Home Blog Page 2423

Sports Media Pays Tribute To Mike Leach

0

Mike Leach has passed away. He was 61 years old.

The Mississippi State football coach is the first active SEC coach to die since 1980 when Bo Raine was killed in a plane crash while recruiting for LSU.

While Leach could be the source of controversy at times, what most in the sports media remembered and loved about him was his irreverent personality.

He was a favorite interview subject of many that covered the sport and they paid tribute to the man on social media following his death.

https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1602666735416614913?s=20&t=LinQZAR8sRk_3uwRVxG5vw

This is just a small list of the tributes and memories that poured in on Twitter. To put together a full list would take more bandwidth than we have here at BSM.

Credited as one of the creators of the Air Raid offense, Mike Leach revolutionized the game while serving as offensive coordinator at Kentucky under Hal Mummy. He eventually became the head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, a role he held from 2000 until 2009 when he was fired amid accusations of mistreating a player that had suffered a concussion. After three seasons away from the sidelines, he became the head coach at Washington State in 2012. He left Pullman for Starkville in 2020.

During his career, Leach amassed a 158-107 record. He lead his teams to bowl games in 18 bowl games in his 21 seasons as a head coach.

Mike Leach is survived by his wife Sharon and four children: Janeen, Kimberly, Cody and Kiersten.

Boomer Esiason: I Wouldn’t Want to Make Shannon Sharpe Mad

0

During a heated exchange on Undisputed Monday, Skip Bayless took a puzzling shot at his partner Shannon Sharpe for his NFL playing career, which saw the former Bronco and Raven win three Super Bowls during his Hall of Fame career. On Boomer & Gio Tuesday, Boomer Esiason noted Sharpe isn’t someone he’d make angry.

Gregg Giannotti asked Esiason if he saw the clip, noting that “this was not a fake thing”, adding that Bayless and Sharpe appeared to be on the verge of cursing at one another, when Boomer chipped in.

“Lemme tell you something, I’ve worked with Shannon,” Esiason said. “You don’t wanna piss him off. That’s the one guy I’d never want to piss off. I saw what the argument was about, and it’s idiotic. Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback and if you wanna say the greatest football player who ever played, but by saying that you’re not insulting Shannon and his brilliance as a great player and a Hall of Famer. And that’s what that whole thing was about.”

Esiason added he’d “reach over and smack” Bayless had he been in Sharpe’s shoes.

Barrett News Media’s Top 20 Major Market News/Talk Radio Morning Shows of 2022

0

Welcome to day two of our inaugural BNM Top 20 series presented by Steve Stone Voiceovers. This series runs a total of seven days, and is designed to recognize News/Talk radio’s top shows, hosts, brands and programmers for the 2022 calendar year. To stay informed on each day’s results please bookmark our website, follow BNM on Twitter at @BNMStaff, visit us on Facebook at Barrett News Media or sign up for our daily newsletter, ‘The Rundown‘ by clicking here. The support is greatly appreciated.

The seven categories we are examining this week and next include the industry’s top national and original digital shows, as well as the best morning, midday and afternoon shows, and the best stations and programmers in both Major (#1-#20) and Mid-Sized (#21-Below) markets. We separate large and mid-sized cities since the opportunities and challenges they face are different. Not included in our lists are NPR brands and shows. Maybe down the line we’ll change that or add an extra category but for now, terrestrial outlets are our main focus.

As a format, News/Talk radio is delivered on over two thousand stations. Only the country format is larger in size. We try our best to make sure the top shows, hosts, programmers and brands are listed for voting consideration and also allow room for our voters to add nominees if for some reason someone isn’t listed on our document.

As you review these results, please keep in mind that they represent the collective opinions of forty four industry programmers and executives. I want to thank everyone who took the time to participate in our voting process. Altogether we had representation from fifteen companies and thirty six different cities, which was outstanding.

As it pertains to the voting, here are a few things to be aware of.

#1 – Our executive voters were asked to pick their Top 20 selections for each category based on a few key factors; quality of show (ear test), originality, ability to entertain-inform-connect across multiple platforms, ratings success, clearance (national shows) and industry buzz. Remember, our voters live in different cities, have different tastes, work for different groups, and value certain factors higher than others. This isn’t a perfect system but it’s the best one we’ve been able to create to showcase the industry’s best. Having done this for seven years for the sports talk format, we’re going to stick with it until another approach makes more sense.

#2 – Our executive panel consists of program directors and corporate executives from a number of top broadcasting companies including Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Beasley, Hubbard, Good Karma Brands, Cox Media Group, Radio One, Alpha, Bonneville, FOX News Radio, Hearst, Federated Media, Zimmer Communications, and Westwood One. We involve a large number of people in order to receive feedback from all parts of the country, and to avoid the results heavily favoring one company.

#3 – A total of 43 shows appeared on ballots turned in by our executive panel in the Major Market Morning News/Talk Shows category.

Which brings us to today’s category – Major Market News/Talk Morning Shows. These shows kickstart the day for news/talk stations across the country, being counted on to deliver ratings, revenue and relevance for their respective brands. Many enjoyed exceptional years but the top spot can only be occupied by one.

Congratulations is in order for KFI’s Bill Handel. The broadcasting legend and radio hall of famer received eight (8) 1st place votes from our executive panel to prevail over a talented field. BNM congratulates Bill, Robin Bertolucci and the entire KFI staff on earning this year’s top honor, as well as every other show which landed on this year’s list.

Now, here are the full results of “BNM’s Top 20 Major Market News/Talk Morning Shows of 2022!”

Additional Notes:

  • Bill Handel finished 35 points in front of WTOP’s Morning News, thanks to a category high eight (8) first place votes.
  • Spots 21-25 belonged to 1010 WINS Morning Drive, Ian Bush & Carol McKenzie, Houston’s Morning News, Wayne Cabot & Paul Murdane and Ted & LaDona.
  • The closest contests saw WTOP Morning News edge Bernie & Sid by 2 points, and Len Berman & Michael Reidel hold off LA’s Morning News by 1 point.
  • Of the 43 shows to appear on submitted ballots, eight (8) received at least one 1st place vote.

*** Bernard McGuirk of ‘Bernie & Sid’ passed away in early October.

Here is the remaining schedule for the BNM Top 20 of 2022.

  • Wednesday December 14 = BNM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Midday Shows of 2022
  • Thursday December 15 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Afternoon Shows of 2022
  • Friday December 16 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Program Directors of 2022
  • Monday December 19 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Stations of 2022
  • Tuesday December 20 = The Top 20 Original N/T Digital Shows of 2022

A reminder, BNM will have a big announcement following the Top 20 series on Wednesday December 21st. Make sure to visit the website that day to learn what else we’re up to.

Barrett News Media’s Top 20 Mid Market News/Talk Radio Morning Shows of 2022

0

Welcome to day two of our inaugural BNM Top 20 series presented by Steve Stone Voiceovers. This series runs a total of seven days, and is designed to recognize News/Talk radio’s top shows, hosts, brands and programmers for the 2022 calendar year. To stay informed on each day’s results please bookmark our website, follow BNM on Twitter at @BNMStaff, visit us on Facebook at Barrett News Media or sign up for our daily newsletter, ‘The Rundown‘ by clicking here. The support is greatly appreciated.

The seven categories we are examining this week and next include the industry’s top national and original digital shows, as well as the best morning, midday and afternoon shows, and the best stations and programmers in both Major (#1-#20) and Mid-Sized (#21-Below) markets. We separate large and mid-sized cities since the opportunities and challenges they face are different. Not included in our lists are NPR brands and shows. Maybe down the line we’ll change that or add an extra category but for now, terrestrial outlets are our main focus.

As a format, News/Talk radio is delivered on over two thousand stations. Only the country format is larger in size. We try our best to make sure the top shows, hosts, programmers and brands are listed for voting consideration but also allow room for our voters to add nominees if for some reason someone isn’t listed on our document.

As you review these results, please keep in mind that they represent the collective opinions of forty four industry programmers and executives. I want to thank everyone who took the time to participate in our voting process. Altogether we had representation from fifteen companies and thirty six different cities, which was outstanding.

As it pertains to the voting, here are a few things to be aware of.

#1 – Our executive voters were asked to pick their Top 20 selections for each category based on a few key factors; quality of show (ear test), originality, ability to entertain-inform-connect across multiple platforms, ratings success, clearance (national shows) and industry buzz. Remember, our voters live in different cities, have different tastes, work for different groups, and value certain factors higher than others. This isn’t a perfect system but it’s the best one we’ve been able to create to showcase the industry’s best. Having done this for seven years for the sports talk format, we’re going to stick with it until another approach makes more sense.

#2 – Our executive panel consists of program directors and corporate executives from a number of top broadcasting companies including Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Beasley, Hubbard, Good Karma Brands, Cox Media Group, Radio One, Alpha, Bonneville, FOX News Radio, Hearst, Federated Media, Zimmer Communications, and Westwood One. We involve a large number of people in order to receive feedback from all parts of the country, and to avoid the results heavily favoring one company.

#3 – A total of 87 shows appeared on ballots turned in by our executive panel in the Mid Market N/T Morning Shows category.

Which brings us to today’s category – Mid Market News/Talk Morning Shows. These programs kickstart the day for news/talk brands across the country, being counted on to deliver ratings, revenue and relevance for their respective brands. Many enjoyed exceptional years but the top spot can only be occupied by one.

Congratulations is in order for WLW’s Mike McConnell. The Cincinnati morning man picked up the most votes/points from our executive panel to secure the number one position. BNM congratulates Mike, Scott Reinhardt, DJ Hodge and the entire WLW staff 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 “BNM’s Top 20 Mid Market News/Talk Morning Shows of 2022!”

Additional Notes:

  • Mike McConnell finished 21 points in front of Tony Katz to pick up this year’s victory. McConnell and Katz were tied with Dan Mandis for the most first place votes, three (3).
  • Spots 21-25 were occupied by Brian & Company, Bill Spadea, John Reid, Harry Hurley and KMJ Morning News.
  • The closest contests saw The Tara Show nip C4 and Bryan Nehman by 1 point, and Utah’s Morning News hold off Rod Arquette by 2 points.
  • Of the 87 shows to appear on ballots this year, twelve (12) received at least one 1st place vote.

Here is the remaining schedule for the BNM Top 20 of 2022.

  • Wednesday December 14 = BNM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Midday Shows of 2022
  • Thursday December 15 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Afternoon Shows of 2022
  • Friday December 16 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Program Directors of 2022
  • Monday December 19 = The Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Stations of 2022
  • Tuesday December 20 = The Top 20 Original N/T Digital Shows of 2022

A reminder, BNM will have a big announcement following the Top 20 series on Wednesday December 21st. Make sure to visit the website that day to learn what else we’re up to.

ESPN ‘Has All The Keys’ To Getting Texas, Oklahoma To SEC By 2024

0

The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners announced back in the summer of 2020 that they intended to leave the Big 12 and join the SEC. The timetable was always unclear. It is widely believed that the two schools wouldn’t be able to leave the Big 12 until the league’s current television contracts with FOX and ESPN expire in 2025, but according to Brett McMurphy, the Worldwide Leader in Sports may have the power to move things along a little faster.

Currently, the Big 12 is in a TV contract that runs out in 2025. While Texas and Oklahoma did agree to the terms of a new deal, which will run through 2031, it is with the understanding that those two teams will not be in the league when the new deal begins. To leave before 2025 would mean that the teams devalue the current contract. That is why the conference is not making it easy for the Sooners and Longhorns to leave.

“ESPN has all the keys to the castle for this to happen,” a source told McMurphy.

Not only would ESPN have to figure out how to compensate the Big 12, but it could be on the hook for a lot more money to the SEC. Beginning in 2024, ESPN and the SEC enter into a 10-year deal worth nearly $300 million. There is a clause in that deal though that would raise the price tag if any new members are added to the conference.

For programming purposes, it makes sense that ESPN would want to see Oklahoma and Texas in the SEC as soon as possible. Financially though, it may not.

The two schools would each have to pay an exit fee. While that price tag sits at $84 million (the sum of the league’s distribution for two years) right now, it is likely to be negotiated down to around $50 million per school.

Would ESPN be willing to shell out $100 million to help the schools foot that bill? Would it be willing to do that if it means the price tag on its new SEC deal goes up? On top of all of that, would the network make those leaps if it knew they would devalue the deal currently in place with the Big 12?

A second source told Brett McMurphy that FOX does not intend to stand in the way of any move and both conferences are eager to get this done and get Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC in time for the 2024 football season. That means that the final decision very well could be ESPN’s.

Glenn Beck: Several Reasons Musk and Twitter Should ‘Lawyer Up’

0

Syndicated radio personality Glenn Beck criticized the mainstream media for its literal silence on the Twitter Files stories.

So far, there have been five updates from Elon Musk and independent journalists who are sharing files that show levels of collusion where high-profile accounts were blacklisted and facts of stories suppressed. 

When Musk purchased Twitter, he pledged full transparency amid a massive cover-up of the Hunter Biden laptop story.

Beck made his comments Monday during “The Glenn Beck Show.” 

“New York Times and the Washington Post one story in the last week,” said Beck. “There have been several updates that have happened.” 

Beck stated one of the latest updates revealed that the FBI and the CDC used a back channel with Twitter to silence dissenting voices.

“Or the internal documents that showed only one Twitter employee was raising serious free speech concerns,” he said. 

Beck said there are several reasons why Twitter should “lawyer up.” 

“First, it looks like the material may have been intentionally hidden or destroyed despite inquiries from Congress. Remember, lawmakers warned Twitter not to destroy any of the evidence, but it looks like some of the evidence has been destroyed.” 

Beck reminded his audience that this is a free speech fight for America, but most people are debating whether Twitter is bad or good. 

“This is an enormous story,” he said. “This is proof positive that the government is colluding to lie to you and using Twitter to do it. How does the press think that they will get away with it and will they?” 

77 WABC Celebrates Frank Sinatra Birthday Bash From Studio 77

0

One of the most successful and important artists of the 20th century was celebrated Sunday on the eve of his birthday. 77 WABC Radio aired a birthday bash for Frank Sinatra. The event took place in Studio 77 and was hosted by Joe Piscopo.   

Studio 77 is a multimedia facility that was transformed into a Rat-Pack-era nightspot. Piscopo was backed by a six-piece orchestra and entertained the audience with two hours of songs and stories. 

According to a news release, the live audience was decked out in glitz and glamour and broke into a spontaneous sing-along during the opening of “New York, New York.” 

“Joe is an outstanding and versatile performer,” said Margo Catsimatidis, Owner of Red Apple Media and WABC Radio in a statement. “New Yorkers love Frank Sinatra, and nobody does Sinatra like Joe. This event brought a lot of joy to a lot of people.”

The event was in partnership with Bulova Watches. 

“We are proud of our partnership with Bulova over the past year. We might look like a radio station but tonight you will all see we are much much more,” said Chad Lopez, President of Red Apple Media and WABC Radio. 

“This is exactly why we built Studio 77,” said John Catsimatidis, Owner of Red Apple Media and WABC Radio. “Studio 77 extends the WABC experience. We are radio, video, digital, and we are live! We revamped our on-air line-up and brought music and entertainment to weekends. It’s just common sense… give people the entertainment and information that they want and need.”

Fox News’ Steve Hilton Gives Monologue Written By Artificial Intelligence 

0

Technology experts believe Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the power to make massive improvements to our quality of life. ChatGPT is an AI software designed to generate human-like responses to a wide range of inputs using our algorithms. 

On Sunday, Fox News host Steve Hilton delivered a monologue on artificial intelligence – using artificial intelligence. The show challenged ChatGPT to write a script for the show “in the style of Steve Hilton.” 

“I’m here to talk to you about the threat to jobs from artificial intelligence,” said Hilton. “There is a threat to jobs from artificial intelligence but if we’re honest, there’s also opportunities.”

Hilton stated that AI is not something that we should fear but rather something we could use to our advantage. 

“Think about it, AI will automate many of the mundane tasks we have to do every day, this will free us up to do more creative and meaningful work. We can use the technology to drive innovation and create more products, services, and jobs.” 

Hilton argued that we could also use AI to improve our education system. He said AI can help us to create customized learning experiences. 

“So, every student can reach their full potential,” he said. “In time, we must assure that no one is left behind. We must ensure that those displayed by AI are provided with the training and support they need to find new jobs and new opportunities.” 

“Every word of what you just heard, what is written but ChatGPT,” he added. “An artificial intelligence program that can do everything from writing poems to creating scripts in the style of anyone, including me.”

Is the Legacy Media Done?

0

Americans have been growing increasingly distrustful of the legacy media for years, if not decades. 

Indeed, some think the dam of trust finally broke last week as a result of recent events and earth-shattering revelations about Big Tech and its alleged bias.

But why would Big Tech’s sinister actions have any influence on rendering the corporate media industry a thing of the past?

YouTube superstar, Dr. Steve Turley, discussed with his 1,020,000 followers on Friday why he feels the tide has finally turned in favor of Americans and the free flow of information. He began his discussion by recapping some of the bombshell findings uncovered last week by new Twitter CEO, Elon Musk.

“This, I believe, is the biggest revelation of them all. After the dumping of Twitter files part two, Ian Miles Cheong tweeted out to Elon this, and I’ll quote. So, here’s a question for Elon and Bari Weiss. Were any political candidates, either in the U.S. or elsewhere, subject to shadow banning while they were running for office or seeking re-election?,” Turley quoted. “In other words, was Twitter engaged in deliberate election interference? And Elon replied with one word. What is it? Yes.”

This was after Musk already unveiled a great deal of earlier information, showing that the platform suppressed, hid and stifled information they disagreed with, as well as doing the same to those personalities they wanted to silence.

“Are you sensing a political earthquake in the making?” Turley asked his audience. “And by the way, I know a lot of people have been saying they want Elon to just dump all the dirt right away. Just in one big, huge, heaping manure pile of rot once and for all. But if you think about it, I mean the way he’s doing it, drip by drip by drip, he’s allowing citizens to participate in the process of the revelation.”

Americans knew something was wrong. They knew society wasn’t as one-sided as Twitter often seemed – with left-wing extremism becoming the norm and traditional values or opinions comprising only a small minority of thought. And as drops of information have trickled out over recent days, interested bystanders could participate and weigh-in in real-time.

“And this is what makes the age of social media so unique. We’re no longer simply a passive audience, being lectured to by the professional pundit class that tells us what to believe as they cling to their monopolization of information. We now are part of the news. We are intimately interwoven with the information that’s coming out. It’s very quantum in many ways if you think about it,” Turley said.

Gone are the days of sitting in front of the television at 6:00 pm to be told the news. Now, we all report the news on the fly as we live our everyday lives.

“An example of that is how every person with a cell phone, every person with one of these, is now officially a cameraman. Right? Every person with one of these is now a cameraman,” Turley said. “You take any major event that’s happening all over the world, and the moment that event happens, the very first way we all set it is through some kind of cell phone capturing. It’s not through a satellite van. The days of the satellite van are basically done; they’re over.”

On the heels of the disgraceful revelations showing the shadow banning and suppression of conservative personalities and opinions, Turley noted that his personal Twitter following remained flat for a year before suddenly gaining thousands of new followers in recent weeks. 

In his opinion, these recent developments only hasten true news freedom.

“It’s not just a matter of somebody catching this amazing event live on video via their cell phone. That person then turns around and what do they do? They load it up, right, they upload it on their social media accounts,” Turley pointed out. “And so that person now becomes a pundit. That person now becomes an independent news outlet. Everyone with a cell phone is a cameraman. Everyone with a social media is a pundit.” 

While a small segment of consumers will still sit back, waiting to be told what to know and how to think, many have now taken a more active role. More than ever before in history, a free flow of news is now attainable and digestible by virtually all. On their terms – unencumbered, undiluted and unrefined.  

“And then they turn around and say we’re anti-democratic!” Turley mocked. “We’re the anti-democratic ones! We’re the ones who are literally bathing in this, what they call network society, that’s rising up. Where every single person with a cell phone is a cameraman. Every person with a social media account is a pundit. This is a total democratization of news. And then they turn around and call us anti-democratic.”

Turley also believes Musk has astutely tapped into this evolving dynamic by putting these shameful discoveries in exactly the right place – the hands of the people.

“He’s rolling out these revelations in and through citizen journalists and citizen commentary, and I think it’s brilliant because I think it’s keeping with the times. I think he fully understands we’re moving more and more into a network society and that the old way of doing news, by passing it through or by laying at the feet of gatekeepers, who supposedly had this monopolization of information to which we were privy and then who would formulate these monolithic narratives, these frames, that are there deliberately to prime us towards a particular kind of emotional disposition towards the issues they’re framing for us. So as to fulfill what’s called their agenda-setting function in our government,” he said.

Turley believes the horrible Twitter disclosures represent a turning point for American citizens and how they perceive and consume news.  

And also a crucial turning point for the legacy media’s role in our society.

Jason Barrett Podcast: Matthew Berry, NBC Sports

0

Matthew Berry explains why he left ESPN for NBC and why he has found success as an entrepreneur by just getting out of the way of talented people.

iTunes: https://buff.ly/3nTJC5K 

Spotify: https://buff.ly/3z9hErM

iHeart: https://buff.ly/3oyi0U0

Google: https://buff.ly/3vh7Tqu

Amazon: https://buff.ly/3w9hqAh