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Former Tucker Carlson Viewers Have Dispersed Throughout Cable News

BNM Staff
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The sudden dismissal of Tucker Carlson from Fox News on Apr. 24 has been among (if not, the) year’s biggest developments in news personality circles. The decision by Rupert Murdoch and co. to “part ways” with Carlson came on the heels of the mega-million dollar settlement with Dominion Voting Systems and with upcoming lawsuits with another voting machine company as well as a workplace suit with a former Tucker Carlson Tonight producer alleging antisemitism and misogyny.

The arrival of Carlson onto FNC came at a time when another top draw at the network was saddled with multiple legal issues of his own: Bill O’Reilly, host of his then-popular The O’Reilly Factor. O’Reilly got the boot in 2017, following allegations of sexual misconduct. Tucker Carlson Tonight took over the 8 p.m. hour and, like its O’Reilly Factor time slot predecessor, immediately ascended as the top cable news program in prime time.

Even as most of cable news’ viewership fell off during this Biden presidency, the controversial Carlson still remained potent in the ratings and was most vital to FNC’s success every weeknight. From Apr. 10-14 and 17-21, 2023 — what would turn out to be its final two weeks on the air, Tucker Carlson Tonight at 8 p.m. averaged 3.183 million total viewers including 396,000 within the key 25-54 demographic, according to Nielsen Media Research’s live plus same day data. These figures and similar levels regularly placed at or near the top of the weekly cable viewership rankings. Most prime-time fare on broadcast TV these days, especially at its parent Fox broadcast network, cannot even top figures like these.

The ratings for FNC’s prime-time lineup were the envy of most other networks as well. For the aforementioned Apr. 10-14 and 17-21, 2023, the trio of Carlson, Hannity, and The Ingraham Angle averaged 2.53 million viewers and 295,000 adults 25-54.

On Apr. 24, the 8 p.m. filler replacement Fox News Tonight debuted, hosted by different anchors each night. FOX & Friends morning co-host Brian Kilmeade had hosted its first two nights. In the month since its launch, it drew 1.497 million viewers and 147,000 adults 25-54, thru May 26 — a decent number for cable but far below what Carlson had delivered in his final two weeks; a 53 percent decline in total viewers and down a steeper 63 percent in the key demo.

As a result, its lead-out Hannity and the subsequent The Ingraham Angle also took significant downturns:

Hannity (FNC)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023: 2.466 million viewers; 266,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 26, 2023: 1.832 million viewers; 164,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: -0.634 million viewers (-26%); -102,000 adults 25-54 (-38%)

The Ingraham Angle (FNC)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023: 1.927 million viewers; 223,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 26, 2023: 1.518 million viewers; 159,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: -0.409 million viewers (-21%); -65,000 adults 25-54 (-29%)

So, where did those “lost” viewers go? Certainly, not the left-leaning MSNBC, which was relatively steady throughout:

All In with Chris Hayes (MSNBC)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023: 1.395 million viewers; 165,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 26, 2023: 1.318 million viewers; 146,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: -0.077 million viewers (-5%); -19,000 adults 25-54 (-11%)

The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC)

 • Mondays April 10 & 17, 2023: 2.462 million viewers; 256,000 adults 25-54

 • Mondays Apr. 24-May 22, 2023: 2.396 million viewers; 266,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: -0.066 million viewers (-3%); 10,000 adults 25-54 (4%)

Alex Wagner Tonight (MSNBC)

 • Weeknights April 11-21, 2023: 1.451 million viewers; 175,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 25-May 26, 2023: 1.338 million viewers; 139,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: -0.113 million viewers (-8%); -36,000 adults 25-54 (-21%)

Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell (MSNBC)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023: 1.436 million viewers; 152,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 26, 2023: 1.448 million viewers; 139,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: 0.012 million viewers (+1%); -13,000 adults 25-54 (-8%)

CNN, which has experienced recent behind-the-scenes drama of their own with the departures of anchor Don Lemon and CEO Chris Licht, remained about even as well despite the one-night ratings jolt provided by the May 10th controversial Donald Trump town hall 

Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023: 0.669 million viewers; 145,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 26, 2023 (excluding the post-Trump town hall on May 10): 0.567 million viewers; 121,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 26, 2023 (including the post-Trump town hall on May 10): 0.643 million viewers; 137,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference (excluding May 10): -0.103 million viewers (-15%); -24,000 adults 25-54 (-17%)

 • Difference (including May 10): -0.026 million viewers (-4%); -7,000 adults 25-54 (-5%)

CNN Primetime (CNN, 9 p.m.)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023: 0.552 million viewers; 128,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 26, 2023: 0.545 million viewers; 128,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: -0.008 million viewers (-1%); 0,000 adults 25-54 (0%)

CNN Tonight (CNN, 10 p.m.)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023: 0.395 million viewers; 95,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 26, 2023: 0.386 million viewers; 93,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: -0.008 million viewers (-2%); -3,000 adults 25-54 (-3%)

The nascent NewsNation also did not see an uplift; not even at “Cuomo” which features frequent guest commentator Bill O’Reilly.

Cuomo (NWSN)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023: 0.145 million viewers; 23,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 26, 2023: 0.136 million viewers; 23,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: -0.009 million viewers (-6%); -1,000 adults 25-54 (-3%)

Dan Abrams Live (NWSN)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023: 0.090 million viewers; 16,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 26, 2023: 0.097 million viewers; 18,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: 0.007 million viewers (+8%); 3,000 adults 25-54 (+17%)

Banfield (NWSN)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023: 0.099 million viewers; 21,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 26, 2023: 0.090 million viewers; 18,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: -0.008 million viewers (-8%); -3,000 adults 25-54 (-14%)

But of course, the news outlet to most benefit from the absence of Carlson is the conservative outlet Newsmax. It debuted its 9 p.m. show Chris Plante Right Squad on May 8th, replacing the network’s Prime News hour.

Eric Bolling The Balance (NMX)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023: 0.148 million viewers; 19,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 26, 2023: 0.475 million viewers; 49,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: 0.327 million viewers (+220%); 30,000 adults 25-54 (+157%)

Prime News (NMX)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023: 0.107 million viewers; 14,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 5, 2023: 0.322 million viewers; 37,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: 0.215 million viewers (+200%); 23,000 adults 25-54 (+169%)

Chris Plante Right Squad (NMX)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023 (as “Prime News”): 0.107 million viewers; 14,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights May 8-26, 2023: 0.306 million viewers; 33,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: 0.199 million viewers (+185%); 20,000 adults 25-54 (+143%)

Greg Kelly Reports (NMX)

 • Weeknights April 10-21, 2023: 0.155 million viewers; 16,000 adults 25-54

 • Weeknights Apr. 24-May 26, 2023: 0.336 million viewers; 42,000 adults 25-54

 • Difference: 0.180 million viewers (+116%); 26,000 adults 25-54 (+160%)

As noted, Newsmax’s prime time more than doubled its viewership; its 8 p.m. Eric Bolling The Balance more than tripled. But as significant the percentage changes were at FNC and Newsmax, their raw numbers detail that not every FNC watcher moved on to Newsmax.

Since Apr. 24, FNC weeknights averaged 1.56 million viewers and 156,000 in 25-54 — that’s -970,000 viewers and -139,000 adults 25-54 from mid-April; Newsmax prime time, since Apr. 24: 374,000 viewers and 42,000 adults 25-54 — that’s +237,000 viewers and +26,000 adults 25-54 from mid-April.

With the other news outlets relatively even, 743,000 total viewers (113,000 of them aged 25-54) from FNC did not change the channel to Newsmax nor did they venture to other cable news channels.

Will these “lost” viewers return to FNC?

Last month (in May), the Drudge Report reported that Fox News might soon slate Hannity, Jesse Watters Primetime, and Gutfeld! as their new primetime lineup. No official word if that lineup is confirmed.

FNC — an already highly-viewed news network that boasts such other popular shows like The Five, Hannity, and Gutfeld! — believed it’s potent enough that it can withstand Carlson’s departure, just as it had with Bill O’Reilly’s six years earlier. Its proposed nightly lineup or something similar will probably resonate with most regular FNC viewers, especially in the lead-up to the 2024 elections that will feature Donald Trump once again.

But several factors may damper lofty long-term expectations at night.

Tucker Carlson Tonight had already been established (albeit briefly) when it debuted in 2016 in the 9 p.m. slot airing out of O’Reilly Factor. So when O’Reilly left, the move of Carlson up to 8 p.m. was a seamless transition. 

The era in which this transition took place was the first year of the chaotic Trump presidency, which had accelerated the churn of news cycles, driving up interest in all news media at the time.

In addition, audiences for cable TV overall are currently declining at a rapid rate. MoffetNathanson research indicated that there were 31 million fewer households subscribed to cable or satellite in the U.S. in the third quarter of last year (July-Sep. 2022: 62.2 million), compared to the same period in 2017 (July-Sep. 2017: 93.2 million). Considering the recent pace of decline, it’s estimated that the subscriber base is 56-60 million, as of June 2023.

Fox News has thus far withstood the cord-cutting phenomenon by consumers, ranking as cable’s most-watched network. It probably will stay so in the near future. But with a dwindling and aging cable viewer base, the outlook for FNC’s potency (as well as for all of cable news) in the distant future is murky, at best.

Top 10 most-watched cable news programs (and the top programs of other outlets with their respective associated ranks) in total viewers:

1. The Five (FOXNC, Mon. 5/22/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.636 million viewers

2. The Five (FOXNC, Thu. 5/25/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.464 million viewers

3. The Five (FOXNC, Tue. 5/23/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.444 million viewers

4. Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC, Mon. 5/22/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.331 million viewers

5. The Five (FOXNC, Fri. 5/26/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.187 million viewers

6. Jesse Watters Primetime (FOXNC, Mon. 5/22/2023 7:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.027 million viewers

7. Fox News Tonight (FOXNC, Wed. 5/24/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 1.955 million viewers

8. Jesse Watters Primetime (FOXNC, Tue. 5/23/2023 7:00 PM, 60 min.) 1.929 million viewers

9. Hannity (FOXNC, Wed. 5/24/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 1.896 million viewers

10. Jesse Watters Primetime (FOXNC, Wed. 5/24/2023 7:00 PM, 60 min.) 1.870 million viewers

188. Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN, Thu. 5/25/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.650 million viewers

249. Rob Schmitt Tonight (NMX, Mon. 5/22/2023 7:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.520 million viewers

395. Forensic Files (HLN, late Thu. 5/25/2023 12:30 AM, 30 min.) 0.327 million viewers

406. Varney & Company (FBN, Wed. 5/24/2023 10:00 AM, 60 min.) 0.306 million viewers

496. Fast Money Halftime Report (CNBC, Thu. 5/25/2023 12:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.234 million viewers

639. Cuomo (NWSN, Thu. 5/25/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.175 million viewers

656. Heavy Rescue: 401 “(101) War Zone” (TWC, Sun. 5/28/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.169 million viewers

742. FBI Files (COURT TV, Sun. 5/28/2023 3:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.135 million viewers

Top 10 cable news programs (and the top  programs of other outlets with their respective associated ranks) among adults 25-54:

1. The Five (FOXNC, Mon. 5/22/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.262 million adults 25-54

2. Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC, Mon. 5/22/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.259 million adults 25-54

3. The Five (FOXNC, Tue. 5/23/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.253 million adults 25-54

4. Gutfeld! (FOXNC, Wed. 5/24/2023 11:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.245 million adults 25-54

5. Gutfeld! (FOXNC, Mon. 5/22/2023 11:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.245 million adults 25-54

6. Gutfeld! (FOXNC, Tue. 5/23/2023 11:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.242 million adults 25-54

7. The Ingraham Angle (FOXNC, Wed. 5/24/2023 10:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.241 million adults 25-54

8. The Five (FOXNC, Thu. 5/25/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.231 million adults 25-54

9. Hannity (FOXNC, Tue. 5/23/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.215 million adults 25-54

10. Hannity (FOXNC, Wed. 5/24/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.211 million adults 25-54

72. CNN News Central (CNN, Wed. 5/24/2023 3:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.141 million adults 25-54

140. Forensic Files (HLN, Thu. 5/25/2023 11:30 PM, 30 min.) 0.112 million adults 25-54

323. Eric Bolling The Balance (NMX, Mon. 5/22/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.071 million adults 25-54

419. Deep Water Salvage “(207) Tale Of Two Wrecks” (TWC, Fri. 5/26/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.055 million adults 25-54

457. Fast Money (CNBC, Thu. 5/25/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.049 million adults 25-54

488. FBI Files (COURT TV, Sun. 5/28/2023 4:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.045 million adults 25-54

569. Newsnation Prime (NWSN, Sun. 5/28/2023 7:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.037 million adults 25-54

627. Legends & Lies (FBN, Sat. 5/27/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.032 million adults 25-54

Source: Live+Same Day data, Nielsen Media Research

Greg Martin Constantly Has One Eye Toward the Future For KTSA

BNM Staff
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Greg Martin Constantly Has One Eye Toward the Future For KTSA

Growing up in San Antonio, Greg Martin discovered his passion for radio at a young age. Interning at KTSA, a nearby station, little did he know that he would eventually find his way back to the place where his love for radio first ignited. Starting in the Top 40 format, Martin was drawn to news/talk radio. One program that caught his attention was Rush Limbaugh’s show, which seamlessly blended intriguing observations with entertaining content.

In San Antonio, the radio industry thrives with a remarkable array of professional broadcasters, committed advertisers, and a political environment that empowers KTSA to maintain its consistent position as the highest-earning station.

Martin’s incredible journey has led him to a successful Hall of Fame career, built on his unwavering trust in his talented hosts. They deliver compelling content that effortlessly combines entertainment with the latest current events, providing an engaging radio experience for their audience.

Recently, Martin sat down with Barrett News Media to discuss various topics. He shared his thoughts on the news/talk format after Rush Limbaugh’s passing and his coaching and support methods for radio personalities. Martin also shared ideas about being inducted into the San Antonio Radio Hall of Fame. Furthermore, he highlighted an ongoing crisis in the radio industry that still needs to be addressed.

Ryan Hedrick: As the program director of KTSA in San Antonio, how would you describe the current state of the city’s news/talk radio scene locally?

Greg Martin: Our model has never been built on ratings. We’re a local, direct conservative news/talk station in San Antonio. We only get a few national dollars. WOAI has been dominant for years. Rush [Limbaugh] ‘s unfortunate passing leveled the playing field in the market. We took the Markley, Van Camp, and Robbins Show, which we generate from San Antonio. 

Our local talent has been here longer than I have. Our morning guy grew up here at the radio station, and his dad was on the air for 50 years. These are respected and trusted voices in this market. We have more local hours than anybody across the street, so we are fortunate to have that in our favor.

We are the top billing station in the market, either one of two most months; KTSA is a money-making machine. We have a good thing here. This live and local model is built on our talent and their relationship with the audience and our great clients. We move product, and that’s how we know the station works.

RH: How did the news/talk format change after Rush Limbaugh’s passing?

GM: When he passed, we immediately saw this man’s impact on the format he invented. He was the original. Many people have come after him and tried to model themselves like Rush and carve their paths. We’ve had an opportunity to see who rises to the top when that seat is vacant.

We have Dan Bongino, who has stepped in, Dana Loesch is a great talent, and Clay Travis and Buck Sexton have done well. But I am a big fan of Markley, Van Camp, and Robbins because the news is so heavy, and you need to be able to laugh. They’re good at doing that. They are talking about the world of the day, but they find the absurdity of most of it and make people laugh.

RH: Could you share your philosophy on coaching talent and developing successful radio personalities at KTSA?

GM: I’ve been fortunate. The guys doing talk radio at this station have been doing it longer than I’ve been at the format. I’m a Top 40 guy, I came from the Top 40 days, and that’s a majority of my career, and then I moved into operations. These guys are pros. As far as coaching them, my philosophy in working with a great consultant like David Hall is not to beat these guys up.

My guys are expressive types, and you never want to squash that. For every one thing I like a correction on, there are three or four more things that I want more of. It’s a craft, a talent many people don’t have. I’ve got a great relationship with these guys; we’ve been working together for twenty-plus years. There are a lot of hallway huddles, and some of my guys are still working remotely. I’m here as a resource and their coach.

RH: Congratulations on being selected to the San Antonio Radio Hall of Fame in 2022! How did it feel to receive this honor, and what does it mean to you personally and professionally?

GM: When they first brought the award to me, my first reaction was, ‘I’m only 50,’ maybe they’re running out of people to nominate. Honestly, I’m genuinely humbled by it. I started at KTSA in 7th grade and went to Krueger Middle School, right down the street. The program director then let me in to answer phones and do whatever I could to learn something. All these people that I am inducted with, I grew up admiring. They were in their prime when my career was just getting started. All these guys in San Antonio have had great jobs, and it’s nice to be counted among them.

RH: What do you think the future holds for AM radio in an era dominated by digital media and streaming platforms? How does KTSA adapt to the changing landscape?

GM: I grew up listening to and working on AM radio. I run an AM station now, but in the future will be streaming. I’m not knocking AM, but it’s an old technology. We need streaming that works well. I have yet to find one streaming station that executes flawlessly, and I think we have an issue there. The other crisis that nobody discusses in the industry is the engineering crisis. There aren’t engineers out there to work on these AM stations anymore. They are few and far between.

We must clean up the technology and streaming platforms and make the listener experience seamless, just like it is over the air because that’s where the future will be.

RH: Could you elaborate further on your perspectives regarding the engineering dilemma surrounding AM Radio?

GM: Those guys who work on that technology are not coming up. The interest is not there, and it’s sad to say. Society does that as technology evolves. I talked to my kids, my daughter is 21, and my son is 19, and my son said the other day that the only time I hear your station is when the brief time my car is connected to Apple Car Play.

My daughter, we took a trip to South Padre Island, and I was listening to KTSA, and she said, ‘Your station still has a connection down here?’ It was funny that she thought of it as a connection, not a transmission. There’s a lack of interest from the younger folks.

RH: How do you see the role of talk radio evolving in the digital age? What steps has KTSA taken to stay relevant and engage with a younger audience?

GM: It’s something you do over time; I don’t think you put your product on an FM and believe they will listen. You must have good content. The world is so heavy in politics, and cutting through the noise is complex. We are a South Texas conservative news/talk station, and we stay true to that, and people find us. You put a guy like Sean Rima on, who is like everybody’s cool uncle, and people want to hang out with him. I think it’s about content and what you put out there, and you can’t always be so freaking heavy. It would be best to find some balance, or you will burn yourself out and drive all your listeners away.

RH: Which news or talk radio personalities do you particularly enjoy listening to, and what makes them stand out or unique?

GM: KTSA afternoon host Jack Riccardi has an incredible ability to tell a story, unpack a story, explain it, and then give his unique perspective. He doesn’t have to take one phone call; you’re just sucked in. He can shift from talking about Biden and Trump indictments, and suddenly, he’s talking about his favorite restaurant that he had lunch at today because he’s doing an endorsement, and you didn’t even notice. All our guys here are solid, and I like Markley, Van Camp, and Robbins. To have guys from three generations who have the chemistry they have, the fun they have, the show moves, and to me, it’s a must-listen-to every day.

RH: KTSA Radio has a significant impact in San Antonio. Could you elaborate on what makes KTSA an influential voice in the community?

GM: It’s the trust that our hosts have built over the decades. Trey Ware has been in the market for a long time. Elizabeth Ruiz was on the air in our news department for 30-40 years before she signed off. We pair Trey [Ware] with Sean Rima, a completely different off-the-wall, and fun personality. Trey is the quarterback of the show, and Sean is the clown.

Our local involvement in the community is excellent. All these guys have charities that we support. We do an annual event with Jack Riccardi over Christmas called “Wrappin’ with Jack,” where we collect toys and items for a local non-profit agency. We also do a Trey Ware food drive each year.

Pre-pandemic, we hosted town halls and mayoral debates in our Alamo Lounge. We host our annual “Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Radiothon” out of there, raising money for the enormous Thanksgiving dinner in the United States, which happens downtown. We’ve been here forever, and we’ve stayed relevant, and we keep chipping away. We were never in this to win a rating battle, but when the ratings come, we are honored by that.

RH: What key factors do you consider when selecting new talent to join the KTSA team? Are there any specific qualities or skills you are looking for?

GM: I’m not looking for anybody that’s just passing through looking to put KTSA on their resume. If you want to be here, it’s an investment in your future, and you can make a lot of money here, but it will take some time to build up your brand in this market.

You are always looking for someone with a unique point of view. Storytelling is huge. I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to defend your position. We’ve always backed our talent in this building. I’ve never had to say you can’t talk about this or You can’t go this direction. I’m not looking for anyone right now. I like the staff that I’ve got.

RH: As someone deeply involved in the radio industry for many years, what advice would you give aspiring radio professionals looking to make a news/talk radio career?

GM: It’s more than the AM/FM; understand it all, get into it all. Content is king. Surround yourself with people you admire and respect on whatever platform it is. I remember coming to KTSA when I was in sixth grade and watching Ricci Ware doing a talk show and thinking to myself, how cool that was. I surrounded myself with people doing the things I wanted to do. I was knocking on doors and being persistent. I think you must be persistent. 

Travis Rodgers: Jorge Sedano ‘Checks Every Box’ For Wheel of Fortune Host

BSM Staff
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Legendary game show host Pat Sajak announced on Monday that he will be retiring from Wheel of Fortune when the show’s 41st season concludes.

On 710 ESPN in Los Angeles Tuesday, Travis and Sliwa host Travis Rodgers and producer Emily Hybl thought one of their colleagues at the station would be a great fit as Sajak’s replacement.

Hybl mentioned that host Jorge Sedano would love to host Wheel of Fortune. She said she thought Sedano would be successful in the role if given the opportunity.

“I think that Sedano would be great,” she said. “He’s a funny guy, he’s very poised, all the good stuff.”

Rodgers agreed, saying Sedano has the perfect personality for the job and that he wouldn’t be too harsh on contestants if they gave dumb answers on the show.

“He would be terrific,” he said. “He checks every single box you would need with that, and he would be able to do the thing that Sajak does where you know he’d hear the dumb answer, he’d respond to the dumb answer, he would zing the person without being too bad about it and then move on to the next one.”

Death of Stan Savran Brings Back Emotions For Andrew Fillipponi of Returning to Work After Son’s Death

BSM Staff
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Death of Stan Savran Brings Back Emotions For Andrew Fillipponi of Returning to Work After Son’s Death

The Pittsburgh sports world is mourning the loss of legendary host Stan Savran, who passed away Monday at the age of 76.

Tuesday on 93.7 The Fan, host Andrew Fillipponi reflected on a Steel City icon.

Poni said unlike some of the other hosts at the station who shared stories about Savran and their relationships, he didn’t have the chance to get to know Stan all that well. So he did his best to pay respects to Savran by relating to Stan’s attitude toward punching the clock even through sickness and dark times.

Poni said what really resonated with him was hearing people close to Stan talk about how much he wanted to keep working through a lot of the health issues he had. He said he had a similar urge to want to get back to work after the death of his son Geno in December 2020.

“When my son passed away, I was in a real bad place trying to figure out what I wanted to do,” Fillipponi said on The PM Team. “Was it best for me and Amanda to take a lot of time off. I think in hindsight I probably rushed myself back. My wife and I have had a lot of conversations about that over the last few years. I think I came back two weeks after that happened, and that was probably not the best thing for our marriage and our relationship, but I felt like I needed it.”

“I wanted to get back on the air, and I wanted to talk about the things we do on the show every day because I was yearning for that normalcy,” he added. “I wanted the distraction, really. I wanted something that would get my mind off the grief that I had, the depression I was in.”

The last three years have been difficult, but Poni said doing his job has been a huge help. Learning that Savran wanted to get back to work even after multiple heart bypass surgeries, brain surgery and dealing with cancer, Andrew said that attitude really hit close to home.

“Hearing someone with their own personal battles and struggles use work as a way to cope and get on with life and deal with the struggles of life, when I hear people say that about Stan Savran, it’s really struck a cord with me,” he said.

Next Media Rights Deal Could Push College Football Playoff Revenue Over $2 Billion

BSM Staff
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Next Media Rights Deal Could Push College Football Playoff Revenue Over $2 Billion

The College Football Playoff will expand to 12 teams next season, and that expansion is expected to mean a significant revenue increase when the next media rights deal is hashed out.

The current CFP contract with ESPN doesn’t end until 2026. Front Office Sports cited a Knight Commission report that indicated revenue to conferences will jump by more than $1.4 billion.

ESPN’s current deal pays around $470 million each year. It’s believed that figure will be worth close to $2.2 billion when the new contract goes into effect.

The expanded field of teams will bring playoff games to college campuses for the first time. And there could be a need to distribute games across several networks when the time comes.

Dan Bernstein: The Athletic has Become ‘Exactly What it Was Trying to Disrupt’

BSM Staff
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Dan Bernstein: The Athletic has Become ‘Exactly What it Was Trying to Disrupt’

News of The Athletic laying off a small percentage of its workforce made the rounds in sports media on Monday, and 670 The Score host Dan Bernstein was among the latest in sports radio to sound off on the decision to downsize.

Bernstein expressed his disappointment that White Sox reporter James Fegan was among those let go.

Dan added that The Athletic has been following the arc of a tech company, especially since the outlet was sold to The New York Times last year. He felt like it was a case of the outlet suddenly being handed over to the kind of company and publication the site was trying to avoid becoming when it launched.

“And then they realize, ‘Oh, now we are gonna have ads, and we are gonna chase clicks, and we are gonna cut costs, and we are gonna slash the travel budget,’ he said Tuesday on Bernstein & Holmes. “And you become exactly what you were claiming originally to disrupt. You are now part of the Borg.”

Co-host Laurence Holmes felt the characterization of the situation was a bit extreme, saying he enjoyed the journalism the staff at The Athletic produced and continues to churn out even now.

But Bernstein questioned what ultimately drove the publication to decide that they needed to part ways with White Sox coverage.

“What was it in their data?” he asked. “What did The Athletic know when they could say, ‘This is a beat would could lose for our business?'”

Diamond Sports Could Lose 5 More MLB Teams

BSM Staff
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Diamond Sports Could Lose 5 More MLB Teams

As Diamond Sports Group continues to exercise the rights afforded to it by declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy, industry insiders are expecting the company to divest more teams from its regional sports networks. Major League Baseball is prepared to take over the broadcasts as it has already done with the San Diego Padres, and it soon could be broadcasting Texas Rangers games. According to bankruptcy court filings, Diamond Sports Group must pay the Texas Rangers by Thursday of this week or relinquish the team’s media rights. There is no grace period pertaining to the team’s deals.

The latest revelation comes after Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. revealed that Diamond Sports Group threatened to declare bankruptcy in an effort to negotiate with the league for direct-to-consumer streaming rights. Cord cutting is becoming a manner of increasing concern, and the league is willing to take back the media rights and present the games itself in an effort to hold on to those valuable rights.

Aside from the Texas Rangers, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins are all owed money by Diamond Sports Group over the next month – according to a recent report by John Ourand of Sports Business Journal. A bankruptcy court ruling earlier this month stated that Bally Sports’ parent company is responsible for paying the value of the contracts. Diamond Sports Group looked to renegotiate the deals based on current marketplace conditions, a proposal Major League Baseball vehemently opposed. 

Minnesota Twins president and chief executive officer Dave St. Peter expressed optimism that the team’s games would remain on Bally Sports North for much of the season, as the contract does not expire until the end of the year. The Diamondbacks, Guardians and Twins are all due to be paid at the beginning of July, while the Reds are owed money on the 15th of the month.

Jenny Taft: I’m Sad To See Skip Bayless, Shannon Sharpe Era of Undisputed End

BSM Staff
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Tuesday morning was Shannon Sharpe’s final day as co-host of Undisputed with Skip Bayless as both entities move in new directions. The show first launched on FOX Sports 1 in 2016 featuring Bayless, who had moved to the network after working with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s morning debate show, First Take. The two parting ways made for an emotional goodbye on the air Tuesday morning, and it also amplified possibilities about the next evolution of the show – including whether or not it will even look to add a co-host.

Jenny Taft served as the moderator of Undisputed for four years, becoming familiar with the proclivities of Bayless and Sharpe and aiming to position them for sustained success. While she was a regular member of the show, it achieved success in the ratings and continued to rise to national prosperity.

“It was a great experience for me,” Taft told Barrett Sports Media regarding her time on Undisputed. “I’m a little sad to see it come to an end to be honest. I am still very close with Shannon – he and I talked the other day. I think it’s a bummer to see a show that I really always believed in kind of end that way, but I know Shannon is going to be doing something incredible.”

Sharpe is still in the process of determining the next steps of his career, and he has hinted at a big move through various social media posts. Stephen A. Smith has invited Sharpe to appear on First Take as a contributor, and he is likely drawing interest from other corners of the sports media industry. Through his time hosting Undisputed and contributing to other FOX Sports coverage, Sharpe has transformed into one of the most compelling and captivating personalities in the business.

“He’s one of the hardest working people I know,” Taft added. “So whatever’s next for Shannon, I cannot wait to see it. And I do miss the daily grind of a studio show and it was fun.”

Stephen A. Smith to Pat McAfee: ‘I Appreciate You Not Being Dan Le Batard’

BSM Staff
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Stephen A. Smith has spawned a lot of imitators. It is something Dan Le Batard says he hates. He even put the blame on Smith and former First Take partner Skip Bayless. 

Pat McAfee agrees with Le Batard that the slew of knockoffs aren’t good for television, but he is not ready to put the blame for that on Smith.

Smith made time for his future ESPN colleague on Tuesday to discuss the NBA Finals. McAfee joked that Smith was the reason he did not pay close enough attention to the regular season, a reference to the criticism that NBA coverage only focuses on stars and the sport does not matter until the playoffs.

“You’ve done a lot of great things for sports media. You need to know that,” McAfee said. “There’s a couple things, you know, you’re so damn good at what you do that now everybody’s trying to be you. Not everybody, but a lot of people are trying to be you. They’re not. That sucks. Not your fault though.”

Smith agreed with the assessment. 

“I appreciate you not being Dan Le Batard and trying to blame me for that. Thank you very much.”

The comment was in reference to Smith’s appearance on Le Batard’s South Beach Sessions podcast earlier this year. During that episode, Le Batard told Smith “I hate what you two have done to sports television” in reference to the ESPN star and Skip Bayless.

McAfee said that it would be easy to blame Smith and Bayless, but not accurate.

“We have to deal with it, but not your fault.”

Pat McAfee’s popular digital show will join the ESPN lineup this fall. That will certainly help break up the number of debate shows on in the middle of the day on sports television and provide a unique program in the cluttered landscape.

Michael Smerconish: Lack of News Cameras in Trump Courtroom ‘So Ridiculous’

BNM Staff
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A federal judge has ruled that no electronic devices, including video cameras from news organizations, are allowed in the Miami courthouse as former President Donald Trump is arraigned. It appears Michael Smerconish strongly disagrees with that decision.

In a Tuesday afternoon tweet, the longtime radio host aired his grievances with the order.

“So ridiculous that the public is not being permitted to watch this legal proceeding – and all legal proceedings we have a right to attend…including (the Supreme Court),” Smerconish wrote.

Federal Judge Jonathan Goodman denied a request from a coalition of media outlets, including CNN and NPR, to allow recording devices in the courtroom. Goodman claimed that “allowing photographs would undermine the massive security arrangements put in place.”

There was an expectation from media organizations that they would be allowed to film the proceedings, similar to Trump’s first indictment earlier this year in a Manhattan courtroom.

Media reporters are forced to leave the Miami courthouse to broadcast updates on the legal proceedings after Goodman denied all electronic devices in the actual courthouse.

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