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Pardon The Interruption Sees Highest-Rated Show in Five Years

BSM Staff
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Pardon The Interruption Sees Highest-Rated Show in Five Years

ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption has reason to celebrate. The show’s highest-rated broadcast in five years aired earlier this week.

On Monday, January 16th, 1.1 million viewers tuned into Pardon The Interruption. It is the largest audience for the show since January 9th, 2018.

The program was helped by being a lead-in to the network’s coverage of the NFC Super Wild Card game that featured the Dallas Cowboys facing Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That game broadcast saw the most-watched NFL game from a Disney-owned network since Super Bowl XL in 2006. 30.6 million viewers tuned into the Cowboys victory.

The show — hosted by Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser — airs at 5:30 PM ET and has been a staple program in ESPN’s afternoon lineup since launching in 2001.

Sactown Sports Expands Local Lineup With The Addition of ‘Deuce & Mo’ in Middays

BSM Staff
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Sactown Sports Expands Local Lineup With The Addition of ‘Deuce & Mo’ in Middays

For the second straight day, Sactown Sports 1140AM is making a splash. One day after announcing the hiring of new program director Brian Gebhardt, the Sacramento sports brand has announced plans to expand its local radio lineup.

To help the station elevate to a higher next level, GM Steve Cottingim and Bonneville Sacramento’s Group Director of Programming Chad Rufer have announced the exciting addition of Dave “Deuce” Mason and Morgan Ragan (Deuce and Mo) to middays (11am-2p) starting January 23rd, 2023. The pair previously worked together at KHTK 1140 and have built a strong following digitally, in addition to making a mark on local television.

“Deuce and Mo are a fabric of the Sacramento Kings,” said Cottingim. “Being able to bring their brand to Sactown Sports as we extend our live sports coverage from 6am to 6pm every day is very exciting.”

Morgan Ragan currently is the Kings Pre and Postgame Host on NBC Sports California, NBA G-League Color Analyst for the Stockton Kings, and Co-Host of the Deuce & Mo podcast. Deuce Mason is an NBC Sports contributor, NBA G-League Play-by-Play Host for the Stockton Kings, Sacramento Kings Radio broadcaster, and Co-Host of the Deuce & Mo podcast. He also spent time earlier in his radio career at 95.7 The Game in San Francisco.

“We’re excited to connect with this community on a different platform,” shared Ragan. “Being able to work in our hometown market has been a dream come true.” Mason added, “I’m born and raised in Sacramento so the chance to do a show in my hometown means the world to me.”

Beginning January 23rd, Sactown Sports‘ weekday schedule will be as follows:

6a-11a-The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross

11a-2p-Deuce and Mo

2p-6p-Cattles and Ramie

Stephen A. Smith Promises Mike and the Mad Dog Reunion on First Take

BSM Staff
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Stephen A. Smith Promises Mike and the Mad Dog Reunion on First Take

Past reunions of Mike and the Mad Dog have been put on hold in the past, but ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has now gone on the record promising he’ll bring Mike Francesa and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo together on First Take.

While appearing on The Howard Stern Show Wednesday to promote his book Straight Shooter, Smith was asked about the New York radio icons, and how his relationship has grown with Russo after Mad Dog joined First Take as a regular contributor.

“My respect for both of them is profound,” Smith said. “They are pioneers in this business. And when I brought Mad Dog on my show First Take, the bosses didn’t think they could get him. I picked up the phone and in like two seconds he was like, ‘I’m in. I’m there for you.’ I love the guy. This guy and Mike Francesa started sports talk radio. They made sports talk radio what it is. And guess what else I’m gonna do, Howard? I’m gonna bring them both in soon for an appearance on First Take.”

In December, Francesa admitted a report from Andrew Marchand of The New York Post linking an on-screen reunion with his longtime partner “had a lot of truth to it“.

“They did ask me to do it,” Francesa said on his podcast at the time. “It was — as far as I knew — a one time thing. That was my understanding at the time. We haven’t discussed it since last April, maybe May.”

The former WFAN personality added his discussions with First Take were not centered around joining the show on a permanent basis, but strictly as a one-time reunion with his former partner. Francesa declined the opportunity to surprise Russo, saying “I was a little leery of surprising anyone. I felt better if they knew about it.”

The Daily Wire Confirms It Presented Offer Criticized By Steven Crowder

BNM Staff
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The Daily Wire Confirms It Presented Offer Criticized By Steven Crowder

Late last week, Blaze Media announced Louder with Crowder host Steven Crowder was departing the company. Crowder subsequently detailed offers he had received from other conservative outlets to air his daily program, mocking one in particular. The Daily Wire Co-CEO Jeremy Boreing has confirmed that offer came from his company.

“I believe many of those in the right-leaning media are actually at odds with what’s best for you — the viewer, the customer — and more importantly the country,” Crowder said in a video published to YouTube. “I’m specifically avoiding naming names or going after people in this video because I genuinely hope those who I’m addressing — and you know who you are — have a change of heart. It’s never too late to do the right thing.”

Crowder then compared some conservative outlets to big tech in their blood-thirst to milk as much revenue out of their offerings, as well as their employees.

“I went into free agency. I looked over the offers, and I saw the claws come out. I don’t just mean unreasonable demands for control, but what I would argue are immoral terms that actually punish conservative content creators on behalf of big tech.”

Crowder then detailed contract terms he was offered, which purported to include the company offering the contract ownership of his social media accounts, a reduction in pay of up to $1 million per instance if he failed to deliver an agreed-upon number of episodes, as well as an up to 60% penalty if his videos were demonetized.

In a video posted to YouTube, Boreing confirmed the offer Crowder was critical of came from The Daily Wire, but noted he was disappointed he had to make such a video.

“I’m really miserable to be making this video,” said Boreing. “Steven’s been my friend for 10 years. I think he’s maybe the most talented person working in the conservative media space. He’s one of the top entertainers in the country, politics notwithstanding. I find it really tragic that we’re having this kind of conversation.”

Boreing claimed Crowder was offered a 4-year, $50 million contract with the option for the company to extend his offer for another two years that would pay him an additional $25 million. However, Crowder would be responsible for paying his production staff out of the $50 million offered to him.

In the nearly hourlong video, The Daily Wire Co-CEO detailed the entire contract offered to Crowder. Boreing claimed his company tried to reach out to Crowder’s agent to discuss what the conservative host was looking for in a new outlet, what he prioritized, and other factors that could ensure the two were a correct fit. However, according to Boreing, Crowder’s agent was only interested in discussing terms, and laid out how much Crowder was looking to be compensated.

Later in the video, Boreing balked at the idea of continuing to pay Crowder his full salary should he say something that leads to demonetization on YouTube, Facebook, or podcast platforms. Crowder took greatest issue with that verbiage in the contract, and Boreing pushed back on Crowder’s insinuation that he built his following by himself.

“He talks in his video about being one of the only true independent conservative voices, and I find that incredibly offensive. Steven — the whole time I’ve known him — has worked for someone else. Has been paid by someone else. That doesn’t mean other people tell him what to say. He’s a very independent voice, and that’s right to say, but so is Matt Walsh, so is Candace Owens, so is Ben Shapiro, so is Michael Knowles, so is Michael Cooper. Steven is very much an independent voice, but he’s not exactly a self-made man. That’s not true.”

Cecilia Vega Departing ABC News, Joining 60 Minutes

BNM Staff
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ABC Chief White House correspondent Cecilia Vega is departing the network to join CBS News as a correspondent for 60 Minutes.

“This is a dream come true,” said Vega. “I am beyond honored to join the ranks of this legendary show and to work alongside the best reporters in journalism.”

“Cecilia Vega is a sensational reporter and storyteller,” 60 Minutes Executive Producer Bill Owens said. “I have admired her work for a long, long time and couldn’t be more excited to welcome her to 60 Minutes. Her new colleagues couldn’t agree more.”

In addition to serving as ABC’s Chief White House correspondent, Vega has also anchored the Saturday edition of World News Tonight, as well as select editions of Good Morning America. She joined ABC News in 2011 as a Los Angeles-based reporter before ascending to her role as the network’s Chief White House correspondent in 2021. After becoming the Chief White House correspondent, she told People it didn’t change how she approached the job.

“I always said, I approach my role in that briefing room — I always have my mom in my mind when I go in there. What would my mom want to know? What did my mom ask me about when I was on the phone with her the night before?…What’s on her mind and what answers can I get that will help her make the decisions that she needs?”

She previously worked at KGO-TV in San Francisco as well as a print reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle.

Vega has worked both sides of the political aisle during her time with ABC, covering the campaign of Hillary Clinton in 2016 as the network’s lead reporter, as well as the inaugurations and subsequent sit down interviews with President Obama, Trump, and Biden.

At times, Vega sparred with former President Trump, with one such occasion in October of 2018 going viral for his response to a question asked by the ABC News reporter.

With 60 Minutes, Vega will continue to be based in Washington D.C., and will begin her role with CBS News in the spring.

Kassy Dillon Joins Fox News Originals

BNM Staff
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Kassy Dillon has announced she has joined Fox News as a member of the Fox News Originals division.

Dillon joins the cable outlet after working as the News Editor of Jewish News Syndicate. She also founded Lone Conservative, a digital outlet targeted towards giving conservative college students a politically like-minded community. The platform was created in 2016 while she was a student at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. Dillon left the publication in 2021 after serving as its President for five years.

“Can’t wait to get started reporting and making video content,” Dillon said in a tweet announcing the move.

Dillon also previously worked as a “opinion journalist and political commentator” who focused on foreign policy at The Daily Wire.

Fox News Originals is the digital reporting and visual storytelling wing of the network. All Fox News Originals are published exclusively on FoxNews.com.

Twitter Referral Traffic Dips For News Outlets

BNM Staff
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Twitter has proven to be a volatile social media platform for news outlets, and now there’s tangible proof of that.

According to analysis from Similarweb, news websites saw an average decrease of 12% in referral traffic from Twitter in December of last year, compared to November. The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, CNN, BBC, and Yahoo were in a group that saw traffic from Twitter decrease by 10-18% in the month. People magazine’s referrals dropped 46%, according to the data analytics company.

Two publishers, however, did see their traffic increase from Twitter referrals. Both The New York Post and Fox News saw traffic growth from the social media platform. Both companies are owned by billionaire Rupert Murdoch, with the Post falling under News Corp’s supervision and Fox News operating under the Fox Corp umbrella.

One publisher claimed the decrease isn’t concerning because Twitter has “never been a major part” of that company’s web traffic strategy, but did question it’s future purpose in the overall structure of the organization.

“The big, scary, existential question is, will social media continue to be a traffic source for a news organization? Or will it become just a storytelling platform or just a marketing platform?” Betsy Reed, U.S. Editor of The Guardian, told Digiday.

The main driver of decreased referrals, a different publisher told Digiday, is the removal of Twitter Moments from the platform in December. The service allowed outlets to compile and highlight content on the platform around larger news events.

The fluctuation in website referrals does not seem to be a deal breaker for media companies. Earlier this week, a report from Sara Fischer of Axios detailed how sports, news, and entertainment outlets are still partnering with the Elon Musk-owned social media platform, even though some of its journalists are still banned.

Jimmy Powers to Receive The Mark Chernoff Award at the 2023 BSM Summit

Jason Barrett
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Jimmy Powers to Receive The Mark Chernoff Award at the 2023 BSM Summit

As a former programmer turned consultant, I pay more attention than most to those who lead brands, manage talent, and create consistent success. When you look across the country at the hundreds of stations delivering sports radio content, and analyze who operates at a high level, there’s maybe ten to twenty who are changing the game, and others who are rising and hoping to become a bigger part of the conversation.

What makes this annual award special in addition to having Mark Chernoff’s name on it, is that it’s voted on by eighteen industry heavyweights. These are folks tasked with overseeing radio companies, major networks, and having exceptional track records of broadcasting success. So when they vote and an individual earns an honor, it means a little more.

If you’re in the business and follow sports radio, then you’re aware of Mark Chernoff’s accomplishments as a program director. He was one of the true architects and consistent winners, and his ability to excel as a sports radio manager has influenced and shaped many careers. Mark graciously agreed to be part of our awards ceremony a few years ago when I approached him with the idea in New York City. I’m thrilled to share that although he doesn’t attend many industry conferences on the west coast, he will be with us at the 2023 BSM Summit in Los Angeles for the ceremony.

Which brings me to this year’s winner.

It is my honor to congratulate the leader of 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit, Jimmy Powers. Jimmy received the most votes from our industry panel to become our third recipient of the Mark Chernoff Award. He follows Rick Radzik of 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston, and Mitch Rosen of 670 The Score in Chicago. Jimmy will be in attendance at the Summit to pick up the award, and will take part in a program director panel at the show. Further details on that to be shared next week.

“It’s such a great honor not only to be mentioned in the same breath with Mark Chernoff, but to receive the ‘Mark Chernoff Award’ is really, really cool” shared 97.1 The Ticket Program Director Jimmy Powers. “With so many great program directors across the country who are deserving of this award, I truly appreciate the recognition.”

Since late 2009, Powers has led the Detroit sports radio station to unmatched local success. Brought in to build upon what was created by the late great Tom Bigby, he’s helped The Ticket become one of the format’s best examples of success. The station has consistently dominated the Male 25-54 demo, while also becoming a ratings force with Persons 12+ and Adults 25-54.

“Jimmy has done an amazing job over the years running 97.1 the Ticket,” said legendary sports radio programmer Mark Chernoff. “He knows how to work with talent, and maintain balance while managing relationships with the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons, which is not an easy job. The ratings remain high, and the Ticket continues to be one of America’s top sports stations, which reflects the great work Jimmy has done as the station’s program director.”

In addition to delivering double digit shares, quarterly ratings wins, and presenting a star studded lineup and Michigan’s top sports franchises, The Ticket has taken home plenty of hardware too. The station has won the Marconi award for best sports station in 2016 and 2022. And now, they can add the 2023 Mark Chernoff Award to their trophy case.

“2022 was another big year for The Ticket, and many in Detroit deserve credit for the brand’s consistent success, but none more so than their exceptional brand leader, Jimmy Powers,” added BSM President Jason Barrett. “Jimmy has been a staple of consistency, guiding one of the crown jewels of sports radio, managing top personalities, important play by play partnerships, and helping the brand generate large revenues. I’m thrilled that our industry voters took notice of the fantastic work Jimmy has done and look forward to celebrating his career and accomplishments in Los Angeles this March.”

Bill Maher Rips Social Media, Says TikTok Rots Kids’ Brains

BNM Staff
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HBO host Bill Maher criticized public schools and blamed social media for destroying children’s lives. “The Real Time” host appeared on the “Club Random” podcast with fellow comedian Sebastian Maniscalco. 

According to Fox News Digital, the comedian is seen complaining about the quality of his children’s education. He said often, kids aren’t leaving school with basic reading skills. 

“Maybe they can do math; they have calculators for that,” Maher said. “They can’t tell you what 8 x 7 is; we had to learn on a times table. It was just something we did.”

Maher said when he was young, there were real consequences for not leaving school with a fundamental understanding of the basics.

“We were afraid if we didn’t do well, that there would be terrible repercussions like getting left back,” he said. “Nowadays, they would never use that term, by the way. You would be accused of stigmatizing people. 

Maher added that social media, particularly TikTok, has rotted children’s brains. He said even if you take your child’s phone away, it will be almost impossible to keep them offline.

“When that kid goes to school, others have phones,” he said. 

Clay Travis, Buck Sexton Discuss Informing The Public in an Age of Misinformation

BNM Staff
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Clay Travis, Buck Sexton Discuss Informing The Public in an Age of Misinformation

Talk show hosts know they must consume as much content as possible, even if it means reading something they disagree with.

A recent Washington Post op-ed titled “We are overcounting COVID deaths and hospitalizations. That’s a problem” captured the attention of the nationally syndicated “Clay & Buck” Show.

On Wednesday, the duo discussed challenges in combating misinformation and the effort it takes to keep an audience informed daily.

“I think there are a lot of people that are super busy and trust the New York Times or CNN to tell them what matters,” said co-host Clay Travis. “You and I, when we make the argument that they are overcounting COVID deaths, we understand the totality of the argument.”

Travis stated that part of the preparation process is understanding what the other side is talking about.  

“You and I both read the enemy’s broadsheets,” Buck Sexton said. “I read the New York Times; I read CNN; I must be aware of what they’re saying. But they were constantly calling out, as part of the campaign to suppress the misinformation, they would say there people were talking about hydroxychloroquine, or look like they were saying there’s some federal scheme.”

Sexton said certain pundits are backtracking on their original accusations of misinformation now that the mainstream media is involved with reporting on COVID-19 overcounting.

“They use the brand association of the New York Times or CNN or MSNBC as a badge of honor and they trust that they are smarter than everybody else,” said Travis. 

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