas said. “And we may do this again down the road, include them and others.”
That comment marked the clearest indication yet that NBC Sports views the Coast 2 Coast Tuesday concept as more than a one-off celebration. While the network has positioned the broadcast as a nostalgic tribute to its 1990-2002 NBA era, Costas’ remarks suggest executives could revisit the format if audience response warrants it.
Even without every major figure in attendance, Costas emphasized that the production intends to honor the full scope of contributors who shaped one of sports television’s most celebrated runs.
“We’re not saying it’s everybody who deserves a nod. They’ll all get a nod during the course of the broadcast, we’ll acknowledge them,” he explained. “There’ll be flashbacks and photos and little video vignettes that’ll try to get a nod to everybody who was part of one of the great eras in the history of sports. Really, that whole run that we were lucky enough to be part of was unforgettable.”
NBC’s original NBA coverage helped define appointment viewing in the 1990s, pairing marquee matchups with the iconic Roundball Rock theme and a presentation style that elevated regular-season games into national events. Tuesday’s telecast, which features Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs visiting the 76ers, incorporates vintage graphics elements and archival touches while maintaining modern production standards.
Costas also addressed how much the craft of calling games has evolved since his first stint with NBC. This will be Costas first time on the call for an NBA game in 24 years. Although analytics and presentation tools have expanded significantly, he argued that the foundational principles remain intact.
“I think that classic sports broadcasting with some changes, you have to be more aware of the analytics now. There’s certain differences in presentation, but the core of it is still the same,” Costas said. “You know what Mike ]Tirico] did at the end of the Olympics and after the hockey game, that’s what I did at the Olympics. That’s how I would have done it, with little variations, because all of us are different in our sensibilities and our approach, but essentially the same.”
If Tuesday night’s blend of nostalgia and modern star power strikes the right chord, NBC may find that its past continues to provide a compelling blueprint for future special-event broadcasts.
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Tucker Carlson has become a frequent target of criticism from conservative media members in recent months. You can now add Sean Hannity to that list.
Carlson has publicly clashed with the likes of Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin, as well as with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee in recent months. That coverage, along with his high-profile interview with Nick Fuentes, has drawn the ire of many in conservative media.
Sean Hannity, however, had remained largely mum on the topic. While appearing on The Katie Miller Podcast, Hannity said he has no relationship with Tucker Carlson any longer, according to Axios, which received an advanced screener of the episode.
“I don’t ever talk to him, ever,” Hannity said. “I wish him well. I’ve read a lot of what he says. I just completely disagree with it. And it’s not the person that I knew when he was at Fox.”
Hannity was then asked if he believes conservative media members have spent too much time arguing publicly recently. He said he does, but said there’s a reason he hasn’t joined the infighting.
“I’ve stayed out of it, if you’ve noticed,” Hannity said. “That’s by design. To me, the big fight in this country is against the radical left. And [if] they all want to kill each other, have at it.”
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The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced the winners of the 39th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards.
The 10 winners were bestowed the honor recognizing “radio stations for their exceptional year-round commitment to community service.”
They were selected from a list of 50 finalists announced earlier this year.
The finalists and winners were announced at the 2026 NAB State Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. before more than 500 broadcasters from around the nation.
2026 NAB Crystal Radio Award winners:
KBHP-FM, Bemidji, Minn.
KGLK-FM, Houston, Texas
KNDE-FM, College Station, Texas
KXKT-FM, Omaha, Neb.
WCCO-AM, Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minn.
WEEI-FM, Boston, Mass.
WHJX-FM, Jacksonville, Fla.
WIYY-FM, Baltimore, Md.
WOKV-FM, Jacksonville, Fla.
WSB-AM, Atlanta, Ga.
Winners were chosen by a panel of judges representing the broadcast industry, community service organizations, and public relations firms.
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TNT Sports is doubling down on familiar faces ahead of another Major League Baseball season, announcing multi-year contract extensions with studio analyst Jimmy Rollins and game analyst Jeff Francoeur as the network continues to shape its long-term baseball strategy around continuity, credibility and personality-driven coverage.
Rollins, who joined the company in 2016, remains a central figure on MLB studio coverage across TBS. The 2007 National League MVP and 2008 World Series champion brings more than name recognition to the desk. Pairing his experience as a three-time All-Star and Gold Glove shortstop with a conversational style that blends tactical breakdowns and clubhouse perspective in a way that resonates with both traditionalists and younger fans discovering the sport through postseason broadcasts.
Francoeur will continue in a prominent role as a game analyst on MLB Tuesday telecasts and throughout the postseason. A Georgia native drafted by the Atlanta Braves, he debuted in 2005 and quickly became one of the sport’s most recognizable young players. He earned the nickname “The Natural” after a breakout start landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated. After a 12-year major league career, he transitioned into broadcasting. He developed a reputation for energetic delivery and player-focused insight. His analysis emphasizes preparation, approach, and in-game adjustments.
Alongside Pedro Martinez and Curtis Granderson, Rollins has helped anchor TBS’ studio programming with a balance of analysis and chemistry, while hosts Lauren Shehadi and Adam Lefkoe steer discussions that often pivot from advanced metrics to player development and in-game strategy without losing accessibility.
Working alongside play-by-play voices Brian Anderson and Alex Faust, plus analyst Ron Darling, Francoeur has become a steady presence in the booth. He offers perspective shaped by experience as both a top prospect and a veteran. His career included roster battles, playoff races, and clubhouse dynamics. TNT Sports believes that authenticity translates on air, especially during high-leverage October moments. Those broadcasts draw expanded audiences and more casual viewers.
The network’s 2026 regular season coverage begins March 31 with an MLB Tuesday on TBS matchup featuring recent home run champions, as the Seattle Mariners host the New York Yankees in a prime-time showcase designed to launch another year of national broadcasts.
That early spotlight game underscores the broader strategy of pairing marquee talent on the field with established voices in the studio and booth.
When the calendar turns to October, TNT Sports will close its 53rd year of baseball coverage. The network will air exclusive telecasts of the American League Division Series and American League Championship Series. The broadcasts reinforce its long-standing relationship with the league. They also position Rollins and Francoeur as integral pieces of its postseason presentation for years to come.
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Welcome to day seven of Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2025 in Music Radio presented by Strategic Solutions Research. Strategic Solutions Research is celebrating its 20th year providing strategic research, music testing and personality content testing for clients in the US and in 22 countries. Please reach out and give a special thanks to Hal Rood and Kevin Cassidy for supporting the Top 20 series and the entire music radio industry.
Today, we turn our attention to the Top 20 AC/Hot AC radio shows. All results from this series are available on our website. The Nooner newsletter also has the information each day in your inbox at 12pm ET. We promote results across social media too. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram and X to stay updated.
The remaining schedule of releases is down below the images. Once this series ends, I will record videos discussing the entire process for music, sports and news. Those videos will be posted to the Barrett Media YouTube page. Make sure you subscribe so you’re notified once the video goes live.
Important Information
#1– These results represent the collective feedback provided by our industry voters. Barrett Media does not vote in this process. Our role is to assemble the group, collect the votes, and present the information. Voting is based on 2025’s performance. 2026 changes have no effect on the final results. Think of it like an MVP race in sports – voters vote on last season’s performance.
#2 – Music radio is a massive space. Some shows appear on lists in multiple formats. Programmers run stations in different cities and formats. Changes occur under the radar and without stations updating key information. That makes it difficult when trying to issue proper credit to deserving programmers, hosts and/or brands. We try to get it perfect, but we’re human, and mistakes do happen. If you notice an error, please email Jason@BarrettMedia.com so we can fix it.
#3 – This series specifically focuses on United States terrestrial music radio shows and programmers. Shows and brand leaders with Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, SiriusXM, YouTube, podcasts and programming outside the United States are not included.
#4 – This series features 320 images of radio shows and program directors. There are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. We understand you may not like the way your left shoulder looks in a photo but such is life. Thanks in advance for understanding.
The Voting Process
A record One Hundred and Ninety Two (192) program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants were involved in this year’s voting. That beat last year’s mark of 173. Like always, there were a few who didn’t weigh in who I’d have loved to include but overall, the support was outstanding. THANK YOU!
Be advised that our voters represent the following companies: iHeartMedia, Audacy, Cumulus Media, Beasley Media, Cox Media Group, Townsquare Media, Hubbard Radio, Bonneville, Radio One, Connoisseur Media, SummitMedia, Saga Communications, MediaCo., Buck Owens Production Company, Pamal Broadcasting, Times-Shamrock Media, Stephens Media Group, Guaranty Media, Lotus Communications, Cromwell Media Group, Midwest Communications, One Putt Broadcasting, Griffin Media, plus numerous consultancies. We involve a large group to assure input is received from all areas of the country and to prevent the results from favoring any one company.
Though 192 voters are involved, the number of people voting on each format is lower. This is by design. We want experts from each format voting on what they know best. Depending on their role and expertise, some vote on all eight formats, others vote on as little as one. For this category, 51 programmers, consultants, and executives voted on the Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows and Program Directors.
Two hundred thirty nine (239) AC/Hot AC radio shows appeared on ballots submitted by our voters this year. We use a point system for this process with a 1st place votes equaling 20 points, and each selection between #2-#10 earning two points less. It’s not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.
And the Winner Is…
Karson & Kennedy of Mix 104.1 in Boston. This is the Boston duo’s second straight category victory in the Top 20 series. Congrats to Karson, Kennedy and the entire Mix 104.1 team on the well deserved recognition.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for creating the artwork, and each AC/Hot AC radio voter who participated in the voting process. Now without further delay, here are Barrett Media’s Top 20 AC/Hot AC radio shows of 2025.
Additional Notes:
Karson & Kennedy scored the category victory by seventeen (17) points over Ellen K. They tied with Ellen K and The KVJ Show for the most first place votes in the category with five (5).
Spots 21-25 went to Mercedes in the Morning, Kramer & Jess, John Tesh, Wendy Wilde and Miguel & Holly.
The tightest race featured Bret Mega edging Sean Copeland by one (1) point for 19th place.
Of the Two Hundred and Thirty Nine (239) radio shows to earn votes, twenty seven (27) notched at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media’s Music Radio – Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:
Wednesday March 4 = BM Top 20 CHR/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors
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.
Welcome to day seven of Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2025 in Music Radio presented by Strategic Solutions Research. Strategic Solutions Research is celebrating its 20th year providing strategic research, music testing and personality content testing for clients in the US and in 22 countries. Please reach out and give a special thanks to Hal Rood and Kevin Cassidy for supporting the Top 20 series and the entire music radio industry.
Today, we turn our attention to the Top 20 program directors in AC/Hot AC radio. All results from this series are available on our website. The Nooner newsletter also has the information each day in your inbox at 12pm ET. We promote results across social media too. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram and X to stay updated.
The remaining schedule of releases is down below the images. Once this series ends, I will record videos discussing the entire process for music, sports and news. Those videos will be posted to the Barrett Media YouTube page. Make sure you subscribe so you’re notified once the video goes live.
Important Information
#1– These results represent the collective feedback provided by our industry voters. Barrett Media does not vote in this process. Our role is to assemble the group, collect the votes, and present the information. Voting is based on 2025’s performance. 2026 changes have no effect on the final results. Think of it like an MVP race in sports – voters vote on last season’s performance.
#2 – Music radio is a massive space. Some shows appear on lists in multiple formats. Programmers run stations in different cities and formats. Changes occur under the radar and without stations updating key information. That makes it difficult when trying to issue proper credit to deserving programmers, hosts and/or brands. We try to get it perfect, but we’re human, and mistakes do happen. If you notice an error, please email Jason@BarrettMedia.com so we can fix it.
#3 – This series specifically focuses on United States terrestrial music radio shows and programmers. Shows and brand leaders with Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, SiriusXM, YouTube, podcasts and programming outside the United States are not included.
#4 – This series features 320 images of radio shows and program directors. There are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. We understand you may not like the way your left shoulder looks in a photo but such is life. Thanks in advance for understanding.
The Voting Process
A record One Hundred and Ninety Two (192) program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants were involved in this year’s voting. That beat last year’s mark of 173. Like always, there were a few who didn’t weigh in who I’d have loved to include but overall, the support was outstanding. THANK YOU!
Be advised that our voters represent the following companies: iHeartMedia, Audacy, Cumulus Media, Beasley Media, Cox Media Group, Townsquare Media, Hubbard Radio, Bonneville, Radio One, Connoisseur Media, SummitMedia, Saga Communications, MediaCo., Buck Owens Production Company, Pamal Broadcasting, Times-Shamrock Media, Stephens Media Group, Guaranty Media, Lotus Communications, Cromwell Media Group, Midwest Communications, One Putt Broadcasting, Griffin Media, plus numerous consultancies. We involve a large group to assure input is received from all areas of the country and to prevent the results from favoring any one company.
Though 192 voters are involved, the number of people voting on each format is lower. This is by design. We want experts from each format voting on what they know best. Depending on their role and expertise, some vote on all eight formats, others vote on as little as one. For this category, 51 programmers, consultants, and executives voted on the Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows and Program Directors.
One hundred forty nine (149) AC/Hot AC program directors appeared on ballots submitted by our voters this year. We use a point system for this process with a 1st place votes equaling 20 points, and each selection between #2-#10 earning two points less. It’s not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.
And the Winner Is…
John Peake of 104.3 MYFM and KOST 103.5 in Los Angeles. This is John’s first category victory in the Top 20 series. Congrats to John and his Los Angeles based teams on the well earned recognition.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for creating the artwork, and each Country radio voter who participated in the voting process. Now without further delay, here are Barrett Media’s Top 20 AC/Hot AC Program Directors of 2025.
Additional Notes:
John Peake won this category by eleven (11) points over Steve Salhany. Peake also recorded a category best nine (9) first place votes to claim the victory.
Spots 21-25 went to Tommy Chuck, Barbara Bridges, Rob Roberts, Tim Herbster and Don London.
The closest contest saw Paul Kelley nip Tony Travatto by one (1) point for 7th place.
Of the One Hundred Forty Nine (149) programmers to earn votes, twenty four (24) snagged at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media’s Music Radio – Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:
Wednesday March 4 = BM Top 20 CHR/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors
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.
Versant has unveiled its first-ever financial results since spinning away from NBCUniversal late last year. The company reported high total revenue in its first disclosure.
In total, the company reported $6.69 billion in revenue for 2025. That was down 3.3% from 2024, when encompassing the same brands and revenues from NBCUniversal that shifted to Versant.
Of that total revenue, $4.1 billion was from distribution revenue. $1.6 billion came from advertising revenue on brands like CNBC, MS NOW, USA, Syfy, Oxygen, and E!, among others.
The adjusted EBITDA for Versant was $2.4 billion, down 14.5% compared to the prior year.
On the company’s earnings call, CEO Mark Lazarus was asked about how the company’s strategy was impacted by the potential sale of Warner Bros. Discovery.
“We have our plan to go as an independent company, we have a strong set of assets, we’re very focused on our vertical markets,” Lazarus said. “The wider view was, it was interesting, because the assets from Warner Brothers were interesting to a couple of people in a couple of different ways, and we look at that as being reinforcing of the value of our company.”
During the call, Versan noted that 60% of its audience was centered around news and sports, something it hopes to put more emphasis on in the future.
“We think in many ways that process validates the quality of our brands and our portfolio and the strategy that we’re pursuing to kind of continue to drive those businesses which are supremely positioned within the pay TV ecosystem, and it also gives us the opportunity to extend them outside of it,” said CFO Anand Kini.
“We believe that there will be a rebalancing of sports portfolios, and that will leave opportunity for us who have a heritage in sports, who have strong sports properties and legacy to begin with, but we also have broad reach,” Lazarus added. “And with USA Network in particular, you know, it’s as broad a reach vehicle as any other cable television asset and or pay television asset, and we believe that there will be opportunity for us to get involved in properties that we might not have otherwise gotten involved.”
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.
Yahoo Sports has elevated Kendall Baker to Head of Newsletters, formalizing an expanded role for one of the most recognizable voices in sports email publishing and signaling a significant investment in growing its direct-to-consumer audience strategy.
Baker, who launched Yahoo Sports AM newsletter in 2023 after building previous newsletter brands at Axios and independently, signed a multi-year contract and will now oversee the growth and evolution of the company’s entire newsletter portfolio while continuing to serve as the primary author of its flagship morning product.
The move represents both a promotion and a strategic shift. Yahoo Sports aims to capitalize on sustained demand for curated email products. That demand persists as algorithm-driven distribution fragments attention across social platforms and mobile apps.
In his announcement, Baker framed the transition as the natural next step in a nine-year journey that began with a simple concept: delivering a SportsCenter-style experience directly to readers’ inboxes each morning in a concise, conversational format that blends news, analysis and personality.
What started with roughly 100 subscribers has since grown to nearly one million. Now Yahoo Sports AM, underscoring the durability of a format that prioritizes consistency, voice and habit-building over viral reach.
Under Baker’s leadership, Yahoo Sports plans to introduce new flagship newsletters, weekend editions, and pop-up products tied to major sporting events. The company also plans to expand internal resources and hire additional staff. Those hires will support editorial, production, and partnership initiatives.
In addition to launching original franchises featuring existing Yahoo Sports talent, the company plans to form strategic partnerships with outside publishers, journalists, and creators. Executives say the goal is to build a first-of-its-kind, interconnected newsletter network. They want it to extend beyond a single brand voice.
Baker will continue writing Yahoo Sports AM, a finalist for Best Newsletter at the 2025 Digiday Media Awards. Longtime collaborator Jeff Tracy will remain part of the operation as the team scales its ambitions.
For Yahoo Sports, the promotion signals confidence in Baker’s record of audience growth. It also reflects belief in newsletters as a core pillar of its long-term content strategy. That strategy prioritizes sustainable engagement models built on loyalty rather than fleeting clicks.
We’re thrilled to share that @kendallbaker has been elevated to Head of Newsletters at Yahoo Sports!
In this new role, Kendall will lead the growth and evolution of the Yahoo Sports newsletter portfolio. This includes launching new franchises with current Yahoo Sports talent and… pic.twitter.com/iPOikGA36V
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.
