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NBC Sports Radio Announces Distribution Agreement With TuneIn

BSM Staff
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NBC Sports Radio Announces Distribution Agreement With TuneIn

NBC Sports is expanding its audio footprint through a new distribution partnership with TuneIn, giving listeners greater access to live sports talk and play-by-play coverage.

Stingray announced the agreement, which brings NBC Sports Radio programming to TuneIn’s global streaming platform. As part of the deal, TuneIn will carry audio simulcasts of NBC Sports content, including daily studio shows and select live event broadcasts.

Among the featured programming are popular shows from NBC Sports Now. That lineup includes Pro Football Talk Live, The Dan Patrick Show and Chris Simms Unbuttoned. The addition strengthens TuneIn’s already robust sports offerings while giving NBC Sports another avenue to reach fans.

NBC Sports views the partnership as a strategic move to broaden its audience beyond traditional platforms. Aileen Sokol, vice president of content partnership development for NBC Sports, said TuneIn’s scale makes it an ideal partner for distributing both live events and daily programming.

“This partnership allows us to expand our reach and connect with more listeners through a platform that delivers strong engagement,” Sokol said.

The move reflects a larger trend across the sports media landscape. As viewing habits continue to shift, audio streaming has become an increasingly important complement to television and digital video. Live sports, in particular, remain one of the few types of content that consistently draw real-time audiences, making them well-suited for multi-platform distribution.

TuneIn executives believe adding NBC Sports Radio enhances the platform’s value for users seeking comprehensive sports coverage. Kevin Straley, chief content officer at TuneIn, said the combination of daily talk programming and live play-by-play fills a key need for listeners.

“We’re adding a premium sports brand that delivers both compelling analysis and live event coverage,” Straley said. “That combination strengthens our free sports lineup in a meaningful way.”

TuneIn currently reaches 75 million monthly active users across 122 countries. The service is integrated into more than 200 connected devices and vehicle systems, allowing listeners to access content at home or on the go.

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.

Connoisseur Media Purchases NRG Media Cluster in Lincoln

BNM Staff
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Connoisseur Media Purchases NRG Media Cluster in Lincoln

Connoisseur Media has announced its intention to purchase the stations NRG Media holds in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The stations include B107.3 (AC), News Talk 1400/99.3 KLIN, 105.3 The Bone (classic rock), Red 94.5 (CHR), and Froggy 98 (country).

The acquisition gives Connoisseur Media nine stations in the market. Currently, it owns KX 96.9 (country), MIX 103.3 (AC), 106.3 KFRX (CHR), 92.9 The Eagle (classic hits), 104.1 The Blaze (alternative), and 1240 KFOR (news/talk).

“We are over the moon to be able to add these phenomenal properties and team to our company,” said Connoisseur Media CEO and founder Jeff Warshaw. “This marriage will allow us to even better serve the community and our clients.”

“The Lincoln stations have been a very important part of our story, and we are pleased to pass them to Jeff and his team,” said NRG Media CEO Mary Quass. “Jeff is a broadcaster who shares our commitment to great local service, quality programming, and deep community connections!”

The sale of the five NRG Lincoln stations comes after the company previously sold 10 stations in Wisconsin to Midwest Communications earlier this month. That followed the sale of the company’s Omaha cluster. Currently, NRG Media still owns clusters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Ottawa, Illinois.

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.

Sid Rosenberg: I Created Curtis Sliwa, Sad to See Him Continually Attack Me

BNM Staff
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Sid Rosenberg: I Created Curtis Sliwa, Sad to See Him Continually Attack Me

77 WABC morning host Sid Rosenberg and now 710 WOR morning host Curtis Sliwa have been at odds since the end of the 2025 New York mayoral election. Rosenberg had largely remained quiet about the situation. Until Monday.

During Sid and Friends in the Morning, Sid Rosenberg unloaded on Curtis Sliwa.

He spent the opening segment of his show lambasting his former colleague for participating in a skit with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who defeated Sliwa in the election. Mamdani and Rosenberg have been large critics of each other, leading to headlines about each other.

However, Rosenberg said he’s always been supportive or Sliwa. He pointed to the fact that he welcomed the mayoral candidate to his show every day for six years. He noted, though, that leadership at 77 WABC didn’t want him to operate that way.

“Management wasn’t happy about it,” said Rosenberg. “That’s a fact. They didn’t want him on every day. I fought for Curtis. I also saved his life a couple of times. This is a true story. When he was bashing people in the streets, they wanted to bash his face in. I saved his life.

“For six years, he was on this show every day. A man with no plan,” said Rosenberg. “I created Curtis the politician. I created him. It wasn’t his noon show. 45 minutes at 12:15 in the afternoon? That show gets 1/10th the listeners that I’ve got. Sorry, that’s a fact. I created that bastard. Created him.”

Sid Rosenberg shared that he has repeatedly reached out to Sliwa in an effort to repair the relationship, but those overtures haven’t been reciprocated.

“The last six messages between him and I are all me saying, ‘Hey Curtis, can we talk? Hey Curtis, can we grab a bite? Hey Curtis, how are you?’ The last six? No response. Zero. Nothing … I wish Curtis the best. I really do,” Rosenberg said. “But there’s been very few people in my life who have been more disappointing than that guy. And for you folks that still support him, you’re (expletives). That’s all I’m going to say. You’re all traitors, and backstabbers, and sellouts, and (expletives). So go enjoy yourself.”

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.

NFL Films, HBO Announce Hard Knocks To Feature Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks

BSM Staff
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NFL Films, HBO Announce Hard Knocks To Feature Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks

HBO is once again teaming with NFL Films to spotlight one of the league’s premier franchises, this time turning its cameras toward the Seattle Seahawks for the next installment of Hard Knocks.

Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seahawks will debut Tuesday, August 11 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and stream on HBO Max. The five-episode run will continue weekly through September 8.

The upcoming season brings a notable distinction. It marks the first time since the show’s 2001 debut with the Baltimore Ravens that Hard Knocks will follow the defending Super Bowl champion. That angle adds intrigue to a series already known for its behind-the-scenes storytelling.

Seattle will also make its first appearance on the long-running franchise. Cameras will document training camp in Renton, Washington, offering an inside look at a team navigating expectations after reaching the top of the league.

Head coach Mike Macdonald will be front and center as he leads the defending champions into a new season. The series will also feature quarterback Sam Darnold, along with standout playmaker Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who earned AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. Defensively, viewers will see key contributors Devon Witherspoon and Byron Murphy II.

Narration duties will once again be handled by Liev Schreiber, whose voice has become synonymous with the series’ tone.

Looking ahead, HBO and NFL Films have already lined up a future subject. The New England Patriots are slated to be featured during training camp in August 2027, continuing the show’s tradition of spotlighting marquee organizations.

Since its launch, Hard Knocks has chronicled a wide range of teams. These include the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets. The series has built a reputation for blending access with storytelling. Often shaping public perception of players and coaches before the season begins.

That storytelling pedigree is reinforced by the involvement of NFL Films, which has earned widespread recognition for its work. The company has collected more than 140 Sports Emmy Awards and remains a cornerstone of the league’s media strategy.

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.

Political Advertising for 2026 Midterm Elections $1 Billion Ahead of Last Cycle, AdImpact Dat Shows

BMM Staff
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Political Advertising for 2026 Midterm Elections $1 Billion Ahead of Last Cycle, AdImpact Dat Shows

Spending tied to the 2026 election cycle is already accelerating, and political advertising is pacing far ahead of the last midterm cycle. New data from ad-tracking firm AdImpact shows $2.74 billion has been spent through March. That total is roughly $1 billion more than at the same point in 2022.

The U.S. Senate primary in Texas has drawn the most spending so far. Campaigns and outside groups have poured about $135 million into the race. That number could still rise, however, with a Republican runoff scheduled for May.

California is also becoming a major battleground. A June primary will determine the candidates seeking to replace Governor Gavin Newsom. AdImpact reports $114.7 million has already been spent in the contest. Billionaire businessman Tom Steyer leads the field with $89.6 million in advertising.

As a result, the race is already the second most expensive gubernatorial primary on record. Moreover, it’s now the most expensive non-presidential election in California history. The total spent on political advertising has already surpassed the state’s 2024 Senate primary by $40 million.

Steyer’s campaign has been on television since November. Meanwhile, other candidates have recently increased their spending. Former California Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and Rep. Eric Swalwell have each launched broader ad pushes. Even so, Steyer still accounts for about 78% of spending targeting Democratic voters.

On the East Coast, a heated political advertising battle is underway in Maine. Governor Janet Mills has spent $1.5 million in a U.S. Senate contest. Her opponent, Graham Platner, leads overall spending with $4.8 million.

Elsewhere, AdImpact says $27.3 million has been spent on Virginia’s proposed redistricting amendment. Kentucky’s open Senate primary has drawn $42.7 million in advertising so far.

Media platforms are also seeing early benefits — though unevenly. Broadcast television has captured roughly one-third of the spending. CTV and digital platforms follow with about a quarter each. Radio, however, has received just 2% of the political advertising dollars so far this cycle.

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.

Netflix Reportedly Desires Four Game NFL Package Including Thanksgiving Eve, International Games

BSM Staff
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Netflix Reportedly Desires Four Game NFL Package Including Thanksgiving Eve, International Games

Netflix appears poised to deepen its ties with the NFL, as the streaming giant explores adding more live game inventory beyond its current Christmas Day package. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Netflix has discussed the possibility of carrying a Thanksgiving Eve matchup along with an international game.

The international contest would likely take place during the league’s opening week, giving the platform a potential early-season showcase. Much like the recent broadcast of MLB Opening Night this past week.

The company entered the NFL space in 2024, securing rights to a Christmas Day doubleheader. That agreement runs for three years and marked a significant step into live sports for the streamer.

The Journal reported that Netflix is paying roughly $75 million per game under the deal.

While Netflix has not confirmed any expansion plans, its recent moves suggest a measured but intentional push into premium live events. NFL games remain the most valuable programming on television, routinely delivering massive audiences across both traditional and digital platforms.

Netflix has already begun building a broader sports portfolio. The company holds a long-term agreement with WWE and also came to a three-year agreement with Major League Baseball this past fall. That MLB package includes appearances on Opening Day, the Home Run Derby, and the annual Field of Dreams Game.

During the company’s Next on Netflix presentation earlier this month, Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria praised the existing NFL partnership and left the door open for additional opportunities.

The league could soon have additional inventory to offer. The NFL recently reached an agreement involving ESPN that included the sale of NFL Network and a redistribution of certain game rights. As part of that process, the league regained control of several games and is expected to explore multiple distribution options.

That creates an opening for companies like Netflix to expand their presence.

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.

Dan Dakich Reaches Exclusive Extension With OutKick, Ends Local Radio Show on 1430AM

BSM Staff
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Dan Dakich Reaches Exclusive Extension With OutKick, Ends Local Radio Show on 1430AM

OutKick is doubling down on one of its most prominent voices. Barrett Media has learned that Dan Dakich has signed a multi-year extension to remain host of Don’t @ Me. The extension with Dakich is his second extension since joining OutKick in 2021.

As part of the new exclusive deal, Dakich is ending his daily radio show on Indianapolis’ Sports Ticket 1430 AM. His final show airs today. Dakich has hosted a weekday program on the Cumulus Media outlet since January of 2024. He confirmed the news on social media after Barrett Media reported the information.

Dakich spoke with Barrett Media in December and revealed that his agreement with OutKick was due to expire in March. Sources told Barrett Media that the two parties were interested in continuing the relationship and worked through the details during the past few months.

“I love what I’m doing, the people, and the freedom. I don’t plan on going anywhere, unless they tell me,” exclaimed Dakich in December of last year to Barrett Media.

Dakich’s program Don’t @ Me has grown into a consistent driver of engagement for the platform. Momentum for the program has continued into 2026 with the outlet noting the show’s strong month of podcast downloads was this past February.

Before entering sports media full time, Dakich built a lengthy coaching career in college basketball. He held head coaching roles at Bowling Green State University and also spent time on staffs at West Virginia University and Indiana University, including working under Hall of Fame coach Bobby Knight.

Following his transition to broadcasting, Dakich became a fixture in Indianapolis radio. He later joined Big Ten Network as a studio analyst and contributed to college basketball coverage on ESPN. Now fully committed to OutKick, Dakich’s next chapter centers on expanding the reach of a show that continues to gain traction in a competitive sports media landscape.

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NFL Partners With TMRW Sports To Launch Professional Flag Football League

BSM Staff
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NFL Partners With TMRW Sports To Launch Professional Flag Football League

The National Football League (NFL) is taking a major step into the future of flag football. The league announced a partnership with TMRW Sports to build and operate a new professional flag football league for both men and women.

The venture arrives as the sport continues to gain traction worldwide, fueled by increased participation, investment interest and upcoming Olympic exposure.

The new league will be backed by a high-profile group of investors that blends football royalty with global sports icons. Among those involved are Hall of Fame quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Joe Montana and Steve Young, along with star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. They are joined by former and current NFL standouts, including Tom Brady, Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner.

The investment group also features prominent names from outside football. Tennis legend Serena Williams, soccer star Alex Morgan and trailblazer Billie Jean King are part of the effort, underscoring the league’s dual focus on men’s and women’s competition.

In addition, several major institutional firms have committed funding, signaling confidence in the sport’s long-term potential. League officials said conversations with media and sponsorship partners remain ongoing as momentum builds.

The NFL selected TMRW Sports after a competitive review process. Team owners authorized up to $32 million in funding through 32 Equity, the league’s investment arm, to help launch and operate the venture.

TMRW Sports, co-founded by media executive Mike McCarley, previously developed TGL, a tech-driven golf league in partnership with the PGA TOUR. The company has positioned itself as a leader in blending sports with modern media and technology platforms.

“For more than three decades, the NFL has made a significant investment in flag football at the grassroots levels. Including youth, high school and college. Now with the inclusion of flag football in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, TMRW Sports shares a vision with the NFL. To further fuel fandom and participation worldwide with the development of a professional flag football league,” said McCarley. “As the elite competitive tier of flag football, this league will mark a new era for the sport. As the world’s best compete in a fast-paced format that aligns with the evolving media consumption of today’s sports fans.”

NFL Executive Vice President Troy Vincent said the league fills a key gap in the sport’s development system. He noted that flag football now offers a pathway from youth participation to the professional level.

“Selecting TMRW Sports represents an important step in our long-term commitment to growing flag football and supporting the world-class athletes driving its momentum,” said Vincent.

That pathway has expanded rapidly in recent years. Participation numbers continue to climb, with millions of players globally and steady growth across youth, high school and college programs. In the United States alone, more than four million young athletes play the sport, a sharp increase since 2020.

The rise of women’s flag football has been particularly notable. Dozens of states now sanction the sport at the high school level, while more than 100 colleges have introduced programs. The NCAA recently added flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women category, a key step toward broader varsity adoption.

The sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics has only accelerated interest. The new professional league is expected to complement that momentum by creating a global stage for elite athletes.

A formal launch timeline has not been announced. However, organizers indicated the rollout will align with the lead-up to the Los Angeles Games. Positioning the league to capitalize on growing international attention.

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.

Multiple Pro Football Focus Employees Laid off Following Sale of Company to Teamworks

BSM Staff
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Multiple Pro Football Focus Employees Laid off Following Sale of Company to Teamworks

A significant shift hit the sports data and media space Monday as Cris Collinsworth finalized a major business move involving Pro Football Focus. The company sold its enterprise division to Teamworks in a deal reportedly exceeding nine figures, triggering widespread layoffs.

According to several reports, employees were informed of a company-wide restructuring plan during a meeting earlier in the day. The plan called for roughly half of the workforce will transition to Teamworks, while others were let go as part of the change.

The move separates PFF’s two primary operations. Its data and analytics arm, which widely used across the NFL. That department will now fall under Teamworks. Meanwhile, Collinsworth reportedly will maintain control of PFF’s consumer-facing content business, which includes written analysis, fantasy football coverage and digital media.

The layoffs impacted several recognizable names across PFF’s editorial and social teams. Many of which shared the news of their departure on social media. While the total number of layoffs has not been publicly confirmed, the cuts appear substantial, particularly on the content side of the business.

According to Sports Business Journal, Teamworks plans to integrate PFF data into the platforms of prior acquisitions. These include Zelus Analytics, Telemetry Sports and Sportlogiq.

“Having that PFF data definitely unlocks new possibilities for us,” Karim Kassam, VP/Teamworks Intelligence, told SBJ, noting that the combination of Next Gen Stats in the NFL and Sportlogiq’s computer vision tech at the college level means player tracking data is available at the elite levels of the sport.

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.

Mike Gallagher Is Right – News/Talk Radio Needs More Local Voices on National Airwaves

Garrett Searight
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Mike Gallagher Is Right – News/Talk Radio Needs More Local Voices on National Airwaves

Mike Gallagher said something last week that every program director, syndicator, and radio executive in the country should hear.

In announcing that 98.9 WORD morning host Tara Servatius would guest host his nationally syndicated show, Gallagher explained his thinking plainly: he wanted listeners to get “a sampling of a local host at a great radio station.” It’s a simple idea. It’s also one that doesn’t happen nearly enough.

Let’s think about what it actually takes to host a successful local show. You can’t lean on the same five national stories everyone else is covering. You can’t recycle the same White House talking points that your competitors are already running with.

Instead, you’ve got to take a story about a city council vote or a state legislative squabble and make a listener care about it — deeply, genuinely care. That’s a harder job than most people credit.

Here’s what strikes me most when I tune into strong local stations across the country. I don’t live in Nashville. I couldn’t care less about Tennessee state politics, at least not on paper. But SuperTalk 99.7 WTN’s Matt Murphy makes me care anyway. He pulls you in, makes the stakes feel real, and delivers it all with the kind of energy that keeps you from reaching for the dial. The same goes for Bruce St. James and Larry Gaydos over at KTAR News 92.3 in Phoenix, or James T. Harris on 550 KFYI. These hosts are doing something special — and it’s translatable.

That ability to make the local feel universal isn’t a small skill. It’s arguably the most valuable one in the format. And if you can master it locally, there’s every reason to believe it carries over to a national platform.

There’s another dimension to this worth addressing. Local hosts aren’t bunkered in New York or Washington, D.C. They’re not spending their days obsessing over polls, press briefings, or Beltway gossip. They’re living in their communities, talking to real listeners, and staying attuned to what actually matters to the average American. That proximity matters. It produces a different kind of instinct — sharper, more grounded, and frankly more entertaining in a format where entertainment has to drive everything.

National radio has always been where the big names live, and that’s fine. Joey Hudson is a deserving go-to for Gallagher’s show, as the host himself made clear. But the pipeline from local excellence to national exposure has been too narrow for too long. Talented hosts are grinding in markets all over the country who’ve never gotten a real look at what they could do on a larger stage.

Gallagher’s move with Servatius wasn’t just a nice gesture toward a local host at a strong station. It’s a challenge to the rest of the industry to think differently about where the next great national voices might come from. They’re probably not waiting in a New York studio. They’re likely waking up at 4 AM somewhere in Charlotte, or Phoenix, or Nashville — building audiences, sharpening skills, and making people care about stories that have no business being that compelling.

The talent is there. The opportunity, too often, isn’t. So here’s hoping Gallagher’s instinct catches on — because local radio has been quietly developing some of the best broadcasters in the business, and it’s past time the national stage opened its doors a little wider.

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

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