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VSiN Launches 24/7 Fast Channel Via OrkaTV

John Mamola
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VSiN Launches 24/7 Fast Channel Via OrkaTV

VSiN, The Sports Betting Network, has launched Best Bets TV, a new 24/7 FAST channel. The channel delivers free, ad-supported sports betting content to a broader streaming audience.

What We Know: Best Bets TV is currently streaming exclusively on OrkaTV. Which is available on Roku, Fire TV, Google Play, Android OS, and tv.orka.tv, with Smart TV platforms coming soon. Select content also airs on Anthem’s Game+, Marquee Sports Network, Hulu+ Live TV, FuboTV, and DIRECTV. In addtion, the channel pulls from VSiN’s existing library of podcasts, live shows, and original analysis. It generates more than 150 new video clips daily through AI clipping via TVU Networks and manual clipping.

What They Said: Miles Gwyn, chief operating officer at VSiN: “VSiN continues to grow its distribution footprint across every major platform to reach more sports fans in more ways with its award-winning sports betting content. With the launch of Best Bets TV, we have an incredible opportunity to introduce VSiN content to millions of new viewers. All while leveraging some of the content we’re already creating. We expect to continue this rapid expansion to make sports betting information accessible to every fan. By providing the credible insights, expert commentary, and entertainment that make VSiN the leading voice in sports betting.”

Mike Woods, Founder and CEO of OrkaTV: “VSiN programming for Best Bets TV is a unique offering in FAST, with specially curated clips and three hours of live programming each weekday. As viewers increasingly turn to streaming for live television, Best Bets TV represents the kind of dynamic content that we’re focused on bringing to the OrkaTV platform. In partnership with VSiN, we’re creating a compelling destination for sports fans who want insight, analysis, and live coverage throughout the day.”

What Remains Unclear: VSiN has not announced a broader FAST platform rollout beyond OrkaTV’s current distribution. It’s also unclear when Best Bets TV will expand to additional Smart TV platforms or streaming services.

What It Means: VSiN is making a direct push to capture cord-cutters and casual sports fans. Free streaming is increasingly where audiences are discovered — and monetized. By combining AI-powered clipping, live programming, and deep distribution partnerships, VSiN is building an infrastructure for scale.

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.

Approaching The Summit: Buzz Knight, Buzz Knight Media Production

David Hill
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Approaching The Summit: Buzz Knight, Buzz Knight Media Production

Approaching The Summit is a series of special interviews created in partnership with Point to Point Marketing featuring speakers at the upcoming 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit in New York City. Follow along with this series as prominent names surrounding the event June 30-July 2 share their insights and expectations for what’s to come in the Big Apple. The Summit takes place at the SVA Theatre on West 23rd Street. For tickets and hotel room reservations, click here or visit the Summit section at the top of the website.

Buzz Knight is the Founder of Buzz Knight Media Productions, a podcast company that creates some of the most popular music podcasts in the United States. A former media executive for national radio companies, Knight now leads a growing roster of shows including Takin’ A Walk, Music Saved Me, Comedy Saved Me, and Takin’ A Walk Nashville, all part of the iHeart Podcast Network. His company also has multiple new shows in development.

*Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.*

David Hill: Why is it important for those in the radio industry to attend events like the Barrett Media Audio Summit and commit to continuous learning?

Buzz Knight: If we don’t push ourselves for continuous improvement and non-stop learning, we become victims of industry atrophy. This event is a reminder that standing still is not an option.

DH: What is the value of connecting with peers, friends, and even competitors at gatherings like this?

BK: It is the lifeblood of learning. Connection is key, and feeding off of the energy of an event like this is a one-of-a-kind experience.

DH: What is the biggest challenge facing your format right now?

BK: Some companies are losing sight of the importance of talent growth and nurturing their bench. That is a major mistake, and it needs to be addressed before it becomes irreversible.

DH: What is your favorite memory from past shows or conferences?

BK: The networking experiences stand out most. The ones that are part of our shared history and the new connections formed along the way. Those moments are what you carry with you long after the event ends.

DH: Which speaker, panel, or conversation are you most looking forward to at this year’s Summit?

BK: I am greatly looking forward to the panel I am moderating with industry innovators Lee Abrams, Fred Jacobs, and Mike McVay. The talent-oriented panels are also high on my list. And I am looking forward to spending time with Greg Beharrell, who has quietly emerged as one of the great talents in our business.

DH: How do you view the state of the industry right now, and where do you see it headed?

BK: Risk taking and innovation are a lost art. That is something the industry needs to confront honestly. I won’t spend time on commercial loads because that conversation continues to fall on deaf ears.

DH: What would you tell a younger person in the business who is still trying to find their place?

BK: Keep experimenting. Master the art of multi-platform, which of course includes podcasting. It is something I am greatly invested in, and I believe it is where the next generation of audio talent will make their mark.

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.

KNX News Sees Slight Ratings Dip in Final Book on FM Dial

Garrett Searight
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KNX News Sees Slight Ratings Dip in Final Book on FM Dial

The May Nielsen radio ratings are out, and we now have a look at the final month of KNX News on the FM dial.

What We Know: KNX News departed the FM dial on Monday, May 18th. The May ratings period ended on May 27th. It was replaced by the new sports brand 97.1 The Fan. KNX News continues to air on the 1070 AM signal in the Los Angeles market. During the month, KNX News saw its rating fall below a 4-share.

What the Numbers Show:

StationDec 25Jan 26Feb 26Mar 26Apr 26May 26
KNX News 97.14.14.34.54.14.13.5

What Remains Unclear: How much the impact of leaving the FM dial factored into the ratings decline. It is also unclear how the changes happening within the ratings period affected the final figure. During the nine days that 97.1 The Fan was on the air during the window, it earned a 0.1 share.

What It Means: KNX News averaged a cume of 819,800 during the May ratings period. In its early days, 97.1 The Fan averaged 109,400. The ratings decrease for KNX News wasn’t completely unexpected. One could have expected at least a small drop after spending weeks sharing with listeners that large-scale changes were on the horizon.

A line graph showing the ratings data for KNX News before it left the FM dial on May 18th.

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.

Shane Tarleton Named Co-Head of Leo33 Alongside Katie Dean

David Hill
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Shane Tarleton Named Co-Head of Leo33 Alongside Katie Dean

Shane Tarleton has a new title. Leo33 just named him Co-Head, alongside Katie Dean.

What We Know: Leo33 has named Tarleton Co-Head, pairing him with Katie Dean. He joined Morris Higham as Head of Marketing in 2024. Before that, he spent 13 years at WMN as EVP/Artist Development. He left WMN in 2023

What They Said
Dean praised her new partner’s experience. “As we continue building our roster and expanding the company’s reach, [Shane’s] strategic perspective and proven track record make him the ideal partner to help lead our next phase of growth,” she says. Tarleton echoed her enthusiasm. “I’m thrilled to join the team and help shape the next chapter of growth for both the company and the incredible roster we have the privilege to serve,” he adds.

What Remains Unclear
It’s unclear how Tarleton and Dean will divide responsibilities. Additionally, Morris Higham hasn’t announced a replacement for his marketing post. Whether more executive moves follow at Leo33 also remains unknown. Still, additional details could emerge in the coming weeks.

What It Means
For Tarleton, this marks a return to artist development at a leadership level. Similarly, Leo33 gains an executive with deep industry relationships. As a result, the company strengthens its position to grow its roster. Ultimately, this move reflects ongoing shuffling among management firms.

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.

Survey: NBA Podcasts Hosted By 94% Men, Top Ten Shows Making Up Over A Fifth Of Total Reach

John Mamola
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Survey: NBA Podcasts Hosted By 94% Men, Top Ten Shows Making Up Over A Fifth Of Total Reach

According to a new study, men dominate NBA podcasting, hosting 94% of all shows. Yet the listeners tuning in are far more diverse than the voices they hear.

What We Know: A new Million Podcasts Research study examined 2,200-plus active English-language NBA podcasts in 2026. Moreover, the findings reveal a top-heavy ecosystem where just ten shows capture roughly 23% of all listener attention. Network-backed podcasts reach seven times more listeners than independent shows at the median. Notably, podcast consumption surged during the 2026 NBA playoffs, amplifying the reach gap between networked and independent shows even further.

What The Data Shows: (via Million Podcasts Research Findings)

Top Ten Most-Listened To NBA Podcasts In The Active Universe

ShowModeled Monthly Listeners (Per Million Podcasts)
The Bill Simmons Podcast352,000
The Stream Room117,000
The Mismatch104,000
Mostly Hoops w/ Mark Titus84,000
Brian Windhorst & Hoop Collective78,000
Rights To Ricky Sanchez72,000
The Old Man and the Three68,000
Inside the Green Room w/ Danny Green65,000
Open Floor: SI’s NBA Show56,000
Buckets with Amir Blumenfeld55,000

Share Of Total Podcast Reach By Tier (By Rank)

RankPercentage
Top 10 Overall (See Above)23%
Top 5%59%
Top 1%32%
Bottom 50%2%

What Remains Unclear: With the rise in NBA podcast consumption, does that lead to more players in the vertical. Also, the data does not share if it’s video and audio consumption or just audio consumption.

What It Means: It comes at no surprise that NBA podcasts are dominantly hosted by men. But it was striking to see the small amount of shows on YouTube. In addition, that suggests that YouTube represents the biggest untapped opportunity in NBA audio. Fewer than one in ten active podcasts maintain a YouTube channel, yet those that do reach nine times more listeners than audio-only peers.

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.

CNN Adds Kyla Scanlon as Contributor, Economic Analyst

Garrett Searight
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CNN Adds Kyla Scanlon as Contributor, Economic Analyst

CNN is adding content creator and author Kyla Scanlon to its roster of contributors. She’ll also work as an economic analyst.

What We Know: Scanlon will focus her attention on CNN Business. She focuses her content on the value of higher education and how Gen Z’s role is evolving in the economy. Between TikTok, Instagram, and Substack, Kyla Scanlon has more than 1 million followers. Last year, she was named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance by Barron’s. It marked the second consecutive year she earned the honor.

What’s At Stake: Scanlon’s appointment comes as CNN continues to beef up its verticals like CNN Business and CNN Weather in recent months. Adding someone like Scanlon, who has hundreds of thousands of TikTok followers, shows CNN’s dedication to adding to its digital offerings.

What Remains Unclear: How frequently Scanlon will make appearances on CNN. Scanlon hasn’t created a new TikTok in more than a week, so it is unclear how frequently she’ll be making digital video content for herself and for CNN going forward.

What It Means: Is the addition of Scanlon the beginning of a new shift for CNN? Hiring a content creator for a contributor and analyst role shows the power of content creation on social media. It also shows the network isn’t worried about where they find up-and-coming talent as much as they’re interested in identifying it.

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.

Edison Research: Americans Spending Four Times Longer With Podcasts Than Ten Years Ago

John Mamola
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Edison Research: Americans Spending Four Times Longer With Podcasts Than Ten Years Ago

According to new Edison Research, Americans now spend 812 million hours each week consuming podcasts. That figure is nearly four times higher than it was just ten years ago.

What We Know: Podcast consumption in the U.S. has surged dramatically over the past decade. New data from Edison Research at SSRS shows total weekly listening hours have grown almost 400% since 2015. This year alone, total time spent with podcasts climbed 5% in twelve months. The medium’s reach continues expanding, with no signs of slowing down.

What They Said: Gabriel Soto, Senior Director of Research at Edison Research at SSRS (via PodNews): “Total podcast consumption time, a measure that accounts for both consumer growth and the increase in time we commit to podcasts, showcases to advertisers just how massive the medium has become. Ten years ago, I remember having to teach college friends how to listen to stand-up comedy podcasts on their journeys to class. Today, I study how that medium evolved into a mainstream cultural staple, a staple in the marketing playbook that advertisers cannot ignore.”

What Remains Unclear: Key questions remain about future consumption habits. It’s unclear whether weekly listening hours will continue growing at this pace or eventually plateau. Additionally, how younger audiences discover and engage with podcasts could significantly shift consumption patterns going forward. There’s also no data stating specific categories of content being consumed

What It Means: Podcasting is no longer a niche medium — it’s a dominant force in American media. Advertisers and content creators continue to take notice as audiences deepen their commitment to the format. This is the second consecutive year Edison Research has tracked total consumption time, suggesting the data will become a vital industry benchmark.

Edison Podcast Research (Via Edison)
Edison Podcast Research (Via Edison)

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.

94.9 The Bull Announces Ashley Layfield, Corey Calhoun Hires

David Hill
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94.9 The Bull Announces Ashley Layfield, Corey Calhoun Hires

94.9 The Bull just filled two key seats. Atlanta’s top Country station has a new program director and a new afternoon voice.

What We Know
iHeartMedia Atlanta announced two leadership moves Monday for 94.9 The Bull, the market’s top Country station. Ashley Layfield steps in as Program Director after leading content strategy at iHeartMedia Tampa’s US103.5. Meanwhile, Corey Calhoun joins as afternoon host, arriving from WMZQ in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Calhoun previously worked in Atlanta, Louisville, Lexington, and Brunswick throughout his career.

What They Said: Jill Strada, iHeartMedia’s Executive Vice President of Programming, called both hires transformative for the brand. “Corey’s experience across multiple markets, combined with his passion for Country music and audience engagement, makes him a perfect fit for afternoons on 94.9 The Bull, while Ashley is one of the most respected programming leaders in our industry,” Strada said. She added that together, the pair represents “the future of this brand.”

What Remains Unclear: The full scope of Layfield’s programming vision remains unknown for now. It’s also unclear whether 94.9 The Bull plans further staffing moves this year. Furthermore, neither executive detailed a formal start date for either hire. Listeners may simply need to wait for transition specifics.

What It Means: This move signals iHeartMedia’s continued investment in Country radio talent. Layfield’s track record in Tampa and Orlando suggests strong direction ahead for the station. Likewise, Calhoun’s return to Atlanta adds hometown roots to the afternoon slot.

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.

Radio Stations Get Free July 4th Sounds From Benztown

David Hill
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Radio Stations Get Free July 4th Sounds From Benztown

Benztown is celebrating America’s 250th birthday. The radio imaging giant just rolled out a free patriotic audio pack for stations nationwide.

What We Know: Benztown released its America 250 Audio Pack on a complimentary basis. The pack includes 25 patriotic and summer-themed audio elements. Stations can access sound effects, liners, and musicbeds, among other tools. Additionally, Benztown audio library subscribers gain access to America 250 vignettes, which highlight major moments in U.S. history.

What’s at Stake: The promotion runs through Friday, July 3, 2026, ahead of Independence Day weekend. Stations that download now can integrate the content before the holiday rush. Benztown Branding currently houses more than 302,890 audio elements across 23 libraries. Therefore, the America 250 content adds to an already massive resource for programmers.

What Remains Unclear: Benztown hasn’t detailed how long the vignette library will remain part of standard subscriptions. It’s also unclear whether additional America 250 content will roll out closer to July 4. Meanwhile, pricing specifics for new subscribers weren’t included in the announcement.

What It Means: For programmers, the free pack offers an easy way to boost holiday content without added cost. Furthermore, the vignette series gives stations historical depth alongside celebratory sound design. As America’s milestone anniversary approaches, Benztown is positioning itself as a go-to resource for patriotic programming. Ultimately, this move reinforces Benztown’s strategy of pairing free hooks with premium subscription value.

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.

Paul Finebaum to Receive the Sports Media Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit

Jason Barrett
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Paul Finebaum to Receive the Sports Media Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit

Award season for the Barrett Media Audio Summit season is now complete. Each year at each show, we recognize professionals who have made a significant contribution to the media business. Our news awards this year are going to Chad Lopez, Phil Boyce and Mark Simone. The newly introduced Mike McVay and Scott Shannon Awards will be received by Kevin Rolston and Yonni Rude. And the first two sports media awards, The Jeff Smulyan Award and the Mark Chernoff Award will be presented to Chris Oliviero and Eric Spitz.

That brings us to the final sports media honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award.

We introduced this honor in 2022 during a memorable event that saw Mike Francesa and Chris Russo reunite after a seven year hiatus. The following year Al Michaels received the honor and gave an awesome speech that people still talk about. The past two years have seen two sports radio legends receive the honor, Philadelphia icon Angelo Cataldi and Chicago’s hometown hero Mike North.

The 2026 Winner Is…

Our 2026 recipient was creating multiplatform impact before the term even existed. He has spent over four decades delivering results locally and nationally across the radio airwaves. It is my pleasure to announce Paul Finebaum as the 2026 Sports Media Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

Referred to by many as The Voice of the SEC, Paul Finebaum has built a powerful legacy in the state of Alabama. The success of his radio show in the state led to the launching of The Paul Finebaum Radio Network. That resulted in the program expanding across the Southeast. Expansion into other pockets of the country followed after SiriusXM added the show to its College Sports channel. In 2004, Sports Illustrated named the show one of the top 12 sports radio programs in the United States.  

Finebaum joined ESPN in 2013, becoming a featured attraction on the SEC Network, which launched in 2014. His profile has grown larger since through appearances on ESPN television and additional radio syndication with ESPN Radio. Paul’s radio program has been voted one of the best national sports radio shows by executives and program directors every year since the Barrett Media Top 20 series began. He is widely considered one of the greatest sports voices to emerge from the South.

Paul will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award on Wednesday, July 1st between 4:30pm-5:00pm during our sports media awards ceremony. Chris Oliviero will also receive the Jeff Smulyan Award and Eric Spitz will accept the Mark Chernoff Award during the awards presentation. In addition, Finebaum will join Josh Pate for a fascinating conversation led by Kevin Clark that same day at 1pm.

Summit Tickets

1-day, 2-day and 3-day passes to attend the 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit presented by Point to Point Marketing are still available. However, prices increase next week so act now before it becomes more expensive. For details on sessions, speakers, hotel rooms, sponsors and more, click here. All tickets include admission to the Summit After Party following each day’s conference.

We hope to see you in the big apple in two weeks.

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

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