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Michael Kay: ESPN Knew Abella Danger Was in the Stands at the College Football Playoff National Championship Game

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Michael Kay: ESPN Knew Abella Danger Was in the Stands at the College Football Playoff National Championship Game

ESPN host Michael Kay weighed in Tuesday on whether the network intentionally focused on adult film star Abella Danger during Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship broadcast, suggesting the decision may have been deliberate.

During his Michael Kay Show on ESPN New York, Kay discussed the moment when cameras panned to Danger in the stands at Hard Rock Stadium as Miami faced Indiana. With less than seven minutes remaining, the broadcast captured the full-time Miami student cheering for her Hurricanes, who ultimately fell 27-21.

“Do you wonder of all the gorgeous women that are in the stands that went to Miami, and all the gorgeous women that are in the stands that went to Indiana. Usually when they show a woman during a game, they’re just unbelievable, breathtakingly beautiful,” explained Kay. “Nothing against Abella Danger. She’s a pretty girl, but she’s not a girl that the director is just gonna find her without knowing who she is,” Kay said.

Danger has become a notable figure among Miami fans this season. She gained attention after appearing on ESPN broadcasts during the Hurricanes’ 10-3 victory over Texas A&M in December. A full-time student, Danger has described her passion for Miami athletics as “unconditional,” often sharing her support on Instagram.

Kay added that ESPN likely knew exactly who they were highlighting when the moment called for the shot on national television.

“My guess, and I could be wrong. They knew exactly what they were doing. They knew exactly who they were showing,” said Kay, “I do wonder if people watching the game, a, if they knew who that was, and B, if people in the world actually truly believe that the director didn’t know who that was. If the director of the game didn’t know who that was, I’d be stunned that they would put the camera on her.”

While Danger’s appearances have become part of the narrative surrounding the Hurricanes’ playoff season, Kay’s commentary suggests that viewers may have underestimated the intentionality behind camera direction.

ESPN has not commented on the matter.

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2026 NBA Finals Scheduled Release With No Games On Sundays

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2026 NBA Finals Scheduled Release With No Games On Sundays

The NBA has unveiled the full schedule for the 2026 NBA Finals, introducing a handful of notable adjustments that break from long-standing league traditions and recent postseason patterns.

The best-of-seven championship series will tip off Wednesday, June 3, instead of Thursday, as in the 2025 Finals. While the midweek start may seem minor, the broader schedule shows a significant departure. This change underscores how outside forces are increasingly influencing the league’s calendar.

Most notably, the 2026 NBA Finals will feature no games on a Sunday. That distinction has not occurred since 1970, even in years when the league navigated unusual circumstances. The 2020 Finals, delayed until late September and staged inside the NBA’s Orlando bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic, still managed to overlap with NFL Sundays.

Traditionally, the league has leaned on Sundays for high-profile moments, with Game 2 often landing on that day and a potential Game 7 frequently scheduled for Father’s Day.

In 2026, that pattern disappears entirely. If the series extends the full seven games, the deciding contest would be played Friday, June 19, rather than on a Sunday afternoon or evening. The last time a Sunday Game 7 was avoided came in 1999.

All NBA Finals games will air on ABC with an 8:30 p.m. ET tip-off, continuing the league’s commitment to a consistent prime-time television window. Several of the scheduling decisions appear to be influenced by the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held across North America from June 11 through July 19.

The league also adjusted its rest days compared to last year’s Finals. Rather than allowing two days off between Games 1 and 2, teams will have just one day of rest. Game 2 is scheduled for Friday, June 5. However, the NBA maintained two-day breaks for travel. These breaks will occur after Game 2 and, if necessary, following Games 4, 5, and 6.

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Red Apple Audio Networks Launches Joe Concha Into National Syndication

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Red Apple Audio Networks Launches Joe Concha Into National Syndication

Weeks after joining the daily lineup at 77 WABC, Joe Concha is going national with parent company Red Apple Audio Networks.

Beginning on Monday, January 26th, Concha At Night — which airs from 9-10 PM ET — will be made available to stations throughout the country.

Joe Concha hosts the nightly program in addition to his Sunday show that airs from 11 AM to Noon ET on 77 WABC. Concha also hosts a daily two-minute vignette called Joe Concha Sounds Off that is also syndicated.

“WABC has been instrumental in building the Sunday program and this opportunity,” said Concha. “Red Apple Audio Networks understands how to grow talent and deliver content that connects with audiences. I’m excited to bring this program to stations and listeners nationwide.”

The program from Joe Concha began earlier this month, as it replaced Bill O’Reilly’s nightly program in the lineup at 77 WABC.

“Red Apple Audio Networks is focused on delivering proven, high-impact programming to stations across the country,” said Red Apple Media CEO John Catsimatidis. “Joe’s success on WABC Radio demonstrates how effective our model is—developing shows locally at the flagship level and scaling them nationally. This new weekday program is a natural addition to our growing lineup.”

“WABC has always been a powerful incubator for talent and content that resonates far beyond New York,” added Red Apple Media and WABC Radio President Chad Lopez. “By producing this show at our flagship station and distributing it through Red Apple Audio Networks, we’re reinforcing our commitment to building premium programming that works for listeners, affiliates, and advertisers.”

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Fox News Adds Reince Priebus as Political Analyst

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Fox News Adds Reince Priebus as Political Analyst

Fox News has announced it is adding former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus as a Political Analyst.

Priebus served as the White House Chief of Staff during the first Trump administration in 2017. He also previously worked as the Chairman of both the Republican National Committee from 2011 to 2017 and the Wisconsin Republican Party from 2007 to 2011.

It will not be the first foray into the television news world for Reince Priebus. He previously worked as a political analyst at ABC News.

Currently, Priebus serves as a member of the Intelligence Advisory and Oversight boards in the Trump administration, as well as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He is also on the LA28 Olympic Board of Directors.

Reince Priebus will make his first appearance with Fox News this evening, appearing on Hannity with Sean Hannity at 9 PM ET.

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Live 105 Named Legendary Station of the Year by Bay Area Radio Museum & Hall of Fame

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Live 105 Named Legendary Station of the Year by Bay Area Radio Museum & Hall of Fame

Live 105 has been named the 2026 Legendary Station of the Year by the Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame. The station will be recognized at a ceremony on January 30 at the California Historical Radio Society in Alameda.

Launched in 1986, Live 105 quickly established itself as a pioneering force in modern rock radio. Over the decades, the station cultivated a devoted audience. It also broke new artists and influenced generations of music fans and radio professionals. Its impact on both the local music scene and the broader broadcasting industry remains widely recognized.

The upcoming ceremony promises to honor that legacy with a diverse lineup of alumni and current staff.

Kieran Geffert, senior vice president and market manager of Audacy San Francisco, expressed pride in the station’s recognition. “We are deeply honored and so proud to see Live 105’s rich legacy recognized,” Geffert said. “It’s a milestone that truly reflects decades of culture, creativity, and community.”

Speakers will include former brand managers Richard Sands and Mark Hamilton. Also participating are former general manager Ed Krampf, former promotions and marketing director Gabby Medecki, and former music director Steve Masters.

In addition, legendary on-air personalities such as Alex Bennett, Big Rick Stuart, Mike “No Name” Nelson, Spud, Lori Thompson, and Roland West will also participate. Audacy’s Vice President of Programming John Allers, along with current hosts Aaron Axelsen, Dallas Osborn, and Marci Wiser, will round out the roster.

John Allers, who oversees programming at Audacy, emphasized the station’s influence. “What an incredible honor for an incredible brand and people who’ve made Live 105 the legend it is,” he said. “Very few radio stations have influenced and inspired listeners, artists, and radio professionals the way Live 105 has over its 40 years.”

David Jackson, founder of the Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame, highlighted the station’s cultural resonance. “Live 105 was simply the coolest station in the Bay Area during the 1980s, into the 1990s, and beyond. And its listeners knew it was just that,” Jackson said.

The Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame, a program of the California Historical Radio Society, preserves the region’s broadcast history. It does so through archival recordings, photographs, documents, music surveys, and biographies. Since 2009, the organization has annually recognized a Legendary Station. This celebration honors the broadcasters and brands that have left a lasting mark on the Bay Area airwaves.

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NFL on FOX Rules Analyst Mike Pereira Calls for Full-Time NFL Referees

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NFL on FOX Rules Analyst Mike Pereira Calls for Full-Time NFL Referees

NFL officiating is once again under the microscope after a weekend filled with contentious calls, and longtime rules analyst Mike Pereira says the league needs a major structural change.

Pereira, a former NFL official who has spent decades analyzing and explaining the rules for FOX Sports, argues that the league should move toward full-time referees.

“I think it’s time to look at full-time officials,” Pereira told the Charlotte Observer on January 9. “Not everyone. But I do believe that the person that represents the crew in the field, the guy in the white hat, the referee — I think those 17 people should be full-time working together all year. Not going home in between games, but going to an officiating institute and breaking down all the games together. So the messages are consistent. . . . I’m not a fan of making everyone full-time, but make the referees full-time. To me, it’s time for that.”

Moreover, Pereira’s comments were made before the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. However, since then these comments now gain added weight in the wake of high-profile playoff controversies, including the Broncos’ overtime victory against the Bills and the Rams’ overtime win over the Bears.

Currently, most NFL referees hold full-time jobs outside the league and work part-time. Pereira believes this system contributes to inconsistent calls. He argues that full-time referees could study game film together in the offseason. They could also prepare for the season in a structured environment. This approach could lead to more uniform decisions on the field.

“The league owes it to the players, coaches, and fans to get it right,” Pereira says. “Making referees full-time is a start.”

The call for reform has support among coaches frustrated by recent rulings. Bills head coach Sean McDermott, who was fired on Monday, spoke passionately after a controversial interception in Buffalo’s loss to Denver.

“That play is not even close. That’s a catch all the way,” McDermott says. “I sat in my locker and I looked at it probably 20 times. Nobody can convince me that that ball is not caught and in possession of Buffalo… I think the players and the fans deserve an explanation.”

McDermott also criticized the league’s process for reviewing calls, noting that decisions appear to rest with one official or the league office in New York rather than involving multiple perspectives. “Here’s the deal, right? The fans deserve more. The players certainly deserve more. They deserve an explanation, and it’s a shame that a game is decided on a call like that, and there is no time spent with the head official going underneath the hood or to the replay booth,” he says.

Pereira believes a full-time model could address those concerns. Ensuring referees are better prepared, more consistent, and more accountable.

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Charles Barkley Blasts Sports Media for Lynn Jones’ Outrage

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Charles Barkley Blasts Sports Media for Lynn Jones’ Outrage

Charles Barkley didn’t hold back in his appearance on The Dan Le Batard Show. The popular NBA analyst offered candid assessments of today’s sports media landscape while lamenting how little he and the Inside the NBA crew have been on ESPN this season.

During his appearance following the Miami Hurricanes’ loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Barkley offered his positive reflections on the Miami season. However, he followed his comments with a critique of how some sports media reacted following Jacksonville Free Press reporter Lynn Jones’ positive interaction with Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen.

“Have we got to the point now where you just have to be an idiot or fool or jackass to be on television or podcast or something?” Barkley asked, articulating a frustration he has felt about the direction of sports coverage.

His comments suggest a growing impatience with what he sees as superficial commentary dominating airwaves and streaming platforms.

“I don’t want all these punk ass reporters and clowns talking bad about me like they did that lady in Jacksonville who had a moment of humanity,” Barkley said.

Barkley, a Hall of Famer and longtime NBA analyst, also joked how he has lumped his new colleagues at ESPN potentially into his broader critique of sports media.

“Well, they can fire me,” Barkley joked. “I got seven years left on my contract. I’m 100% retired, but if I can do something just a little bit stupid, so they have to fire me. They don’t have to pay me for the whole seven years,” he said.

This season marks the first time Inside the NBA has been broadcast on ESPN. It is still produced by TNT Sports though. Barkley expressed positive feelings about the work on ESPN so far. However, he noted that Inside the NBA has aired significantly fewer broadcasts than usual

Barkley, known for his outspoken and humorous takes, noted the scarcity of appearances with blunt disappointment.

“We’ve complained we’ve only been on ESPN, I think four times in three months,” noted Barkley. “I don’t like that at all. I wish that we had been on more during the first half of the season. But I just checked the schedule. I think we’re on Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday. So they’re gonna start making up some of the days.”

As ESPN begins to increase Inside the NBA’s airtime later this month, Barkley’s fans will likely welcome more frequent appearances. Whether his observations about media standards prompt internal reflection remains to be seen. However, the Hall of Famer’s candor reminds viewers of the unique voice he has brought to sports television for decades.

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Larry O’Connor Named Editor of Townhall.com

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Larry O’Connor Named Editor of Townhall.com

Townhall Media has announced it has named Larry O’Connor as the new Editor of Townhall.com.

O’Connor is no stranger to the brand. He has worked as a writer for both Townhall and HotAir since joining in 2016. He hosts a daily live podcast — LARRY — at Noon ET on weekdays for Townhall.

“Townhall has been a cornerstone of the conservative movement for decades, and I’m incredibly honored and excited to take on the role of Editor,” said O’Connor. “This is a platform with a powerful legacy, an outstanding team of contributors, and a loyal audience that cares deeply about ideas, culture, and the future of our country. I’m eager to build on that foundation, elevate strong conservative voices, and help Townhall continue to inform, challenge, and inspire readers every day.”

In addition to his role as Editor of Townhall.com, Larry O’Connor will continue to host mornings at 105.9 WMAL in Washington, D.C.

O’Connor steps into the role previously held by Katie Pavlich. She departed the outlet in November 2025 after spending more than 16 years as the Editor. She now hosts a primetime program on NewsNation, Katie Pavlich Tonight.

“Larry O’Connor is the perfect leader for Townhall.com,” said Townhall Media Publisher Jonathan Garthwaite. “He brings credibility, experience, and a genuine respect for both our contributors and our audience. Larry understands the responsibility that comes with stewarding a platform like Townhall, and I’m grateful for his willingness to step into this role. We’re excited to support his vision and lead Townhall.com’s coverage at a critical period in America.”

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iHeartMedia Officially Ends Wisconsin-Based “The Game” Network

BSM Staff
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iHeartMedia Officially Ends Wisconsin-Based “The Game” Network

iHeartMedia is shutting down its statewide “The Game” sports radio network in Wisconsin, following its October decision to flip Milwaukee’s 97.3 FM The Game station from sports to adult contemporary.

Since the decision in October, the company had continued providing a mix of live and syndicated sports programming for affiliates across the state, including its own Madison station, 1070 The Game. Other affiliates included Eau Claire’s 98.7 WBIZ as well as streaming content in Milwaukee via YouTube and social media.

However, several other stations had already migrated to Audacy’s Wisconsin Sports Network after The Game’s format change.

The network’s closure also brings significant shifts to local programming in Milwaukee. Morning hosts Bill Schmid and Armen Saryan will now team up with former afternoon host Drew Olson for a new show titled The Huddle, which will air weekdays from 5-8 a.m. on FOX Sports 920 in Milwaukee and 1070 The Game in Madison.

Outside of those hours, both stations will carry Fox Sports Radio’s national lineup.

iHeart’s decision ends the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. DND show, which featured Doug Russell, Nick Bruesewitz, and Dave Gasper. The trio hosted their last program on Friday. The move also concludes the afternoon program most recently hosted by Olson and Hunter Baumgardt, following the departure of Kevin “KB” Brandt.

iHeartMedia has not announced plans to revive The Game branding in the region. 97.3 The Game served as the radio flagship home for the Green Bay Packers. When the programming moves were made in October, Packers broadcasts moved to sister station 95.7 Big-FM.

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Netflix Leads Streaming TV Viewership to Record High in December, Nielsen Data Shows

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Netflix Leads Streaming TV Viewership to Record High in December, Nielsen Data Shows

Streaming TV viewership has long outpaced broadcast and cable TV, but its advantage reached new heights in December 2025 thanks to Netflix, Nielsen figures show.

Netflix saw a 10% increase in overall viewership during the month of December. In total, it accounted for 9% of all television viewership during the window, according to The Gauge.

Christmas Day saw a huge increase in viewership for Netflix, as the streaming platform showed an NFL doubleheader featuring the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions. Following that NFL doubleheader, the streaming platform released the highly anticipated second volume of the series finale of Stranger Things.

In total, more than 55 billion minutes were spent watching streaming TV platforms on Christmas Day alone. Streaming TV viewership accounted for 47.5% of all TV viewing during December, a 3% increase compared to the previous month. On Christmas Day, that figure rose to 54%, the largest single-day share of TV ever recorded by streaming TV, according to Nielsen.

The previous high watermark for streaming TV was in July 2025, when it hit 47.3% of all TV viewing.

YouTube remained the top streaming platform for the month, reaching 12.7% of all TV viewership.

Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Video rose 12% month-over-month to hit 4.3%. That rise can be attributed to four Thursday Night Football broadcasts, as well as new episodes of the Fallout series.

Broadcast TV accounted for 21.4% of all TV viewership during the month, while Cable TV his 20.2%.

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