Bruce Boudreau is returning to NHL Network as a studio analyst.
Boudreau was fired as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks on January 22nd and replaced by NHL on TNT studio analyst Rick Tocchet.
The 68-year-old was a member of analyst with the network from August 2020 through December 2021.
“I am so happy to be back at NHL Network because the people I got to know are incredible, not only nice, but people who know hockey through and through,” Boudreau said.
“I’ve always been part of a team my whole life and this was one of the best that I’ve ever been on, so it was an easy decision for me when they asked if I wanted to come back.”
A 15-year NHL coaching veteran, Boudreau will return to the network on NHL Tonight this evening before appearing on the program tomorrow evening with Adnan Virk and Kevin Weekes as the trio will helm the studio for the network’s coverage of the Seattle Kraken/New York Rangers broadcast.
An announced restructuring by The Walt Disney Company has seen ESPN turned into an independent entity, but the company’s CEO — Bob Iger — was clear the network is not for sale.
Speaking on the Disney year-end earnings call Wednesday, Iger revealed that ESPN, in conjunction with its Entertainment/Parks and Experiences/Products divisions, will all work as separate divisions going forward.
“We were fairly certain that when we created this structure and broke out ESPN on its own, it would lead to questions,” Iger said of a potential sale. “Actually, ESPN is a differentiator for this company. It is the best sports brand in television … and it continues to create real value for us.”
Iger did note that under previous leadership, the company explored putting ESPN on the market, but has decided against a move.
“We are not engaged in any discussions right now, or considering a spinoff of ESPN,” Iger said. “That had been done — by the way, in my absence — and I’m told … after exploring it very thoroughly, that it wasn’t something the company wanted to do.”
The Disney CEO also announced more than 7,000 jobs would be cut due to the corporate restructuring. ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro will continue to oversee the sports network after the changes are finalized.
Comments from FOX Sports NFL analyst Terry Bradshaw raised eyebrows earlier this week, and 93.7 The Fan afternoon drive host Andrew Fillipponi knows Bradshaw wasn’t kidding.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback told assembled media on Radio Row that he would love to die on the air. The PM Team of Fillipponi and Chris Mueller discussed what that situation would look like.
“Yesterday, they did this FOX Sports media day. You could go over to the convention center in this big room and they had all the FOX Sports media people,” explained Fillipponi. “They were begging us to go over there, I’ve never seen anything like it. They were pleading with me to leave the show and go over and interview the people from FOX who are here covering the Super Bowl.
“Terry Bradshaw said that his wish is to die on the air,” Fillipponi continued. “He said that’s how he wants to go. He said ‘I hope I die while I’m on the air for the NFL on FOX.’ Then he said ‘Could you imagine the ratings?’. And he was serious!”
“Think of the trauma you’d be inflicting on your co-hosts,” said Mueller. “‘Let’s go to Terry for his take on the game. Terry, who you got? … Terry’s dead’.”
The pair — recently voted the top mid-market afternoon show during BSM’s Top 20 series — then joked that 93.7 The Fan Brand Manager Kraig Riley would welcome their on-air deaths because the ratings and content for the station would be worth their untimely demise.
“He’d have seven different web articles about every angle of one of his hosts dying on the air,” Mueller joked.
It is a busy week for those in sports media. As the Super Bowl approaches, many brands and hosts are assembled in Arizona for Radio Row. 98.7 ESPN New York afternoon co-host Don La Greca isn’t a fan of the way the week of the big game is covered.
“They’ve really taken it away from the football fan. It’s everything but football,” La Greca said during The Michael Kay Show Wednesday. “If you’re a football fan, it’s almost like football ended two weeks ago. Now we get into the yo-yo stuff. We’ll feel differently once they kick off at 6:40 PM or whatever time it’s gonna be on Sunday.
“But between Rihanna at halftime, a big six-hour pregame … SiriusXM’s got a whole channel committed to the Super Bowl, and every time I turn it on, they’re talking to Miss America, they’re talking to this celebrity, that celebrity. It’s so not about football until they actually kick off.”
La Greca continued by saying — as a football fan — the best point of the NFL Playoffs is the Divisional Round, with games airing on both Saturday and Sunday.
“Let’s just say what it is,” co-host Peter Rosenberg said. “The two weeks stinks.”
“It’s unnecessary,” La Greca concurred. “It used to be we got to hype it up. That was the whole idea of two weeks. It doesn’t need to be hyped up anymore… it’s amazing how it has nothing to do with football. And I think that really takes away from the game.”
NewsNation reporter Evan Lambert was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief after giving a live report during a press conference held by Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) regarding a train derailment that caused hundreds of East Liverpool, Ohio residents to evacuate due to toxic chemicals released from the crash. 700 WLW host Bill Cunningham believes Lambert is lucky the events transpired on video.
“He was doing his damn job, he was where he had a right to be, he was invited to be there by the Governor’s office, Governor DeWine was 50 yards away…one or two officers took it upon themselves to arrest him,” Cunningham told NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield.
“Once they chicken winged him and took him down, you’ve got to do something. You can’t do that and say ‘Ok, you’re free to go’. I practiced law for 30 years in Ohio. What happens in small-town Ohio, small counties, is significantly different than what happens in Chicago, Philadelphia, (or) New York City. Because these prosecutors and these sheriffs run the place, and what they say goes. If NewsNation wasn’t on this thing, Evan would still be locked up and I don’t easily say the charges are going to be dismissed.”
Cunningham continued by calling the situation “outrageous” and a “black eye” for the Columbiana County Sheriff’s department.
“I’m so proud of NewsNation doing what they’re doing tonight,” concluded Cunningham, saying that there is a lack of accountability with small-town and rural Ohio sheriff’s departments.
NewsNation reporter Evan Lambert was arrested while covering a story on a train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio Wednesday.
Lambert was reporting from inside a room where a press briefing from Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) on the matter was about to transpire. The reporter was reportedly instructed to end his report so the conference could commence, but apparently did not end in a fast enough manner, and was removed and arrested by the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office.
During Banfield, Lambert was released and joined host Ashleigh Banfield to discuss what led to his removal and arrest.
“I am doing fine right now. It’s just been an extremely long day,” said a dejected Lambert. “I have to have to be kind of careful about what I say, but as you can see, I am out. Most things are on video of the situation so it’s pretty clear to see what happened. I’ll just say this: I’m just trying to do my job, as I am right now. That’s what it’s all about: protecting the first amendment, and democracy, and get information out. We were talking about this major accident that impacted hundreds, thousands of people in this town and that’s what we were trying to do and what I’ll continue to try to do.”
NewsNation reporter @EvanLambertTV speaks about his arrest upon being released late Wednesday night. "Most things are on video … so it's pretty clear to see what happened. … I'm just trying to do my job."
The NewsNation reporter was allegedly charged with Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Mischief. DeWine has apologized for the incident, saying “I’m certainly very, very sorry that happened. I don’t have all the facts, but he or she or whoever was arrested had every right to be there.”
The 8th annual BSM Top 20 series rolls on with a look at the Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Midday Shows of 2022. As you review this year’s list, please remember that the results are a collective snapshot of how forty-six (46) industry executives view the best in this category. I want to thank Alex Reynolds, Stephanie Eads, and Dylan Barrett for helping with the Top 20 process, and Steve Kamer Voiceovers for being our exclusive sponsor for this year’s Top 20 series. Steve’s voice is heard across the nation on many top shows, stations, and networks, and if you’re not familiar with his work, take a second to learn what makes him stellar at his craft by clicking here.
As it pertains to the voting, here are a few key things to be aware of.
– These results are based on 2022’s performance. 2023 changes have no effect on the voting.
– Our executive panel consists of forty-six (46) program directors and corporate executives from a number of top broadcasting companies including Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Beasley, Hubbard, Good Karma Brands, ESPN Radio, FOX Sports Radio, SiriusXM, Spotify, and independently owned and operated radio stations. We involve a large number of people in this process in order to include feedback from all parts of the country, as well as to prevent the results from heavily favoring one company.
– A total of 36 shows were eligible for voting consideration in the Major Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows category.
– Voters choose their Top 20 based on a myriad of factors including the ear test, originality, ability to entertain, multi-platform impact, on-air chemistry, and ratings success. Keep in mind that voters live in different cities, have different tastes, and value certain factors higher than others. This isn’t a perfect science, but it’s the best system we’ve been able to come up with to showcase how sports radio’s brain trust view the best in the format.
And that brings us to the rankings for this year’s Major Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows. Congratulations goes out to Carton & Roberts on scoring their first category win. WFAN’s afternoon drive show slipped past 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Felger & Mazz by six (6) points to grab the victory. BSM congratulates Craig, Evan, PD Spike Eskin, and the entire afternoon crew on earning this year’s top honor, as well as every other show which gained a spot on this year’s list.
Now, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows of 2022!”
Additional Notes:
Felger & Mazz received a category best six (6) first place votes. Carton & Roberts were second with five (5).
21-25 belonged to Clint Stoerner & The Show, Wyman & Bob, The Drive w/ Derek Wolfe & DMac, Ronnie & TKras, and Hochman & Crowder.
The closest contest saw The Michael Kay Show slide by Parkins & Spiegel by 2 points.
Of the 36 shows eligible for consideration this year, 8 received at least one 1st place vote.
Here is the remaining schedule for the BSM Top 20 of 2022.
Friday February 10 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Program Directors of 2022
Monday February 13 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Stations of 2022
To view prior years of BSM’s Top 20 results, click here.
The 8th annual BSM Top 20 series rolls on with a look at the Top 20 Major Market Sports Radio Midday Shows of 2022. As you review this year’s list, please remember that the results are a collective snapshot of how forty-six (46) industry executives view the best in this category. I want to thank Alex Reynolds, Stephanie Eads, and Dylan Barrett for helping with the Top 20 process, and Steve Kamer Voiceovers for being our exclusive sponsor for this year’s Top 20 series. Steve’s voice is heard across the nation on many top shows, stations, and networks, and if you’re not familiar with his work, take a second to learn what makes him stellar at his craft by clicking here.
As it pertains to the voting, here are a few key things to be aware of.
– These results are based on 2022’s performance. 2023 changes have no effect on the voting.
– Our executive panel consists of forty-six (46) program directors and corporate executives from a number of top broadcasting companies including Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Beasley, Hubbard, Good Karma Brands, ESPN Radio, FOX Sports Radio, SiriusXM, Spotify, and independently owned and operated radio stations. We involve a large number of people in this process in order to include feedback from all parts of the country, as well as to prevent the results from heavily favoring one company.
– A total of 57 shows were eligible for voting consideration in the Mid Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows category.
– Voters choose their Top 20 based on a myriad of factors including the ear test, originality, ability to entertain, multi-platform impact, on-air chemistry, and ratings success. Keep in mind that voters live in different cities, have different tastes, and value certain factors higher than others. This isn’t a perfect science, but it’s the best system we’ve been able to come up with to showcase how sports radio’s brain trust view the best in the format.
And that brings us to the rankings for this year’s Mid Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows. Congratulations goes out to Poni and Mueller on recording their second category win. The Pittsburgh tandem finished in front of 97.1 The Fan’s Common Man and T-Bone by fifteen (15) points. BSM congratulates Andrew Fillipponi, Chris Mueller, PD Kraig Riley, and the entire afternoon crew on picking up this year’s victory, as well as every other show which gained a spot on this year’s list.
Now, here are the full results of “BSM’s Top 20 Mid Market Sports Radio Afternoon Shows of 2022!”
Additional Notes:
Poni & Mueller received a category best six (6) first place votes. Common Man & T-Bone were second with three (3).
21-25 belonged to The OG, Unnecessary Roughness, Gametime w/ Heath Cline, The Blitz, and Rob Dibble.
The closest contest saw Dustin Fox and Nick Wilson hold off Schopp & The Bulldog by 2 points.
Of the 57 shows eligible for consideration this year, 12 received at least one 1st place vote.
Here is the remaining schedule for the BSM Top 20 of 2022.
Friday February 10 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Program Directors of 2022
Monday February 13 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market Sports Radio Stations of 2022
To view prior years of BSM’s Top 20 results, click here.
The “Presidential Pooches with Dana Perino” series on FOX Nation is an exploration into the history of presidential pets and the impact they have had on the White House and the nation.
With the help of experts such as Andrew Hage and Jennifer Pickens, the series will provide an in-depth look into the role dogs have played in American history, from being a source of comfort during difficult times to helping bridge the gap between the President and the public.
Dana Perino is a political commentator, author, and television personality. She is best known as the co-anchor of America’s Newsroom on Fox News, where she provides analysis and commentary on the day’s top news stories. She is also the co-host of The Five, a popular political talk show that discusses current events and political news with a panel of five commentators.
Perino previously served as the White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush, making her the first woman to hold that position. She is a frequent commentator on Fox News and is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and insightful political analysts in the country.
According to the network, whether you are a history buff, a pet lover, or simply interested in learning more about the personal side of past Presidents, this series is sure to be both entertaining and educational.
The four-episode series begins on Thursday, Feb 9th:
Episode 1 – First Dogs
While presidents must make life-or-death decisions, “First Dogs” have captivated the country’s attention through some of the greatest moments in U.S. history.
Episode 2 – America’s Mascots
When Americans craved an escape from uncertain times, it was the president’s dog who brought the nation some levity. Hear how our country’s mascots made America feel good.
Episode 3 – “PR” Machines Throughout presidential history, dogs have helped connect our commander-in-chief to Americans in a way that diverts from the political and softens the personal.
Episode 4 – Companionship The day-to-day pressure of being commander-in-chief can be so intense that only the special bond between a presidential pup and his owner can relieve the burdens of the office.
FOX Nation offers exclusive programming, original series, documentaries, and special events that showcase the perspectives, commentary, and insights of some of the most popular and influential personalities on FOX News.
The Walt Disney Company’s announcement of a restructuring plan and the cutting of 7,000 jobs is a significant move that reflects the company’s efforts to streamline its operations and reduce costs.
According to CNBC, the company’s CEO, Bob Iger, has stated that the job cuts are part of a broader plan to make Disney’s streaming business profitable and save $5.5 billion in costs.
It remains to be seen what the long-term effects of this restructuring plan will be for Disney and its employees, but the company is taking steps to adapt to the rapidly changing media and entertainment landscape. The company’s focus on its streaming business and its commitment to reducing costs demonstrate a determination to stay competitive and succeed in the future.
ABC Audio is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, which is one of the largest media and entertainment conglomerates in the world. It operates several radio networks, including ABC News Radio, ESPN Radio, and the ABC Owned Television Stations Radio Network.
The ABC Audio digital audio network provides content to streaming platforms, podcasts, and other digital audio providers. In addition to its radio and digital offerings, ABC Audio provides audio production and distribution services to its clients, helping them to reach audiences through a variety of audio channels.
The company’s theme parks and resorts have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, with Disneyland in California remaining closed since last March and Disney World in Florida operating at reduced capacity.
Despite the challenges, Disney has seen a surge in demand for its streaming services, such as Disney+ and ESPN+, as people spend more time at home due to the pandemic. The company’s media and entertainment segment has also been a bright spot, with strong results from its film and TV production businesses.
Overall, Disney’s new structure is designed to better align its businesses and resources to take advantage of growth opportunities in streaming and direct-to-consumer offerings, while also enabling the company to effectively manage its cost structure
