A pulled 60 Minutes segment examining the treatment of detainees deported from the United States to El Salvador surfaced online this week after a technical error by a Canadian broadcaster, intensifying internal and external scrutiny of CBS News leadership.
The nearly 14-minute report, removed from the CBS broadcast schedule just hours before it was set to air Sunday, appeared briefly on Global News’ streaming app in Canada. While both CBS and Global News aired the episode on television without the segment, the Canadian network mistakenly uploaded the wrong version to its app. That allowed viewers to access the unaired report before it was quickly removed.
Clips from the segment soon circulated widely on social media.
The report focused on detainees transferred to El Salvador’s Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo, known as CECOT. The high-security prison has drawn international criticism. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi interviewed Luis Munoz Pinto, a Venezuelan college student. He said he was deported despite having no criminal record. Pinto spent six months in U.S. immigration detention while awaiting an asylum decision.
In the interview on 60 Minutes, Pinto described severe physical abuse by prison guards. He alleged that he was beaten, slammed against walls and suffered a broken tooth while detained. He also recounted scenes of overcrowding and illness inside the facility, describing blood, screams and detainees becoming physically ill under extreme conditions.
CBS News has not publicly commented on the leak or the circumstances surrounding the segment’s removal.
Yes, this is real. Yes, it's astonishing. Global TV, which airs 60 Minutes in Canada, uploaded the original version of Sunday's episode, including the Sharyn Alfonsi segment that Bari Weiss shelved. And now people all across the internet are watching the segment. https://t.co/4biCqBSLSE
Sara Fischer at Axios reported Monday that the 60 Minutes team reached out to press officials at the White House, State Department and DHS. All provided on the record comments to CBS News journalists’ for the story. However, none of their comments made air.
CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss told staffers on Monday the 60 Minutes piece was pulled because it “wasn’t ready.” According to reporting by The New York Times though, Weiss requested multiple changes and pushed for the inclusion of an interview with Stephen Miller or another senior Trump administration official. Weiss reportedly argued that much of the reporting had already appeared elsewhere and needed further development.
Alfonsi disputed that assessment in a leaked email to colleagues, stating the story had passed extensive editorial review. She wrote that the segment had been screened multiple times and approved by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices. Pulling it at the last minute, she said, was “not an editorial decision” but a political one.
Internally at CBS, the decision has sparked tension. Across social media and the media industry, reactions are mixed as well.
CBS News Editor-in-Chief @bariweiss held off on airing a 60 Minutes story about CECOT, saying more context was needed.
As someone who spent years in mainstream media, including at CBS, I agree. Slowing down to get it right isn’t a problem, it’s necessary.
An internal email from correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi said Weiss was handing President Donald Trump a “kill switch” for any reporting deemed inconvenient. Defenders of Weiss argue that she should be able to demand more reporting on stories in her role if content is lacking new information or viewpoints from both sides.
The leaked segment has reignited questions about independence, decision-making and transparency at CBS News, seen as one of television journalism’s most storied outlets.
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.
Saying goodbye is the toughest thing to do in your career. It’s not easy, and there’s no way to truly prepare for it, whether the decision is made by yourself or by someone else. Emotions pour out because radio is a passion-fueled career choice. No one gets on the radio just to pay the rent. There’s love for the format, passion for the industry, and connections that matter through the medium.
I’ve been on the goodbye side twice in my over twenty years in sports radio—once by choice, the other not. Reading Jason Barrett’s column on Monday about how you say goodbye matters more than you know was correct. It was a reminder that words matter, people are always watching, and how you navigate change shows how you handle the utmost pressure situations.
However, there was one passage I didn’t agree with that JB pointed out. Barrett said that talent are sometimes so focused on their show that they don’t look at the full scope of the business. I ask you, is it fair for managers, who hold the keys to a potential next step, to always hold all talent to that level of expectation in the moment? Which is often the most vulnerable of times.
When news came out about the consolidation of the Infinity Sports Network and BetMGM Network into the new Westwood One Sports network, people were on edge. Two networks full of talented people, both on air and behind the scenes, were all looking over their shoulders, wondering what would happen next.
Radio Is an Emotional Business
I’ve been in those buildings—it’s not fun. Worries about the future, a shrinking job market, and financial and career implications all compounded, especially with the holidays approaching. From an outsider’s perspective, the formation of the Westwood One Sports network seemed rushed and hastily assembled to meet the December 29 launch date.
It was bitter for many involved, and not everyone took it well in their goodbyes.
Several BetMGM Network talents said they felt blindsided by the news on their own programs and spent weeks promoting their own platforms for listeners to follow after their departures. Zach Gelb delved into his back-and-forth with what he understood his future to be with the new network. Many other talents affected by the news found no solace in the decisions made and were never criticized for how they handled their goodbye messaging.
Should they also have been more focused on the full scope of the business?
Do I believe Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata were thinking about the full scope of the business in their final moments on WFAN? Do I believe Doug Gottlieb was considering his potential future during his last segment? I don’t think any talent, in those final moments of scheduled airtime, is focused on how their words could elevate or damage their future in the industry.
Yet former Infinity Sports Network host Bart Winkler was referenced as taking a bridge too far with his closing remarks. I watched Bart’s final segment the morning after it aired.
Did he say that the listeners of the Infinity Sports Network were an afterthought? Was there questioning of the need for a new network? Did Winkler say radio will die if the people in charge continue to make decisions based on how to do things cheaper and more efficiently?
The answer is yes to every single one of those questions.
However, to hold Winkler (or any other talent) to account for those comments is a little unfair, in my opinion. Before Winkler said those things, he spent time talking about how the audience saw him as genuine, which he considered as the ultimate compliment. Personality and honesty with the audience mean more than any box score or feature interview on a program. He thanked his management team, affiliates, and the overwhelming listening audience for allowing him the opportunity to just be himself.
Bart Winkler signing off from the Infinity Sports Network – December 18th, 2025 https://t.co/rPjIzXoo02
Winkler closed by saying, “I don’t know what’s next for me. But I know that whatever’s next is because I am me. I got here because I’m me. That is my last wish for everyone. Be you. Don’t be fake, be genuine. I never regret anything about anything because I did it as me.”
Isn’t that what the audience demands of talent? Do managers want personalities who aren’t living their lives through the programming they provide? Would it have been more accepted if those comments had been on a podcast instead of the network itself?
Jason Barrett is right: it’s about the next opportunity. While he received a number of texts from decision makers about the comments, there was a lot of talentonlinecomplimenting Winkler for them—former teammates, sports media talents, and personalitiesalike. Winkler won’t be applying for jobs with those who shared their support online, but his comments also shouldn’t be a dead stop on his career.
Words Shouldn’t Always Have Consequences
Saying goodbye is never something any talent truly prepares for. Each talent chooses a different way to send off their listeners in those final moments. Some choose gratitude, and others choose bitterness. In the end, I can feel empathy for a talent who chooses either. It’s their decision, and one they choose to live with.
Can others? I would never expect every single manager to feel the way this former manager feels about Winkler’s closing chapter. We are all different, but we must answer for how we react. I chose to remain quiet, thankful, and reflective. Others took the route I did, others did not. They still found work in the industry, and I did as well.
In the end, the hard part is now over. The goodbyes are done, and the emotions of the moment are past tense.
The burden carried by every talent who didn’t continue with the new Westwood One Sports network is now off their shoulders. Working for months knowing your future was likely coming to an end should be commended and celebrated. That’s loyalty for the industry. It shows the passion those who didn’t make the cut continue to have for this industry.
That should be the lasting memory of the last moments of those from the Infinity Sports Network and BetMGM Network.
At the end of the day, saying goodbye isn’t just about leaving a job—it’s about honoring the craft, the audience, and the passion that brought you here in the first place. There’s no single “right” way to do it, and there shouldn’t be.
What matters most is authenticity, gratitude, and the courage to face change head-on. The chapters may close, but the dedication, talent, and resilience of those who’ve left will continue to echo in the industry long after the final sign-off.
That, more than anything else, is the legacy worth remembering.
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.
Thank you for checking out ‘The Industry According To’. This series runs each Tuesday, and features radio and record industry executives, managers, programmers, talent, artists, and professionals from all areas of the business world. To be considered as a future guest, email me at keithblackboxgroup@gmail.com.
Today we hear from one of the smartest researchers the music and media industry has ever had, Larry Rosin. Larry co-founded Edison Research in 1994. The company grew to be one of the most respected firms in the world. Even if you don’t know it, you’ve heard about Edison’s work through political exit polling, or via ground-breaking industry studies like “The Infinite Dial” or “Share of Ear.”
Some of you may have been lucky enough to be in the room when Larry or a member of his team presented research findings on your brand. If so, you know Larry doesn’t pull punches.He’s a truth teller, whether you want to hear it or not.
So, let’s dive in.
What the Data Has Been Saying
Keith: The typical scenario: Brand A fields a research test and then acts on some of the action steps and ignores others. Has there been a key finding over the years that Radio has typically ignored, at its own peril?
Larry: What first comes to mind here is from long ago. We would ask in surveys: “Do you want to hear the name of the song and the artists’ name for every song?” And respondents overwhelmingly said yes. But clients would say: “They might say that but they don’t really mean it.”
“Do you want contests?” Overwhelmingly people would say they don’t care about contests. But PDs would say: “They might say that but they don’t mean it.”
“Do you like when the DJ talks over the beginning or end of the song?” Overwhelming no, and yes again: “They might say that…”
So I met with the team that would start up WMMO in Orlando. They dared me to consider new things. I told them about my frustrations and they said: “Why don’t we actually listen to what people are saying?” That station went number one within weeks. And sustainably so.
So those would be some examples. At the same time, I will counter everything I just said by mentioning that radio executives probably follow research too closely at times as well. Not everything can be researched – part of all creative endeavors is magic. And you just can’t research magic.
Everyone Lies
Keith: Research is often blamed when results don’t meet expectations. “We got a bad test.” But it’s also true that people lie. Whether someone is asked about who they’re going to vote for or how they feel about a morning show or a song, some participants have no trouble lying about answers or opinions. How do we combat against that?
Larry: We look at this issue in quite a number of ways. I really think there is very little “lying” on surveys. Especially in a low-interest/low-stakes area like radio. The far bigger issue is fraud in online research. We employ massive efforts to eliminate fraudulent responses. Let me just say if your research vendor is not employing both up-front fraud checks on their research samples and then extensive checking on the results, you should be at least somewhat skeptical of what you are getting.
The One Point
Keith: A perceptual study will bring countless data points ranging from Top-of-Mind Awareness to Net Promoter Score. What data point is most important in telling you a brand is on the brink of collapse and one that is nearly bullet-proof?
Larry: There is no one number. But even in a PPM market there is nothing more important than top-of-mind awareness. This is really true for any brand in any category. If people don’t have you at the ‘unaided recall’ level, it is very hard for them to affirmatively choose to listen to you. No station can just depend on winning through ‘scanning’. You need people to choose your brand. If they don’t have you at the top of the consideration set, they are way less likely to listen.
Music At Radio
Keith: Music used to be the key driver of relevancy. Without such command over the music anymore though, what role does music really play in the lives of the average radio consumer?
Larry: When you do research for any American music radio station, no matter how much personality it has, music is simply always the key decision factor in choosing that station. It is no less important today than it was when the pioneers of radio research were helping guide radio stations into formats in the 1960s and 1970s. This leads to the tricky situation “radio” finds itself in.
For every individual station, the short-term ratings-maximizing strategy is almost always just to play more music. Yet, for “radio” to compete with streaming music services, the talent, personality and community involvement are what make the difference. At some point radio’s leadership has to essentially make the decision to defy the research and take a longer-term perspective. But telling people to do the wrong thing for the short term because it’s the right thing for the long term…is really, really hard.
Music Testing
Keith: The traditional music testing model was built long ago. Is that approach — short hooks followed by making an immediate emotional judgment from a few options— still measuring music the right way? Or do you see a better model emerging?
Larry: For now, this is still the best thing we have. I am very optimistic that some of the ‘big data’ that is now available will yield actionable music data soon. While streaming is not a high-switching environment as compared to in-car, stations now know when someone tunes out of their streams during a song (of course they don’t necessarily know why).
The information emerging from Xperi/DTS Autostage is also promising over the long haul. And while no one has yet shown me an AI music research solution that makes sense to me, we have experimented with putting all of our data into a model and are seeing how it could help guide radio stations’ music selections. There is a lot going on. Stations need to make the smartest music decisions they can but one library test every other year is barely better than no such research at all.
We’re #1
Keith: Positioning statements have historically been viewed as one of the most important parts of brand strategy. “The Most Non-Stop Music.” #1 For Hit Music.” “Classic Rock That Really Rocks.” How important are positioning statements for radio stations in 2026.
Larry: I think they are as important as ever. My complaint is that they are so often lacking in inspiration. When I hear: “A refreshing variety for your workday” and the such, part of my soul dies. I mean that is technically fine but just so uninspired. It lacks any cleverness or something that anyone would ever repeat. People DO need to know what to expect. I just wish radio executives would dare to try to say things in a newer and more memorable fashion.
The Younger Demos
Keith: Radio has spent two decades talking about getting younger. Meanwhile, Nielsen says the pool of younger listeners continues to shrink. Is “youth” the real issue radio should be trying to solve or is it something else? If “youth” is the issue, what’s your solution?
Larry: I wish I could be more optimistic on this note but it’s very hard to be. Our “Share of Ear” study shows that while there is still sizeable reach for radio on a daily basis among younger people, most of it is in the car and short in terms of span. The days of kids coming home from school and doing their homework to the radio, or listening for long spans at get-togethers, etc., are really gone and unlikely to return. Of course very few radio stations are even trying to get young listeners directly so you reap what you sow.
Passion For Radio
Keith: There isn’t an executive or programmer who won’t acknowledge the importance of P1s. However, today’s definition of “heavies” (P1s) is defined as listening to as little as one quarter-hour per-day. Is that really showing passion and have you seen a general decline in audience passion for radio?
Larry: Well P1s are simply those who listen to your radio station more than any other radio station. One can certainly employ higher thresholds of listening to determine who is important to your brand. But the crux of this question is the reality that radio TSL has been declining, at different rates but consistently, for over 40 years. The peak was in the early 80s, if one looks at Nielsen (then Arbitron) data.
This isn’t at all an indictment of radio, it’s just that competition was scant until MTV and even CDs came along. Now of course consumers have so many more choices. But radio stations, especially those with personality (and personalities) still have tons of passionate fans, who must never be neglected or forgotten. They are the key to your business and of course will patronize your advertisers’ businesses as well.
A Missing Question
Keith: Is there an important question radio hasn’t been asking in research that the industry should be asking?
Larry: I do ask myself a lot about the interpretation of research. For most program directors and programming executives, what matters most is knowing at any given moment they are doing the thing that minimizes tune-out at that moment. So we bunch together long stop sets because then there are fewer stop-starts to trigger tune-out. And we never dare play an untested song or a marginal song. It’s safer to play something that we know ‘works’.
While all that makes endless sense and is the right thing to do for the moment, is it the right thing to do overall? Have we created stations that maybe people are less likely to tune out of, but also less like to tune into?
The Future
Keith: Looking ahead five years, what’s the biggest change you see coming that the audio industry isn’t prepared for or is in denial over?
Larry: I stay out of the future-prediction business. While I know no one really goes back to check predictions, they are almost always wrong. I don’t want to add to that pile. My colleagues and I create the data that shows what things look like today as compared to yesterday. Let others draw the lines out into the future.
The Uncomfortable Truth
Keith: If there’s an uncomfortable truth the music and radio industry needs to hear, what is it?
Larry: I think both industries have a good sense of what is going on in these times of endless change. From my selfish perspective, both should industries remember that when one points out a problem, that doesn’t mean they are the problem. You can’t start fixing the problems until you face up to the mere existence of the problem. One goes to industry conferences and there is just such an enforced ‘happy talk’ quotient. Especially at radio conferences, there are no mainstream journalists there who will pounce on an honest discussion of challenges. So face the challenges in forums such as those.
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Talk show hosts are genetically predisposed to talk a lot. If you are a practitioner, speaking for 40 minutes an hour is no problem. Hosts love their own voice, and that is really important. Most talk show hosts are terrible listeners—just not very good at it.
I am not speaking for you, but I bet that I am.
Of your show’s regular guests, how many of them are unnecessary? How many guests are there for reasons other than great radio? Ok, let’s talk about interview skills…
One question at a time. I cannot tell you how many amazing hosts cannot ask one question at a time. Many times I have listened to hosts who ask one question with a follow-up included at the same time. Hell’s bells, I once heard a host ask a two-minute-long question with a yes-or-no answer. When I hosted a daily show, I was guilty of this from time to time. I’ll explain my guest rules later in the column.
One question. Most hosts are absolutely in the moment and just want to get everything in. Here is the truth: you will never get everything in an interview because of time restraints.
Is the guest necessary? If you are hosting the show, you are the expert. You are the bartender making the drink. Looking at benchmarked guests, some are amazing, but most just suck. Once a month on the Joe Blow Show, we interview an expert from the Cato Institute. The world could be staring down a 20-mile-wide meteor that will create a mass extinction event, and Joe Blow will never cancel that guest.
I have had hosts argue with me over the years about how terrific some guest is and that listeners are begging to hear that expert. Here is the fact: most people will never ever miss that lame benchmarked guest. Now, if it is important for Joe Blow, do this as a podcast only. I guarantee that the podcast numbers will be mediocre.
Always trust your program director on a few things. They are listening just wanting you to win. If there is a lame segment, the PD will tell you. Listen—they are right.
Now, some of these guests are awesome. On my stations, one show interviews two separate guests weekly who are truly engaging. They spar, joke, enrage each other, and it is always good radio. This is truly appointment radio. When was the last time you had a guest make fun of a position on your show? When was the last time you told a guest that they were making no sense?
If the guest is unable to roll with the punches and is just there to plug their stuff, it is likely time to move on.
Publicists make money from you. When a publicist books a guest on your show, they get a check. It’s just the truth. Is this a guest that you can book on your own? If the publicist is making money, why isn’t your station? If you are making money on the side from booking a guest, that is probably going to get you fired.
Here is my rule for publicists: never EVER book a local guest from a publicist. I had a morning show book a local doctor who had some revolutionary knee surgery procedure. Probably not a topic for a talk show, but it was booked through a publicist.
I pulled the morning show host and producer in after the show and asked them if they were going to write the station a $2,000 check. They said no. Then I told them that if this doctor wants to promote his amazing surgery, he should buy advertising. Interviewing that local expert just cost the company money.
Be careful. If you can make a couple of calls to get a guest on your show, don’t be lazy. Do it.
Here are my guest rules. Does the guest make the show better? Remember, the biggest lie that you can ever tell is the one you tell the human in the mirror. I had a boss who was big into writing down good and bad reasons in separate columns. His advice, which I still use, is to read back the good and bad reasons and evaluate them.
Is the guest timely? Your station has a mission.
Does the guest address the biggest topic of the moment—Topic A, if you will? Is the guest entertaining? If the guest is not compelling or the interactions with the host are not amazing, it is time to move along. It is probably not good for your show.
When people listen to your station or show, they come with certain expectations. If that sweet meteor of death is careening toward our demise, you better be discussing it. I have heard hosts put more stock in a regular guest than in breaking news. That is wrong. The biggest story is more important than any guest unless it is the President of the United States, the Pope, or Sydney Sweeney.
If you are getting guests like this, I can accept the argument that the guest is super important. The pencil-neck from the think tank or the state representative is never truly that important in a listener-focused show.
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Santa Claus is making his list and checking it twice. But has he considered what to gift the news/talk radio industry this holiday season?
With the big day just a few days away, we surveyed many news/talk radio hosts around the country, asking what they hoped Santa Claus would leave under their news/talk radio trees this year.
WLS-AM 890 morning host Ray Stevens had a wish not only for the news/talk format, but for the radio industry as a whole.
“I’ll start with this: I still believe in Santa Claus so this is my wish for not just news talk, but for the entire industry,” Stevens said. “I would ask Santa that every radio chair be staffed with a live and local host and that those hosts would be involved in the community to spread copious of cheer and community service throughout the listening area.
“I wish for this because streaming and podcasting can’t do those things as good as live local radio! I’d also wish that there was only an option to listen to AM and FM radio! I know we can’t get everything we ask for but at least we can dream.”
Meanwhile, new America at Night host McGraw Milhaven had a list for news/talk radio Santa to deliver this Christmas.
His list included:
Keep AM in every car ever made from this point on
Tone down the vitriol on talk radio. We are all on the same side. We all love our country.
Every single radio broadcaster to attend at least one industry gathering. We need to keep sharing ideas and keep helping each other. We are all in this together.
Salem Radio Network host Chris Stigall said that he got the ultimate Christmas gift from news/talk radio Santa Claus in 2024 when his show was launched into national syndication in morning drive.
This year, he had a much more self-described “pithy” answer.
“I’d like to ask Santa for a pontoon boat sponsor. Call me!”
In a similar vein, nationally syndicated host Erick Erickson said he was asking Santa Claus for more stations as affiliates, with a “stay tuned” message accompanying his comments.
“For the industry, I hope Santa brings us an appreciation for a broader center/right audience that wants more than just DDC and Trump-centric coverage,” he said. “We’re missing depth and breadth in coverage. Oh, and may Santa deliver us something other than Nielsen-based ratings,” he added with a laugh.
93 WIBC midday host Rob Kendall had a practical ask for Santa Claus.
“I’d like for the radio industry to reinvest in people to cover state and local governments,” Kendall said. “There’s a lot of rotten behavior from elected officials, and they’re doing it more frequently because they believe they will get away with it, due to a lack of people watching over them.”
600 KOGO host Lou Penrose, meanwhile, joked that he needed help on the equipment side.
“Louder headphones,” he said with a laugh. He also added that, selfishly as a San Diego-based host, he’d love to see “a Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris fight for the Democratic nomination” for President in 2028.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
NFL Films, established in 1962 by the dearly departed Ed Sabol and grown by his son, the late Steve Sabol, has long been documenting and chronicling the NFL. Going back to the days of the dramatic narration of John Facenda, the production conglomerate has been building the mystique and popularity of the NFL for decades.
One particular NFL Films production remains a stalwart for serious NFL fans: ESPN’s NFL Matchup, which previews the upcoming week’s NFL games with a deep dive into the X’s and O’s, alignments, and play scheming.
NFL Matchup truly is an exercise in film study, as if you were in the bowels of Soldier Field, running an 8-millimeter reel, game-planning to beat the Packers, and smoking a stogie with George Halas. The December 20 edition of the show was hosted by Dan Graziano, with ex-NFL cornerback/safety Darius Butler and NFL Films Senior Producer Greg Cosell as analysts.
Let’s start with Graziano, a guy who has definitely staked his claim to a key position in the ESPN talent lineup. Graziano has done an excellent job as a contributing guest on numerous ESPN programs. In addition, he has done solid work as a fill-in host on Get Up.
Graziano is a reporter at heart, and these chops come through with his insight and bent toward breaking news. He is also a sturdy commentator, able to delve into game plans and analysis. Graziano is to ESPN what Dan Aykroyd, Phil Hartman, and Bill Hader were to Saturday Night Live—a versatile football media everyman, outstanding in any role on any program in any format using any style.
NFL Matchup employs team-supplied footage to give fans a coach’s view of the upcoming games. Defensive and offensive schemes are expertly dissected by Butler and Cosell. NFL Matchup doesn’t just tell fans what happened; it shows fans why it happened.
This is not a glossy, glitzy show cluttered with hot takes and surface opinions. On the contrary, it’s about looking at the game from a schematic and pragmatic standpoint. NFL Matchup teaches the viewer and often uncovers previously unseen perspectives on NFL players, matchups, and teams.
On this edition, Butler provided a tremendous breakdown of the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense. He clearly showed how that phase of the team, led by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, has carried the club given their sluggish and inconsistent offense.
Butler has become a familiar face to ESPN viewers as a regular on The Pat McAfee Show, but I always feel like he is underutilized on that program with all of the different personalities and voices. On NFL Matchup, Butler steps to center stage, and his football acumen shines brightly in the spotlight.
Cosell is the nephew of iconic and legendary sportscaster Howard Cosell, but his on-air persona could not be more different from that of his uncle. Howard Cosell had an absolutely gigantic personality. He filled the screen and changed sports television forever. Cosell mimics and wannabes have filled the airwaves for decades, but none have ever come close to the genuine article.
Greg Cosell has carried on his uncle’s impact on the NFL, but in a more cerebral and analytical manner. He is quiet and unassuming, yet still enjoyable to watch because he truly loves football. Cosell is the ultimate football film rat. He revels in the mechanics and mindful aspects of the game. His meticulous preparation and keen knowledge have also made him a popular recurring contributor to FS1’s The Herd with Colin Cowherd.
Cosell provides a much-needed breath of fresh air from today’s loud and boisterous sports commentators. He is refined and rational—a true veteran of the industry both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Graziano, Butler, and Cosell made a nice team on this particular episode of NFL Matchup, but the heart and ethos of the show don’t change with various personalities, including the regulars: ESPN reporter/icon Sal Paolantonio and ex-NFL’er Matt Bowen. The show sticks to its credo, looking beyond the headlines and social media profiles and into the guts of the game.
Using effective graphics, the show highlights and isolates key positions on the field and delineates each player’s responsibility in a particular offensive or defensive scheme. It’s not just Football 101; it’s Football 2.0—a higher level of learning, loving, and living the game.
Coming back from the first break, Graziano, Butler, and Cosell left the anchor desk and did a standup segment focusing on the San Francisco 49ers’ offense. Cosell said that Niners’ head coach Kyle Shanahan is one of those coaches who brings unique schemes to the field not only every year, but every week, making his team difficult to defend.
Butler and Cosell make statements and then show video of games and plays, bringing those statements to life. They do use a lot of football jargon and lingo, but not in an exclusive or haughty manner. They always take the time to fully explain the language in a clear and understandable way.
NFL Matchup is not a show that is beyond the scope of a true football fan. On the contrary, it is actually a football love-in for fans who cannot get enough of the game and want to know and learn more about it.
I really like the mix with this triumvirate of talent. Graziano is the ringleader and host who sets the pace. Darius Butler gives you that upscale, intelligent, player’s perspective, and Cosell is a true scheme analyst—a guy who has seen the game literally for generations, working for one of the most respected outlets of all time. It makes for a fascinating program.
NFL Matchup provided a tremendous preview of the Week 16 games, many of which had playoff implications. A lot of what they said played out in the actual contests from this past weekend.
One such tilt was NBC’s Sunday Night Football matchup between the Patriots and Ravens. In previewing the game, Butler used the word “explosive” several times, saying that both the Ravens’ defense and Patriots’ offense needed to open it up and heighten the intensity. Both perspectives proved prophetic, as Baltimore forced New England QB Drake Maye into a fumble and an interception in the first half, while Maye hit on numerous deep passes to several different receivers to earn the 28-24 comeback win.
As the show continued, Butler gave a nice look at the intricacies of the Jaguars’ offense, while Cosell talked about the growth and development of Caleb Williams as the Bears’ quarterback.
NFL Matchup airs Saturdays on ESPN2 and streams on ESPN+ as well as ESPN On Demand. One disclaimer: if you want to hear a bunch of dudes screaming, self-promoting, and showcasing themselves, this is not your show. The strength of NFL Matchup is that the participants don’t just talk the talk; they chalk the chalk, if you will, albeit with a big-screen TV instead of a blackboard.
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We’re just a few days ahead of Christmas, and most of you have probably completed the annual orgy of consumerism and have all the gifts for family and friends ready under the tree or shipped to arrive in time for the holiday. Perhaps your home is all decked out and looking great.
For those of you in PPM markets, Santa Nielsen makes a visit just after Christmas. For some, he’ll bring wonderful December numbers, even if most of the survey period was in November. If you were bad boys and girls, Santa Nielsen will deliver a lump of coal in the form of lousy shares.
I had an odd Christmas gift thought: What if you checked your stocking and found a piece of paper? What if that paper was the title to a radio station? Would you be excited heading into 2026, or would you be more likely to chuck it into the roaring fireplace? “Never saw that one coming,” or “Was there something else in the stocking?” when you were asked for a reaction?
When I was young, I wanted to own a radio station, preferably a combo. This was in the days of the 7-7-7 rule for broadcast ownership. If you’re too young to remember, there was a time when you could own just seven AM and seven FM stations across the entire country, and only an AM/FM combo in a single market. TV was limited to seven as well, but only five could be VHF stations. It was a different world, and you had multiple ownerships in most any decent-sized market. Sure, some owners splashed out more money on promotions, while others knew how to make a nickel squeal. My dream never happened, but having a long career in the business was good enough.
The value of radio stations has declined greatly over the decades. If someone offered you an AM standalone today, pretty much anywhere, would you want it? Do you think you could make a go of it?
While the NAB continues to push the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, companies are turning in AM licenses to the FCC. Meanwhile, some of the biggest AM stations out there are being “backed up” on FM. The latest was the announcement by Urban One of WBT-AM’s format being moved to a full-power FM signal. WBT was already simulcast on an FM in the market, but on a far less desirable signal. The follow-up to the announcement was that WBT wouldn’t be an AM/FM simulcast, but that something new will end up on the 50,000-watt AM signal.
Urban One’s move isn’t unique. While I was at Cumulus, KNBR-AM in San Francisco added an FM simulcast. More recently, KMOX, a legendary blowtorch in St. Louis, added an FM simulcast. If AM stations of that stature need an FM, what does that say about the more typical AM station that can’t be heard in 38 states and six provinces at night?
I’ve asked this question of friends from time to time: If someone offered to give you a station at no cost, would you take it? And if so, what would you do with it? Could you do something unique and make a profit at the same time? Most of the time, the answer is, “I would have loved to years ago, but no way today.”
Gifting a radio station may not be practical, but if you need last-minute ideas, another great radio gift option is stock in publicly held radio companies. As I write this, you could buy 100 shares of iHeart (IHRT) for under $500. If that’s too pricey, how about 100 shares of Urban One for just over $100? Still too much? You’ll be the most amazing gift-giver in your neighborhood if you put 1,000 shares of Cumulus under the tree, and that present will cost less than $100. You never know, one of these may become a meme stock, as happened with Beasley this month, and your recipient could cash in.
I’ll stop the smartass stuff there because it’s not the time of year to be a Grinch or a Scrooge. Like most of you, I’d like to think that the radio business will have a better 2026. I’ll keep working with the students running WWHR-FM, Revolution 91.7, at WKU here in Bowling Green. They’re excited about what they can do with a real radio station. They want to make a difference, and it gives me hope for the future.
As part of the holiday, Jason has given me next week off from the rigors of writing this column, so let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you celebrate Chanukah, I belatedly hope you had a great holiday. And thanks to the people who took the time to comment on my columns in 2025. Even if you didn’t agree — especially some Nielsen Audio employees — it’s great to get feedback. Here’s a toast to a great 2026.
Let’s meet again next year.
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NewsNation is poised to deliver its strongest performance yet in 2025. The outlet continues to display notable growth, posting record-setting gains across both primetime and total day. Each weekday program recorded double-digit year-over-year improvement, positioning the brand to enter 2026 with positive momentum.
Since rebranding in March 2021, NewsNation has expanded its footprint significantly. Total day viewership is up 65% among total viewers and 60% in adults 25–54. Primetime has more than doubled in audience, surging 218% in total viewers and 117% in the key demo. The numbers signal that the network is moving upward.
Much of its momentum is the result of the network’s weekday lineup. CUOMO continues to gain ground, rising 16% year-over-year. Morning in America with Markie Martin jumped an impressive 31%. Midday and afternoon blocks are also up, highlighted by increases from NewsNation Live with Marni Hughes (+41%), Nichole Berlie (+44%), and Connell McShane (+51%). McShane’s show is the network’s fastest-growing program. The Hill, moderated by Blake Burman, is also up 29%.
Weekends are trending in the right direction too since the network expanded 24/7 operations. Morning in America with Hena Doba is up 37%, The Hill Sunday grew 18%, and mid-morning programming with Laura Ingle (+43%) and Anna Kooiman (+37%) also experienced strong progress.
Digital performance mirrors the network’s linear trajectory. NewsNation Digital surged 216% surge in multiplatform minutes, while unique visitors climbed 87% and page views grew 32%. Platform visits also rose nearly 35%, underscoring NewsNation’s expanding reach across screens.
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Jon “Stugotz” Weiner will return to The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz for a limited run in January, providing clarity — and some reassurance — to listeners following recent uncertainty surrounding his role with the program.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Stugotz & Company Podcast, Weiner confirmed he has accepted nine dates to appear on the Meadowlark Media-produced show in January, while also detailing how his current business partners have allowed him to continue working with longtime collaborator Dan Le Batard.
Weiner credited iHeartMedia, Fox Sports, and FanDuel — companies he is currently partnered with — for their flexibility. Their support allows him to maintain ties with Le Batard and Meadowlark Media.
“The people that I have partnered with, iHeart, Fox Sports and FanDuel, have all been incredibly flexible and understanding of a 20 year relationship between me and Dan,” Weiner said. “They know how much that relationship means to me, and know how much that show means to me. They know how much that audience means to me and have all given me permission to continue doing work with Dan and for Meadowlark Media as I see fit.”
Weiner was announced as the new afternoon drive host on FOX Sports Radio beginning in January earlier on Monday. His new show will air Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. ET and originate from iHeartMedia’s South Florida studios.
The comments address lingering questions from fans about whether Weiner’s evolving media commitments would permanently limit his involvement with the show. Weiner previously helped build 790 The Ticket in Miami. He has worked with Le Batard for the last 20 years and has also contributed programming within the Meadowlark Media brand.
Barrett Media reported in May with sources close to the matter than Weiner would be stepping back from his appearances on the Le Batard Show to focus on his own ventures away from the show. Le Batard confirmed the news adding that he would like to see all of his friends have giant businesses.
While Weiner’s future role remains fluid, the January appearances provide a temporary return to familiarity for the show’s audience. Weiner said the offer of nine dates was made with listeners in mind.
“To give our audience a reason to kind of relax. Take a deep breath, this is not the end,” Weiner said. “Dan and Meadowlark have been nice enough to offer me nine dates in January to come in and do the show. Nine of them. I don’t have to accept them all, but I did accept them all.”
However, Weiner was careful to manage expectations. He noted that his presence is ultimately subject to decisions made by Le Batard and Meadowlark Media, not him.
“If, for whatever reason, after the new year, you don’t hear me nine times in January on the show with Dan, then that is a decision not made by me,” Weiner said. “That decision will be made by Dan and Meadowlark.”
The explanation appeared aimed at preemptively addressing potential speculation should any of the scheduled appearances not occur. Weiner has been a central figure on The Dan Le Batard Show for over two decades. He became one of sports media’s most recognizable on-air personalities through his chemistry with Le Batard. Since Meadowlark Media launched in 2021, his professional footprint has expanded beyond the show. This has created a more complex media landscape around his availability.
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Jon “Stugotz” Weiner, the veteran sports media personality and best-selling author, has signed a long-term, multiplatform deal with iHeartMedia, the company announced. The agreement will see Weiner launch a new weekday afternoon program on FOX Sports Radio starting in January.
The show will air Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. ET and originate from iHeartMedia’s South Florida studios. It will broadcast on more than 270 stations nationwide and stream on FOX Sports Radio’s channel via iHeartRadio and FOXSportsRadio.com.
Weiner, widely recognized for his humor, hot takes, and unfiltered opinions, described the program as an opportunity to mix entertainment and sports commentary for a national audience. Designed as a live radio extension of his popular podcast Stugotz and Company, the show will feature his regular crew. It will also include a rotating lineup of guest cohosts.
The format aims to balance familiar voices with fresh perspectives, blending long-time collaborators with new talent.
Additionally, the Stugotz Podcast Network will launch immediately under the iHeartPodcasts umbrella. The network will include Weiner’s existing shows, Stugotz and Company and God Bless Football. It will also feature new original sports-talk programming. Episodes will be available on the iHeartRadio app, YouTube, and other podcast platforms.
“There was a ton of interest and a lot of great conversations, but it became obvious to me rather quickly that iHeart and FOX Sports Radio were going to be the landing spot,” Weiner said. “I miss doing live radio, and I was looking for a partner to grow my two existing podcasts and help us build out a network. To be able to partner with the biggest and best digital company on the planet — and host a daily, two-hour live radio show with two Hall of Famers, Dan Patrick and Colin Cowherd, as lead-ins — is a place, quite frankly, I never imagined arriving at, and an opportunity I wasn’t going to pass up.”
Weiner steps into the daypart following the departure of Doug Gottlieb, who stepped down from the daypart to concentrate on his coaching role with Wisconsin-Green Bay men’s basketball.
“This is a very exciting day for iHeart and FOX Sports Radio,” said Scott Shapiro, FOX Sports Radio Senior Vice President of Sports Programming. “I can assure you there is no one in the world like Stugotz — and I’m not entirely sure whether that’s a compliment or not. His uniquely bold, and sometimes outrageous, takes on the world of sports and culture will create a wildly unpredictable yet always entertaining destination for sports fans everywhere. Cannonball!”
The deal underscores iHeartMedia’s ongoing expansion in sports radio and podcasting. It reflects the company’s strategy to combine live audio with digital content. FOX Sports Radio has increasingly positioned itself as a platform for high-profile sports personalities. The network leverages its terrestrial stations and digital reach to attract a diverse audience.
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