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Sylvana Kelleher Announces Departure From 97.5 The Fanatic After Three Years With Station

John Mamola
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Sylvana Kelleher Announces Departure From 97.5 The Fanatic After Three Years With Station

Sylvana Kelleher is leaving 97.5 The Fanatic. The producer’s exit from Unfiltered with Ricky Bo and Bill Colarulo takes effect today.

What We Know: Kelleher announced her departure directly, citing a difficult and emotional decision. She confirmed Friday marks her final show on Unfiltered with hosts Ricky Bottalico and Bill Colarulo. The move follows a period of personal reflection tied to recent family loss. Station colleagues reportedly supported her throughout the process.

What They Said: (all quotes from 97.5 The Fanatic)

97.5 The Fanatic Producer Sylvana Kelleher announces her departure from the station: “I wanted to be very honest with everyone because I always said that I would be very honest being in this position. It’s a really difficult decision that makes me feel very sad and also very guilty. But I tomorrow is my last show on Unfiltered.”

97.5 The Fanatic Producer Sylvana Kelleher reveals she’s been battling her emotions with the decision: “I lost my dad almost two years, and he was the reason that I love sports. He was my hero. The last year really changed my life and my interests and my passion, and it’s still hard. It still feels like it happened, but everyone here has been like beyond understanding.”

97.5 The Fanatic Producer Sylvana Kelleher thanks the staff at the station: “I feel like I need to take a step back and do something a little slower and try and rekindle the passion. This is a business and an opportunity that deserves someone that is fully passionate about it. Honestly it’s just been really difficult for me to find that after all this happened. It was probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made.”

What Remains Unclear: Kelleher’s next career step is unknown. She says wanting to “rekindle the passion,” but specifics weren’t shared. A permanent replacement for the Unfiltered producer chair is unknown.

What It Means: Kelleher’s exit shows how personal loss can reshape even established broadcasting careers. Her openness to discuss such personal tragedy and its affect on her should be commended. Meanwhile, 97.5 The Fanatic must now adjust quickly behind the scenes on Unfiltered. Kelleher departing is just the latest exit in a number of departures from the radio station over the past two years.

Netflix Reportedly Exploring Live TV, Added Bundles In Addressing Subscriber Engagement Declines

John Mamola
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Netflix Reportedly Exploring Live TV, Added Bundles In Addressing Subscriber Engagement Declines

Netflix is reportedly considering live television channels and subscription bundles. The plan aims to reverse a slide in viewer engagement despite the streamer’s continued dominance.

What We Know: According to the Wall Street Journal, Netflix executives flagged a decline in subscriber engagement at this spring’s business review. Profits and franchise hits still impressed the room. However, since then, engagement has become a recurring internal topic, according to people familiar with the matter. Netflix’s U.S. television viewership share fell to 7.8% in April, the lowest since May 2025, per Nielsen.

What The Data Shows: (via Nielsen The Gauge) **Share of U.S. Television Viewership**

MonthNetflix TV Viewership (per The Gauge)
April 20267.9%
March 20268.2%
February 20268.4%
January 20268.8%
December 20259.0%
November 20258.3%
October 20258.0%
September 20258.3%
August 20258.7%
July 20258.8%
June 20258.3%
May 20257.5%
April 20257.5%

What Remains Unclear: Whether Netflix will actually launch live channels remains unresolved. In addition, talks about bundling Peacock and other services are still preliminary. Netflix also hasn’t detailed how live programming might affect its ad-supported tier, which drove roughly $1.5 billion in revenue last year.

What It Means: Looking at the past year’s data, the spring months show Netflix engagement is at its lightest. While the percentage of viewership may have increased year over year, the marks don’t meet the expectations of the company. Moreover, a pivot toward live channels would mark a reversal for Netflix, whose founders long championed on-demand simplicity over linear scheduling. Bundling rivals like Peacock would also turn Netflix into a storefront rather than just a destination. While the live event business has proven to be successful with MLB, MMA, boxing among others, whether or not live television programming would be successful remains to be seen.

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.

Buffalo Bills Quarterback Josh Allen Interested in Broadcasting Post-NFL Career

John Mamola
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Buffalo Bills Quarterback Josh Allen Interested in Broadcasting Post-NFL Career

Josh Allen isn’t ruling out a broadcast future. The Buffalo Bills quarterback opened up on CNBC Sport this week.

What We Know: Allen sat down with CNBC’s Alex Sherman for a wide-ranging interview this week. The conversation followed a recent NFL Network appearance where Allen discussed his focus entering his ninth season. Additionally, Allen joins a growing list of quarterbacks, including Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Tony Romo and Troy Aikman, who have weighed broadcast careers. Many of whom enter the industry post-NFL career.

What They Said: Josh Allen (via CNBC): “I do think it would be cool if you can keep it from a strictly broadcasting angle. When players go from players to journalists and say certain things that they hated people saying about them, I think that’s where it gets a little murky for me. But I do think that it would be something I would entertain. I can’t say for sure yes or for sure no right now. I do go back and forth on it. I’d have to put some more thought into it.”

What Remains Unclear: Allen stopped short of committing to any broadcast timeline. It’s unclear whether he’d pursue a studio role, a game analyst position, or something else entirely.

What It Means: Allen’s comments add him to a wave of star quarterbacks eyeing life after football. Networks have paid big for proven talent, as Brady’s $375 million FOX Sports deal shows. However, Allen’s stated discomfort with criticizing former peers could shape any future opportunity. For now, broadcasting remains a distant, undecided consideration rather than a next step. However, by making his interest known so early, networks could consider Allen an option for bye week appearances to showcase his talent.

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.

FIFA Reportedly Has Not Released Network Costs To Bid for 2030, 2034 World Cup

John Mamola
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FIFA Reportedly Has Not Released Network Costs To Bid for 2030, 2034 World Cup

FIFA has reportedly not released formal bidding guidelines for the upcoming 2030 and 2034 men’s World Cups. According to Puck Media, media giants like Fox, Netflix, Disney and YouTube are already weighing their options.

What We Know: FOX Sports paid roughly $485 million for English-language U.S. rights to this year’s tournament, while Telemundo committed $600 million back in 2011 for Spanish-language rights. Those figures are roughly a discount for FOX Sports following litigation with FIFA. Audiences are watching this year. England’s win over Mexico drew 44.8 million U.S. viewers, and the USMNT’s loss to Belgium pulled in roughly 46 million. Given that surge, rights fees could nearly double for 2030 and 2034 according to Puck Media.

What They Said: According to Puck Media, FIFA has yet to release any details of the packages for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups. This also includes if hydration breaks will continue.

Anonymous executives via Puck Media: “Everybody’s thinking about it. We’re thinking about it. But nobody’s focused on it. And certainly nobody has any idea on how much this is all going to cost.”

What Remains Unclear: Plenty remains up in the air. FIFA hasn’t confirmed whether hydration breaks will return, a detail worth an estimated $200 million in ad sales this year for FOX Sports. It’s also unclear if the 2034 Saudi tournament will run in summer or shift to November and December, as Qatar did in 2022.

What It Means: Even without clarity, expectations are forming. According to Puck Media, executives believe FIFA will offer four bid types, similar to the IOC model: English-only, Spanish-only, combined, or a contingent Spanish bid tied to winning English rights. Networks will likely submit initial bids before FIFA returns to top contenders for a second round. Until FIFA speaks publicly, though, everyone is negotiating in the dark. The price tag will likely rise, but it remains to be seen who could afford the bill.

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.

Bonneville’s Scott Sutherland: Radio Needs to Sell Smarter, Not More

Garrett Searight
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Bonneville’s Scott Sutherland: Radio Needs to Sell Smarter, Not More

Bonneville believes radio still has room to grow. Scott Sutherland says the industry’s biggest challenge is turning audience growth into revenue.

What We Know: Bonneville International Executive Vice President of Regional Media Scott Sutherland believes broadcasters should focus on adapting instead of dwelling on industry disruption. He argued that audience growth remains a positive sign, even as companies balance traditional broadcasting with digital distribution. Sutherland also said radio companies have untapped revenue opportunities because many existing products still aren’t fully monetized. Rather than trying to sell every new offering, he suggested broadcasters should build a more focused strategy around the products that deliver results. Those comments came during an appearance on the Radio on Main Street podcast from the RAB and its CEO, Mike Hulvey.

What They Said: “For us, it’s what are we willing to do differently, and how do we get growth. I think that’s the holy grail. With all the turbulence that we’re having, there is a great path for us. It’s complicated. It’s difficult right now. But I still go back to, if our audiences weren’t growing, there is a problem right now. But they are. So how do we figure that out with all the distribution channels that are coming at the same time?

“On the sales side, it’s complicated because we have to monetize these new revenue streams. But we have a ton of products, and we’re not selling 100% of our products. So to me, that’s where there’s enormous opportunity on the revenue side. A challenge to figure it out. You can’t be where we want to sell everything. I think we all got kind of bit in the rear for a while, where all these new products are coming out and we want to sell everything. That’s a problem. But I think when we figure this out, there is a growth plan, and I’m excited about it. Doesn’t mean it’s not difficult, but that excites me.” – Scott Sutherland

What Remains Unclear: Sutherland didn’t identify which products Bonneville believes offer the strongest growth potential. He also didn’t outline a timeline for implementing any broader revenue strategy across the company’s markets.

What It Means: Sutherland’s comments reflect a growing belief that radio’s future depends less on building larger audiences and more on monetizing them across multiple platforms. His remarks also suggest broadcasters should prioritize execution over chasing every emerging product, even as the industry’s distribution options continue to expand.

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.

Alisa Bowen Steps Down From Role With Disney+ for CEO Role at Fubo

John Mamola
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Alisa Bowen Steps Down From Role With Disney+ for CEO Role at Fubo

Fubo has a new chief executive. Alisa Bowen is leaving her post as Disney+ president to take the job, effective immediately.

What We Know: Fubo’s board tapped Bowen to succeed David Gandler. He served as the company’s co-founder and CEO for more than a decade. The move follows last fall’s merger of Hulu + Live TV into Fubo, which handed Disney a 70% stake. Bowen spent nearly 10 years at Disney, most recently as Disney+ president. She helped build Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ from Disney’s founding streaming team. Before Disney, she held leadership posts at News Corp, Dow Jones and Thomson Reuters.

What They Said: Andy Bird, chairman of the Board, Fubo: “Following the combination with Hulu + Live TV last year, Fubo has reached a pivotal moment in its strategic evolution, with a compelling Pay TV platform, strong content portfolio and unique integration in the Disney ecosystem. Alisa’s appointment is the culmination of a thoughtful process led by the independent directors of the Board to find the next leader to advance Fubo’s strategy and performance. Alisa is a proven operator who brings nearly 30 years of product, digital and operational experience, including leadership across Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. She has an established track record of driving global subscriber growth and profitability, and we look forward to benefiting from her experience and expertise as Fubo enters its next chapter.”

Alisa Bowen, CEO Fubo: “I am excited to lead Fubo in its next phase as we sharpen its strategy across sports, news and entertainment. Also accelerate growth and drive profitability, while delivering even greater value to Fubo and Hulu + Live subscribers, our advertisers and our content partners. I look forward to working closely alongside this talented leadership team to strengthen Fubo as an industry leader. Creating significant value for all of our shareholders.”

What Remains Unclear: Disney hasn’t named a direct successor to Bowen at Disney+. Instead, co-presidents Joe Earley and Adam Smith now share that streaming portfolio alongside other Disney titles, according to Variety.

What It Means: Bowen inherits a larger, more complex platform than the one she’s leaving. Her mandate will be to sharpen Fubo’s sports, news and entertainment strategy while driving profitability. Ultimately, the switch closes one chapter of Fubo’s decade-long history and opens another closely tied to Disney’s streaming ambitions.

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.

Broadcast Radio Still Reaching More Americans Than Television, Smart Phones

John Mamola
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Broadcast Radio Still Reaching More Americans Than Television, Smart Phones

Radio still reaches more Americans weekly than any other platform. New Nielsen data confirm that dominance is holding steady even as media habits diversify.

What We Know: According to the latest Sound Answers series, AM/FM radio reaches 87% of U.S. adults each week, according to Nielsen Audience Insights. That’s the broadest weekly reach of any measured platform. Radio’s edge is even sharper among younger listeners, reaching 81% of Adults 18-34, more than any other platform tracked. Reach also stays strong among Black and Hispanic adults, with listening holding steady year over year. While media consumption is expanding, it’s not shifting away from radio. Television saw a seasonal rebound in Q1 2026, boosted by the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics. Meanwhile, daily smartphone usage grew by nearly 90 seconds, led by Black Adults 18-34 and 18-49.

What The Data Shows: (Courtesy of Katz Radio Group)

What Remains Unclear: There’s no data in the release that points to radio losing ground to any single competitor specifically. Whether that be television, smart phones, or other.

What It Means: For advertisers, radio remains a dependable way to reach mass, diverse audiences at scale. Despite misperceptions about younger generations and their usage, radio’s advantage holds among younger consumers. Weekly reach among A18-34 hit 81%, ahead of smartphone app and web use at 76%. Radio also held the top spot in every age breakdown presented in the report, including adults 65 and older. That demographic’s weekly reach hit 90%, just ahead of television’s 87%. As television and smartphone engagement rise and fall seasonally, radio still holds its position. That stability makes it a strong complement to digital and mobile campaigns rather than a competitor to them.

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.

Seattle Sports Expands With Multi-Year Partnership With Washington State

John Mamola
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Seattle Sports Expands With Multi-Year Partnership With Washington State

Washington State Football and Men’s Basketball are heading back to the airwaves in Seattle. Bonneville’s Seattle Sports 710 is once again the Cougars’ flagship station.

What We Know: Washington State Athletics and Bonneville Seattle Media Group announced a new multi-year partnership. Moreover, Seattle Sports (710-AM) returns as the Seattle flagship for Cougar Football and Men’s Basketball broadcasts. This, in addition to, pregame and postgame coverage. When conflicts arise with Seattle Mariners or Seahawks programming, WSU games will shift to 770 KTTH-AM. The Cougar Sports Network, managed by Playfly Sports, remains the official broadcasting network for Washington State Athletics.

What They Said: WSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Jon Haarlow: “Seattle Sports gives us an incredible opportunity to connect with Cougs across Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest. As the region’s premier sports media brand, Seattle Sports provides a tremendous platform to share the stories of our programs, student-athletes and coaches. Reaching all Cougs wherever they are is critical to our outreach, and we’re excited about what this partnership means for the future of Washington State Athletics.”

Seattle Sports Program Director Kyle Brown: “We’re thrilled to partner with Washington State University Athletics at such an exciting time, as the new Pac-12 takes shape and the Kirby Moore era begins. At Seattle Sports, our goal is to be more than just a radio station. This renewed and expanded partnership allows us to deliver even more coverage for Cougar fans through enhanced on-air programming, original video content, and the Seattle Sports app – connecting fans across Western Washington and around the world.”

What Remains Unclear: Financial terms of the multi-year agreement were not disclosed.

What It Means: The agreement continues to build on a partnership between the university and the radio station. In addition, this deal strengthens Washington State’s regional footprint as the Pac-12 rebuilds under new membership. Meanwhile, expanded streaming across baseball, women’s basketball, and multiple apps signals a broader push toward year-round digital access.

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.

Beasley Media Names Jen Scordo WXTU Midday Host

David Hill
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Beasley Media Names Jen Scordo WXTU Midday Host

Philadelphia’s 92.5 WXTU has found its new midday voice. Beasley Media Group officially named Jen Scordo as the station’s full-time midday host, effective immediately.

What We Know: Scordo is no stranger to WXTU or Philadelphia radio. She previously served as the station’s fill-in midday host and brings deep market roots — including stops at WMMR, WMGK, Cat Country 107.3, and 97.5 The Fanatic. Her new role was announced live on the Andie Summers Show Friday morning.

What They Said: “Philadelphia has been my home for the past 25 years, and WXTU has always represented everything I love about country radio,” Scordo said. Program Director Chuck Damico praised her natural ability to connect with listeners, calling her “a true talent” with a great sense of humor and tremendous work ethic. VP and Market Manager Paul Blake echoed that sentiment, noting her professionalism and authentic listener relationships.

What Remains Unclear: No details have been shared about who will handle fill-in duties during Scordo’s absence or whether the midday daypart will see any format adjustments. It’s also unknown what her long-term contract terms look like.

What It Means: This is a smart, low-risk hire for Beasley. Scordo already knows the brand, the market, and the audience. Promoting a proven fill-in removes uncertainty and signals stability in a daypart that can be tough to anchor consistently. For WXTU, continuity matters.

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.

3 Must-Watch Barrett Media Audio Summit Panels For Non-Attendees

Pete Mundo
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3 Must-Watch Barrett Media Audio Summit Panels For Non-Attendees

On Thursday, Barrett Media announced that all panels from last week’s Barrett Media Audio Summit will be posted on YouTube. If you weren’t able to make the event in New York City, you’d be well served to watch as many of the panels as you can.

ake time after your shift, before your shift, on the weekends, or whenever you can to focus, take notes, and try to learn something (or multiple things) from each of these panels. Even as someone who was there, I plan to watch them back because I know I’ll find something that I didn’t pick up on in the moment. And while there’s nothing like being in the room, meeting new people, seeing old faces, and having the in-person experience, this is the second-best option.

With that, the three biggest takeaways that are relatable to hosts and programmers, while also being time-sensitive, are the following:

Playing The Trump Card

This panel with Sid Rosenberg of 77 WABC, Mark Simone of 710 WOR, and Larry O’Connor of Salem Radio Network, with Erick Erickson of Compass Media Networks as the moderator, was excellent.

Every host is trying to figure out how to navigate Trump World. It’s been 10 years of Donald Trump dominating the news cycle, and the current state of the world and country has divided Republicans and conservatives in a way we haven’t seen since the tumultuous but wildly entertaining primaries of 2015-16.

However, if you were looking for A-list stars to give you the green light to criticize the President when you disagree, you got it here. This doesn’t mean anyone on the panel regrets their vote or would prefer President Harris, but admitting you disagree with the administration should not be off-limits. Your listeners are regular people. Even if they voted for the President and are like-minded, it doesn’t mean they approve of every move the President makes.

So why do you feel like you have to? Because you host a news/talk radio show in 2026? Just open the mic, say what’s on your mind and heart, be honest with your audience, and welcome their reaction. That’s talk radio at its best.

Dollars on the Dashboard

Everyone is trying to figure out how to get, and then retain, a younger audience. One of the most obvious things to do is to use your dashboard effectively. Fred Jacobs’ presentation was excellent.

And when it comes to the things people want on their radio dashboard, three of the Top 5 are relatable for news/talk radio: Number Two was emergency weather (58%), Number Three was breaking news alerts (50%), and Number Four was breaking traffic alerts.

How can you efficiently and effectively utilize your dashboard, beyond the obvious of showing name/host/phone number, to keep the audience engaged?

They are telling us what they want, so now it’s our job to deliver.

Getting Serious with Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. was excellent in his sit-down with Jason Barrett. He’s a sponge who wants to get better every day and wants to keep learning. And just like in sports, that’s what the best do. They never think they have it figured out.

Stephen A. shared that he expects an e-mail after each of his SiriusXM shows from Dave Gorab, VP and GM of talk programming at SiriusXM Radio, critiquing that day’s show. And guess what? Dave delivers the said e-mail. And Stephen A. wants the good, the bad, and the ugly. He’s not looking for all the accolades.

I tracked Dave down after the show and told him how impressed I was with this part of the conversation and the work he does with Stephen A. He shared a personal anecdote: one day he forgot to e-mail Stephen A., and Gorab received a note from Stephen A. that evening asking if everything was OK and why he didn’t receive critiques for that day’s show.

That’s amazing. How many people do you know, or work with, who think they have it all figured out?

And then, one of the biggest stars in media is looking for and expecting constant feedback to continue to grow, get better, and stay ahead.

I could write another 10 takeaways, but hopefully this gives you the incentive to start diving in and watching on YouTube. Enjoy!

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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