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Why Cumulus Sees Xperi Data as a Big Data Breakthrough for Radio

Garrett Searight
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Why Cumulus Sees Xperi Data as a Big Data Breakthrough for Radio

Cumulus Media is stepping into a new era of audience measurement through its partnership with Xperi, and the company’s leadership believes the timing couldn’t be better. The deal centers on DTS AutoStage, a connected-car platform that gives broadcasters near real-time insight into how, where, and when listeners are tuning in.

Last week, Cumulus became the first company to subscribe to Xperi’s premium radio audience measurement system. The move comes as the radio broadcaster is in the midst of a lawsuit with Nielsen over its practices.

For a radio industry that’s spent years defending its relevance against digital competitors, the partnership offers something rare: hard data delivered fast, at scale, and with granularity that some other ratings services simply can’t match.

Bob Walker, President of Operations for Cumulus, said the decision came down to a combination of factors that emerged as the company studied Xperi’s roadmap. Chief among them was the sheer size of the sample — with Xperi noting is now north of 16 million vehicles — which he said gives Cumulus more stability in the numbers from week to week.

“The sample size of cars is significantly larger than any previous ratings service we used,” Walker said. “That data tends to give us more stability on a week-over-week basis, and that was intriguing.”

Speed mattered just as much as scale. Because AutoStage draws from a growing fleet of connected vehicles, Cumulus can now see listening behavior almost as it happens, rather than waiting weeks or months for a traditional ratings book. That immediacy, paired with geographic detail showing exactly where listening occurs, reshapes conversations with local advertisers in ways the old measurement model never allowed.

Real-Time Data Changes the Conversation

Walker pointed to sports-heavy markets as an early proof point for the new system, describing shifts in weekend listening that older services wouldn’t have captured.

“In markets like Columbia, South Carolina; Knoxville, Tennessee; or Nashville, where you have pro or college teams playing on Saturdays and Sundays, you would typically see a certain level of listening in the old ratings service,” Walker said. “When you see the real-time data the next day, though, you notice changes.”

He said that nuance builds credibility for the data set while also opening the door to new partnership conversations. The Cumulus executive shared that smaller and mid-sized markets stand to benefit even more than the major ones, since they were often measured with older, less consistent methodologies.

Layering AutoStage data on top of Cumulus’s existing relationship with Triton Digital, which tracks actual streaming and podcast engagement rather than sample-based estimates, gives the company a fuller picture of its audience.

“When you can have a conversation about actual impressions coming from the car and actual impressions coming from our streams, it changes the narrative for us,” Walker said. “It becomes much more reflective of where the media landscape is moving in terms of impressions.”

Building the Infrastructure Behind the Numbers

Joe D’Angelo, Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy and Partnerships at Xperi, explained that the data now powering these conversations is the product of nearly a decade of platform development.

“DTS AutoStage and our resulting data are the culmination of eight years of effort in developing a global connected car platform focused primarily on enhancing the discovery of and engagement with broadcast radio around the world,” D’Angelo said.

That changed in 2023, when Xperi began extracting network traffic data and shaping it into something resembling audience metrics. The Xperi executive shared that the company spent the first half of 2025 working directly with the radio industry to translate raw engagement data into familiar terms.

“We redesigned the whole system and created what you see now with Cume, Share, TSL, complex heat maps, and Average Quarter Hour,” D’Angelo said. “It’s all anonymized, aggregated audience data representing the real-world listening behavior in our fleet of cars, which globally is about 17 million.”

Scale continues to grow rapidly, and D’Angelo said that growth is what allows new markets to come online. Xperi won’t release market-level analytics until a location reaches at least 1,000 active cars, so as more cars connect, more markets clear that threshold.

“We’re adding more than 10,000 cars a day,” D’Angelo said. “As more cars come online, more markets reach that install base.”

What Sets AutoStage Apart

Two features define the platform’s value proposition, according to D’Angelo, who pointed first to the speed of delivery.

“The timeliness of our data is a major benefit,” D’Angelo said. “Our results are available the next day, usually around 6 AM.”

Location is the second differentiator, and the Xperi executive shared that the heat maps offer something local sales teams have never had access to before.

“No one else tells you where people are when they’re listening to broadcast radio,” said D’Angelo. “There are case studies where local sellers use those maps with clients and say, ‘Look at all the listeners who spend significant time near your dealership every day.'”

D’Angelo also outlined what integration requires from broadcasters, noting that stations need to feed Xperi’s backend with now-playing metadata.

“That flow of information into our system is really the heartbeat of our connection to the car,” D’Angelo said. “Once they’re integrated with us, they get access to the portal.”

Looking ahead, D’Angelo pointed to international expansion as one of the most exciting frontiers for the partnership, given that AutoStage already operates in more than 140 countries.

“One of the things I’m most excited about is taking what we’ve developed from an analytics perspective here in the United States and deploying it globally,” the Xperi executive shared. “I’m very optimistic about what we’re going to do for radio, not only in the U.S., but globally.”

For Cumulus, the partnership represents more than a new data vendor; it’s a chance to reshape how the company tells radio’s story to a skeptical ad market.

“We’re excited because we feel this is a step forward in using technology to change the way people think about radio,” Walker said. “This is really the big data moment for radio, at least as we see it … We can tell a compelling story that addresses many of the misconceptions about radio. People often believe no one listens anymore. Yet the data overwhelmingly shows that’s not the case. Especially when compared to broadcast television and other platforms, radio remains highly relevant and continues to be a meaningful part of people’s daily routines. Helping advertisers connect with those audiences is a story we’re looking forward to telling.

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.

A.I. in Radio: Where Is the Uncrossable Line?

Kevin Robinson
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A.I. in Radio: Where Is the Uncrossable Line?

OK — one more take on Artificial Intelligence and radio.

It might seem that the subject has been covered ad nauseam in broadcasting. On The Barrett Media Platform, it has been covered — with different angles — by this writer here and here.

Earlier this month at The Barrett Media Summit, scores of speakers gave their individual take on the benefits — and dangers — of A.I.

A totally different opinion emerged during a summer family vacation a few weeks ago — which we will get to shortly.

A.I. Has Always Been Part of Broadcasting

Artificial Intelligence has been around for decades in and around broadcasting. Through the proper lens, radio itself — the technology inside a studio, the transmission of electromagnetic AM and FM waves — is all Artificial Intelligence.

In fact, other forms of A.I. have been with us for a long time:

  • Vinyl records – magnetic tape – cart machines – compact discs
  • Teletype receivers – audio processors – microphones – electronic mixers
  • Marti units – Telos phone systems – 360 digital editors – satellite receivers

So you get the picture — it is Artificial Intelligence.

A.I., properly used, is a terrific editor, a deep-dive research tool, and an unreal polishing tool. Furthermore, A.I. tightens copy, sharpens promos, rewrites alternate headlines, and assists in organizing ideas.

However, A.I. does not live in local markets, play games at your remotes, connect with listeners, or comprehend what culture you have built inside your cluster.

Where Is the Uncrossable Line?

So where is the uncrossable line? When does it stop being your original thinking and cross over to Artificial Thinking?

This subject came up during a Michigan family vacation. While discussing a few landscape shots taken throughout the state, I mentioned to the group that I used A.I. to sharpen the focus of one of my pictures. My son instantly said, “It’s no longer your picture. It’s A.I.”

Additionally, a vintage filter was used to stylize a sunset picture outside our cabin along the river where we were staying. The picture is below.

Again, the conversation continued: when do original creations cease to be original if they are assisted by A.I.?

A Brief Digression: Fifty Years of Altering Photos

Allow me a 30-second digression. I have been altering photos for 50 years. As Photo Editor of my school newspaper, the photos we used in our weekly paper were taken by an A.I. camera. They were developed using Kodak’s best Dektol and Stop Bath — also A.I. — while we “burned” and “dodged” the final product to accentuate parts of the end creation. Those photos were still original creations.

Back to broadcasting. Today’s best programmers and air personalities use A.I. for their original creations the same way they use editing software, filter curve tools, or music scheduling programs — to improve what they have created, not to create for them.

There is the line. That is it. Do not cross it.

The Danger of the Slippery Slope

The danger of Artificial Intelligence in radio lies on the slippery slope of programmers and air talent using it to replace themselves. A.I. is — and always has been — good at improving what already exists. Moreover, A.I. edits, refines, and shortens content in seconds. The listener is getting educated on A.I. as quickly as you are. Ultimately, listeners can sense the artificial.

Industry leaders echo this. Jeff McCarthy of Midwest Communications told Barrett Media that A.I. should strengthen radio provided it works alongside human creativity rather than replacing local personalities. He also emphasized that once listener trust is lost, it is difficult to regain. And — do not fear A.I. Fear the people who know how to abuse it.

Examples like Futuri’s RadioGPT and additional experiments with A.I. bots have intensified concerns about job displacement. Companies developing these technologies argue they are intended to improve efficiency — not eliminate radio personalities altogether.

What the Experts Are Saying

Consulting legend Mike McVay says that while A.I. has become much more prominent in recent years, he agreed it has been part of the broadcasting industry for decades in various forms. Mike shared where he believes artificial intelligence can benefit radio in this clip from The Barrett Media Summit, explaining where it poses potential challenges for the industry.

Of course, Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. The broadcasters who learn to use it will work smarter and build better content. If you are still ignoring it, you will be outpaced by those who did not. Learn A.I. before it learns your job.

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.

Jonathan Hutton and Chad Withrow Open Up About Leaving OutKick, New Beginnings

John Mamola
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Jonathan Hutton and Chad Withrow Open Up About Leaving OutKick, New Beginnings

Last week, Chad Withrow and Jonathan Hutton made their first joint appearance together in more than two months. For the past 15 years, the duo has hosted sports talk programming for audiences on both terrestrial radio and digital platforms. For the last five years, Hutton & Withrow served as the longstanding daily flagship program for Clay Travis’s OutKick platform, providing insights, interviews, and analysis from their Nashville-based studios.

However, on May 11, OutKick Hot Mic went dark. Hutton and Withrow were no longer producing daily content for the platform they had called home since 2021. Speculation quickly surfaced about their future with the company and whether they had departed OutKick after five years with the brand.

Last week, the silence ended as Hutton & Withrow announced their return with a new show launching during SEC Media Days this week. The program also features a new timeslot and a new platform. One that’s still awaiting an official announcement.

“I looked at SEC Media Days as a deadline instead of a launch,” said Hutton. “We wanted to be back by then, because you want to be at the unofficial kickoff of college football season. I would rather be there and reacting to it live than recapping it afterwards.”

Withrow said the timing of the new Hutton & Withrow program aligned with the show’s overall content strategy. Because the SEC and college football will drive much of what they envision for the program, there was no better opportunity to return than during SEC Media Days.

“We’re southern guys and children of the SEC. That’s where our interests lie is in the southeast. So it was always the natural partnership of where we want to do this, what time makes sense and needing to do something in Tampa at SEC Media Days,” explained Withrow. “We’re all fearful when you disconnect with an audience for a couple of months. This is a short-term memory span society. You don’t want to be gone for too long.”

Saying Goodbye To OutKick

Following the final OutKick Hot Mic program on May 11, Hutton and Withrow began navigating their departure from OutKick. Throughout the process, both credited the professionalism of FOX executives who oversee the outlet.

“It was all handled the right way. A longer process, but it wasn’t difficult,” explained Hutton. “We didn’t put pen to paper for a while. We wanted to ensure things were handled the right way. Our last show was in May, but we didn’t finalize anything until the end of June.”

After five years with OutKick, Hutton and Withrow admitted they never discussed remaining with the outlet. In fact, the contracts they originally signed were with Clay Travis before FOX assumed those agreements when it acquired OutKick.

“There were never any discussions about sticking around [with OutKick],” said Withrow. “I did not see myself long term with OutKick. I enjoyed my time there, but I wouldn’t have seen myself in that company long term at all.”

The experience is one neither Withrow nor Hutton will forget. Both expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn, work, and experience every stage of growth and education that came with it. Withrow described his time at OutKick as “a necessary step in his career.” One that allowed him to move beyond terrestrial radio. He says gaining a better understanding of what will be required in the industry’s next era alongside Hutton was paramount.

Between their final show in May and their official departure in June, discussions with FOX continued regarding ownership of the show’s intellectual property. As they prepared to go independent, Hutton and Withrow wanted to ensure the brand they had created before joining OutKick would return to their ownership. That included a YouTube channel the duo created before joining OutKick, one that had remained dormant while all of their content lived exclusively on the platform’s channel.

“The biggest part of it was making sure our YouTube channel was ready to go. We had that prior to getting going with Clay and before our first show. We had the base already, and didn’t want to start a new channel,” said Hutton. “That’s what kept us from doing anything immediately was just ensuring that channel was ready to go.”

It’s also why both hosts remained silent about their status following their final OutKick program. Neither publicly discussed their departure or their next steps until a short video appeared last week on the dormant YouTube channel.

“I wanted the one announcement to be something positive,” explained Withrow, noting people did reach out privately following their last program. “We live in a world with big announcements all the time… I didn’t want to make it some big emotional thing. I wanted to wait till we had our ducks in a row and make an announcement about what we’re doing. Getting to that announcement was more important than announcing we left OutKick.”

New Opportunities Await

Now that the show has returned with long-form distribution on YouTube, Hutton & Withrow will also join a new digital network, with additional details still to come. The move to mornings is intentional. The program will kick off a weekday lineup that remains unannounced.

The earlier timeslot is equally intentional for the growth of their independent brand. Rather than publishing content later in the evening, they believe making it available during the day will improve engagement, reach, and consumption.

“We’re going to get our content out faster for socials in the mornings. We’re constantly listening to what the algorithms tell us,” said Hutton. “At OutKick, we were getting shows out at 6pm. By the time you get home, I don’t know how many people would scroll past it or click on it. It benefits us to get it out earlier in the day so everyone has a shot at it.”

Withrow described the new venture as operating much like a small business that feeds a larger network. That network is yet to be formally announced, but will feature additional collaborators. The new show will be housed on YouTube for quicker monetization while also being distributed across social platforms to create a broader experience for audiences.

A Radio Future?

Hutton and Withrow both consider radio their first love. The pair spent many years together at Nashville’s 104.5 The Zone before joining Clay Travis’s OutKick in 2021. Although Hutton & Withrow is launching exclusively as a digital product, they have not ruled out future radio distribution.

“Radio could be part of the plan. I love my years in radio, and would absolutely love to be back on radio,” said Hutton. “I want to be wherever you consume media and be on the platform [radio] if it’s available to us.”

Withrow agreed, saying radio distribution could once again become part of the show’s future. While at OutKick, the program was syndicated through Skyview Networks. While the new platform has yet to be announced, Hutton and Withrow credit Clay Travis for the trust and guidance that helped shape their success. The duo worked alongside Travis during their radio days in Nashville before following him to OutKick in 2021.

“Clay [Travis] is one of the smartest men in media that I know. Not just the political realm which he’s ventured into, which does not interest me as much as the sport part of it. It’s what he continues to do in sports media that continues to interest me,” said Withrow. “I always had a fascination with working for Clay in any way I can.”

Last month, Travis announced his own departure from the OutKick brand, stating that he hopes to launch a new project in the coming months. Given the longstanding relationship between Travis, Hutton, and Withrow, it would not be surprising if their paths crossed again.

“If given the choice, Clay is someone I would choose to work with because it’s always been a great experience. He cares about his employees, and an incredibly loyal guy. I respect the heck out of the guy, and our journey with him has been a six-year process,” noted Withrow.

For now, Hutton & Withrow are focused on building something that reflects where the media business is headed rather than where it has been. After years of working within established brands, the pair now controls its own content, owns its intellectual property, and has the flexibility to distribute its programming wherever audiences choose to consume it.

That freedom ultimately represents the biggest change in this next chapter. Rather than relying on a single company or platform to define their future, Hutton and Withrow now have the ability to shape it themselves, adapting to new technologies, audience habits, and business opportunities as they emerge.

For two hosts who have spent the better part of 15 years evolving together, the platform may have changed. The partnership hasn’t. As Hutton & Withrow continue building an independent brand, they’re betting that the audience they’ve earned over the past decade and a half will value authenticity and ownership just as much as the platform delivering the show.

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.

Emery Songer’s Viral Video Captures the Heart of News/Talk Radio

Peter Thiele
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Emery Songer’s Viral Video Captures the Heart of News/Talk Radio

There are many motivations for those of us who have chosen the life of being on news/talk radio. Some of us just love sharing opinions and ideas, others love making others laugh or interviewing people. Emery Songer was a part of the iHeart reduction in force. I had the honor of meeting and working with him during my brief Iowa adventure.

Emery is a very thoughtful and talented man. He loves his home state, which is a real commodity in Iowa. I have lived in a few places in my radio adventure, and Iowa’s residents have a certain pride in where they are from and what the state has shared with the world. Yes, Iowa is more than just pigs and corn. Emery put out this video, and I asked him if I could share it with you.

If you have been given the microphone on a news/talk station, there are many very cool things about it. Emery’s introspective musings are a reminder of the gift that you have as a host. Most hosts don’t get the luxury of picking the time of their last moment on a radio station or of hosting a show.

Now, we have many alternatives for sharing our thoughts or interviewing interesting people. But being on a major media outlet comes with a certain amount of prestige. Many of us were class clowns or were chasing down ways to make our friends laugh. You may have been a prankster. Most successful radio personalities are whip smart, and — as the joke goes — if we were good students, there is a better way to make a living that would probably pay a lot more.

Finding Your Inner Motivation

So, why do you do this? What is your inner motivation? I can only speak for myself. I wanted to be on the radio because of a narcissistic impulse to be the center of attention. And I wanted to be famous. I didn’t think that I had a good look for TV, the movies, or being on stage.

Perhaps, like Emery, you just love meeting and interacting with newsmakers, businesspeople, or regular people. There is a point to this paragraph. Knowing the true impulse behind your choice of career allows you to lean into your strengths. I can’t answer this for you. I have coached hosts on my team and sometimes get the honor of coaching hosts who seek me out.

Just a note, I love the coaching part of being a program director. Over my time as a PD, some prominent hosts have asked me for feedback on their show. These are private conversations, so if they want to share it, I will let them.

Knowing why you are seeking this career is essential. Jim Parsons was on a TV show called The Big Bang Theory. He is an awesome comedic actor with perfect timing on delivering his lines. Every radio personality, actor, singer, and comic desires to be known. There can be a huge personal cost. Sometimes, being anonymous is awesome. But we seek recognition as radio people.

Early in my career, I learned that people look at those with fame as a thing over being a human being. Recognition is an important symptom of success. It can also be a little bit of a prison. You become a thing over just being a human.

Defining Success and Chasing the Creative Spark

What is your personal barometer of success? Being a host can be extremely mentally draining. You are, or should be, leaving it all out on the show. There should be no holding back. Ok, some holding back. You don’t want to violate FCC rules or destroy your personal relationships. I am not discussing your employer’s metrics. But I am asking you to evaluate your definition of success. I always feel that if I finished a show without remembering anything that I said, it was probably pretty good. The creative process is about catching the lightning.

You have heard about the musician or writer who was experiencing creative hurdles, and sometimes these people just wanted to quit. Then, out of the blue, a moment of inspiration hits, and a hit song is written in minutes. What happened? I believe that the creative subconscious must be allowed to express itself. If you are putting limits on ideas, you are in real trouble.

I was in a brainstorming meeting over a format flip of a failing music station. The company’s CEO, vice president of programming, market manager, and all the program directors in the building were in the conference room to discuss what was next for this failing station. The CEO assured us that he wanted a judgment-free brainstorming session. He wanted us to think outside the box. You have likely been in a brainstorming meeting. Every idea the CEO and vice president of programming heard was shot down almost immediately without exploring it further.

I quickly observed that the suits’ definition of thinking outside the box meant being inside the box. The new format was a failure, and believe me, the suits blamed others for their decision. If you are counting your breaths while on the air, I guarantee that is not a good show. If you cannot remember what you said, you probably hit a home run.

What Would You Miss?

I have a word limit here, but there is a lot to explore. Emery’s Facebook post was an honest look at what he loves about radio. Why are you doing this? Can you define your motivation? Is this personal for you? Are you being introspective and curious? Remember my line: the worst lie that you can ever tell is to the person in the mirror.

If you no longer know why you love this, think about what you would miss if it was taken away from you today. I was thinking of an old girlfriend the other day. The relationship was never going to work in the long run. She was a lovely woman, and we had a great time together.

I thought about the fun experiences we shared. Radio is about passion. Radio is about connection between the host and the audience. Are you connecting?

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.

Tony Dokoupil Was Right About CBS News’ Decision to Air Trump’s Speech

Garrett Searight
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Tony Dokoupil Was Right About CBS News’ Decision to Air Trump’s Speech

CBS News found itself in a familiar spot last Thursday night, deciding whether to carry a presidential address that ABC News and NBC News chose to skip. Tony Dokoupil, anchoring the network’s coverage, offered viewers a blunt explanation for why CBS News stayed on air.

President Trump’s speech centered on election security, specifically his concerns about vulnerabilities within the voting system. ABC News and NBC News opted out entirely. CBS News aired portions of the address, and it did so with context built directly into the broadcast.

Dokoupil framed the decision plainly. “There is an argument that it’s irresponsible to air the president’s speech tonight. But this speech will be made. It will be news. And it’s our job to cover the news. So we are. My CBS News colleagues and I are reporting tonight, along with you, to make sense of it as you will, and we will.”

I agree with him, and I recognize that might sound like a contradiction. Just one day earlier, I argued that networks shouldn’t be forced to air a presidential address in full. That position hasn’t changed. Neither has my belief that once a network decides to carry a speech, it owes viewers more than a live feed.

Coverage Isn’t the Same as Endorsement

Here’s the distinction that matters. I believe news networks should carry a presidential address when it’s newsworthy. I also believe they should fact-check that address in real time, rather than treat it as an unfiltered platform.

A network’s job isn’t to air whatever the president wants aired and then let the audience sort out the truth on their own. Facts don’t bend to convenience, and neither does the truth. Once a claim is verified — or debunked — it doesn’t change based on who said it or why.

Dokoupil’s framing captured that responsibility well. CBS News covered the speech, but it didn’t stop there. Reporters and anchors worked to contextualize it, question it, and make sense of it for viewers who couldn’t do that work themselves in real time.

That’s the job, and CBS News did it.

Credit Where It’s Due

I’ve written plenty about CBS News’ struggles this year, and I’ve criticized network leadership, including Bari Weiss, more than once. Each time, I believed the criticism was warranted. Nothing about Thursday changes my view on those earlier moments.

But criticism only means something if it comes paired with credit when credit is earned. CBS News made the harder call Thursday night. Choosing not to air the speech would’ve been the safer, easier option, especially with ABC News and NBC News already sitting it out. Instead, CBS News chose to cover it and explain it, live, in real time.

That approach reflects what news organizations are supposed to do. They don’t get to pick and choose which newsworthy events they cover based on political discomfort. They also don’t get to hand over airtime without scrutiny. CBS News threaded that needle Thursday, and Dokoupil said as much before a single word of the speech aired.

Other networks will face similar decisions again, probably sooner than anyone expects. When they do, Thursday night offers a useful template. Air it, contextualize it, and trust your journalists to make sense of it alongside your audience. That’s not complicated. It’s just harder to execute than skipping the broadcast altogether.

CBS News didn’t take the easy way out, and Dokoupil’s words made the network’s reasoning clear before viewers ever judged it for themselves.

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.

Ryan Clark Out As NFL Analyst For ESPN

John Mamola
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Ryan Clark Out As NFL Analyst For ESPN

ESPN has reportedly cut ties with NFL analyst Ryan Clark. The move ends his ten-year run at the network.

What We Know: Clark joined ESPN in 2015 and became a regular voice on NFL Live and Monday Night Countdown. According to The Athletic, his departure is part of a broader wave of layoffs hitting both on-air talent and behind-the-scenes staff. Clark was reportedly set to play a major role in the network’s upcoming Super Bowl coverage. Outkick reportedly learned of the news first, which triggered a flurry of activity.

What’s At Stake: Clark’s departure is a key role that ESPN will look to replace. With the network taking over the NFL Network, it could be determined that Clark’s replacement could lie in the roster of the NFL Network on ESPN programming.

What Remains Unclear: ESPN has not confirmed the reporting by The Athletic. It’s unclear whether more analysts will follow Clark. ESPN hasn’t announced a timeline for a replacement, nor has it detailed what role.

What It Means: Ryan Clark was a trendsetting talent that saw appeal for the network both on terrestrial and digital. The former Pro Bowl safety was a year-round presence on multiple shows and platforms. These included programs surrounding the NFL’s biggest annual events – Super Bowl, Draft, free agency and training camp. His exit could be the first in a number of names that could be released following the network’s new oversight over the NFL Network. Clark will likely continue to build upon his Pivot platform while possibly seeking out a new network home for his services.

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.

J. Love Out as KBAY Prepares 98.5 Shift

David Hill
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J. Love Out as KBAY Prepares 98.5 Shift

J. Love has exited his role as Operations Manager at Connoisseur’s KBAY and KEZR in San Jose. His departure comes after nearly a year and arrives just as KBAY prepares for a significant frequency move.

What We Know: Love joined Connoisseur last summer, coming off an 11-year run in Las Vegas that included the PD chair at Audacy Hot AC KMXB. Before Vegas, he built his career across San Diego, Reno, Detroit, and New Orleans. He launched his radio journey at then-Rhythmic Top 40 KHQT in San Jose. The timing of his exit is notable — KBAY is set to shift to 98.5 FM this Wednesday.

What They Said: Love reflected on his time with the company via social media. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a talented group of people and for everything we were able to accomplish together,” he wrote. “I’m proud of the work we did, the relationships I built, and especially the progress we made with both brands.” He added that he’s looking forward to what’s next.

What Remains Unclear: Connoisseur has not announced a replacement or shared a timeline for filling the position. It’s also unclear whether the frequency transition influenced the timing of Love’s exit. No details on his next move have surfaced yet.

What It Means: There’s clearly movement happening inside this cluster. KBAY’s shift to 98.5 signals change is already underway. Whether Love’s exit is the beginning of a broader transition — or the final piece of one — remains to be seen. The card shuffle is in motion, and the next move will tell the story.

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.

Michael DeCourcy Officially Retires From The Sporting News

John Mamola
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Michael DeCourcy Officially Retires From The Sporting News

Mike DeCourcy is closing the book on a legendary run. The longtime Sporting News writer worked his final assignment as a full-time staffer Sunday covering the FIFA World Cup final.

What We Know: DeCourcy has covered 30 Final Fours across his Sporting News career. His run began in 1983 at the Pittsburgh Press, then continued through the Memphis Commercial-Appeal and Cincinnati Enquirer. The U.S. Basketball Writers Association inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2012. DeCourcy has worked for The Sporting News since September of 2000. He has also worked as an analyst for the Big Ten Network and FOX Sports as well.

What They Said: Michael DeCourcy (via Awful Announcing):  “At this point, I’ve done a lot of what I hoped to accomplish in my career, and things I honestly never imagined I’d get the chance to do in my career. My wife and I moved back to Pittsburgh two years ago after having been away for 32 years. It’s our hometown, and our families live here. It’s a chance to spend more time with my wife.”

What Remains Unclear: DeCourcy’s exact roles with FOX Sports and the Big Ten Network moving forward is unknown.

What It Means: DeCourcy’s exit closes one of college basketball media’s longest tenures. Known for expanding outside just the byline, DeCourcy is one of the sport’s most respected voices. Sporting News loses a staff writer known well beyond one sport. Still, his continued Big Ten Network and Fox Sports roles suggest a gradual transition into retirement.

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Westwood One Cuts Affiliate Relations Staff in Department Downsizing

Garrett Searight
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Westwood One Cuts Affiliate Relations Staff in Department Downsizing

Westwood One has downsized its affiliate relations department. The staffing reductions include several longtime employees.

What We Know: Westwood One recently reduced the size of its affiliate relations team, according to multiple industry sources. Barrett Media has learned that Laura Martinez, a 14-year company veteran, is among the employees affected by the layoffs. Also, Stuart Greenblatt is out as SVP of affiliate sales after 26 years with the company. Neal Weiner also departs as VP of Affiliate Sales for its 24/7 formats after 31 years with the company.

What’s At Stake: Affiliate relations representatives play a critical role in supporting radio stations and maintaining relationships with hundreds of affiliates. As a result, a smaller department could shift responsibilities among the remaining staff or change how stations receive day-to-day support. Because Westwood One syndicates major news, sports, and music programming, any changes to that operation will likely draw attention throughout the radio industry.

What Remains Unclear: Westwood One hasn’t disclosed which programming formats or units were specifically affected by the reductions. It’s also unknown how many employees were impacted by the layoffs or whether additional organizational changes are planned.

What It Means: The reductions reflect another example of continued cost management across the media business as companies evaluate staffing and operational priorities. Although Westwood One remains a major syndication partner for stations nationwide, the downsizing suggests even established network operations aren’t immune from ongoing industry pressures. Radio executives and affiliate partners will likely watch closely to see whether the staffing changes affect service levels or signal broader organizational shifts.

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Paramount Deal For Warner Bros. Discovery Paused By Court Order Till August 3

John Mamola
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Paramount Deal For Warner Bros. Discovery Paused By Court Order Till August 3

A federal judge just hit pause on Paramount Skydance’s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. The $110 billion deal now faces a critical delay through August 3.

What We Know: U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín ruled Monday in Oakland, siding with a state coalition led by California. New York, Colorado, and Massachusetts joined the suit, arguing the merger would harm competition. Consequently, the acquisition remains unofficial, with closing now on hold. Warner Bros. Discovery shares dropped as much as 4% following the news. The judge will hold a hearing on August 3 on whether the deal ​should be delayed throughout the course of the lawsuit, which could take months to reach a final ruling. The company has already received regulatory clearance from the Justice Department, and it has touted similar approvals from other countries, including Australia and China.

What They Said: New York Attorney General Letitia James: “Today’s decision is an important victory for ⁠all those who would be hurt by this merger, and I look forward to continuing to fight this case.”

Paramount Spokesperson (via NBC News): “We are confident the evidence will demonstrate that the State AGs’ antitrust arguments are without merit as their alleged markets and claims of anticompetitive effects are without any basis in modern market realities.”

What Remains Unclear: A hearing set for August 3 will determine whether the pause extends further. Meanwhile, the broader lawsuit could take months before reaching a final verdict. Paramount has pushed back, calling the case a distortion of antitrust law.

What It Means: For CEO David Ellison, delay threatens his plan to build a rival with Netflix and Disney. Additionally, financial pressure mounts daily: Ellison owes Warner Bros. shareholders a 25-cent-per-share fee for every day past September 30. That’s roughly $7 million daily, per the merger agreement.

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