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How Gregg Giannotti Helped Elevate ‘Boomer & Gio’ to the Top Morning Show in Sports Radio at WFAN

John Mamola
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How Gregg Giannotti Helped Elevate ‘Boomer & Gio’ to the Top Morning Show in Sports Radio at WFAN

There is a lot of pressure to get to the top of your industry. Even more pressure ramps up once you achieve it and try to keep it. That’s why consistency is so key to lasting success in sports radio. It requires building rapport with your team, your station, and your audience through connection and a shared passion for sports. Gregg Giannotti has experienced the full lifecycle of the WFAN consumer, serving in every capacity available: listener, intern, producer, anchor, and now host of the highly successful Boomer & Gio show that has guided New York City sports fans every morning since 2018.

Last month, Giannotti and Esiason were recognized again for their success, keeping their consistent spot at the top of the latest Barrett Media sports radio major market morning show rankings for a third straight year and fifth time overall.

“It’s always great when your peers are the ones who recognize you. The people who have been in the business for a long time. That’s why this list means a lot to the show and me,” said Giannotti.

They finished 72 points ahead of their second-place competition and earned a category-best 15 first-place votes from 36 program directors and executives around the country. The criteria included overall impact, ratings, originality, and industry buzz. It marked a high achievement for a show that has built a national following with a local feel.

Strength Through WFAN Changes

Boomer & Gio have been a steadfast constant on a radio station that has experienced its fair share of change over the past eight years. Despite that change, Giannotti still enjoys the grind of morning drive, a daypart with plenty of benefits that also comes with massive responsibility.

“We’ve been there as pillars of the radio station. The opportunity to have first crack at talking about the games the day before is great. I absolutely love it,” noted Giannotti. “You’re looking at all the people in the cars as you’re driving in. Those are the people that are going to be listening to you to get their day started. I love setting the tone, and couldn’t think about doing anything else in another shift.”

Giannotti joined Esiason in January 2018 after Craig Carton’s exit from the program. Carton announced his resignation from the radio station following his arrest on federal securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy charges.

The sudden shock left Esiason with questions about the show’s future and the station’s direction. After several months of Esiason hosting solo, Giannotti was selected to join the program following successful stints hosting mornings on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh and CBS Sports Radio with Brian Jones.

Giannotti admitted the pairing initially felt unsettling, knowing he would have to develop trust among a staff already established with the program.

“I was stepping into their thing after ten years and had to be the point guard. Then the audience who is expecting a certain thing, I have to try and keep them,” said Giannotti. “That part of it was critical for me. I sort of laid back because I trusted Boomer and management, knowing I had to gain their trust. If I just worked my way in and made sure everyone knows their favorite morning show is still going to be great with a change at point guard, that’s the way I wanted to go.”

Instead of trying to take over the daypart, Giannotti relied on his producing background to ease the transition. He interned at WFAN at the start of his career, where his producing acumen and work ethic led to more opportunities to grow within the station.

Those early days at the top New York City sports talk station set the foundation for his eventual role co-hosting morning drive.

“Being behind the scenes, learning how to work with a host. There were so many things that I ended up figuring out that I didn’t understand behind the glass, that when I got behind the microphone I got,” explained Giannotti. “Having those experiences from behind the glass, I learned far quicker [how to host] than I would have without that experience of producing.”

Limitations And Coverage

Boomer & Gio are not just a local morning show for New York City sports fans. The program also airs as the flagship morning show on CBS Sports Network. The opportunity allows the program to reach a nationwide audience, including many native New York sports fans who have relocated across the country.

While the platform presents a massive opportunity, it also comes with drawbacks. Because the video is distributed through CBS Sports Network, the show cannot stream on platforms such as YouTube like other WFAN programming. Additionally, CBS Sports Network must approve clips from the program since it owns the video portions of the show.

“If you know our show and listen, there might be 25% of the program that is traditional sports talk. But if you just consume our show through the clips on social media or YouTube, generally you would think all we do is talk sports,” explained Giannotti. “That’s not the show. I do get a little frustrated by that.”

Giannotti admitted that while the show may miss out on potential streaming audiences on video platforms, he still appreciates the partnership with the network.

“We don’t ever cater to a national audience, and CBS Sports Network doesn’t want us to,” says Giannotti. “They told us to do our show and they’ll broadcast that show. They’ve never told us that they wanted anything different than what we were going to do.”

Sports radio is, by nature, a competitive industry. For every game it covers where there is a winner and a loser, the same can be said for rival stations in the nation’s top market. After Good Karma Brands decided to stop subscribing to traditional Nielsen ratings, the ratings wars that once defined sports radio faded.

Giannotti admits he misses the ratings battles between WFAN and its direct competition, but not because of the tension.

“It’s not about missing the anxiety you get if things aren’t going the way you want them to go. What I miss is the coverage of the radio station, because now we don’t get as much coverage as we used to,” said Giannotti. “I just like that the radio station and the business as a whole was being covered like a sports team in the city.”

Carton’s Return To WFAN

WFAN has made a number of headlines over the past six months, not for ratings gains or losses but for another seismic lineup shift as Craig Carton returned for a second time in the past six years. With Carton’s return, the station paired him with Chris McMonigle while shifting Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber to middays.

Giannotti said that when rumors began to spread about another Carton return late last summer, management offered no assurances about Carton reuniting with Esiason. Giannotti had signed a multi-year contract extension in 2025 and felt secure in his role on the morning show.

However, when Carton returned to WFAN in 2020, the situation felt different.

“The first time [Carton returned], I was curious and nervous how it would go. Craig said it himself. He thought the band would get back together, and maybe I would go to a different daypart. That first time I was nervous,” explained Giannotti. “This time, it never was a single thought. We had success and Boomer didn’t want anything different.”

Industry Concerns

Now in his eighth year co-hosting alongside Esiason, Giannotti appreciates the focus and direction that shaped his career. From interning to becoming a leading voice on arguably the nation’s most recognized sports radio brand, his path reflects steady growth.

He admits that journey is less likely in today’s sports radio ecosystem. Although he does not doubt radio’s future, he questions how the next generation will view its appeal amid limited opportunity.

“It’s more unlikely now. It just is. I don’t even know what sports talk radio is going to be in 15 years,” says Giannotti. “If you’re projecting all these years ahead. Leaving your home market to go to another and come back to host mornings in your home market. It just doesn’t feel like an available path any longer.”

Giannotti says he cannot imagine reaching this point any other way or working with different teammates. He believes the show continues to demonstrate why many around the country rank it among the nation’s best. Esiason told Barrett Media he intends to continue hosting until he is “at least 68 years old.” Despite that projection, Giannotti says Esiason remains as focused as ever and has never broached the idea of stepping away.

That perspective continues to drive Giannotti. He no longer feels defined solely by his accomplishments. Instead, he leans into the blessings the job provides for him, his family, and the audience.

“This job is part of a greater thing. One of the things that Craig [Carton] said when he left the first time was that he regretted that the show wasn’t enough for him. He was chasing feelings about things elsewhere,” explained Giannotti. “That struck me. I want the show to be enough for me. So I’m really focused on the foundational things in my life which includes the job. If I started slipping or not caring as much, the amount of people that affects outside of me. That’s the motivation when the alarm goes off.”

That perspective comes from having seen every angle of the building.

Giannotti has been the kid listening in his car, the intern running errands, the producer behind the glass, and now the voice setting the agenda in the country’s biggest sports media market. He understands its fragility because he has lived the climb. In an era where platforms change, metrics fluctuate, and career paths feel less certain than ever, that understanding may be his greatest asset.

At WFAN, the morning show is not just another shift. It sets the tone and drives culture. Through scandal, competition, lineup shakeups, and evolving distribution models, Boomer & Gio has remained steady — not by accident, but by intention. Preparation. Trust. Patience. An understanding of when to push and when to facilitate.

Giannotti once eased into the chair to protect something that already existed. Now, eight years in, he helps protect something bigger — the idea that sports radio, at its best, still relies on chemistry, consistency, and connection.

Do the work. Value the people. Make the show enough.

For Gregg Giannotti, that is not just a philosophy. It is the reason the alarm clock still rings — and why, when it does, he is ready.

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.

How 1010 WINS Grew Ratings to a Near 60-Year High in January

Garrett Searight
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How 1010 WINS Grew Ratings to a Near 60-Year High in January

In January, 1010 WINS beat 106.7 Lite FM in the New York radio ratings, marking the first time a station other than Lite earned the top spot in 41 ratings periods.

And it took a monumental ratings effort to earn the top spot. 1010 WINS earned a 7.5 share in the 6+ demographic. That marked the highest share for the Audacy New York all-news brand since 1968.

If you’re setting new highs not seen in nearly 60 years, you’re doing something right. 1010 WINS Director of News and Programming Ben Mevorach said it’s been a long time in the making.

“It’s like when a movie star or an artist suddenly bursts onto the scene, and they say, ‘Well, you’re an overnight sensation.’ Yeah, 17 years in the making!” Mevorach said with a laugh. “All of a sudden, we’re number one. We’ve been working that way for I don’t know how many — as long as I’ve been at the station, that’s been our goal. So, it’s obviously very satisfying. The team feels great, and it’s a really great win for the staff.”

He admitted that knocking off 106.7 Lite FM made the win “a little sweeter”, simply because of that brand’s sheer dominance in the market for so long. “I don’t know if that’ll ever be repeated,” Mevorach said of the 41 consecutive ratings wins for the station. “I have nothing but respect (for them).”

January was a busy month in New York. Harsh winter weather affected the city throughout the month. Furthermore, Zohran Mamdani — the polarizing political figure elected to the city’s top office — was sworn in as Mayor.

While those were major stories, Mevorach believes that the station was uniquely positioned to handle those news events and capitalize on them.

“In New York, it’s certainly more common than anywhere else in the country that stories just sort of bubble up to become either national stories or are bigger than life,” he shared. “So there’s no question that the election of the mayor, the snowstorm, those are all contributing factors. But I will always say that if you don’t execute on those stories that are there — it’s not enough just to have the story. You have got to have the team in place that understands, and executes, and is relatable and all those things. “I spend a lot of time, in particular with my anchors and my reporters to try to get them to understand that we are storytellers, journalism with a capital J, but they have to be relatable.”

He pointed to a recent report from reporter Sophia Hall, where she asked a Long Island resident when they thought the snow would melt. That citizen said “June,” to which she exasperatively responded “June?!” That lighthearted moment, Mevorach asserted, mimicked the response and feeling from 1010 WINS listeners.

“Something like that little moment there — who can’t relate to that? That’s what I’ve been trying to teach them to do on a regular basis,” he shared.

Another factor into the ratings victory for 1010 WINS was the simulcast on 92.3 FM. More than three years since taking over the signal, it’s been an undeniable success for both Audacy and the all-news brand. Ben Mevorach believes that Audacy Chief Business Officer and New York Market President Chris Oliviero deserves strong praise for his belief in the move.

“Chris said, ‘Look, if we’re going to even the playing field in this market, we’ve got to move WINS to FM.’ That, in and of itself, was an incredibly bold move,” said Mevorach. “There’s this whole Greek thing that people hate me when I say, but the fish rots from the head. Chris, as the head of the fish, really sets the tone for everyone.”

Mevorach shared that the members of the 1010 WINS staff feel seen and heard by station and market leadership. That culture, he believes, has propelled it to the top spot in the New York ratings.

“People put in so much time and effort to get it right, and to have the head guy say, ‘Listen, I see you. I see what you’re doing, and we appreciate it, and I support you’? That magical,” Mevorach said. “Then you take that, and you have a vision, and you try to create a culture that supports the vision. Sometimes everything sounds so simple. But if it were that simple, everybody would get to the top. So it’s not as simple as this kind of thing, but that’s sort of the secret sauce.”

Mevorach himself played no small part in the surge to the top spot. He was recently voted as the number one major market news/talk radio Program Director in Barrett Media’s 2025 Top 20 series. An ever humble figure, Ben Mevorach admitted that it was an honor to be recognized by his peers and those within the industry.

“I deeply appreciate it,” he said of the honor. “To me, it’s the respect that I treasure. I hope that people know that I treat them the way that I’d like to be treated myself … I’m just grateful. I’m just completely grateful for that.”

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.

Randy Micahels Was Right — But Music Radio Paid the Price

Jim Ryan
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Randy Micahels Was Right — But Music Radio Paid the Price

Last week, I spoke to college radio students at the Intercollegiate Broadcast System conference. It caused me to think about the lack of opportunities for these students when they graduate versus 20 years ago. There are three primary reasons for that. The first is voice tracking, and the person I credit with that is Randy Michaels.

If you’ve come into the media business in the past 15 years, you may not know about Randy Michaels. He ran a company called Jacor through radio’s ’90s consolidation. That company became part of Clear Channel (now iHeartMedia). As CEO (along with the Mays family), he created the largest radio company in America before leaving in 2002. He has held various roles in media since. However, his role in creating what is now iHeartMedia was his epic achievement.

I remember the first time I saw Randy Michaels speak. He spoke about talent. The higher the ratings and revenue, the more the talent was allowed to get away with. The morning man with big ratings could break things in the studio, while the overnight talent better not spill Coke into the board or they’re out.

When I later worked for Randy, I found him always generous with compliments. I always felt that he understood what every programmer thought. The light went off in my head when he claimed the most important person in the building was not me, the programmer, but the chief engineer. How could anyone hear a station that wasn’t on the air? I believe I always gave engineering much more respect from that day on.

What I hated about Randy was the introduction of voice tracking. He compared radio to the railroad industry. We needed to operate with fewer people. I was horrified. I wanted live and local talent every minute of the day. Screw voice tracking and syndication. At the time, I was programming WLTW in New York, which would bill over $70 million in a year with 11 minutes of commercials an hour. I thought the money train would never end.

But alas, music radio is a hollow shell of what it once was. And the music radio “dee jay” is becoming an endangered species. But voice tracking is not the only reason.

Let’s reflect on how many fewer music radio stations exist today than 20 years ago. When WFAN became the first sports station in America in 1987, it was a great solution for AM radio, which did nothing for the sound of music. It took years for sports radio to migrate to the FM band. When it did, it came at the expense of music radio. The Score in Chicago is the latest major market station to fill the airwaves at 104.3, kicking classic hip hop jams to the curb.

It wasn’t until 2006 that the music died on a major market FM station for a news simulcast. The station that went away was classical. WTOP began one of the most successful runs in modern radio on the FM dial. KCBS in San Francisco soon followed. New York and LA were late to the party, but they’re there now. In fact, 1010 WINS on 92.3 FM in New York was the #1 station in the #1 market in January. It knocked my alma mater, WLTW, down to #2.

But that’s not all the losses FM music radio has suffered. EMF has put its formats on a great number of FM frequencies around the country. The radio world was shocked when WPLJ was added to its roster. Now, even Milwaukee has joined the parade. Air1 and K-LOVE are music formats. Christian music is increasing in sales as it gets more exposure. But the EMF formats are national, without an air talent in a local studio answering the request line and giving away tickets to some concert.

When Bob Pittman launched MTV with the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star,” it hardly affected music radio. But 25 years after that video first played, serious attrition started and continues today.

Maybe you weren’t replaced by voice tracking, a format change to talk, or a station sale to EMF. But I’m sure you know someone who was. Someone who has now gone in a different career path.

Randy Michaels compared radio to railroads. Trains are still running, and radio stations are still playing the hits of yesterday and today. But there’s a lot less of both. I can’t speak to careers in the railroad industry, but great radio jobs are few and far between. However, there is a seat for someone who can really entertain an audience.

Randy was right. He was also right about the chief engineer and the star talent who was bringing in the revenue and ratings. While the number of music radio air talents fully employed today is likely half of what it once was, those who make a difference are still in that chair.

If you’re on the air at a music-driven radio station, you have a duty to give your audience the best you can, no matter how many or how few stations you’re on. You need to leave an everlasting impression on your listeners. Touch an emotion. Radio provides companionship to those thirsting for it. Don’t take your position for granted. When that mic is on, you need to be someone’s best friend. It’s up to you to keep the music radio train running.

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.

SuperTalk 99.7 WTN, 570 KVI’s ‘Steak of the Union’ Promotion Highlights One of News/Talk’s Best Abilities

Garrett Searight
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SuperTalk 99.7 WTN, 570 KVI’s ‘Steak of the Union’ Promotion Highlights One of News/Talk’s Best Abilities

SuperTalk 99.7 WTN and 570 KVI didn’t just cover the State of the Union on Tuesday night. They turned it into dinner.

While television networks rolled out their panels and cable news did what cable news does, those two news/talk brands leaned into something radio has always done better than anyone else — they owned the moment locally.

The “Steak of the Union” promotion is more than just clever wordplay. It was a reminder of what makes this format special.

One of news/talk radio’s best abilities is to own large moments. The immediacy of the medium allows stations to grab hold of breaking news and run with it in real time. No waiting for a polished package. No delay for a satellite window. Just a host, a microphone, and a direct line to the audience. That’s always been powerful in the political lane, where timing and tone matter most.

But here’s what made the Steak of the Union events stand out: they took that ownership off the air and into the community.

Listeners didn’t just tune in for pre- and post-speech analysis. They showed up, bought a ticket, and sat at tables with other like-minded fans and watched the speech together. That matters more than a Nielsen number ever will.

Those who attended are the tried-and-true, dyed-in-the-wool fans of the brands. They already have a personal connection with the hosts and other station personnel. These are the people who call in, who show up at charity drives, who defend the station in the grocery store checkout line.

Taking that relationship one step further by spending an evening together does wonders.

It’s easy to underestimate how much loyalty is strengthened by face-to-face interaction. Radio has always been intimate. It’s one voice talking to one person. Yet there’s something transformative about turning that invisible bond into a handshake, a laugh, or a shared reaction when a line in the speech lands.

Moments like that stick.

For stations like SuperTalk 99.7 WTN in Nashville and 570 KVI in Seattle, the payoff isn’t just in ticket sales or sponsor signage. It’s in reinforcing that they’re more than frequencies. They’re gathering places. They’re hubs for political conversation in their cities. That identity becomes even clearer when listeners can physically gather under the station’s banner.

News/talk thrives when it feels essential. Big national moments like the State of the Union provide that opportunity every year. Plenty of outlets will carry the speech. Many will analyze it. Only a few will turn it into a shared local experience.

That’s the difference between covering an event and owning it.

Ownership doesn’t require a massive budget. It requires imagination and a willingness to engage. A steak dinner, a room full of loyalists, and a couple of familiar hosts can create more brand equity than another segment squeezed between network breaks. Local radio still has the ability to convene its audience in ways digital platforms can’t replicate.

And let’s be honest — the people who showed up on Tuesday night didn’t need convincing to care. They were already invested. The stations simply rewarded that loyalty with access and atmosphere. That’s smart programming and even smarter marketing.

Kudos to SuperTalk 99.7 WTN, 570 KVI, and any other news/talk outlet that hosted a State of the Union event this week. I doubt any of them would tell you it wasn’t worth it. When you can strengthen bonds, showcase your local muscle, and capitalize on a major political moment all at once, that’s a win for everyone involved — especially the listeners who chose to pull up a chair.

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 Dungy Reportedly Out As ‘Football Night In America’ Regular On NBC Sports

BSM Staff
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Tony Dungy Reportedly Out As ‘Football Night In America’ Regular On NBC Sports

Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy is not expected to return as a regular contributor on NBC’s Football Night in America. According to a report by The Athletic, the network plans to make significant changes to its long-running Sunday pregame franchise ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

Dungy has been a fixture on the program for 17 seasons, serving as one of the show’s most recognizable analysts. According to the report, network executives are evaluating the show’s structure, on-air chemistry and overall footprint which could signal a potential reset for a broadcast that has largely maintained continuity in recent years.

Football Night in America remains the highest-rated NFL pregame show. The program benefits from powerful audience flow that few competitors can replicate. Even so, network leadership appears intent on evolving the presentation rather than relying solely on structural advantages.

Sources indicate to The Athletic that NBC has discussed taking the show fully on the road more frequently next season, while also reducing the size of its studio roster.

Several analyst contracts concluded following the Super Bowl on NBC Sports, giving the network flexibility as it reimagines the lineup. NBC declined to comment on the reporting by The Athletic.

Dungy, 70, joined NBC after a distinguished NFL career that included three seasons as a defensive back and a Super Bowl title with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He later guided the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to sustained contention before leading the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl victory in 2007.

His steady demeanor and coaching insight became a defining part of NBC’s pregame identity, making any transition a notable shift for the network’s NFL coverage. As NBC evaluates its next steps, the decisions surrounding Dungy could signal a broader strategy aimed at refreshing one of television’s most prominent studio brands while preserving the credibility that has long defined 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.

FCC Launches Inquiry Into Sports Broadcasting Rights Moving To Streaming Platforms

BSM Staff
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FCC Launches Inquiry Into Sports Broadcasting Rights Moving To Streaming Platforms

As live sports migrate across an expanding lineup of streaming platforms, the FCC are stepping into a debate that has been simmering among fans, broadcasters and lawmakers who question whether the modern viewing experience has become too expensive and unnecessarily complicated for the average household.

The Federal Communications Commission announced that its seeking public comment on how the shifting marketplace for sports rights and distribution is affecting consumers, particularly as marquee events move away from traditional over-the-air television and onto subscription-based digital services.

In a Public Notice, the bureau pointed to a longstanding tradition in which viewers could turn on a television and easily locate major sporting events without paying additional fees beyond a basic antenna or cable package, contrasting that experience with today’s environment, where fans often juggle multiple subscriptions to follow a single league or even one team across a full season.

The agency asked stakeholders to weigh in on whether the current structure benefits consumers through expanded access and innovation, or instead creates confusion, higher costs and barriers to entry, especially for households that rely on free broadcast signals for news and emergency information.

One example cited in the notice underscores the growing complexity. During the 2025 season, NFL games appeared on 10 different services, and estimates suggested that a consumer attempting to watch every contest could face costs exceeding $1,500 annually.

Moreover, 20 regular-season games and a playoff matchup aired exclusively on streaming platforms, including Amazon’s Prime Video, YouTube, Peacock and Netflix.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr echoed those concerns previously on social media, writing that while many games remain available on broadcast television, an increasing share now resides on a patchwork of online platforms that require separate subscriptions and navigation tools, a development he suggested has complicated what was once a straightforward experience for viewers.

The FCC also signaled a strong interest in how these distribution trends affect local broadcasters, particularly as the commission continues its broader efforts to bolster local news production and public interest programming. Regulators want feedback on whether sports fragmentation undermines the financial stability of local stations that depend on high-profile games to drive advertising revenue and audience engagement.

The proceeding set a March 27, 2026 deadline for initial comments, with reply comments due April 13. Notably, the Public Notice stops short of proposing specific regulatory changes, instead framing the inquiry as an information-gathering effort designed to assess whether evolving market dynamics threaten consumer access to free over-the-air content and vital public safety information.

The conversation also extends to Capitol Hill, where Republican leaders on the House Judiciary Committee last year questioned whether major sports leagues should continue to receive antitrust exemptions that allow them to coordinate national television rights deals.

For now, the FCC appears focused on listening, but its questions make clear that the economics and accessibility of live sports have moved squarely onto the regulatory radar.

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.

The Daily Wire Adds Ben Domenech as Opinion Editor

BNM Staff
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The Daily Wire Adds Ben Domenech as Opinion Editor

The Daily Wire is beefing up its opinion team with the addition of Ben Domenech as its new editor of the division.

On Wednesday morning, Domenech shared the news that he had joined the outlet co-founded by Ben Shapiro and Jeremy Boreing.

“I’m proud to join The Daily Wire to create the best opinion page in America,” Domenech wrote in a post on social media.

“Say no to tired ghostwritten opeds, yes to writing that is fearless and bracing,” he continued. “Conservatives deserve to debate in an arena not run by the left. We will build it. Join our team. The future is fight.”

He also shared his first opinion column for The Daily Wire, showcasing his belief that President Donald Trump’s ability as “The Greatest Showman” was on display during the State of the Union address.

Previously, Ben Domenech served as the editor of The Spectator World. He helped co-found The Federalist and RedState. He joined Fox News as a contributor in 2021 and hosts a weekly podcast for the network.

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.

Richie Carni Named New Program Director Of Sactown Sports 1140

BSM Staff
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Richie Carni Named New Program Director Of Sactown Sports 1140

Bonneville International has elevated a familiar voice from within its sports radio ranks, announcing that Richie Carni will take over as Program Director of Sactown Sports 1140 AM in Sacramento. A move that underscores both internal development and long-term confidence in his leadership trajectory across multiple platforms.

Carni, who will officially assume the role March 30, 2026, steps into the position after nearly nine years with Denver Sports 104.3, where he steadily climbed the ladder from board operator to producer, executive producer and ultimately assistant program director. Building a resume that blends traditional radio fundamentals with a firm grasp of digital expansion and audience engagement strategies.

Sacramento SVP and Market Manager Jim Richmond made it clear the company views Carni’s track record in Denver as more than incremental growth, praising his leadership instincts and ability to guide talent development while also driving new media initiatives that strengthen station identity beyond terrestrial signals.

“Sactown Sports is gaining a leader who has demonstrated vision and execution,” Richmond said in the announcement, expressing confidence that Carni’s experience will translate into measurable growth within a Northern California sports market that demands both credibility and creativity.

For Carni, the opportunity represents both professional progression and geographic transition into a market where sports radio plays a central role in daily conversation, particularly as teams and fan bases seek year-round coverage that reflects local perspective while remaining digitally accessible.

“I’m excited and honored to join the team in Sacramento,” Carni said. ““Sactown Sports is such an
important part of the sports landscape in Northern California. I look forward to helping the team,
continue to grow our digital presence and bring amazing content to sports fans in Sacramento.”

Sactown Sports 1140 AM has built its reputation on strong local voices and consistent market presence, and Carni’s background suggests he will prioritize talent coaching and cross-platform amplification rather than sweeping structural overhauls during the early phase of his tenure.

Carni steps in for Jose Gonzalez who served as the station’s program director since February of 2024.

Sactown Sports recently announced a lineup shift as Allen Stiles was elevated afternoon drive along Kevin “Whitey” Gleason. The station also announced the hires of Kayla Anderson and Matt George to co-host middays.

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.

Netflix Reportedly To Utilize Nielsen Ratings System for MLB Viewership Data

BSM Staff
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Netflix Reportedly To Utilize Nielsen Ratings System for MLB Viewership Data

As Netflix prepares to stream Major League Baseball games for the first time, the company will reportedly rely on Nielsen to measure viewership for its slate of marquee matchups, according to the Sports Business Journal.

The reported decision means the industry’s longstanding currency for audience measurement will track performance for high-profile events such as Opening Day’s Yankees-Giants matchup, the Home Run Derby and the Field of Dreams Game.

By embracing third-party measurement from the outset, Netflix signals that it understands the scrutiny attached to live sports rights deals and the expectations that accompany premium inventory.

The streaming giant begins a three-year agreement with Major League Baseball this season. While the package is limited in scope compared to MLB’s traditional broadcast partnerships, the games included carry significant brand equity, particularly Opening Day and the Home Run Derby, both of which typically draw strong advertiser interest and multi-platform conversation.

Up to this point, Netflix has turned to Nielsen only for its Christmas Day NFL games. The company has not utilizing the measurement for other live sports and event programming — including boxing cards, tennis exhibitions and Alex Honnold’s Skyscraper Live special.

Instead, Netflix has historically released select internal audience data, a practice that often prompts questions from advertising agencies and buyers who prefer independent verification.

By contrast, adopting Nielsen for MLB provides advertisers with familiar guardrails in the first year of a new sports rights venture. Media buyers routinely transact on Nielsen data, and its inclusion should streamline negotiations while reducing friction around reported audience delivery.

That clarity matters, especially as marketers continue shifting budgets from linear television to streaming platforms and demand consistent metrics across distribution channels.

For now, Netflix’s decision aligns its MLB coverage with the standards advertisers have long used to evaluate sports performance. As streaming platforms continue to compete aggressively for live rights, transparent and accredited measurement increasingly serves as a differentiator rather than an afterthought.

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.

NBC Nightly News Sees Most-Watched February Since 2021

BNM Staff
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NBC Nightly News Sees Most-Watched February Since 2021

As the February ratings period comes to a close, NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas is celebrating a five-year high.

During the month, the network averaged 7.4 million viewers. That marks its most-watched February since 2021. It was also the closest the network finished to ABC News in the timeslot in the Adults 25-54 demographic in the past seven years.

World News Tonight finished February with an average of 8.9 million viewers. It earned an average of 1,143,000 viewers from the key demographic in February, just topping NBC Nightly News, which averaged 1,140,000 viewers. That figure represented a three-year high for the NBC newscast.

The performance of NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas during February comes as the network broadcast the 2026 Winter Olympics from Italy. Llamas was on location from Milan throughout the event. Despite the on-location broadcast, ABC News’ nightly broadcast won its 10th consecutive Olympic week during the week of February 16th.

The retooled CBS Evening News averaged 4.4 million viewers during February. The Tony Dokoupil-led newscast saw an average audience of 539,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic in the month.

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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