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Bob Costas’ NBC Sports Return for ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ May Last Past 2026

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Bob Costas’ NBC Sports Return for ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ May Last Past 2026

NBC Sports is turning back to one of the most recognizable voices in American sports television as it prepares to relaunch its Major League Baseball coverage. The network announced Thursday that Bob Costas will host Sunday Night Baseball and anchor NBC’s Opening Day broadcast on March 26, marking a high-profile reunion nearly seven years after his departure from the company.

Costas, who spent four decades as a central figure in NBC’s sports identity, will open the season covering the Dodgers-Diamondbacks matchup. While the assignment brings familiarity for longtime viewers, both sides stressed the relationship extends beyond a one-off nostalgia appearance.

During a conference call, Costas hinted that the partnership is expected to last beyond the upcoming season.

“We’ll see what happens,” Costas said. “I think I’ll be a contributor. As long as I’m upright and haven’t lost my fastball completely. I’ll be a contributor as long as I have something to contribute.”

Costas acknowledged that his focus has shifted in recent years, particularly after stepping away from play-by-play duties after the 2024 postseason. In addition to baseball, Costas will also contribute to the network’s NBA coverage.

He made a brief on-air appearance earlier this season when NBA games returned to NBC. The moment signaled discussions between both sides had been underway well before the MLB announcement became public.

“While I’ve been gone from NBC since 2019, we have been in nearly constant contact since shortly after that. Just waiting for the right time and the lineup of the right circumstances to come together for me to return. And now those circumstances have perfectly come together,” Costas added.

Importantly, Costas stressed that his presence is not intended to overshadow NBC’s current on-air talent.

“Nothing that I will do will overlap with what others are doing. Others are in the primes of their careers. I’m an icing on the cake guy now. A contributor, a role player, and I look forward to it. Especially just because it’s under the NBC umbrella,” said Costas.

For NBC, the reunion offers a chance to reintroduce a familiar voice while launching a new chapter in its MLB coverage. For Costas, it provides an opportunity to close his broadcasting career on more deliberate terms, focused on quality contributions rather than ceremony.

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.

RTDNA to Award Former WGN Radio Anchor Steve Bertrand with Lifetime Achievement Award

BNM Staff
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RTDNA to Award Former WGN Radio Anchor Steve Bertrand with Lifetime Achievement Award

Following his retirement last year, the RTDNA has announced it is awarding its Lifetime Achievement Award to former WGN Radio news anchor Steve Bertrand.

Bertrand spent 40 years working at the Chicago news/talk station. He originally began working at the station as an intern before being hired full-time in 1985. In 1992, he began working as a news anchor and held the job until his November retirement last year.

In addition to his time at WGN Radio, Steve Bertrand also spent six years as the producer and pre/postgame host of the Chicago Bears Radio Network.

The RTDNA called Bertrand a natural choice to be bestowed the prestigious honor.

“Over his career, he covered many of the most significant local and national events of the past 40 years while mentoring colleagues and helping define the standard for excellence in local radio journalism,” the RTDNA said in its announcement. “His retirement in 2025 marks the culmination of a lifetime dedicated to informing the public and strengthening the role of local news.”

Bertrand will be honored at the 2026 First Amendment Awards, scheduled for March 12 at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C.

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iHeartPodcasts Partners with 50 Cent, Narratively On New DMX Podcast Series

BMM Staff
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iHeartPodcasts Partners with 50 Cent, Narratively On New DMX Podcast Series

iHeartPodcasts has added another high-profile project to its growing slate, partnering with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s G-Unit Audio and award-winning storytelling studio Narratively to produce Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX. A narrative podcast series centered on the early life of the late hip-hop legend DMX.

The multi-episode series is scheduled to debut later this year on the iHeartRadio app and across all major podcast platforms.It will be hosted by Yonkers native and longtime DMX collaborator Jadakiss. He guides listeners through the years before Earl Simmons became one of music’s most influential and polarizing figures.

Rather than focusing on DMX’s global fame, the series traces his formative years growing up in Yonkers, New York. It highlights the battles, hustles, relationships, and personal struggles that shaped his sound and persona. The project relies heavily on firsthand perspectives. These include interviews with family members, childhood friends, collaborators, rivals, and cultural figures. They witnessed Simmons’ rise from the streets to the spotlight.

Jackson serves as an executive producer alongside Noah Rosenberg, Bruce Miller, Justin Baez, and Paul Anderson. Together, the team aims to deliver an immersive and deeply personal portrait of an artist whose legacy continues to resonate years after his passing. Furthermore, themes such as faith, addiction, survival, and raw artistic talent are central to the storytelling approach.

“DMX’s story is bigger than the music — it’s about survival, faith, pain, and purpose,” Jackson said. “This project gives people a chance to understand where X came from, before the fame, through the voices of the people who were really there.”

Authenticity plays a major role in the production. Miller and Baez, both Yonkers natives with close personal ties to DMX and his family, bring a lived-in perspective that grounds the series in the community that helped define Simmons’ identity. Miller emphasized that DMX’s legacy remains inseparable from Yonkers and its impact on hip-hop culture.

“We’re proud to partner with G-Unit Audio and Narratively on this incredible project exploring the life of a hip-hop icon,” says Will Pearson, President, iHeartPodcasts. “Bringing this new series to the iHeart platform allows us to use our massive scale and reach to share DMX’s story with fans around the world, honoring his cultural impact on the music industry.”

The deal was negotiated by Paul Anderson of Workhouse Media on behalf of Jackson and Narratively in partnership with IAG. Jackson is represented by IAG, AKR Public Relations, and attorney Steve Savva.

“We are thrilled to partner with 50 Cent and Narratively in telling the DMX story. Put on your seatbelt,” said Anderson, whose Workhouse Media is a leading audio-first multi-platform talent and content management and production company working across radio, podcasting, television and digital.  

The series is produced by Narratively, G-Unit Audio, Blue Light Media, and 1982 Media, in association with Workhouse Media. Narratively serves as the lead creative and production partner, overseeing development and execution. Showrunning duties fall to veteran audio producer Drew Nelles. His résumé includes marquee podcast projects for iHeartMedia, Sony, and Gimlet Media.

The first season will chronicle Simmons’ early life and rise to prominence. Future seasons are envisioned to explore the origin stories of other iconic artists. Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX will be distributed by iHeartPodcasts.

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Rich Valdes Launching Roku Show with Festiva TV Utilizing AI For Spanish Language Content

BNM Staff
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Rich Valdes Launching Roku Show with Festiva TV Utilizing AI For Spanish Language Content

Rich Valdes is launching his next venture following his departure from the nationally syndicated news/talk radio lineup with Westwood One last year.

Valdes is launching a new program on Roku as part of the Festiva TV lineup. With the program, his content will be dubbed into Spanish utilizing AI. The program will also be available on Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.

The English language version of his show will continue to be heard on platforms like iHeartRadio and on Rumble.

The program is in partnership with longtime Latin Music figure Raul Acosta.

“Given the shifting political tides in the Caribbean and Latin America, choosing Rich Valdes as a syndication partner for our Roku channel was a no-brainer,” said Acosta. “He’s nationally recognized, extremely talented, attracts high-quality guests, and his personality and clear perspective are exactly what our audience is looking for as we grow Festiva TV into a premier destination for news and commentary.”

“It’s a blessing to partner with Raul Acosta and Festiva TV to bring my show ‘En Español’ to tens of millions on Roku,” said Valdes. “This allows us to reach new audiences in Spanish while I remain completely open to English syndication opportunities across terrestrial radio, cable television, and streaming platforms like Rumble — building on my ongoing work in those spaces.”

The program — which will air at 9 PM ET on Festiva TV — will be produced from Valdes’ studio overlooking Times Square in New York City.,

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Dana White Didn’t Expect Paramount To Be in the Top Three To Bid for UFC Media Rights

BSM Staff
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Dana White Didn’t Expect Paramount To Be in the Top Three To Bid for UFC Media Rights

UFC President Dana White admitted that one of the company’s most significant media-rights decisions in recent memory unfolded in a way he never anticipated, revealing that Paramount emerged as a surprise bidder late in the negotiation process.

During a recent appearance on The Ryen Russillo Show, White explained that Paramount was nowhere near the top of his expectations as the UFC began exploring options ahead of the expiration of its previous rights deal.

“If you were to ask me six months before our rights were up, give me your top three places you think you’re gonna land. Paramount would not have been in the top three,” said White. “I obviously didn’t see it coming. Its that fascinating thing about business.”

As talks progressed with networks, White described a process rooted in evaluating synergies and long-term fit rather than simply chasing the highest bidder. He noted that Netflix appeared to make sense at one stage, particularly as discussions leaned toward placing UFC pay-per-view events on a single streaming home while distributing Fight Night programming across multiple networks.

That’s when things changed with Paramount came calling for a bid.

“Literally at the at the 23rd and a half hour, Paramount came in and said, We want all or nothing. and the deal closed quickly,” explained White.

He emphasized that consolidation played a major role in the UFC’s decision-making. Having all events on one platform, including the organization’s expanding boxing footprint, eliminated fragmentation that fans had dealt with for years.

Under the previous model, fans needed subscriptions to services such as ESPN+ and still had to purchase individual pay-per-view events. White said the Paramount agreement simplifies access while reducing overall cost, a shift he believes directly benefits the UFC’s loyal fan base.

“For many years, the fans have had to pay for ESPN plus then buy the pay per view,” explained White. “Our fans have been very good and very loyal to us. Now for the entire year, that will cost you less than what a pay per view was last year.”

While long-term media deals often invite second-guessing years down the line, White expressed immediate confidence in the choice. He stressed that financial considerations alone did not dictate the decision, noting that the UFC would have remained profitable regardless of its partner.

“I don’t need five years [to see if Paramount was the right choice]. I already know we made the right decision,” said White. “Take the money out, because people always like all the money. We’re gonna make money no matter where we go, right? We’re gonna get paid no matter where we go, and we’ll make it work….. I couldn’t be happier and don’t need five years. I know we made the right decision, and we’re already pumped to be with Paramount.”

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Sean Hannity After FCC Chair Brendan Carr Shares Plans to Enforce Equal Time Rules: We Need More Freedom

BNM Staff
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Sean Hannity After FCC Chair Brendan Carr Shares Plans to Enforce Equal Time Rules: We Need More Freedom

Earlier this week, FCC Chair Brendan Carr shared that the commission plans to enforce the Equal Time regulations when it comes to political candidates. Sean Hannity doesn’t think that’s a good idea.

In a letter to TV networks, the Commission noted that in 2006, an exemption of the Equal Time provisions was granted for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, stating that an interview between Leno and then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) was a “bona fide news interview,” and shouldn’t be enforced as an equal time mandate.

That exemption was granted, but the FCC is reminding networks that it wasn’t a blanket exemption for any political purpose.

“Concerns have been raised that the industry has taken the Media Bureau’s 2006 staff-level decision to mean that the interview portion of all arguably similar entertainment programs — whether late night or daytime — are exempted from the section 315 equal opportunities requirement under a bona fide news exemption,” the letter reads. “This is not the case … these decisions are fact specific and the exemptions are limited to the program that was the subject of the request.

“Importantly, the FCC has not been presented with any evidence that the interview portion of any late night or daytime television talk show program on air presently would qualify for the bona fide news exemption.”

In a post on social media, Brendan Carr argued that networks have operated under the guise of news interviews in these situations, but that the FCC would be enforcing equal time rules going forward.

“For years, legacy TV networks assumed that their late night & daytime talk shows qualify as ‘bona fide news’ programs — even when motivated by purely partisan political purposes,” Carr wrote. “Today, the FCC reminded them of their obligation to provide all candidates with equal opportunities.”

After the comments from Carr were reported, many opined on the topic. Sean Hannity spoke to the Los Angeles Times and shared that he disagreed with Carr and any other FCC mandate about what political content should be regulated.

“Talk radio is successful because people are smart and understand we are the antidote to corrupt and abusively biased left wing legacy media,” Hannity said. “We need less government regulation and more freedom. Let the American people decide where to get their information from without any government interference.”

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Connoisseur Media Elevates Emily Harlan to Music Director 94.5 KBAY

BMM Staff
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Connoisseur Media Elevates Emily Harlan to Music Director 94.5 KBAY

Connoisseur Media has promoted Emily Harlan to Music Director at San Jose/San Francisco Bay Country 94.5 KBAY, a move that reinforces the company’s emphasis on internal growth and long-term brand stability in a competitive market.

Harlan steps into the role effective immediately after spending more than three years as a key contributor to the station’s programming and promotional efforts.

During that time, she became deeply involved in music scheduling, label relations, promotions, and on-air support, helping KBAY maintain consistency while continuing to evolve its sound for Bay Area listeners.

The promotion places Harlan in charge of overseeing the station’s overall music strategy and direction. In that role, she will collaborate closely with programming leadership and on-air talent to ensure KBAY continues to deliver a contemporary country format that resonates with both core listeners and new audiences across the region.

“Emily has a real love for music and radio and a strong understanding of what serves our listeners,” said J. Love, Operations Manager. “She’s earned this role, and I’m excited to work closely with her as we continue to grow and strengthen the sound of Bay Country 94.5.”

As Music Director, Harlan will now help guide how new music is introduced, how familiar hits are balanced, and how KBAY differentiates itself within the Bay Area’s crowded audio landscape. With her experience and institutional knowledge, station leadership believes she is well-positioned to help KBAY remain competitive while staying true to the expectations of its listeners.

Harlan’s promotion reflects Connoisseur Media’s ongoing commitment to developing talent from within and
investing in the future of its stations and communities.

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Q99.7 Adds Ethan Cole To New ‘Kristin Show’ Debuting January 26

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Q99.7 Adds Ethan Cole To New ‘Kristin Show’ Debuting January 26

Cumulus Media’s Q99.7 in Atlanta is reshaping its afternoon lineup with the addition of Ethan Cole, who will join Kristin Klingshirn as co-host of the newly branded Kristin Show.

The move brings a familiar Atlanta voice back to the market while pairing him with a personality already established with Q99.7 listeners. Together, Klingshirn and Cole will anchor afternoons from 2–7 p.m., debuting in the time slot on Monday, January 26, as the station looks to strengthen its presence during one of radio’s most competitive dayparts.

Cole returns to Atlanta following a three-year run hosting afternoons at iHeartMedia’s Power 96.1, where he held the role from January 2021 through early 2024. During that stretch, he became a recognizable on-air presence in the market, building familiarity with listeners while sharpening his skills in a high-profile CHR environment.

Cole and Klingshirn will succeed Jade Jones in afternoons on Q99.7. Jones debuted as co-host of Cumulus’ new syndicated CHR night show Nightly with Jade & Tyler earlier this month alongside Kansas City morning host Tyler Frye.

Before his Atlanta tenure, Cole’s career included stops in several major and developing markets that helped shape his on-air approach. He began in Boston as a producer while also gaining hosting experience on weekends at WFHN in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Those early roles laid the foundation for his transition to full-time on-air work, which accelerated when he joined Channel 93.3 KHTS-FM in San Diego in January 2017.

While at iHeartMedia, Cole also tracked programming for multiple markets, giving him additional exposure to different audience expectations and programming strategies.

Since departing WWPW, Cole has remained active on the air, tracking middays for Bonneville’s Now 100.5 KZZO in Sacramento.

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Bari Weiss Taking Hiatus From Podcast to Focus on CBS News Duties

BNM Staff
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Bari Weiss Taking Hiatus From Podcast to Focus on CBS News Duties

Bari Weiss has announced she’s taking a hiatus from her podcast to focus on her role as Editor-in-Chief of CBS News.

In a short podcast episode, Weiss revealed that her role with the television network needs to be her biggest focus right now.

“As you may have heard if you have an internet connection, I’ve also taken on a new role, and that’s as Editor-in-Chief of CBS News,” said Weiss. “It’s a huge responsibility, and it’s an extraordinary opportunity to bring the values that drive this show and that drive The Free Press into a much bigger arena.

“That is the mission of journalism that is fair, fearless, and factual. Journalism that reports on the world as it actually is. That respects the audience enough to tell them the truth plainly wherever it leads,” she continued. “It’s journalism that embraces a wide spectrum of views and voices so that people can contend with the best arguments on all sides of a debate.”

The announcement from Bari Weiss comes as CBS News has undergone changes and controversy under her leadership. Earlier this month, Tony Dokoupil began anchoring the CBS Evening News. He has received criticism for his work in the early stages of his tenure.

Meanwhile, Weiss shelved a 60 Minutes story hours before its airtime, arguing that it hadn’t been reported out completely. It later aired weeks later, with no discernable changes made, which many observers balked at.

In the podcast episode, Bari Weiss committed to returning to her Honestly podcast in the coming months, but that CBS News would remain her focus in the meantime.

“My job is to take the values and the vision that you have supported and stood behind here at Honestly, and bring it to CBS News,” Weiss said. “So here’s the news: Honestly is taking a little bit of a pause. I know it’s hard to hear that. It’s definitely hard for me to do that, because I love doing this show. But I think, and I hope, that you’ll understand why. Don’t worry, it’s not forever. We’ll be back in just a few short months.”

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Former 600 KOGO Morning Host Ted Garcia Joining FOX 29, NBC 4 in San Antonio

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Former 600 KOGO Morning Host Ted Garcia Joining FOX 29, NBC 4 in San Antonio

After departing 600 KOGO last year, former news/talk radio morning host Ted Garcia has his next landing spot.

Garcia is returning to local television. He is joining FOX 29 and News 4 NBC in San Antonio as the co-anchor of the morning and midday newscasts.

The move marks a return to both San Antonio and FOX 29, as he’s spent time on two separate occasions working in the city, including time at the station.

In a post on social media, Garcia shared the news, and his excitement for the move.

“Well, they say you can’t go home again,” Garcia said. “But what if it’s your adopted hometown? Yup, I’m headed back to San Antonio … This will be my third time living in the Alamo City (third time is definitely the charm) and the second time working at KABB.”

Garcia departed 600 KOGO, the iHeartMedia San Diego news/talk station, in late August 2025. He spent more than a decade working in morning drive on the station.

Ted Garcia’s first day at the local TV stations is scheduled for Monday, February 2nd.

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