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Why Madelyn Burke Is Just Getting Started With SportsCenter on ESPN

John Molori
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Why Madelyn Burke Is Just Getting Started With SportsCenter on ESPN

The phrase “baptism under fire” is derived from both Scripture and the military. While sports is certainly not as weighty as either of those topics, the phrase still fits the debut of ESPN’s newest SportsCenter anchor, Madelyn Burke.

The erstwhile CBS Sports HQ, New York Giants, and Sports Illustrated reporter and host was thrust into the spotlight on April 6, 2026, in her SportsCenter debut.

Burke’s maiden voyage that night came in the aftermath of the men’s college hoops National Championship game, in which Michigan defeated UConn. The night also featured a full slate of NHL, NBA, and MLB games.

Mind you, Burke is no TV rookie.

In addition to her aforementioned work, she also served as a host and/or reporter for Prime Video, Bleacher Report, FanDuel, the LA Clippers, FOX Sports LA, Comcast, and other outlets. Still, none of those roles carried a spotlight as bright and powerful as SportsCenter.

Burke handled the moment with graceful aplomb. There were no glitches, flubs, or hesitations. She was fully in her element and more than ready. On top of her impressive resume, Burke has crafted a strong social media presence. She posts clips of her work while bringing followers inside the studio and behind the scenes. This has definitely helped familiarize her with mainstream sports viewers.

SportsCenter has been around since 1979 but remains one of the most coveted positions in sports broadcasting. Moreover, it is a star maker.

Even the familiar six bars of the opening theme have become part of the American lexicon. You know what I’m talking about: “da da dum, da da dum.” Burke fits perfectly into the SportsCenter realm.

Build for the Big Stage

She is amiable, pleasant to listen to, and well-informed. She is also unafraid to inject her own personality and humor into the broadcast. Which is quite rare for a SportsCenter neophyte.

Right from the start, she seemed like she belonged. There was no spring training, OTAs, or warmups. You want to come to ESPN? You want to be a SportsCenter anchor? OK, your first show will be on one of the biggest sports nights of the year.

Based on her performance, Burke’s reply seemed to be, “Hold my beer.”

In her subsequent SportsCenter stints, Burke has been even better.

On April 15, she appeared alongside fellow anchor Kevin Connors. Burke smoothly moved through Mariners versus Padres highlights with terrific poise and timing. Later in the show, she conducted a clean split-screen interview with ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst, discussing the NBA play-in game between the Sixers and Magic.

Connors, one of the best and most unsung talents at ESPN, and Burke established a strong rhythm on this edition of SportsCenter, alternating on MLB highlights as the show progressed. I really like Burke’s pacing and tone on highlights. She has a relaxed style and knows when to raise the excitement level or keep it on an even keel.

This was a fast-moving edition of SportsCenter. Rapidly cutting back and forth from baseball to basketball. Again, Burke was up to the task.

In an interview with Sixers center Andre Drummond, Burke nicely opened her question with the line, “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.” She then asked Drummond, not traditionally a three-point threat, about a huge trey he made against Orlando. She also noted that Drummond has been working to add the long-distance shot to his arsenal this year.

Given that it was April 15, Tax Day, Burke added a clever turn of phrase while introducing a rundown of some of the most “taxing” games in recent sports history. She and Connors then transitioned smoothly to a SportsCenter Top 10.

Ability To Pivot

With ESPN offering comprehensive, multi-platform coverage of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Burke jumped right into the fray on the April 16 SportsCenter with a look ahead to Night 1 matches.

She leaned into the moment, having fun with highlights of the various combatants. Subsequently, Burke conducted a lengthy interview with WWE broadcaster Michael Cole. She asked Cole what he thought about the first-ever live airings of WrestleMania on ESPN and ESPN2.

Cole, who joined WWE in 1997, responded emotionally, “I never thought in a million years that we’d ever be putting WrestleMania on ESPN or ESPN2.” Burke did a really solid job in this interview, asking specific questions about upcoming matches and the WWE superstars participating.

Again, this is not Burke’s first TV rodeo. She has handled highlights, interviews, and reporting at previous stops. However, it cannot be overstated that moving to ESPN and SportsCenter—both late night and prime time—represents a significant step up.

Her ability to deliver breaking news and highlights, while mixing in interviews and commentary across a packed sports landscape, is outstanding.

On the April 18 SportsCenter, alongside veteran ESPN anchor David Lloyd, NHL playoff hockey took center stage. Once again, Burke’s personality and highlight narration matched the drama and importance of the games.

Later, ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins joined Lloyd and Burke at the anchor desk as she powered through highlights of Game 1 between the Hawks and Knicks. Burke and Lloyd created a strong exchange with the vociferous Perkins, drawing out his best with thoughtful questions and follow-ups about the game and the series.

Discussing the Rockets vs. Lakers first-round series, Burke asked Perkins about the absence of Kevin Durant in Game 1 due to injury. This led to a strongly worded response, with Perkins stating that, at some point, a star player has to put his body on the line for his team.

A Star in the Making

ESPN has long been at the forefront of hiring qualified and gifted women to its roster of talent. While Burke clearly has her own style, you can see elements of some of the best attributes from past SportsCenter anchors.

The intelligence of Robin Roberts, the wit of Linda Cohn, the pleasant nature of Ashley Brewer Kaminsky. The power of Suzy Kolber, and the calm professionalism of Chris McKendry. Burke could not have joined this impressive list at a better—or more challenging—time.

She arrived at the convergence of March Madness, the start of the NBA and NHL stretch runs and playoffs, Major League Baseball’s opening month, and the NFL Draft. Burke moved through this gauntlet like Rory McIlroy through the second round of this year’s Masters. She has also shown the ability to flourish alongside various ESPN colleagues.

That adaptability is a strength, as the network regularly mixes and matches talent on any given day.

With SportsCenter incorporating more interviews and commentary alongside traditional highlights, Burke’s versatility is essential to her success. Her run at ESPN has just begun, but so far, she has been supremely confident, comfortable, and competent.

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.

30 Years of Fox News Sunday: Shannon Bream on the Show’s Past and Future

Garrett Searight
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30 Years of Fox News Sunday: Shannon Bream on the Show’s Past and Future

30 years is a long time in television, and even longer in the ever-shifting world of political media. Fox News Sunday marks that milestone this weekend. It’s celebrating an anniversary that stretches back to April 28, 1996 — before Fox News Channel even existed. Shannon Bream, who’s helmed the program since 2022, sat down to reflect on the show’s history, its evolution, and where she hopes to take it next.

“The fact that Fox News Sunday started before Fox News Channel existed is a really interesting nugget,” Bream said. “Our founders wanted to get on the map with our network show. So Tony Snow kicked off Fox News Sunday several months before we finally launched the channel.”

Snow anchored the program from 1996 to 2003, building its early identity before moving on to other pursuits — including a stint as White House Press Secretary. Chris Wallace then carried the torch from 2003 through 2021, staying nearly two decades before his departure. Bream stepped in as full-time host of the show in 2022, bringing her Supreme Court expertise and a lighter touch to the franchise.

“I didn’t get a chance to know Tony very well because he passed away too young. We didn’t really cross paths at Fox,” she said. “It’s been fun for me to hear stories from people who worked with him. We still have folks who worked on the initial Fox News Sunday who are at Fox, which is a treasure trove of information and stories. To hear the way Tony tackled the show versus the way Chris tackled the show. He came in, and we did a fun interview looking at his 18 years on the show. Everybody has contributed in different ways. There have been exciting moments. It’s been a lot of fun to see that 30 years has gone so quickly.”

A Different Kind of Sunday Show

Bream’s vision for Fox News Sunday has pushed the program beyond its traditional political roundtable format. Single-theme shows — and traveling to different parts of the country — have become a hallmark of her tenure.

“We’ve tried to do interesting single-themed shows, which have taken us all over the country and given us a chance to do deep dives,” she explained. “Like sitting down with Sam Altman in California to do an hour on AI, going to the Heartland to visit a multi-generational family farm to talk about how policies in DC, tariffs, and regulations affect their farm. We’ve done deep dives on crime and education. Those single-theme shows have been a lot of fun and hopefully informative for our viewers. We try to take a more hands-on look at how policy driven out of DC affects Americans across all kinds of backgrounds.”

The shift wasn’t accidental. Bream says the longer format gave her something she couldn’t get elsewhere.

“I think longer-form interviews than I was getting to do on other shows at Fox,” she said. “When this opportunity came along, I thought we get more time to dig in. To try to get people off their talking points when we can. And to get people from opposing parties to come on together and have important conversations.”

Booking guests remains both the reward and the grind. Balance is a priority — and earning trust with guests who haven’t appeared on the program before takes deliberate effort.

“For a lot of people, if they don’t know you well and don’t have a history with you, it takes relationship-building to get them to come on,” Bream said. “Our goal is to have a very balanced show, and we’re committed to that every week. Whether it’s Governor Pritzker, Governor Hochul, or Tim Walz when he was a vice presidential nominee, we want people across the political spectrum to come on as guests. We haven’t had one say they wouldn’t come back.”

What’s Next for Fox News Sunday

The 30th anniversary doesn’t feel like a stopping point to Bream — it feels like a launching pad. America’s 250th anniversary is already driving programming decisions, and her wish list of guests keeps growing.

“I’ve had several of the Supreme Court justices. But for me there’s a kind of wish list. I want every single one of them at some point,” she said. “I also cover the court, so that’s my first love: the legal side of what we do in DC. To get all of them to sit down at some point, one by one or in combination, would be a real achievement for us.”

Her ambition extends beyond the guest roster. The show’s expanding travel schedule and the approaching national milestone have her energized heading into the next chapter.

“We’re doing interesting things for the 250th anniversary of the country that will take us to different locations,” Bream said. “During campaign years, I enjoy traveling to different states and hearing different voices. From places like the Iowa State Fair to traditional sit-down interviews, we want to keep changing it up and seeing where our audience wants to go.”

At its core, though, Fox News Sunday remains what it’s always been: a platform for accountability and conversation at the highest levels of American public life. Bream carries that responsibility with clear eyes.

“I still pinch myself regularly,” she said. “It’s very much my dream job, so it feels like a privilege and a great responsibility. I can’t wait to see what the next 30 years brings.”

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The $65 Million Question: Can Podcasting Avoid Radio’s Mistakes?

Garrett Searight
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The $65 Million Question: Can Podcasting Avoid Radio’s Mistakes?

Money talks. And right now, it’s screaming at podcast listeners and creators alike — just in very different ways.

New data from Magellan AI shows the top 15 podcast advertisers spent nearly $65 million in March alone. That’s a staggering figure. For context, Cumulus Media — a company operating 394 radio stations — generated comparable revenue per month during the final quarter of 2025. Apples to tomatoes, sure. But the sheer scale of that number still stops you cold.

So it’s no mystery why high-profile creators are chasing podcasting. The dollars are real, they’re growing, and the barrier to entry is low. If you’re a creator with an audience and a microphone, you’d be leaving money on the table by ignoring those figures. The gold rush is on — and for good reason.

Here’s where it gets complicated, though.

Sounds Profitable’s “The Podcast Landscape 2025” study reveals a tension that should concern every creator and advertiser paying attention. Heavy listeners — the most valuable audience segment in podcasting — are more likely to stop listening because of irrelevant ads than the average listener. Yet they’re less sensitive to total ad volume than you’d expect.

Think about what that means for a moment. Your most engaged, most loyal podcast listeners can tolerate more ads. But those ads better mean something to them. Hit them with irrelevant spots, and they’re gone. That’s a narrow margin of error — and it’s one that too many in the space aren’t taking seriously enough.

Ideally, you’d want the opposite dynamic. You’d want heavy listeners to shrug off irrelevant ads and bristle at high ad loads. That would make scaling revenue much easier. But that’s not the reality. And when you’re building a business around scale, those numbers don’t work in your favor if you’re not being precise.

So what does this mean for the podcast space going forward? A few things.

First, programmatic advertising matters more than ever. Spray-and-pray ad placement isn’t a strategy — it’s a liability.

Second, hyper-targeted advertising needs to move from a “nice to have” to a non-negotiable. The audience will tell you when you’ve gotten it wrong, and they’ll do it by leaving.

Third — and this is the part that should keep creators up at night — there’s a vicious cycle waiting to swallow anyone who gets this wrong. Irrelevant ads drive away listeners. Fewer listeners drive down rates. Lower rates push creators to run more ads to maintain revenue. More ads drive away even more listeners. Eventually, you’re not a thriving podcast operation. You’re AM/FM radio. And I can’t imagine that’s the destination anyone in podcasting had in mind when they started.

The advertising money flowing into podcasting is real and it’s remarkable. But it comes with a responsibility that the space can’t afford to ignore. The best creators will treat their audiences like the finite, valuable resource they are. The ones who don’t will learn the lesson the hard way.

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.

Andy Hart, Nick ‘Fitzy’ Stevens Depart WEEI Boston

BSM Staff
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Andy Hart, Nick ‘Fitzy’ Stevens Depart WEEI Boston

Changes are underway in afternoon drive at WEEI, as the station adjusts its weekday lineup. Barrett Media has learned that both Andy Hart and Nick ‘Fitzy’ Stevens are no longer with the Boston sports radio brand.

Changes have already been made to the station’s website removing WEEI Afternoons with Ted Johnson Jr., Andy Hart and Nick ‘Fitzy’ Stevens. In its place, the site now lists generic WEEI programming during the timeslot.

Wednesday’s show reflected the shift. Only Johnson appeared during the afternoon program, and is expected to remain in the daypart. Evening host Christian Arcand filled in as host on Wednesday. A station announcement is expected at 9am on Monday during the Greg Hill Show to announce the new program.

Hart and Stevens have not commented online about their absence.

Hart joined WEEI in 2019. He moved to afternoons in August 2024. Stevens also joined the station in 2019. He earned a promotion to afternoons at the same time. Johnson joined Hart and Stevens in afternoon drive in January 2025.

The adjustments follow recent cuts at parent company Audacy. The company conducted layoffs across multiple markets earlier this month.

***This is a developing story. Barrett Media will update with further information when provided.***

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Cox Media Group Names Jay Shannon Operations Manager in San Antonio

BMM Staff
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Cox Media Group Names Jay Shannon Operations Manager in San Antonio

Cox Media Group has named Jay Shannon as Operations Manager of its San Antonio cluster.

Shannon joins after spending more than 30 years programming stations in the Lone Star State. Most recently, he served as Program Director of Mix 102.9 and Star 102.1 for iHeartMedia Dallas. He exited that role in January 2025 after just under a decade.

He also worked at iHeartMedia Austin, where he rose to the role of Senior Vice President of Programming before moving to Dallas.

“I’m beyond ecstatic to be joining the CMG San Antonio cluster,” said Shannon. “To be a part of one of the strongest radio groups in the country — with top-performing heritage formats — is truly a gift that’s not taken lightly. I’m thankful for this amazing opportunity.”

In his new role, Shannon will oversee 99.5 KISS (Rock), 106.7 The Eagle (Classic Rock), KONO 101.1 (Classic Hits), HITS 105.3 (Hot AC), Y100 (Country), KKYX 680 (Classic Country), and KONO-AM 860 (news/talk).

“With more than three decades in radio, Jay brings a combination of experience, leadership, and respect across the industry,” said Cox Media Group San Antonio Vice President/Market Manager Mark Shecterle. “I’m excited to have Jay join CMG San Antonio and work alongside our talented team to help lead our strong group of radio stations.”

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MS NOW Adds Shawna Thomas as Political Director

BNM Staff
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MS NOW Adds Shawna Thomas as Political Director

CBS Mornings Executive Producer Shawna Thomas is leaving the show and network and will join MS NOW as its new Political Director.

In addition to overseeing the network’s political campaign and election coverage, she’ll also make appearances on MS NOW platforms.

“It will be an honor to work with everyone at MS NOW to help inform an audience that craves context and meaning, along with the political machinations of the moment,” said Thomas. “It’s no secret that I’ve missed Washington, D.C., and this is a homecoming of sorts.

“I get to reunite with Luke Russert and Peter Alexander, both of whom I produced for,” Thomas continued. “I get to work with Kate Farrell again, who was an invaluable part of my team at CBS Mornings. And I get to mix it up with Madeleine Haeringer, who helped make me a better producer at VICE News, where we both worked with Antonia Hylton. The one and only Rachel Maddow was the first anchor to put me on television (I don’t remember what I talked about, but I’m sure it was super nerdy and procedural).”

Shawna Thomas originally joined CBS Mornings in 2021.

“Bringing Shawna on board strengthens our ability to position MS NOW at the center of the 2028 election, which is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent history,” said MS NOW Washington Bureau Chief Sudeep Reddy. “Given the scale, reach, and impact of our audience, we are well-positioned to play a leading role, with the road to the midterms and the White House running through MS NOW.”

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Walter Sterling Exits 1210 WPHT After Launching Show on 77 WABC

BNM Staff
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Walter Sterling Exits 1210 WPHT After Launching Show on 77 WABC

Walter Sterling has exited his evening program at 1210 WPHT in Philadelphia after taking over the overnight show on 77 WABC.

Last week, Sterling began hosting The Other Side of Midnight. That program is nationally syndicated by Red Apple Audio Networks. The program airs from 1-5 AM ET.

With the launch of the show, Sterling Every Damn Night has exited 1210 WPHT. That show aired from 10 PM-1 AM ET on the Audacy Philadelphia news/talk station.

Walter Sterling began hosting the show in May 2024. Before hosting the evening show on 1210 WPHT, he hosted Sterling on Sunday with Walter Sterling as a nationally syndicated offering for more than a decade. Previously, he worked at SiriusXM and also served as the Vice President of ABC Radio Networks. He was also the Executive Vice President of NBC-owned FM stations.

He replaced Lionel as the host of The Other Side of Midnight. Lionel had worked on the show since June 2025. After departing the weekday show, Lionel is hosting Another Side of Midnight, the weekend version.

Former WBAP host Casey Bartholomew has been hosting the daypart on 1210 WPTH in a fill-in capacity following Sterling’s exit.

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Cara Banks Named New LPGA Tour Play by Play Voice on NBC Sports

BSM Staff
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Cara Banks Named New LPGA Tour Play by Play Voice on NBC Sports

NBC Sports has found its new lead voice for LPGA Tour coverage. Cara Banks steps into the play-by-play role, debuting this weekend at the Chevron Championship in Houston.

Banks’ officially begins her role with calling the third round Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. She returns Sunday for the final round at 2 p.m. ET on the same platforms.

The broadcast team surrounds her with strong talent. Morgan Pressel, the 2007 Chevron winner, joins as analyst alongside Tom Abbott and Paige Mackenzie. Jim “Bones” Mackay and Emilia Doran work on-course. Amy Rogers handles interviews.

Banks isn’t new to LPGA duties. She handled select play-by-play assignments in 2025, covering the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, Mizuho Americas Open, and U.S. Women’s Open lead-in coverage.

Cara Banks’ NBC Sports resume runs deep. She recently reported alpine skiing at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. She hosted for CNBC and E! during the 2024 Paris Olympics. NBC honored her as part of the Paris Olympics team with a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event.

Banks joined Golf Channel in 2015 as a Morning Drive co-host. She later anchored Golf Central and covered majors for Golf Central Live.

Bazi Kanani Named New Morning Edition Host at Colorado Public Radio

BNM Staff
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Bazi Kanani Named New Morning Edition Host at Colorado Public Radio

Colorado Public Radio has a new face for its most important morning slot. Bazi Kanani takes over as local host of NPR’s Morning Edition beginning April 27.

Kanani joined CPR in 2024. She has co-hosted the station’s daily news podcast, Colorado Today, since then.

“Morning Edition has been part of my own daily routine for decades,” Kanani said. “I’m honored to be part of carrying on this important work with my colleagues at CPR News.”

Kanani brings serious credentials to the role. She launched her career at TV and radio stations in Nevada, Michigan, Western New York, and Colorado. In 2012, ABC News sent her to Nairobi, Kenya as an international reporter. She later reported from the Washington, D.C. bureau.

Her work has earned a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, a Heartland Emmy, and honors from the Colorado and National Association of Black Journalists, the Colorado Associated Press Broadcasters Association, and Gracie Awards.

CPR News Executive Editor Kevin Dale praised the hire. “She quickly established herself as an engaging host with the authoritative voice of the veteran that she is,” Dale said. “We’re thrilled to have Bazi bring her strong editorial judgement and enthusiasm for Colorado stories to Morning Edition.”

Morning Edition is the most-listened-to news radio program in America. CPR airs the show weekdays from 4-9 AM.

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Hints at Signature Music Coming to Postseason Experience

BSM Staff
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Hints at Signature Music Coming to Postseason Experience

Adam Silver is ready to give the NBA a signature sound. The commissioner says the league has not done enough to connect music with its biggest moments. He wants that to change — starting with the postseason.

“Music has historically been such a big part of the NBA,” Silver said Wednesday on Pardon My Take. “The whole hip hop movement, in a way, was correlated directly to the rise of the league. I think we haven’t done enough with it [music].”

Silver pointed to the NFL’s Super Bowl as a model. He believes the NBA Finals deserves a similar identity.

“There’s so much attention now focused on these big events, and obviously the NFL does a spectacular job with the Super Bowl,” he said. “I think there’s more we can do.”

Silver hinted that an announcement is coming as the league has already hired a composer to begin working on identifying a signature sound.

“We engaged a well known composer to be thinking about tracks designed for the league,” Silver said.

The goal is to create music tied specifically to the conference finals and NBA Finals. Silver says players will respond just as fans do.

“When you get to the conference finals and finals, there should be special music that comes on,” he said. “As a fan, what’s also interesting is the players are like fans in certain ways. They respond to all the sort of accouterments, the trappings of big events too.”

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