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Local Market Hosts Need to Be Themselves

Pete Mundo
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Local Market Hosts Need to Be Themselves

There will always be broadcasters that we admire, take things from, and try to mold into our own. A little of this person, a little of that person, and you try to develop your own style as a talk show host.

You can’t knock someone else off; it has to be unique to you. But since the beginning of the business, hosts have found their voice largely by emulating those they have looked up to and then making it their own.

However, developing a style off of others is different than simply parroting their talking points.

I spoke with a fellow broadcaster earlier this week who was bemoaning that he disagreed with FOX News’ top primetime host Tucker Carlson’s recent takes on Russia-Ukraine.

He worried that he might turn off some of his audience by disagreeing with Tucker’s take. I responded with, “First off, I do too in some respects. But more importantly, why do you care?”

Granted, we live in a world where people want their biases and beliefs to be confirmed. However, there are enough media in today’s fragmented environment that you can certainly find in a relatively quick fashion. 

But it’s still far more important to be interesting and entertaining than it is to parrot the same opinions of those theoretically above you in the food chain. 

Tucker Carlson is the highest-rated cable news host because he doesn’t stand by a specific party or ideology. So yes, you would watch Tucker and consider him a conservative, but at the same time, he’s more likely to compliment former Democrat Presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard than he is to compliment many Republicans.

In fact, recent reports shared that in October of 2021, Carlson’s program was the top cable news show among Democrats in the advertiser-coveted age range of 25-54.

That’s because Carlson is interesting, entertaining, unpredictable, and authentic. 

If a talk show host in a local market is doing a show with fear of crossing Tucker Carlson’s opinion, or Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, or anyone else you want to add to this list, then that means the host isn’t himself. And there’s nothing worse one can be than inauthentic. The audience will sniff you out in a heartbeat.

Our goal on the local level is the same. Be interesting. Entertain. Be authentic. Obviously, try to find angles that tie it back to being local, although some national stories are harder than others to achieve that. But regardless, if someone wants a watered-down, regurgitated version of Carlson’s talking points, they can watch the show back on their phone, FOX News’ website, or anywhere else. 

They no longer need you. 

Be different. Have fun. Don’t overthink others’ opinions, and consume as many of them as possible. That way, you won’t worry about one. But, most importantly, be you. 

Hunting For GSM Candidates

Jeff Caves
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Hunting For GSM Candidates

Have you ever thought you were ready to become a General Sales Manager? Have you been a GSM or GM in a Top 50 market and want to move to a smaller Midwest city? This is your opportunity.

Recently, I was asked for some referrals on a GSM job opening in a smaller Midwest city. I thought and asked if the employer was looking for a person on the way up in the business or on the way down. I was told they would look at either type. I have worked with both.

On the way up?

These are the people typically promoted to the position out of the sales pit. This manager has the ideals and ambitions to treat the sales staff “the right way.” I was once promoted to a Local Sales Manager role out of sales about 4-5 years into my career and failed.

I treated everybody the same, took over some challenging accounts from reps who needed help, and acted like a bull in a china shop. I didn’t like being responsible for the results of others who didn’t want to change, and the sales staff didn’t like being asked to change. I was complained about to my GSM and owner and put back into sales in 90 days.

On the other hand, I have watched a salesperson promoted to GSM with a limited background in radio sales, and he flourished in the position. He was able to gain trust from less experienced reps and respect the veterans for what they accomplished. He also held their hand into the digital age and either covered for them or looked the other way on specific tasks as long as they hit their goals. He was well-liked and offered a fresh perspective on inventory management and packaging. He could have become a GM but opted to enter into his own business. 

If you find yourself having the energy to want to start leading others, and you can come up with advertiser solutions in negotiations, teach others how to sell digital, and hire/retain salespeople, you may be ready for that step up and can become a successful radio sales manager.

On the way down?

I have also worked with former GMs of stations in the same market who moved down to GSM and more experienced GSMs who at one time were selling or managing in a Top 50 market. They bring a plan to the table, and if the staff hasn’t been productive, I think it is a good option.

They instantly relate well to veterans but may struggle with new digital, social or event selling initiatives. I would also make sure they commit to the area or have family close by. Some experienced managers don’t do well in smaller places with fewer resources. Some perform just fine.   

So, if you are one of these types of applicants, get in touch with us. Email Jason Barrett.

Be ready to meet revenue goals, emphasizing direct and new direct. Be able to help others sell digital, NTR, and have big account plans. Have sales meeting agendas, be ready to sell your vision to others in the cluster, and be on top of inventory management. Go get it! 

Dana White Defends Donald Trump, Calls Out Big Tech Censorship Practices

BNM Staff
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UFC President Dana White jumped to the defense of former President Donald Trump while criticizing Big Tech for its continued censorship practices.

White appeared on Logan Paul’s podcast Impaulsive Tuesday where he weighed in on the mainstream media and First Amendment rights.

YouTube recently removed President Donald Trump‘s episode of the viral prank group NELK’S podcast. “The fact that Trump’s podcast with Full Send got taken down is f***ing disgusting and more importantly it’s scary. Very f***ing scary!”

Co-host Mike Majlak said the podcast was going to be removed “no matter what” citing Trump as a political figure. “That political figure was the 45th President of the f***ing United States! … You keep talking like he’s Alex Jones! He’s f***ing president of the United States!” White said.

In 2016, White endorsed Trump during a speech at the Republican National Convention.

“This world that we live in, we’re all becoming so dependent on social media … Everybody’s worst f*ing nightmare is that your s**t gets taken down! … You have to start looking at the consequences of something like the Full Send podcast being taken down.”

Radio Host Erick Erickson Announces New Affiliate With WMAY

BNM Staff
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Radio Host Erick Erickson Announces New Affiliate With WMAY

The nationally syndicated Erick Erickson announced a new affiliate Wednesday. Erickson will now be heard in Central Illinois on Springfield’s News & Talk 92.7 WMAY.

Last month, Erickson added two affiliates; Audacy-owned News & Talk 840 AM in Las Vegas and 1430 KYKN in Salem, Oregon. 

Erickson has been hosting shows on WSB for ten years. In 2019, Cox-owned WGAU in Athens, Georgia, picked up a simulcast of Erickson’s WSB show.

Erickson began his national syndication in May 2021. Following the death of Rush Limbaugh, Erickson’s show moved into the noon-3p ET slot, to fill the void.

“In every Nielsen PPM market carrying his show, either live or delayed, Erickson is generating higher ratings than the show he replaced, including Rush Limbaugh’s show in Atlanta, Georgia on Erickson’s flagship station, WSB Radio,” the show said in a statement last year.

From June to December 2021, Erickson’s live-streaming audience increased 339%, and his podcast audience grew 188%.

Broadcasters Foundation of America Announces Three New Board Members

BNM Staff
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Broadcasters Foundation of America Announces Three New Board Members

The Broadcasters Foundation of America announced the selection of three new board members on Wednesday.

According to a news release, the organization named National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) CEO Curtis LeGeyt, Illinois Broadcasters Association CEO Dennis Lyle, and ABC owned stations President Chad Matthews to its Board.

“Their support of the Foundation’s charitable mission and their leadership in the broadcast industry is commendable,” said Scott Herman, Chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation of America.

Also, Weiss Agency EVP Heather Cohen and Judy Quaranta were named Officers.

“Heather and Judy are accomplished professionals in their individual field, and as Officers of the Broadcasters Foundation they will help us advance our cause of helping our colleagues who are in great need,” Herman added.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America serves as an advocate for men and women who find themselves in financial trouble due to illness, accident, age, or serious misfortune.  

What’s Left In the Game of Broadcasting Musical Chairs?

Andy Masur
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What’s Left In the Game of Broadcasting Musical Chairs?

Baseball reopened for business last week and we expected to see a free agent frenzy, but it didn’t really materialize right away. Things are starting to heat up in the NFL. With the new league year beginning, there will be some players changing teams there too. There is another free agent bonanza to watch. This one isn’t on the field. It’s in the booth. The game of broadcasting musical chairs has begun. 

Now that some of the biggest names in broadcasting are putting on new uniforms, networks, like teams, are looking for replacements. I think the same questions that football general managers are asking themselves are plaguing those in charge of the major networks as well. 

Before we dive into the “musical chairs” of the broadcast booth, let’s examine the money factor. If I had a dollar for every network or sports franchise that cried poor, well, I could probably buy that network or team, right? But here they both are, throwing around cash like saltine crackers.

The NFL for example is basically printing money with its popularity, licensing and worldwide appeal. The networks benefit from their connections to the various leagues because advertisers want their commercials seen by a big audience. Oh, and they are willing to pay big bucks to accomplish that goal. 

With that idea in mind, let’s break down the changes so far in the network broadcast booths. 

ESPN

The Worldwide Leader opened the pocketbooks to bring Troy Aikman over from Fox to call Monday Night Football. Aikman’s deal is worth 90-million-dollars over 5-years. That’s roughly 18.5-million a year, more than Tony Romo is being paid at CBS. So, Aikman is the top analyst now at ESPN, demoting the current booth to ‘B’ games on the network. Brian Griese took off to get into coaching as he saw the writing on the wall. 

Next at ESPN, Joe Buck joins his old pal Aikman as the top MNF team. Buck had one-year left on his deal at Fox and is expected to fetch something in the 5-year, 70-million- dollar range. According to the New York Post, Fox tried to keep Buck with a 12-million a year offer. 

Will this also include a trade? As you may or may not remember, when ESPN/ABC allowed Al Michaels to go to NBC, the Disney company agreed only after securing the rights Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Look it up!  Maybe Fox will offer up Stewie from Family Guy to do the intros on ESPN’s telecasts of the Monday Night Football? 

AMAZON

The shakeup here is far less seismic than the one at Fox/ESPN, mainly because of the newness of this telecast. Amazon is taking over the broadcast rights to Thursday Night Football and needs to fill its booth. While the Jeff Bezos streamer has been pursuing Al Michaels (more on that in a moment), it has reportedly filled its analyst role with the Kirk Herbstreit. Herbstreit is expected to continue in his ESPN role on College Football with Chris Fowler. Herbstreit does have some NFL experience, he and Fowler called final week games in both 2021 and this past season. 

NOW WHAT?

Ok, so now you know where some have gone, let’s investigate some of the folks that will replace those empty spots. Fox has the most openings with the number one booth from the past all gone. But they have other sports there that were covered by Buck, creating some other unique openings. NBC will likely turn to Mike Tirico to replace Michaels. CBS is standing pat. 

FOX

Openings:

#1 NFL play-by-play and #1 NFL analyst. Also available #1 MLB play-by-play. 

Let’s take these one at a time. I’m going to give you a list of who I feel are, could, or should be candidates. I may go a little off the rails with some thoughts. I know hard to believe I’d go off the rails, right? Stick with me here. 

NFL play-by-play candidates: Kevin Burkhardt, Kenny Albert, Ian Eagle, Al Michaels, Kevin Harlan.

Personally, I’d love to see Fox swoop in and get Michaels. At 77-years old, he’s far from done, with plenty of zip left on his fastball. Michaels is needed on an NFL telecast, but Fox could offer a little more, Major League Baseball. How cool would it be if Michaels was able to call the Fox Saturday Game of the Week and then the MLB playoffs and World Series?

I know travel would likely be an issue for Michaels who would probably prefer to stick around the Los Angeles area, but that would be incredible. Michaels handled Cincinnati Reds broadcasts for a few years and was ABC’s lead voice on Monday Night Baseball for a long time too. I guess I’m saying more of Michaels is never a bad thing to me. 

Albert is already a busy guy with the NHL, MLB and NFL responsibilities he already has. Harlan would be awesome, but he’s a busy guy too with NFL both on television and radio, NCAA and NBA. Eagle could be an interesting name to look into. I think his NBA work and the fact that he is able to call NCAA Tournament games where he is now at CBS would make him stay. 

Realistically, if Fox is looking inward, Burkhardt is the obvious choice. He has ascended to the #2 broadcast on Fox and has a good knack for calling the sport. Not too much, not too little, I think he does a great job and would flourish in the lead role. He’s visible enough on the network, with his work during the MLB Playoffs, so introducing him to the audience would not be necessary at all. He works well with all types of personalities, if you don’t believe me just watch his studio work for baseball, dealing with A-Rod, Big Papi and Frank Thomas. He is highly qualified and would make an excellent top dog at Fox. 

NFL Analyst candidates: Greg Olsen, Kurt Warner, Michael Strahan, Sean Payton, Drew Brees, Mina Kimes.

I would like to see Fox just end the speculation and name Olsen the guy alongside Burkhardt. The two have great chemistry and Olsen is really good at what he does. Coming off the field and into the booth doesn’t always translate as I’ve said a million times in this space, but he’s made it work. The free-flowing thoughts, the excellent insight and the sometimes-disheveled look work for me and should work for Fox as well. But we know that obvious choices to us don’t always translate to the obvious choice for executives. It would be a tremendous booth. 

Strahan is already at the network as well, but how many jobs can one guy have? I like Strahan’s personality and he’s excellent on the Fox pregame show, but I’m not sure how that would translate to the booth. Warner has the experience and he’s very good. I wonder why Amazon didn’t get him to be in their booth for TNF? Payton is the flavor most are tasting these days, his name is all over the place, but again, I think his skills would be better served in a studio setting to start with. Brees has not been impressive so far, early in his broadcasting career. 

Kimes is an interesting name to consider. She’s proven her knowledge of the NFL with her work on ESPN. She is talented and entertaining and would be a good choice for any network at this point. The fact that she never played football at any level is seen as a detriment, I say nonsense. 

Kimes contributed to analysis for Rams pre-season games with Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network and five-time Pro Bowler Aqib Talib. Kimes more than held her own in the booth. It would be a bold choice, but not a crazy one at all. 

WORLD SERIES

If Fox can’t get Michaels for the baseball postseason, they have a terrific candidate in-house already. Joe Davis would have no problem stepping in and taking over that booth alongside John Smoltz. He is a talented broadcaster that already endured the tough task of replacing Vin Scully in the Dodgers television booth. He did it seamlessly and in a very professional manner. That’s not easy and he handled it perfectly. Davis would be a great choice for Fox in that role. 

AMAZON

This is the intriguing one. Michaels is thought to be the top candidate to take over the Thursday Night Telecasts on Amazon Prime. I’ve already given you my thoughts on Michaels, and I wonder if this would be a satisfying situation for him?

Yes, it’s the NFL one night a week just like when he was at NBC, but Amazon has ZERO postseason games and the thought of the playoffs without Michaels is not one I’m in favor of. To me this is a situation that will be fluid. You could list all the names that I did for the Fox opening, but the postseason situation may be a deal-breaker for some. 

You’ve already got Herbstreit reportedly in the fold, right? He’ll be able to continue his work with ESPN, so why not reach out to Fowler? If they could both continue to be the voices of College Football on ESPN, it would work. ESPN won’t need them as the ‘back up’ team on Monday Night Football, with Steve Levy and Louis Riddick in the fold already. It would be a good, “first” booth for Amazon until they can secure some postseason rights. 

The game of musical chairs is ongoing at this point with much movement in the booths across the land. These announcers are just trying to have a seat available when the music stops. 

1010XL Welcomes Mia O’Brien To XL Primetime, Ryan ‘Hacker’ Green Launching New Night Show

BSM Staff
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The sports talk landscape in Jacksonville just got stronger. Market leader 1010XL is making moves to strengthen its programming in middays and evenings. XL Primetime, the station’s midday show heard weekdays from Noon to 3 ET is adding popular local personality Mia O’Brien.

O’Brien recently announced her departure from First Coast News. Since arriving in Jacksonville three years ago, the energetic, opinionated, and creative personality and reporter has built a strong connection with Jaguars fans on both television, and radio during 1010XL’s Tuesday night show ‘Helmets & Heels’. She now makes the move into radio five days per week joining Joe Cowart, Matt Hayes and former NFL offensive lineman Leon Searcy. The quartet will deliver a blend of insight, opinion, and entertainment starting on Monday April 11th.

In addition to her weekday hosting duties, O’Brien will also take on a bigger role behind the scenes. She’s been named the station’s director of multi-media production. Among her daily responsibilities will be creating video and written content for 1010XL.com. She will also cover the Jaguars and add play-by-play duties.

With O’Brien joining the staff, it opens the door for Ryan ‘Hacker’ Green to take the next step in his professional development. Green will launch his own weeknight show, Hacker After Dark, weeknights at 8pm ET starting on April 11th.

The twenty year market veteran has been a key voice on XL Primetime after previously working his way up the ranks behind the scenes. Green now gets the opportunity to deliver his opinions in solo fashion, building a stronger personal connection with local listeners. He’ll also continue anchoring Friday Nite Lights, the station’s high school football show, and the Jags 5th Quarter Show which airs immediately after each Jaguars game.

Nick Wright, Dan Le Batard Fight Over Podcast Rankings

BSM Staff
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Nick Wright, Dan Le Batard Fight Over Podcast Rankings

Podcasts, as Bruce Gilbert once said, are like assholes. Everybody has one. That makes real success in that realm worth celebrating. That is what Nick Wright did on Monday after learning that he had one of the top five sports podcasts in the country. But celebrating was just the start. Nick Wright made it clear he wants more.

That comment caught the attention of Dan Le Batard, who fired back. He called Wright’s media career a “phony one-trick act”.

The tongue-in-cheek back-and-forth continued with Wright roping in other members of Le Batard’s crew. He said he and Dan were no longer friends, but plenty of Dan’s colleagues would be in Wright’s corner.

As the insults and fighting continued, Dan Le Batard got Papí involved (indirectly). Nick Wright responded by circling back on his original accusation that Le Batard doesn’t appreciate Mike Ryan.

Wright provided an update on Wednesday morning. It turns out that the beef did not workout as well for him as it did for The Dan Le Batard Show.

Steve Nelson, Kyle Shiely, & Rachel Neel join Lemonada Media

BNM Staff
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Steve Nelson, Kyle Shiely, & Rachel Neel join Lemonada Media

Three radio veterans have been hired to bolster the production team at Lemonada Media. According to InsideRadio, Steve Nelson has been tapped as Lemonada’s VP of Content & Production. Kyle Shiely has been hired as a Lead Producer following a five-year run at Minnesota Public Radio.

NPR veteran Rachel Neel is also joining Lemonada as Senior Director of New Content. According to Lemonada’s website, the network is women-run and focuses on sharing the unfiltered version of the human experience.

“We are thrilled to welcome these exceptionally talented industry leaders to our growing production team who will help Lemonada continue to scale our original weekly podcast programming and expand our mission to make life suck less,” said Lemonada co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Stephanie Wittels Wachs.

The company recently raised $8 million in Series A funding. The network currently has 20 podcasts, including ten series launched during the past year. They raised $1.38 million in 2020.

With a company mission to make life suck less, Cordova Kramer says that extends to Lemonada’s own workplace culture.

“In addition to having a skilled and diverse team, we are committed to prioritizing the well-being of our staff with benefits like seven weeks paid time off annually, including 2.5 weeks of company-wide time off to prevent burnout and foster creativity; parental leave that is inclusive of all genders, foster and adoption; full benefits and stock options for all full-time, permanent staff to date; as well as flex hours and flex location with co-working opportunities,” Wittels Wachs added. 

TV Needs To Present The NCAA Tournament The Way People Follow It

Demetri Ravanos
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TV Needs To Present The NCAA Tournament The Way People Follow It

If you are reading this column on the day it comes out, then the First Four games of the NCAA Tournament have started and the real action begins tomorrow. Four networks will carry all of the action and present it as a love letter to college basketball and the NCAA.

Why? That isn’t how or why most of us are watching.

Look, I live in North Carolina. With apologies to the states of Kentucky and Indiana, there is nowhere on Earth that loves college basketball as much as my friends and neighbors. Yet, it isn’t lost on any of us that they are very much in the minority. I’ve lived here for 16 years and it just hasn’t rubbed off. I don’t get the appeal of inferior basketball…that is until the NCAA Tournament, when I have money on the line.

Games will be carried on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. All of them will have studio programming originating from New York. In the past, this made sense. You’re saving money by doing it all from CBS’s studios. Now it’s time for a change. It is time for CBS and Turner Sports to catch up to where the majority of the audience is. Take the studio shows to Vegas.

Is that a cynical point of view? Sure, but I have no problem admitting that when it comes to the NCAA, I am a cynic. The advertisements calling the organization “a spirit squad” and Jim Nantz’s bloviating about this event as if it is a church service aren’t just silly at this point. They are embarrassing.

More money is bet on this event than just about anything else on the American sports calendar. Mobile apps and more states legalizing the practice means that this will likely be a record year for the NCAA Tournament in terms of the handle. That is just what is bet legally too.

Think about all of the people using offshore books or running bracket contests in their offices or with their friends. We have one going here at BSM, which I believe Brian Noe has dominated the last two years.

America likes basketball. We just don’t particularly love college basketball. The ratings show it. Our former colleague Seth Everett once pointed out that the regular season is an afterthought across most of the country. If you don’t believe the anecdotal evidence, look at the numbers.

Mike Krzyzewski is retiring after this season. ESPN made a big deal out of his final season as the coach of Duke, as it should have. His final home game was the network’s most-watched college basketball game in three years and it delivered less than 4 million viewers!

CBS and Turner aren’t paying $770 million per year to carry the NCAA Tournament because the diehard college basketball audience is valuable. This is an event. Gambling has made it one. It is no different than the Kentucky Derby or a major boxing card. Do fans of those sports exist? Sure, but they are dwarfed by the people that are watching because they have something riding on the outcome.

Las Vegas will be electric this weekend. It is electric every year on this weekend with good reason. There are so many games to put money on. Groups of friends will head to sportsbooks and settle in for the day gorging themselves on basketball and free booze. The masses could provide a backdrop to the four networks’ studio shows that rival ESPN’s College GameDay.

We’re at a point in history where the NCAA cannot legitimately stand behind its argument of having a moral objection to sports betting or presentations that highlight the practice. No matter the sport, if it is on TV, there are commecials for mobile sportsbooks all over it. Schools that are members of the NCAA have official gambling partners. This shouldn’t be an uphill battle.

CBS and the Turner networks simply have to pitch this to the NCAA in two ways. First, we’re paying a lot of money to televise these games. We need full control of the presentation. On top of that, let’s cater to the larger swath of the audience and present the NCAA Tournament as a pop culture event, since that is how most Americans engage with it!

Football is my college sports obsession, so the passion some have for college basketball is not totally foreign to me. I get those people are out there, but college football doesn’t have anything like the NCAA Tournament. You may not alienate anyone by catering your presentation to the die hards, but you aren’t really taking full advantage of the event by living and dying with “One Shining Moment” either.

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