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Philadelphia HS Football Teams Can Win Chance to be Broadcast on 94 WIP

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Philadelphia HS Football Teams Can Win Chance to be Broadcast on 94 WIP

For the fifth year, 94 WIP is giving high school football teams in the area a chance to step into the spotlight on the market’s top-rated sports radio station. The station is accepting entries to play in its annual Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving Day.

The competition is open to any high school in the eight-county Philadelphia area. The winning game will be selected by fan vote. Both schools participating in the winning game will win $3000. 

On Thanksgiving Day, the broadcast duties will be handled by the station’s morning team of Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie. They will be joined on the call by Howard Eskin.

Seven games will be selected as finalists. They will be revealed on the WIP Morning Show on October 27. The winner will be announced on November 2.

Mehdi Hasan After Vivek Ramaswamy Interview Goes Viral: ‘He Lies About Things That Are On Tape’

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Mehdi Hasan After Vivek Ramaswamy Interview Goes Viral: ‘He Lies About Things That Are On Tape’

MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan pushed 2024 Republican Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for answers during a contentious interview Tuesday. It has subsequently went viral, and Hasan says there’s a simple reason for that.

Hasan asked the candidate about his past criticisms of Donald Trump. In his book, Ramaswamy argued Trump had acted in a “downright abhorrent” manner. The 38-year-old has since changed his tune and routinely sings the praises of the former President. The MSNBC host wondered why.

“You say he behaved in downright abhorrent behavior that makes him a danger to democracy. What was it that was downright abhorrent?” Hasan asked.

Ramaswamy failed to answer the question, so Hasan asked a second, and third time.

I think that the way a true leader should have handled that situation should have been to actually say,” remarked Ramaswamy before Hasan charged him with dodging the question.

“I understand, you keep saying what you would have done, I just want to hear from your mouth, unless you’re scared of him,” posited Hasan. “Why won’t you say what he did that was ‘downright abhorrent?’”

“I’m not going to. I’m not going to let you stitch together three things together,” said Ramaswamy.

However, the comments from Hasan were not three quotes stitched together. In fact, it was the exact wording used by Ramaswamy at the time.

After the clip went viral, Hasan spoke with colleague Chris Hayes about the interaction Wednesday evening, saying the reason it garnered attention was due to Ramaswamy’s history of revisin.

“The takeaway I had is that there are two big issues with Ramaswamy. One is, what is his qualification to be President of the United States? The other is, can we trust anything he says? Those were the two things I stuck to. He was a little irked by that, he did the kind of, ‘Oh these are gotchas. Why can’t we talk about substance?’, but my point is why would I want to discuss the details of your peace plan for Ukraine before we’ve first established whether you should be president?” Mehdi Hasan argued.

“Anyone can say, ‘I’ve got a plan for Ukraine.’ You go on the internet right now, 100 people have opinions on Ukraine. The issue is: why this guy? What’s he going to do about it? How can we trust him?”

Charter CEO Chris Winfrey: Disney Willing to Let TV Networks ‘Burn to the Ground’

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Charter CEO Chris Winfrey: Disney Willing to Let TV Networks ‘Burn to the Ground’

It does not sound like a resolution to the standoff between Disney and Spectrum is anywhere in sight. Chris Winfrey, Charter Cable’s CEO had some strong words for the entertainment giant on Thursday at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Tech Conference in San Francisco.

“If I had anything material to highlight, I would,” he said. “So that should tell you something.”

He told the audience that Disney doesn’t seem motivated to get a deal done to get ESPN, ABC and its other TV networks back in front of Spectrum subscribers. He said that the company will let its “linear programming house burn to the ground.”

Joe Flint of the Wall Street Journal was in attendance at the event. He writes that Winfrey is very aware that the current model for his business is in some trouble. He said that Charter is tired of paying high carriage rates for channels that are not delivering the ratings for Spectrum that they used to.

He also says the company is committed to making big changes to the traditional cable business. In fact, he is optimistic that the longer a fight with Disney drags on, the more power it gives Charter over ESPN.

“The average customer who remains isn’t going to be a sports customer,” he said. “If we’re moving on, that’s OK.”

Winfrey said that Charter’s position is that the exorbitant carriage fees that Disney is asking for will be passed on to consumers who may not care if the networks are available to them or not and that the ones that do care will be forced to pay them twice if they were to sign up for one of the company’s streaming services – Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+.

The Walt Disney Company did not wait long. The ESPN PR department issued a statement on behalf of the company after Winfrey’s speech concluded. 

“As the US Open reaches the men’s and women’s finals, and fans gear up for a weekend of college football and the opening of the NFL season, it’s unfortunate that Charter decided to abandon their consumers by denying them access to our great programming,” it reads. “While they have stated their ‘indifference’ to the needs of millions of paying customers, we will not lose sight of what is most important – investing in the highest-quality stories, news and sports for our audience. The question for Charter is clear: Do you care about your subscribers and what they’re telling you they want – or not? Disney stands ready to resolve this dispute and do what’s in the best interest of Charter’s customers.”

Pat McAfee Show Makes Its ESPN Debut

BSM Staff
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After months of anticipation and excitement, The Pat McAfee Show made its ESPN debut on Thursday, coinciding with the first day of the National Football League season. As the familiar sights and sounds of First Take faded from the screen, a disclaimer appeared as a narrator read the notice prior to the show’s electrifying introduction playing on the air.

“The following progrum is a collection of stooges talking about happenings in the sports world,” the message read. “It is meant to be comedic informative. The opinions expressed on this show do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of their peers, their boss, or ESPN. There may be some ‘cuss’ words because that’s how humans in the real world talk. If you are a young, please seek permission before watching any further.”

From there, the show started as usual, lauding the start of the NFL season as the Detroit Lions take on the Kansas City Chiefs at 8:20 p.m. EST/5:20 p.m. PST on NBC. McAfee outlined the key storylines of the game, specifically the quarterback battle between Lions starter Jared Goff and the Chiefs’ reigning Super Bowl champion and Most Valuable Player award-winning superstar Patrick Mahomes. After some time passed, McAfee addressed the move to a linear network, which is essentially simulcasting the YouTube version of the show on its airwaves, albeit on a slight tape delay.

“We can’t thank you enough for joining us here on ESPN and on our YouTube where it’ll be status, the same,” McAfee said. “But here on ESPN, we want to let you know that we are a show that is very thankful and lucky to be here. We are honored to be here, and what we’re about to do for the next couple of hours is something that you might not have seen a lot in the world of sports media, especially on linear television. We’re about to have a great… damn time.”

About 10 minutes into the show, McAfee welcomed New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers onto the show as its first guest. Part of the reason McAfee and his cast gained traction in the sports media landscape was because of their weekly interviews with Rodgers, who always brought his perspectives and insights about the game of football to the air. The appearance was brief and featured a conversation about ESPN’s censorship rules, something that Rodgers assured the viewers that he would have no part of.

“I will not be censoring myself,” Rodgers said, “so if you’ve got to go over and watch it in different places, I will be the same old, same old, and I look forward to speaking with all of you in the near future.”

ESPN is licensing 235 episodes of McAfee’s program, a move that garnered considerable backlash since it happened in close proximity to The Walt Disney Company laying off 7,000 employees to slash $5.5 billion in operating costs. Additionally, ESPN cut several members of its on-air talent roster, some of whom have since found new platforms to continue working in sports media. As for McAfee, he will now have a dedicated two-hour slot on ESPN’s linear channel and appear on College GameDay on the weekends, which averaged 1.7 million viewers leading up to the showdown between UNC and South Carolina.

“If it wasn’t for Aaron, our show doesn’t go to the places that it has been ever,” McAfee said. “Those conversations on those Tuesdays have evolved into something pretty remarkable, and I’m very open to this. A lot of people who hate our show will say, ‘Only ‘cause Aaron Rodgers spoke on our show is it good.’ That’s a pretty good call – we would agree completely – so we’re excited that Aaron Rodgers’ Tuesday is back.”

Other guests throughout the first episode of the program include Omaha Productions founder and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter and Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Competing against the McAfee show on linear television is The Herd with Colin Cowherd on FOX Sports 1, which also airs on FOX Sports Radio affiliates around the United States.

Ramsey Solutions Presenting Livestream on Combatting Student Loan Debt

BNM Staff
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Ramsey Solutions Presenting Livestream on Combatting Student Loan Debt

On Tuesday, September 12th, Ramsey Solutions will host a livestream centered on addressing the student loan debt crisis.

The program will be hosted by nationally syndicated radio host Dave Ramsey. He’ll be joined by co-hosts Rachel Cruze and Jade Warshaw to present tips on how to better manage debt accrued by students.

“We want everyone in America who is scared and feeling the burden of student loan debt payments to know there’s hope. You can get through this,” said Ramsey.

“Making a plan now, and preparing for these payments to resume, will help you feel less anxious and more confident. And we’re here to walk you through it. In the process, you’ll learn how to better handle your finances now and in the future.”

Those interested in registering, watching, and participating in the free event can sign up on the Rasmey Solutions website.

Michael Phillips Joining SportsRadio 910 The Fan

BSM Staff
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Audacy has named Michael Phillips as the new midday host for SportsRadio 910 The Fan (WRNL-AM) in Richmond, Va., premiering a new show – MP on the Mic – starting on Monday, Sept. 11. The program will air weekdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST and bring Phillips’ perspective on sports to listeners in the area, ranging from the Washington Commanders to the Virginia Cavaliers.

“Michael Phillips, for many years, has been highly regarded as the most respected voice of Richmond and Virginia Sports,” Bennett Zier, senior vice president and market manager of Audacy Richmond, said in a statement. “We are delighted to have MP wear our 910 The Fan jersey for Audacy Richmond.”

Phillips previously covered the Commanders as the sports editor and interim executive editor for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Earlier in the summer, Phillips was laid off by the outlet and posted on X that he was open to any future opportunities. Phillips was honored as one of two Virginia sportswriters of the year in 2022 from the National Sports Media Association (NSMA), along with Andy Bitter of The Athletic.

“We’ll chat about the Commanders, Virginia Tech, UVA, VCU and everything else making news in the world of sports,” Phillips said in a statement. “We’ll also bring in guests who are part of the action.”

Phillips joins a lineup that starts with The Sports Junkies from 106.7 The Fan and also includes Grant & Danny from the same station as well. At the moment, BetMGM’s program, The Daily Tip, occupies the 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. slot on the station, but will now be replaced by the new local midday show.

Warner Bros. Discovery to Reportedly Offer Free Sports on Max This Fall

BSM Staff
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Warner Bros. Discovery to Reportedly Offer Free Sports on Max This Fall

After Warner Bros. Discovery’s new streaming service, Max, lost 1.8 million subscribers in the last quarter, the company is looking to leverage its sports properties to augment its direct-to-consumer endeavors by offering live game broadcasts for free on the service. At the moment, the service with advertisements costs $10 a month, while the ad-free version is priced at $16, but plans to initially offer these services for free.

By the time the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League enter their playoffs, fans will need to pay extra to watch the games on the app, according to a report from Bloomberg. The same premise would apply for NCAA March Madness, entering a year where the network will televise the semifinals and championship game. The tier is expected to be branded using Bleacher Report, the company’s sports and highlights subsidiary with a foothold on younger demographics.

David Zaslav, chief executive officer of Warner Bros. Discovery, revealed last month that the company has digital rights to all of the sporting properties within its portfolio. The launch of the sports tier comes with two seasons to go in the NBA’s existing national media rights deal and on the heels of Association Commissioner Adam Silver conveying assimilating digital platforms into the next contract.

Fans are expected to have the capability to watch live sports using the over-the-top service starting this fall, aligning with the National Football League and anticipated introduction of ESPN BET to market. There has not yet been a price point set for what the tier would cost after the moratorium period concludes, nor information on if it will be sold separately or as a component to a larger package. Zaslav has publicly advocated for streaming services to bundle benefits together in past discussions, something that could become distinctly apropos as the content ecosystem continues to diffuse across platforms.

Over the years, fans have been able to watch programming from WBD Sports on linear channels including TNT, TBS and truTV among others. Aside from the broadcasts of the contests themselves, the company has been extolled for its informative and entertaining studio programming, headlined by Inside the NBA with Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Shaquille O’Neal.

The national sports entity served as the home of the NHL’s Stanley Cup Final last season, marking the first time the games were exclusively on cable since 1994. Additionally, TBS airs Major League Baseball games every Tuesday night in the second year of a seven-year contract worth a reported $3.7 billion.

ABC Audio Selects LinkUp Communications as Distribution Partner

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ABC Audio Selects LinkUp Communications as Distribution Partner

After announcing it would end its partnership with Skyview Networks earlier this year, ABC Audio has partnered with LinkUp Communications for distribution.

The network had previously announced it would partner with Compass Media Network for advertising sales of its programming that airs on more than 1,500 AM/FM radio stations.

“We’re thrilled to team up with LinkUp to deliver our top-quality content to our valued affiliates,” ABC Audio VP Liz Alesse said. “LinkUp’s technical expertise, professionalism, and commitment to service make them an ideal fit for ABC Audio, and we are excited to start this new chapter with them and our radio sales partners at Compass Media Networks.”

ABC Audio is widely known for its ABC News Radio programs, in addition to holiday music specials and other syndicated programming.

“We’re elated to be working with ABC Audio,” said LinkUp Communications CEO Karen Johnson. “ABC News has always provided radio with the finest news and entertainment content, and LinkUp is honored to now be a part of this.”

The Florida-based company has more than 20 years of broadcasting experience, working with outlets like Moody Radio Network, Faith Radio, and NPR among others.

LinkUp Communications will begin distributing the network’s programming in January 2024 after its contract with Skyview Networks ends.

Several Podcasters Accuse Kast Media of Fraud

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Several Podcasters Accuse Kast Media of Fraud

Kast Media was founded in 2016 and has grown to feature several prominent podcasts before seeing some of its assets acquired by podcasting giant Podcast One earlier this year. However, several podcast hosts have now publicly alleged they haven’t been paid by the company.

Earlier this year, professional wrestling podcaster Jim Cornette alleged that Kast Media, and its founder and CEO Colin Thomson, had failed to pay him for advertising sold on his programs.

“The commission off of our advertising just last year alone was six figures for him,” Cornette said in July. “But what this alleged weasel does is he takes our money that our advertisers paid for the advertising on our shows and invests it back in another part of his company that is helping produce other people’s programs… This was a minor bump in the road. Let me put it this way: This guy owes me and (co-host) each a brand new Ford Expedition.”

Cornette claims that he was then offered a deal by LiveOne, the parent company of PodcastOne that acquired portions of Kast Media in May, that would pay the program two-thirds of what it was owed in cash, and a third of its outstanding balance in stock options.

The professional wrestling personality then claimed the entire sales team at Kast Media departed the organization due to the situation.

The latest development comes after popular comedian Theo Von shared a similar story about his podcast through Kast Media on Wednesday.

“Our podcast was defrauded. We were stolen from,” Von said. “We were taken advantage of. The company that did it is Kast Media, and the man that did it is Colin Thomson. We’re part of a larger group of podcasts that were stolen from. In total, just between talking with folks, there’s up to $4 million that I know of that people were taken advantage of. We’re in the six figures. I know podcasts that are in the seven figures.”

Von shared a similar story to that of Cornette, alleging that PodcastOne offered the same two-thirds cash, one-third stock option plan. However, he took issue with the offer, claiming it was a ruse to push the company’s stock price higher.

“It felt like, to me, they’re trying to leverage our podcast and other podcasts to then make their stock do well,” Von said. “And then if that happens, then we’ll get a share of our money. It just the whole thing to me felt really seedy.”

He then said he shared his concerns with PodcastOne about its business dealings with Thomson, but it remained unconcerned.

“They said, ‘We feel like he’s done a good job’, and that he would be part of the team still. So that’s just — I know some of this is a lot of inside of baseball man, but to me, it just f—ing felt real dirty. And it felt like just no respect for podcasting, no respect for the work that we had done.”

PodcastOne’s stock was slated to go live earlier this year, but was pushed back after a Nasdaq audit of the company. PodcastOne is scheduled to ring the opening bell Friday as its stock is prepared to hit the open market for the first time after it was spun off from parent company LiveOne.

Neither Kast Media, PodcastOne, or LiveOne have commented publicly on the allegations.

Erin Dolan Signs Multi-Year Extension at ESPN

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Erin Dolan at ESPN. The network inked Dolan to a multi-year contract that will have her making appearances on SportsCenter, Daily Wager and other shows.

“Erin has been important to our growth in the sports betting space, and brings a betting lens to our ESPN programming that we know fans expect from us,” Scott Clark, Vice President of Fantasy & Betting Content for ESPN, said in a press release. “It’s great to now have her in Bristol contributing daily to our growing sports betting content efforts.”

Dolan first joined the network in 2017 and came back in 2021. She will continue to create her exclusive digital content for the company’s YouTube and social channels. 

“It’s been amazing to watch ESPN’s sports betting content grow into what it is today,” Dolan added. “When I was hired in 2021, we were just scratching the surface. We’ve evolved quite a bit since then, and I can’t wait to be part of this next phase as we enter into football season.” 

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