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iHeartMedia Signs FCC Consent Decree Over Payola Allegations

David Hill
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iHeartMedia Signs FCC Consent Decree Over Payola Allegations

iHeartMedia has reached a Consent Decree with the FCC over alleged payola violations. The agreement addresses concerns that iHeart tied artist airplay to free performances at company events.

What We Know: Senator Marsha Blackburn first raised the alarm in January 2025. She alleged that iHeart offered artists more airtime in exchange for free performances at events like iHeartRadio Music Festival and Jingle Ball. The FCC subsequently issued a broader advisory to all broadcasters. Chairman Brendan Carr then sent a direct letter to CEO Bob Pittman demanding compliance assurances.

What’s At Stake: The FCC’s Sponsorship Identification Laws prohibit covert exchanges of airplay for artist appearances. Additionally, artists — especially emerging ones — may have faced implicit pressure to perform for free or risk reduced airplay. iHeart generates significant revenue from live events, so these practices carry real financial implications. The decree requires iHeart to augment its compliance procedures and grant the FCC greater transparency.

What Remains Unclear: iHeart explicitly denied trading airplay for performances. Furthermore, the Consent Decree includes no admission of wrongdoing. It remains uncertain whether other major broadcast companies engage in similar practices. The FCC has not yet indicated whether additional investigations involving other broadcasters are forthcoming.

What It Means: This agreement signals the FCC’s renewed focus on enforcing payola rules in the modern radio landscape. Artists now have stronger procedural protections when negotiating with broadcast groups. However, real enforcement depends on whether iHeart’s updated internal policies produce meaningful change. Carr’s statement made clear that talent — not business leverage — should drive an artist’s success.

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.

Ben Shapiro Pushes Back on Candace Owens Over Charlie Kirk Comments

Garrett Searight
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Ben Shapiro Pushes Back on Candace Owens Over Charlie Kirk Comments

Ben Shapiro is pushing back against Candace Owens over claims about Charlie Kirk. The Daily Wire host says he wants no part of their ongoing personal dispute.

What We Know: Ben Shapiro responded to Candace Owens after she questioned whether he and Charlie Kirk were close friends. The exchange represents the latest chapter in a long-running public disagreement between Shapiro and Owens. However, Shapiro appears focused on moving away from the personal back-and-forth. He said he does not care about the drama surrounding their relationship with Kirk.

What They Said: “See, here’s the thing: I don’t really care about personal drama. I’ve said repeatedly that Charlie and I weren’t best friends. Maybe you were best friends with Charlie. Maybe not. I don’t know, nor do I care. For ten months, you’ve been slandering Charlie’s wife, his friends, and all of the people he worked with. You’re working to acquit his murderer. You’re spreading conspiratorial poison for cash. That’s something anyone of decency should condemn. The fact that so many are unwilling to do so is demonstrative of widespread cowardice, stupidity, wickedness…or all three.” -Ben Shapiro

What Remains Unclear: It remains uncertain whether Owens and Shapiro will continue their public dispute. Both figures have exchanged criticism for months, with each questioning the other’s views on Kirk’s legacy and circumstances surrounding his death. However, Shapiro’s latest comments suggest he may not want to continue debating their personal connection to Kirk.

What It Means: Shapiro’s response shifts the conversation away from friendship and toward broader disagreements involving Kirk’s reputation. While the feud between Shapiro and Owens has attracted significant attention, he appears to be drawing a line under the personal aspects of the dispute. For now, the divide between the two conservative media personalities remains unresolved.

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.

Former CBS News Radio Anchor Linda Kenyon Joining NPR

Garrett Searight
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Former CBS News Radio Anchor Linda Kenyon Joining NPR

Linda Kenyon has joined NPR after the end of CBS News Radio. The veteran broadcaster brings decades of radio news experience to the network.

What We Know: Kenyon will anchor newscasts for NPR following her exit from CBS News Radio. She originally joined CBS News Radio in 2020 and spent the last several years delivering national coverage. Before that, Kenyon worked with Salem Radio Network and Westwood One. CBS News Radio ended operations in May after nearly 100 years, resulting in the departure of its full staff.

What They Said: “Happy to report I have landed on my feet. After the demise of CBS Radio and the purge of the entire staff, I have been hired to anchor newscasts at NPR. I’m also contributing to White House coverage as needed including my Up First story on Morning Edition about President Trump’s financial disclosure report.” -Linda Kenyon

What Remains Unclear: NPR has not detailed Kenyon’s full role beyond her newscast duties and White House coverage contributions. Additionally, the network has not announced whether she will take on additional assignments across its news programming.

What It Means: Kenyon’s hiring gives NPR another experienced voice with national radio credentials. Meanwhile, her move highlights the continued reshaping of the radio news landscape after CBS News Radio’s closure. As networks adjust, veteran journalists like Kenyon remain valuable additions for organizations seeking established newsroom 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.

Ben Shapiro, Dan Bongino Remain Top 15 in June Podtrac Podcast Rankings

Garrett Searight
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Ben Shapiro, Dan Bongino Remain Top 15 in June Podtrac Podcast Rankings

Fox News and NPR remained major players in Podtrac’s June podcast rankings. Ben Shapiro, Dan Bongino, and Shawn Ryan also held strong positions despite shifts.

What We Know: Podtrac’s June 2026 U.S. Unique Monthly Audience rankings featured a new No. 1 podcast, with Crime Junkie replacing The Daily atop the chart. Even so, The Daily remained the highest-ranked news podcast at No. 2. NPR continued its strong showing as NPR News Now ranked third and Up First from NPR followed in fourth. Meanwhile, Fox News Hourly Update landed sixth, reinforcing Fox News’ continued reach in the short-form news category. Political programming also maintained a strong presence as Pod Save America finished seventh, The Ben Shapiro Show ranked ninth, and The Dan Bongino Show came in 14th.

What the Numbers Show: Several of the featured programs slipped one or more positions from May. The Daily, NPR News Now, Up First from NPR, Fox News Hourly Update, and Pod Save America each fell one spot. The Ben Shapiro Show dropped two places to ninth, while Morning Wire declined four positions to 19th. Elsewhere, The Shawn Ryan Show also lost two spots, settling at No. 15. However, not every news podcast moved backward. Today, Explained climbed two places to 18th, making it one of the month’s strongest gainers among news-focused programs.

What Remains Unclear: Podtrac’s rankings measure unique monthly audience rather than downloads or listening time. As a result, the data doesn’t reveal whether rank changes resulted from audience growth, stronger competition, or seasonal listening habits. The report also doesn’t disclose audience totals for individual shows.

What It Means: News podcasts continue to command significant attention despite increased competition from true crime and entertainment programming. NPR placed two shows inside the top four, while Fox News maintained a top-10 presence with its hourly news product. Additionally, conservative personalities Ben Shapiro and Dan Bongino remained among the nation’s most-listened-to podcast hosts, even after modest monthly declines. Although several political and news programs slipped in June, their continued presence near the top suggests audience demand for timely news and commentary remains strong.

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.

Full Metal Jackie Honors Ozzy Osbourne With Free Radio Special

David Hill
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Full Metal Jackie Honors Ozzy Osbourne With Free Radio Special

July 22 marks one year since Ozzy Osbourne’s passing. Full Metal Jackie and Radio Resources are responding with a free, two-hour syndicated tribute special available to rock stations nationwide.

What We Know: The special, titled “The Legacy Lives On,” airs the weekend of July 24-26. It features Black Sabbath classics, Ozzy solo favorites, cover versions, and archival interviews with Rob Halford, Scott Ian, and Zakk Wylde. Full Metal Jackie provides exclusive commentary throughout. Radio Resources distributes the program at no cost, with zero production lift required from participating stations.

What’s at Stake: Rock radio rarely gets ready-made, high-quality tribute content tied to a culturally significant moment. Ozzy Osbourne remains one of the most recognizable names in the history of heavy metal. Stations that pass on this miss a meaningful connection point with their core audience. Furthermore, the one-year anniversary of his death gives this moment real emotional resonance for rock fans everywhere.

What Remains Unclear: The release does not confirm how many stations have already committed to airing the special. It also leaves open whether Radio Resources plans any additional Ozzy-related programming around the July 22 anniversary date. No on-demand or streaming availability is mentioned.

What It Means: For rock stations, this is a low-effort, high-impact programming opportunity. Full Metal Jackie carries decades of credibility in the heavy music space, and that authenticity matters. Tribute content tied to a specific anniversary drives listener tune-in. Ultimately, this special gives rock radio a timely reason to rally its audience around a shared moment of remembrance.

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.

Assault Charges Against Mike Missanelli Dropped By Pennsylvania DA

Garrett Searight
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Assault Charges Against Mike Missanelli Dropped By Pennsylvania DA

Mike Missanelli no longer faces criminal charges in Montgomery County. Prosecutors withdrew the assault case after reviewing additional information.

What We Know: The longtime Philadelphia sports radio personality had faced simple assault and harassment charges following his April arrest. Prosecutors declined to move forward with the case during a preliminary hearing last month. Then, on Wednesday, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office confirmed it had formally withdrawn the charges after conducting additional review. Police had alleged Missanelli slapped his fiancée during an argument at the couple’s Lower Merion home. According to the affidavit of probable cause, officers responded to a 911 hangup call shortly after midnight and documented injuries they believed were consistent with the allegation.

What They Said: “After reviewing additional information, the office made the determination that it would withdraw the charges. In every case, we are always continuing to investigate after charges are filed.” -Montgomery County DA Kevin Steele

What Remains Unclear: Prosecutors haven’t disclosed what additional information prompted the decision to withdraw the charges. It’s also unclear whether investigators uncovered new evidence or if witness cooperation changed after the initial filing. The decision ends the criminal case but doesn’t resolve other legal matters involving Missanelli. He remains involved in separate litigation against JAKIB Media and owner Joe Krause over alleged unpaid compensation.

What It Means: The withdrawal removes a significant legal cloud over one of Philadelphia sports radio’s most recognizable personalities. However, Missanelli’s career has included multiple high-profile controversies, including previous departures from 94 WIP and 97.5 The Fanatic. While the criminal case has concluded without prosecution, questions about his future media opportunities remain.

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.

99.1 The Sports Animal Adds Eric Cain with Tyler Ivens in Afternoon Drive

Garrett Searight
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99.1 The Sports Animal Adds Eric Cain with Tyler Ivens in Afternoon Drive

Eric Cain is headed to afternoon drive on 99.1 The Sports Animal. He’ll join Tyler Ivens beginning Monday, July 13.

What We Know: 99.1 The Sports Animal has named Eric Cain as its new afternoon drive co-host alongside Tyler Ivens. The duo will anchor Tyler & Cainer weekdays from 3-7 PM, replacing the previous pairing of Ivens and Will West. West departed the station last month after accepting the role of Digital Sales Manager for Cumulus Knoxville. Cain arrives with strong familiarity among Tennessee sports fans. He has built a following through his coverage of Volunteers athletics and now moves into one of Knoxville’s most prominent sports radio timeslots. As a result, the station is pairing an established on-air host with a personality already well-known to the local audience.

What’s At Stake: Afternoon drive remains one of radio’s most valuable dayparts, especially for sports stations serving passionate college fan bases. Consequently, the success of Tyler & Cainer could strengthen 99.1 The Sports Animal’s position during the afternoon commute while reinforcing its connection with Tennessee fans. Replacing a longtime co-host also creates expectations. Although listeners already know Cain, chemistry with Ivens will ultimately determine how quickly the new show establishes its identity.

What Remains Unclear: It’s not yet known whether the new program will feature significant format changes beyond the updated hosting lineup. Likewise, the station hasn’t detailed whether recurring segments introduced during the Ivens and West era will continue under the new show. Audience reaction also bears watching during the first several weeks. Ratings and listener engagement will provide a clearer picture of how the transition resonates.

What It Means: The move signals the station’s confidence in promoting familiar local talent instead of looking outside the market. Meanwhile, Cain’s promotion gives 99.1 The Sports Animal continuity following West’s departure while creating an opportunity to refresh one of its signature programs without dramatically changing its afternoon schedule.

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

ESPN SVP John Lasker to Retire After 27 Years

Garrett Searight
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ESPN SVP John Lasker to Retire After 27 Years

ESPN is preparing for a key leadership transition. John Lasker will retire after 27 years with the company.

What We Know: John Lasker, ESPN’s Senior Vice President of Direct-to-Consumer, plans to retire at the end of September after helping shape the company’s streaming strategy for nearly three decades. His decision was voluntary, and he’ll remain with ESPN through the end of the month. Afterward, Vice President of Sports Products & Strategy Brian Marshall will oversee the direct-to-consumer team on an interim basis. Throughout his tenure, Lasker helped guide the evolution of ESPN’s digital platforms from ESPN Broadband in 2001 through ESPN360, ESPN3, WatchESPN, ESPN+, and the recently launched flagship direct-to-consumer service.

What They Said: “Throughout his career, John has been at the forefront of nearly every major iteration and evolution of our streaming business, shaping how fans access and experience ESPN content in the digital age. His vision, strategic thinking and willingness to embrace innovation and risk-taking have helped ESPN meet sports fans wherever they are, and however they choose to watch.” -ESPN Executive Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions Rosalyn Durant

What Remains Unclear: ESPN hasn’t announced a permanent successor for Lasker’s role. It’s also unknown whether Marshall will become a candidate for the position or if the company will conduct a broader search. Additionally, ESPN hasn’t outlined whether the retirement will alter its direct-to-consumer roadmap.

What It Means: Lasker leaves behind one of the most influential digital legacies in ESPN history. His work helped transform the company’s streaming business across multiple generations of products before culminating in its direct-to-consumer launch. Meanwhile, Lasker has also been open about his health journey, including his diagnosis of Factor V Leiden, a genetic blood-clotting disorder, and previous issues involving blood clots. His departure marks the end of a significant chapter as ESPN continues expanding its streaming future.

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.

Devan Kaney Joins FOX 32 in Chicago Following Philadelphia Eagles Radio Exit

Garrett Searight
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Devan Kaney Joins FOX 32 in Chicago Following Philadelphia Eagles Radio Exit

Devan Kaney is headed to FOX 32 in Chicago. The former Philadelphia Eagles sideline reporter will cover the Bears for the station.

What We Know: Kaney announced her move Tuesday, marking her latest career stop after departing Philadelphia earlier this year. She spent three years with Audacy-owned WIP, joining the station in 2022 before moving into the Eagles sideline reporter role in 2024. She also worked as a sports anchor at Fox 29 in Philadelphia beginning in 2023. However, Audacy eliminated her position during a round of layoffs in April. Now she’ll shift her focus to Bears coverage for FOX 32 as Chicago prepares for the 2026 NFL season. Kaney also plans to continue hosting her Phillies-focused podcast, “Werth Talking About.”

What’s At Stake: FOX 32 gains a reporter with extensive NFL experience at a time when interest in the Bears continues to climb. Chicago enters the season with heightened expectations after an 11-6 campaign and a trip to the Divisional Round. As a result, the station adds another recognizable sports personality to help cover one of the NFL’s most scrutinized franchises.

What Remains Unclear: FOX 32 hasn’t outlined the full scope of Kaney’s responsibilities or how her reporting will fit into the station’s existing sports coverage. Additionally, no details have emerged about whether she’ll contribute beyond Bears reporting or appear in other programming.

What It Means: Kaney quickly found a prominent television opportunity after an unexpected exit from Philadelphia. Meanwhile, FOX 32 strengthens its local sports coverage ahead of another season expected to generate significant fan and advertiser interest. Her move also underscores how experienced sports broadcasters continue to find new opportunities despite ongoing workforce reductions across the media industry.

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.

Every 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit Session is Now Available on YouTube

Jason Barrett
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Every 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit Session is Now Available on YouTube

Last week, we united the media industry at the 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit in New York City. Executives, talent, programmers, measurement and tech experts, business leaders, advertising professionals and consultants all graced the stage. A total of 21 hours of content was produced. That included 27 sessions, 98 speakers, and 3 awards ceremonies over a three day stretch that focused on issues that matter to news media, sports media, and music radio pros.

All sessions from the show are now available on our YouTube page. That includes all three days of awards ceremonies. Subscribing to the channel is the easiest way to stay notified of anytime we add new content.

We will host a Summit in 2027. Where and When? I’m not sure. Stephanie, Dylan and I are taking a South Florida vacation soon, and will start looking at next year later this Summer or in the early Fall. Suggestions are welcome at Jason@BarrettMedia.com. As I stated in Monday’s column, we have a few options to consider. We can stick with the current three-day model or expand music to two-days and separate it from sports and news. Another possibility is building a 4-day super show. Whichever direction we go, we will make it count.

When you log on to our YouTube channel, search 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit under our videos followed by the name of each session. To make searching easy, the full listings from all three days are listed below. If you love the business, and enjoy learning how others view it, this is worth making time for. Please check out the content and let me know what stood out. A special thank you to every single partner who played a role in helping us bring this show to life. We greatly appreciate your support.

News Media (Day 1) – 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit

  • A Few Good Brands: Chris Berry of iHeartMedia with Ken Charles of 95.5 WSB, Mary Sandberg Boyle of WGN Radio, Ben Mevorach of 1010 WINS, and Drew Anderssen of NewsRadio KRLD 1080
  • Evolution of Influence: John Sylvester of Fox News Audio, Hank Fuerst of Ramsey Network, Phil Boyce of Salem Radio Network, and Pete Mundo of KCMO Talk Radio 95.7/710 and Cumulus Media
  • Are You Not Entertained?: Buck Sexton of Premiere Networks, Adam Carolla of PodcastOne and Jimmy Failla of Fox News Radio with Barrett Media’s Jason Barrett
  • News/Talk’s Front Seat Advantage: Juan Galdamez of Xperi
  • The Keynote Conversation: Kelli Turner of Audacy with Barrett Media’s Jason Barrett
  • Playing The Trump Card: Sid Rosenberg of 77WABC, Mark Simone of 710 WOR, and Larry O’Connor of Salem Radio Network with Erick Erickson of Compass Media Networks
  • Dollars on the Dashboard: Fred Jacobs of Jacobs Media
  • Managing the Magic: Ann Thomas of WJR, Dave Tepper of KOA Newsradio, Ryan Gorman of WFLA/WIOD, and veteran Talk Radio host Chris Krok with Barrett Media’s Garrett Searight
  • Getting Serious: Stephen A. Smith of ESPN and SiriusXM
  • Premiere Networks News Media Awards Ceremony: WorldWide News Network’s Lee Harris, Red Apple Media/77WABC President Chad Lopez, Salem Radio Network’s Mike Gallagher and Phil Boyce, and 710 WOR’s Tom Cuddy and Mark Simone

Sports Media (Day 2) – 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit

  • 39 Strong: Scott Shapiro of Fox Sports Radio, Justin Craig of ESPN Radio, Armen Williams of Westwood One and Mitch Rosen of 104.3 The Score with Barrett Media’s Jason Barrett
  • Winning Back The Wallet: Christine Travaglini of Katz Radio, Dan Seeman of Hubbard – Media That Connects in Minneapolis, Natalie Marsh of Lotus Communications Las Vegas, Michael Spacciapolli of Audacy Pittsburgh and Front Porch Media’s Lee Davis
  • The AI Advantage: Daniel Anstandig of Futuri
  • Setting The Standard: Craig Carton, Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti of WFAN with and Barrett Media’s Jason Barrett
  • Transfer Portal of Sports Media: Paul Finebaum of ESPN, Josh Pate of Yahoo Sports/On3/ESPN, and Kevin Clark of Omaha Productions and ESPN
  • Field of Streams: Kraig Riley of 93.7 The Fan, Rod Lakin of Sports Radio WIP, Matt Moscona of 104.5 ESPN, Paul Mason of 104.5 The Zone, and Barrett Media’s John Mamola
  • Raising The Stakes: Damon Amendolara of SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio with Brandon Tierney, Joon Lee and Jake Asman
  • Sports Talk’s Front Seat Advantage: Juan Galdamez of Xperi
  • Sports Without Borders: Mike Foss of ESPN, Ryan Spoon of Yahoo Sports, and Pete Gianesini of Sinclair with The Volume’s Chad Millman
  • Premiere Networks Sports Media Awards Ceremony: Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan, Chris Oliviero of Audacy, former WFAN PD Mark Chernoff, SiriusXM’s Eric Spitz, and Paul Finebaum of ESPN

Music Radio (Day 3) – 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit

  • The Consultants Conversation: Fred Jacobs of Jacobs Media, Mike McVay of McVay Media, and Buzz Knight of Buzz Knight Productions
  • The State of Audio Measurement: Nielsen’s Rich Tunkel, Triton Digital’s John Rosso, and Magellan AI’s Cameron Hendrix with NEW 102.7 PD Rob Miller
  • Act Like a Talent, Think Like An Owner: Murphy, Sam and Jodi of Premiere Networks
  • Appetite For Disruption: James Kurdziel of Q101 and Cumulus Media, Justin Johnson of 98ROCK, Chris Lloyd of 102.3 WBAB/106.1 BLI and Cox Media Group and Frank Kramer of The Heidi & Frank Show on 95.5 KLOS and Superadio with Barrett Media’s David Hill
  • Learning From Legends: Jim Kerr of Q104.3, Broadway Bill Lee of WCBS-FM, Scott Shannon of True Oldies Channel with Barrett Media’s Jim Ryan
  • The Eras of Radio: Sharon Dastur of Dastur Venture with Mark Adams of Z100 and iHeartMedia, Steve Salhany of Mix 104.1 and Audacy, Sean Copeland of B101 and 97.1 HANK-FM and Anna Zap of The Anna & Raven Show distributed by Compass Media Networks and Connoisseur Media
  • Choosin’ Country: Andie Summers of Beasley Media and 92.5 XTU, Mark “Hawkeye” Louis of New Country 96.3, and Tim Roberts of Audacy and 99.5 WYCD/104.3 WOMC with Country consultant Joel Raab
  • Straight Outta Hip Hop: Funk Flex of Hot 97, Angela Yee of Premiere Networks, Skip Dillard of Audacy and 94.7 The Block, Devin Steel of Hot 107.9 and Damion “Damizza” Young of SynerG Marketing with special guest host Andre Yancey of 94.7 The Block
  • The Final 40: iHeartMedia’s Jon Zellner, Audacy’s Jeff Sottolano, Connoisseur Media’s Keith Dakin, and Greg Strassell of Hubbard – Media That Connects with Barrett Media’s Jason Barrett
  • Premiere Networks Music Radio Awards Ceremony: McVay Media’s Mike McVay, Majic 102.1/97.9 The Box PD Yonni Rude, Radio Hall of Famer Scott Shannon, and 97.9 WRMF’s Kevin Rolston of the KVJ Show

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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