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Spotify Puts Human Curators Front And Center On New Music Friday

David Hill
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Spotify Puts Human Curators Front And Center On New Music Friday

What We Know: Spotify has introduced editor-led video recommendations inside its New Music Friday playlist for U.S. listeners, beginning today. The short-form videos appear alongside song picks as users scroll through the playlist on the Spotify mobile app. The feature is available to both free and Premium users. The update merges functionality from The Drop Weekly — a separate editor-driven discovery experience launched in September 2025 — into New Music Friday’s existing format.

What They Said: “New Music Friday has always been about helping fans discover the best new music each week,” said John Stein, Spotify’s Head of North America Editorial. “By bringing our editors directly into the experience, we’re giving listeners a closer connection to the people behind the playlist and more context around the artists and songs shaping culture right now.”

What Remains Unclear

It has not been announced whether the feature will expand beyond the U.S. No timeline has been shared for a broader rollout.

What It Means: Spotify has spent years being defined by its algorithm. Now it’s putting faces on the playlist. Folding editor-led video into New Music Friday suggests the company is actively working to reframe how listeners think about discovery — and distance itself from the “robot playlist” reputation. Since The Drop Weekly launched last fall, editor-driven content has produced more than double the engagement in saves and likes. The message is deliberate: there are real people behind these picks, and Spotify wants you to know it.

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.

CBS News Names Trevor Phillips as Senior Global Affairs Correspondent

Garrett Searight
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CBS News Names Trevor Phillips as Senior Global Affairs Correspondent

CBS News has inked a deal with British media star Trevor Phillips. He’ll serve as a Senior Global Affairs Correspondent for the network.

What We Know: Phillips has most recently served as the host of Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips. That program is viewed as one of the flagship shows on the British television network. Phillips was knighted in 2022 for his work in the equality and human rights spaces. In addition to his time at Sky News, he’s also worked for The Sun, The Sunday Times, and The Daily Mail, among others.

What They Said: “Trevor Phillips cuts through the noise. His decades-long career is a masterclass in seeing beyond groupthink and pursuing the truth. Trevor’s deep knowledge of geopolitics and history will be an incredible asset at CBS News, where he’ll quickly become an indispensable voice for audiences across all platforms.” -CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss

What Remains Unclear: When Phillips’ official start date will be. It is also unclear which bureau he’ll be based out of for CBS News.

What It Means: Phillips is a British media star. His appointment to the staff at CBS News should be viewed as a victory for the network. Enticing someone from a prominent role in British media to join CBS News shows the power the brand still commands globally.

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.

KCMO Talk Radio Becomes New Radio Affiliate For Missouri Football, Basketball

John Mamola
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KCMO Talk Radio Becomes New Radio Affiliate For Missouri Football, Basketball

Cumulus Media and Mizzou Athletics have a new partnership. KCMO Talk Radio 95.7 FM and 710 AM will serve as the official Kansas City radio home of Missouri Tigers athletics beginning this fall.

What We Know: Cumulus Media, Mizzou Athletics, and Learfield’s Central Bank Tiger Network reached an agreement making KCMO the exclusive Kansas City broadcast home for Mizzou football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball. The deal also adds a simulcast affiliate, 102.9 KTOP-FM in Topeka, expanding the Tigers’ regional footprint. Fans can additionally access coverage through the KCMO mobile app, online streaming, and podcast distribution channels.

What They Said: Pete Mundo, Program Director, KCMO Talk Radio 95.7FM and 710AM. “KCMO Talk Radio is proud to be the new home of the Missouri Tigers in Kansas City and Topeka. With Mizzou competing in the SEC, the premier conference in college sports, we’re excited to bring that energy to our listeners. From live game broadcasts and coaches’ shows to exclusive interviews and regular conversation. We’re committed to making Tigers athletics a core part of KCMO Talk Radio. Building a true home for Mizzou fans across Kansas City and Topeka.”

Mizzouri Director of Athletics Laird Veatch: “This partnership with Cumulus Media and KCMO Talk Radio ensures our fans across the region will have a strong, consistent connection to Mizzou Football and Mizzou Men’s and Women’s Basketball all year long.”

What Remains Unclear: The financial terms of the agreement is unknown. It’s also unknown whether additional simulcast affiliates beyond Topeka will be added.

What It Means: This deal strengthens Cumulus Media’s foothold in the college sports rights space. For Mizzouri fans in Kansas City and Topeka, it means consistent, multi-platform access to Tigers programming year-round. KCMO Talk Radio gains a marquee sports property that elevates its profile in a competitive market.

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.

550 WDUN Host Martha Zoller to Retire

Garrett Searight
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550 WDUN Host Martha Zoller to Retire

A longtime 550 WDUN host is set to exit. Martha Zoller has decided it’s time to ride off into the sunset and call it a career.

What We Know: Martha Zoller has spent nearly 25 years with the station over the course of two separate stints. She was a part of the lineup from 1994 to 2009. She then rejoined the station in 2019. She currently hosts a show from 9-11 AM. Her final show is slated for Friday, June 26th. However, after she departs her program, she’ll remain with the 550 WDUN as a political analyst. She’ll also host a daily commentary for the station.

What They Said: “This has been one of the great privileges of my professional life. WDUN has allowed me to talk with governors, senators, local leaders, neighbors, and listeners who care deeply about their communities. I’ve had a front-row seat to history, politics, and the people who shape North Georgia. I am grateful for every conversation, every caller, and every experience I’ve had on WDUN.” -Martha Zoller

What Remains Unclear: Who, if anyone, will replace Zoller in the window. 550 WDUN hosts a local morning show from 5:30-9 AM ahead of Zoller’s show, but is nationally syndicated for the remainder of the day.

What It Means: Martha Zoller has been a staple on 550 WDUN for decades. Her exit leaves a hole in the station’s lineup that will be diffiuclt to replace. However, coming to an agreement to keep a daily commentary and to make appearances as a political analyst is a win for her, the station, and the audience.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

ESPN Reportedly Considering Sweeping Changes To Secondary NFL Broadcast Booth

John Mamola
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ESPN Reportedly Considering Sweeping Changes To Secondary NFL Broadcast Booth

ESPN is reportedly on the verge of shuffling its backup NFL broadcast booth, according to a report by The Athletic. With the moves, Chris Fowler will depart the role of the play-by-play role, while Rich Eisen was reportedly not part of the discussions.

What We Know: ESPN is splitting its extra NFL game assignments as part of the acquisition of the NFL Network between Dave Pasch and Bob Wischusen. This would move Chris Fowler out of the NFL play-by-play role entirely. The network holds eight additional games outside Monday Night Football. Seven on the newly acquired NFL Network, including five international contests this fall. Those overseas games effectively made Fowler unavailable, given his college football commitments. Fowler’s former No. 2 booth partners, Louis Riddick and Dan Orlovsky, are also being repositioned within the network.

What Remains Unclear: ESPN is reportedly still weighing Jason Kelce as a game analyst. Though he likely won’t call every broadcast. Kurt Warner and Louis Riddick remain under consideration for select games. Warner was part of the NFL Network’s play by play team with Rich Eisen for several seasons. Meanwhile, Pasch’s official role hinges on ongoing contract negotiations, creating a slight delay. How conflicts with Pasch’s Arizona Cardinals and Wischusen’s New York Jets radio duties get resolved is also undetermined.

What It Means: The shifts should not come as a surprise. Fowler, Orlovsky and Riddick have all increased their roles within the company outside of being the #2 team for the NFL. This restructuring signals ESPN is aggressively attempting to build new voices toward its Super Bowl LVII broadcast on February 14, 2027 — its first ever. The addition of NFL Network games dramatically expanded the network’s NFL footprint, forcing real roster decisions.

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Bob & Tom Executive John Kesler to Retire This October

David Hill
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Bob & Tom Executive John Kesler to Retire This October

A 50-year radio veteran John Kesler is stepping away. Bob & Tom‘s longtime executive is retiring effective October 1, 2026.

What We Know: After five decades in broadcasting, Kesler announced plans to retire from his full-time role with The Bob & Tom Show. His career began in 1976 at WDAN Radio in Danville, Illinois. He will remain connected to the organization as a consultant for six months following his departure. During that transition window, he’ll work closely with Tom, Dwayne, and others on planning for the show’s future.

What They Said: The announcement letter captured the weight of the moment directly. “This has been, without question, the best job I have ever had,” Kesler wrote, adding that colleagues “made this the most rewarding chapter of my career.” He also expressed strong confidence in the road ahead, noting the organization has “an outstanding team, a loyal audience, strong partners, and opportunities that many companies in our industry would envy.”

What Remains Unclear: No successor has been publicly named. The specific scope of his consulting role has not been detailed beyond general transition support. Additionally, what long-term structural changes, if any, may follow his exit remains to be seen.

What It Means: Bob & Tom is navigating a significant leadership transition at a pivotal moment for the radio industry. Nevertheless, the organization appears well-positioned. The six-month consulting arrangement signals a deliberate, steady handoff rather than an abrupt departure. For a show that has survived COVID, affiliate challenges, and decades of industry upheaval, continuity clearly remains the priority.

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.

Lachlan Murdoch Signs Contract Extension to Remain FOX Corp. CEO

Garrett Searight
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0
Lachlan Murdoch Signs Contract Extension to Remain FOX Corp. CEO

FOX Corp. knows who its CEO will be for the next few years. It isn’t a new name, though, as Lachlan Murdoch will continue in the role.

What We Know: Lachlan Murdoch signed a contract extension to remain as the CEO of FOX Corp. through June of 2030. The company’s CFO, Steve Tomsic, also inked an extension. Murdoch will continue to earn $3 million with the extension. His target annual bonus is rising to $9 million, however. According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Murdoch recused himself from the contract extension talks.

What’s At Stake: Under Murdoch’s leadership, the company has pushed deeper into the digital and streaming spaces. The FOX One app has seen strong growth since its implementation. Tubi continues to see its usage rise.

What Remains Unclear: Just how much Murdoch will continue that push into those spaces. Logic would say that the advancement of FOX One and Tubi would inspire a deeper investment into the digital and streaming realms. That remains to be known, however.

What It Means: It was expected that Lachlan Murdoch would continue as the CEO of the company he now controls after buying his siblings out last year. With that legal battle and now a contract extension complete, Murdoch can focus on the future of the organization.

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.

Stanley Cup Final Viewership Continues Pace Of Doubling Year Over Year

John Mamola
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0
Stanley Cup Final Viewership Continues Pace Of Doubling Year Over Year

Game 4 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final delivered big numbers. The Carolina Hurricanes’ 5-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday drew 5.3 million viewers on ABC.

What We Know: The Game 4 audience is the largest since Pittsburgh-Nashville in 2017 on NBC. It also rose 104% over Game 4 of the 2025 Final on TNT Sports and 74% versus Game 4 of the 2024 Final on ABC. Moreover, viewership peaked at 6.4 million between 10:30–10:45 p.m. Through four games, ESPN’s coverage is averaging 5 million viewers — the best such mark since 2015 and fourth-best since 1994.

What The Data Shows: Stanley Cup Viewership Data (Last Three Years – 2024 (EDM vs FLA) | 2025 (EDM vs FLA) | 2026 (LVK v CAR)

Game #2024 Average Viewership (Network)2025 Average Viewership (Network)2026 Average Viewership (Network)
13.11M (ABC)2.42M (TNT)4.8M (ABC)
23.60M (ABC)2.50M (TNT)4.7M (ABC)
33.30M (ABC)2.30M (TNT)5.0M (ABC)
43.10M (ABC)2.60M (TNT)5.3M (ABC)
54.10M (ABC)2.70M (TNT)TBA
64.20M (ABC)2.80M (TNT)TBA
77.70M (ABC)N/ATBA
Series Average4.16M2.55MTBA

What Remains Unclear: Whether the ratings momentum holds is unknown. Additionally, it’s worth noting that ESPN’s postseason has been record-setting across the board. Moreover, the First Round and Second Round were the most-viewed of ESPN’s current rights agreement. The Western Conference Final was also the most-viewed since 2015.

What It Means: This series is proving to be a genuine ratings success story for ESPN. Comparatively, game 1 was the most-watched Stanley Cup Final opener since 2019, Game 2 the best since 2015, and Game 3 the best since 2002. Moreover, this is a big win for ESPN and the NHL heading into the back half of the Stanley Cup Final. In addition, overtime games clearly drive eyeballs, and Vegas-Carolina is delivering must-watch moments.

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.

Chris ‘Decipha’ Hernandez Leaving Audacy Phoenix After 19-Year Run

David Hill
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Chris ‘Decipha’ Hernandez Leaving Audacy Phoenix After 19-Year Run

A long chapter in Phoenix radio is closing. Chris “Decipha” Hernandez is departing Audacy Phoenix after nearly 19 years with the company.

What We Know: Hernandez joined then-Rhythmic CHR “101.5 Jamz” KZON as a host and mixer shortly after its 2007 launch. He later added Imaging Director duties in 2010. Following the station’s 2013 rebrand to CHR as Live 101.5 KALV-FM, he climbed steadily — reaching APD/MD in 2015 and Program Director in March 2018. By October 2020, he expanded to Operations Manager overseeing Big 94.5 KOOL-FM and Country 107.9 KMLE. Most recently, he served as Regional Brand Manager, adding Kiss 105.5 WKXJ Chattanooga to his portfolio in July 2023.

What They Said: Hernandez addressed his departure directly on social media. “This is a tough one, but tomorrow will be my last day with Audacy Radio,” he wrote. “After nearly 19 years with the company — and so many incredible years working directly with LIVE 101.5 — it’s time for me to turn over the keys.” He added, “But more than anything, I’m grateful for my wife and kids, who supported me through every early morning, late night, and crazy idea.”

What Remains Unclear: No successor has been announced for his programming or brand management responsibilities. It’s also unclear whether his multi-market oversight role will be consolidated or redistributed. Audacy has not publicly addressed the transition or any structural changes to the Phoenix cluster.

What It Means: Hernandez built one of the longer tenures in modern Audacy radio. His exit leaves a significant void across multiple markets. Additionally, his departure reflects broader industry uncertainty as Audacy continues navigating its financial restructuring. Phoenix radio will look considerably different without his fingerprints on it.

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.

Congress Reportedly To Propose Bill To Curb NFL Games Shifting To Streaming Platforms

John Mamola
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Congress Reportedly To Propose Bill To Curb NFL Games Shifting To Streaming Platforms

Congress could soon act to limit the NFL’s ability to move games behind streaming paywalls. According to reporting by Puck Media’s John Ourand, that legislation may arrive within weeks.

What We Know: A House Judiciary Committee report this week targeted the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. The report, led by Chairman Jim Jordan, appears to be a precursor to legislation aimed at slowing the NFL’s streaming migration. Earlier this week, a House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust convened a hearing titled “Examining the Sports Broadcasting Act.” The hearing examines the SBA’s effect on the modern broadcast market for major sports leagues. Specifically how professional sports distribution has evolved since the law’s passage 65 years ago. Over the past decade, the NFL has steadily shifted games to platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, YouTube and Netflix. According to Ourand, expect a bill within the coming weeks to curb that transition.

What They Said: Per John Ourand (Puck Media): “The committee report appears to be a precursor to a bill designed to slow down the migration of NFL games to streaming services. In fact, sources on all sides expect some sort of legislation to be introduced within the next few weeks.”

What Remains Unclear: Whether the legislation will gain enough traction to actually limit streaming deals remains to be seen. Additionally, Roger Goodell declined a committee testimony request. It’s unclear how that absence will affect the league’s standing with lawmakers going forward.

What It Means: The NFL’s no-show signals a deliberate strategy. Instead of engaging a subcommittee the league viewed as one-sided, the league opted to make its case publicly. Instead of through sworn testimony. The SBA does not clearly protect cable, satellite, streaming, or subscription products. In addition, the rising costs of which have drawn consumer complaints and government scrutiny. Currently, the DOJ, FCC, and Congress all examining the league’s broadcast practices simultaneously. Would new legislation actually pass in Congress is unknown.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

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