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After Years Of Planning, The BSM Podcast Network Is Finally Becoming A Reality

BSM Staff
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After Years Of Planning, The BSM Podcast Network Is Finally Becoming A Reality

Jason Barrett and I have been kicking around the idea of launching a podcast network for a while now. Our hold-up was always two-fold. First, did we have the right people and second, what were the topics and ideas that would best serve the industry and fit with the overall vision and direction of Barrett Sports Media.

If you checked out the site yesterday, you know we can happily say that we have cracked that code! The BSM Podcast Network is on the verge of becoming a reality with new shows The Sports Talkers and Seller to Seller set to join Media Noise in the coming weeks, as are revivals of older shows The Jason Barrett Podcast and The Producers Podcast.

I have been working with JB for four years now. I have loved and learned every day I have been a part of this company. Still, by the end of last year, I knew it was time for some kind of change.

Moving from covering the news of the industry to leading our podcast network gives me some flexibility. I can still enjoy the influence and relationships I have built in the sports radio world while flexing my creative muscles a little more.

The opportunity and the vision we outlined were fantastic. Add to them the talent that is going to be a part of this, and it felt like the right path forward for me at this company.

The Sports Talkers Podcast will be hosted by Stephen Strom. Stephen is an up-and-coming broadcaster in South Florida. He already does work for the Miami Heat’s radio crew and calls basketball games for Nova Southeastern University. He has a passion for this business that both JB and I recognized from the second we got on the phone with him.

On top of that, he has the right combination of curiosity and fearlessness to make this show successful.

His show will feature conversations with stars in our industry. They can come from TV or radio or any of the many digital platforms that exist now. They can be legends. They can still be finding their way.

The idea is simple. Everyone came from somewhere and the story of that journey can help someone.

“I want to squeeze every last ounce of information and advice I can get from these guys and gals to help myself and others,” Strom said.

Brady Farkas is a talented young broadcaster in a small market. That means he has had to wear many different hats and has served as his own producer a number of times. He takes over The Producers Podcast.

“I really look forward to highlighting the work of producers around the country,” he said. “Being a producer means different things in different places and I’m excited about learning about those distinctions — and the evolution — of the position.”

It’s an interesting time in the industry to revive this show for sure. What have the pandemic and the cost of doing business done to support staff around the industry? What will it do in the future?

Brady will highlight some of the most talented “guys behind the glass” in our industry, but he also won’t be afraid to ask the tough questions about where are we headed and what needs to change.

Finally, Seller to Seller will feature Jeff Caves. The former PD and seller at 93.1 The Ticket in Boise has been with us since 2020.

Jeff has a passion for two things: selling and learning. If you have read any of his columns, you know he is a guy that is always reading and asking questions about what we can do better. That is the kind of mind that is going to make a sales podcast fit with the BSM brand.

“The best information is first-generation, the kind never before reported,” Caves said. “My guests will give us the insight behind the curtain of sports radio selling – how it is different today and what future opportunities look like.”

I love this company and the people in it. JB has been not just a mentor, but a valued friend and ally. Building something like this together under the BSM umbrella means the world to me.

When we announced the addition of Arky Shea as the night editor of the site, I got a few texts and emails asking if I was okay and what it meant for me. For the most part, I kept my mouth shut other than to say “I’m fine.”

Here we are, a little over a week later and I can tell you that I am more than fine. We added Arky to make it possible for us to turn the BSM Podcast Network from a possibility into a reality. I am rejuvenated and I am excited for you guys to hear these shows.

“Servant leadership” has been overused. For some, it has become meaningless as every coach, preacher, and politician tries to package their thoughts as business advice.

For me, that phrase and the idea behind it still have a lot of meaning. The best leaders are the ones that look at their people and ask “what can I do for you?” or “how can I make you better?”. I truly believe we embody that here at Barrett Sports Media. That is why building this podcast network took as long as it did and why I promise you, the wait will have been worth it!

Brit Hume: Jan. 6th Hearings Are “Televised Press Release”

BNM Staff
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Fox News senior political analyst Brit Hume sounded off Monday regarding the ongoing televised Jan. 6th committee hearing meetings. 

Appearing on “America’s Newsroom,” Hume called the proceedings a “televised press release with soundbites.” Hume said normal hearings collect thoughts from different viewpoints in a transcript published via Fox News Digital. 

“And the witnesses are put on to do their testimony, and then their testimony is challenged by cross-examination. There were no such witnesses last week except for a couple,” he said. 

The hearings began last week. Opening night was carried on every major national, and cable news network in the U.S. Fox News Media aired the first night across all its platforms and broadcast the event live on Fox Business. 

“I’ve never seen anything quite like it in my life, and I certainly never imagined back in the day when I was working for one of the broadcast networks’ news divisions that such an event would ever be put on primetime television by one of the networks,” added Hume. 

New Jersey 101.5 to Hold Town Hall Over State’s Growing Weed Market

BNM Staff
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New Jersey 101.5 to Hold Town Hall Over State’s Growing Weed Market

With the retail marijuana market increasingly expanding in the Garden State, New Jersey 101.5 is set to host a town hall on “Growing Weed in the Garden State” later this week.

According to AllAccess, the station will explore how the legal adult-use marijuana industry impacts New Jersey. Already, 16 state-licensed dispensaries have popped up, and more are on the way.

“The sale of legal cannabis products for recreational use generated over $24 million in the first month. While there is clearly a demand for the product, unintended consequences are continuing to surface,” said New Jersey 101.5 senior political director Eric Scott.

The first legal weed sales in central New Jersey are set for Wednesday morning. Scott will lead a panel including law enforcement, legal experts, regulators, growers, and dispensary operators.

 The town hall event will take place Thursday, June 16th, at 7 p.m. The broadcast may also be accessed via the station’s website, streaming on Facebook, YouTube, or the free NEW JERSEY 101.5 app.

LA-based News/Talk Hosts Nominated for 2022 Radio Hall-of-Fame

BNM Staff
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LA-based News/Talk Hosts Nominated for 2022 Radio Hall-of-Fame

Los Angeles-based news/talk personalities John and Ken and Larry Elder are among those nominated for induction into the 2022 Radio Hall-of-Fame. 

Twenty-four total nominees were announced Monday, and more than 600 industry members will cast confidential ballots, with inductees being announced on Monday, July 25th. 

“We’ve made changes in 2022 to allow voting participants to vote for up to six nominees for induction and limit the voting process to knowledgeable industry members,” said Kraig T. Kitchin, Co-Chairman, Radio Hall of Fame, in a statement. “Listeners and industry members alike contributed more than 2500 suggestions for the Nominating Committee to consider in addition to their own considerations.” 

John Koblyt and Ken Chiampou co-host the “John and Ken” show on weekday afternoons on KFI AM 640. The iconic duo has been together for 35 years and is the longest-running team in talk radio history both in Los Angeles and nationally, according to the station’s website. 

Larry Elder recently left his nationally syndicated radio show at Salem Media Group to join Epoch Media Group (EMG) as a television host on Epoch TV. Elder, aka “The Sage From South Central,” was a fixture on TalkRadio 790 KABC for over two decades. Last year, Elder challenged California Gov. Gavin Newsome in a recall election and lost. 

“The 2022 list of nominees for induction to the Radio Hall of Fame this year represents some of the most talented individuals in the history of our medium,” said Dennis Green, Co-Chairman, Radio Hall of Fame; this year’s nominees made their mark in a variety of formats from coast-to-coast and town-to-town up and down the dial.

The 2022 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony is on Tuesday, November 1st, 2022, in Chicago. 

Emmis Sells The Fan in Indianapolis to Radio One

BSM Staff
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Emmis Communications has announced it will sell their Indianapolis radio properties to Radio One for an undisclosed amount. That includes The Fan 93.5/107.5 as well as three other radio stations.

“These are terrific general market formats (Best Variety, Country, News and Sports) and will be a great addition to Urban One in a transaction that is accretive and deleveraging,” said Alfred Liggins, President and CEO, Urban One.

Urban One is the parent company of Radio One.

“Indianapolis is my hometown, and I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish – we’ve become an invaluable contributor to the Indianapolis community, a leader of radio industry initiative and innovation, and a trusted resource for Central Indiana listeners and businesses,” said Jeff Smulyan, founder and chairman of Emmis. Smulyan helped to launch WFAN, the first all-sports talk radio station in 1987. He is currently out of the sports radio business.

Those stations will join Radio One’s existing Indianapolis offerings which currently consists of five radio stations.

The acquisition is subject to Federal Communications Commission approval and other customary closing conditions, which is anticipated in the third quarter of 2022.  Emmis will continue to operate The Fan until the transaction closes.

NFL To Launch Streaming Service in July

BSM Staff
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The National Football League is dipping it’s lead foot into the streaming service universe. The NFL plans to introduce a standalone streaming service in July.

The service, called NFL Plus, will enable those who subscribe to view live games that are available in their broadcast area on a mobile phone or tablet.

If this sounds familiar, you’ve been paying attention. NESN just launched NESN 360 at the beginning of June with a similar idea: live games in your area plus other content.

However, the intent with NFL Plus might differ in short-term and long-term goals. While the NFL does already have it’s own network, packages galore with the all of the major broadcast networks and now another streaming deal with Amazon to carry games, it appears this venture is being launched with an eye to the future revenue that is increasingly digital from partners like Amazon. It could help maintain leverage for the NFL when it is time to negotiate future rights such as those of NFL Sunday Ticket, whose rights are up for bidding again after the 2022 season.

As far as other ways, and more current ones, that NFL Plus could be used by the actual consumer involve ways you may have watched last season. Yahoo Sports did have the rights to deliver in-market games to laptops and tablets last season. The NFL had deals in place also with various cellular providers to stream live action to mobile phones. Those granted rights have expired.

KBFP Bakersfield Switches to FOX Sports Radio

BSM Staff
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The last iHeartMedia station that was running all comedy, KBFP Bakersfield, has flipped formats and is now simulcasting Fox Sports 970 KHTY also in Bakersfield, California.

Both signals are currently running the national Fox Sports Radio lineup around the clock. The lone exception is CK On Sports which airs from 3-4pm and is hosted by Christopher ‘CK’ Hall. That program is based at co-owned 1340 KCBL Fresno. This marks another Fox Sports Radio affiliate, of which there are over 600 in the United States.

Formerly “Comedy 800,” KBFP Bakersfield was the last remaining iHeartMedia radio station that was an all comedy format. That stemmed from the company’s attempt to profit with several radio stations in the country going to the format. It was reported in October of 2012 that there were twelve stations in the country to have switched formats from their previous content to the comedy initiative.

That station list included one in Alabama, one in California, three in Georgia, one in Iowa, one in Kentucky, one in Louisiana as well as one in Maryland, New York, Ohio and West Virginia respectively.

Charissa Thompson Reportedly Will Lead Amazon Pregame Show

BSM Staff
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Charissa Thompson Reportedly Will Lead Amazon Pregame Show

Charissa Thompson is going to be part of Thursday Night Football on Amazon’s Prime Video according to Andrew Marchand of The New York Post.

Thompson will join Tony Gonzalez on the set of the game’s pre- and postgame shows. They are expected to originate from the site of each week’s game. The Post noted that Ryan Fitzpatrick, Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch are expected to be involved, but Amazon declined to comment for the story.

Originally, it was expected that Kay Adams would be in the lead chair for Thursday Night Football. Marchand reports that Adams’s representatives did meet and begin negotiations for the role, but the two sides were unable to come to a deal.

Her new gig at Amazon doesn’t mean Charissa Thompson is leaving FOX. She is expected to still be a part of the network’s early Sunday pregame show FOX NFL Kickoff this season.

Until Amazon confirms the hiring, Thompson is still officially amongst the many rumors without official announcements to back them up. Tony Gonzalez was introduced at the NFL Draft as part of Thursday Night Football. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit were announced shortly thereafter.

Everything else you have heard from Kaylee Hartung on the sidelines to an alternate broadcast starring Pat McAfee remains unconfirmed.

Suzyn Waldman, Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo Lead Nominees For Radio Hall of Fame

BSM Staff
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Suzyn Waldman, Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo Lead Nominees For Radio Hall of Fame

Two WFAN legends are on the ballot for possible induction into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2022. Both Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Suzyn Waldman are among the 24 finalists for the honor.

Russo and his former partner Mike Francesa make up one of the best-known duos in the history of sports radio. Since leaving WFAN in 2008, he has been at the center of SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio. He has also carved out a nice career for himself on television with MLB Network and alongside Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take.

Waldman’s voice was the first voice ever heard on America’s first all-sports radio station when WFAN launched in 1987. While she is most associated with the Yankees by younger sports fans, her radio career has seen her cover the Knicks as well. She also served as an anchor and mid-day host at WFAN.

In total, eight people will be inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. Six hundred members of the industry will cast secret ballots beginning next week.

Inductees will be announced on July 25. The induction ceremony will happen on November 1 in Chicago.

Kevin Sheehan: ‘Commanders Should Have Never Let Jack Del Rio Talk To Media’

BSM Staff
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Kevin Sheehan is among those unhappy with Jack Del Rio and he says if you are a Washington Commanders fan, you should be too.

“Forget his politics,” Sheehan said Monday of the team’s defensive coordinator defending the insurrection of January 6th as “a dust-up at the Capitol”. “He hurt their business last week.”

The Team 980 morning man says he expects that Del Rio had a number of conversations with higher-ups in the organization in the hours after talking to the media. He speculated that the Commanders may have looked into firing the coach with cause before realizing that isn’t exactly easy to do.

Del Rio deserves the bulk of the blame according to Sheehan, but he does reserve some for the franchise as well.

Del Rio had been on Twitter sharing his political beliefs for some time. The franchise is trying build a business from the ground up according to Sheehan and he said that everyone in the front office should have been thinking about that before making the coach available to reporters. They had to know what kind of questions were coming.

“There’s nothing that can convince me that putting him out there was anything other than what it was, which was a mistake.”

Sheehan explained that while both coordinators are required to talk to the media at least once during offseason activities, there was no reason to make the coach that has been tweeting about January 6th available the day before the highly publicized hearings on Capitol Hill. The franchise would have been better served by saying Del Rio had a personal issue to deal with and taking the fine from the NFL.

Jack Del Rio has since deleted his Twitter account. Kevin Sheehan says he has no proof it was at the request or urging of the Washington Commanders, but it is reasonable to think it was at least discussed.

“What he did last week was not debatable,” Sheehan said, arguing that no matter how you feel politically, it should be clear to see there was a problem with Del Rio talking to the media. “It was not good for the team. It hurt the team. That building and people in it on both sides, the football side and the business side, were not happy. It did not make their jobs easier.”

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