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NewsNation Achieves Strongest Audience Gains Since Network Rebrand

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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 To Return to Dan Le Batard Show in January for Nine Appearances

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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 Named New Afternoon Drive Host on FOX Sports Radio

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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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ESPN Adds Talaya Gaines as VP of Talent Relations and Development

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ESPN has appointed three-time Emmy Award-winning sports media executive Talaya Gaines as its new Vice President of Talent Relations and Development, the network announced. Gaines, an 18-year industry veteran, will begin in the role on January 5, returning to ESPN after a four-year stint at MSG Networks.

At MSG, Gaines served as Vice President of Content Strategy and Original Programming. She oversaw a slate of original productions across the network. She previously spent 14 years at ESPN, most recently as Managing Producer for ESPN+ and Original Content. There, she was instrumental in developing and producing digital-first programming.

In her new position, Gaines will focus on managing, developing, and recruiting ESPN’s on-air talent. She will work closely with the network’s content leaders. She will report to Freddy Rolón, ESPN’s Head of Global Sports and Talent Office.

“The expansion of our Talent Office is a significant investment in ESPN’s talent community,” Rolón said in a statement. “We have the deepest roster in sports media, and the addition of Talaya to our team will super-serve this exceptional group while strategically positioning them to thrive.”

Gaines brings a history of industry recognition to the role. In 2024, she was named one of the ‘Top Women in Media’ by Cynopsis and was featured in Essence Magazine’s The Women’s Playbook issue, highlighting her leadership and influence in sports media.

Her hiring is part of a broader expansion of ESPN’s Talent Office. The network also announced the appointment of Rosetta Ellis-Pilie as Vice President of Talent Negotiations and Policy. This is a new leadership role that will report to Rolón. Together, the additions signal ESPN’s ongoing commitment to cultivating and retaining top talent across its platforms.

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Snoop Dogg To Serve As Special NBA Analyst January 5 On NBC Sports

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Snoop Dogg, the multi-talented rapper and media personality, will step into the role of game analyst for Peacock’s broadcast of the Los Angeles Clippers versus Golden State Warriors matchup on Monday, January 5. The Athletic was first to report the news of Snoop Dogg’s inclusion in the broadcast.

Calvin Broadus Jr., better known by his stage name, will join the broadcast team alongside veteran commentators Terry Gannon and Reggie Miller. Snoop Dogg will participate in pregame meetings and watch the first half from courtside before donning a headset to call the second half.

The move marks another expansion of Snoop’s growing partnership with NBCUniversal. He received widespread praise for his hosting work during last year’s Summer Olympics, blending insight with his signature personality, and will now take on a significant role in NBC’s coverage of the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Games in February.

“This is a dream come true for me,” said Snoop Dogg. “I’m fired up to be joining Reggie Miller and Terry Gannon on the call for the Clippers-Warriors game on January 5th. I can’t wait to bring a fresh vibe to the analysis while celebrating the skills and strategy these teams bring every night.”

In addition to his NBA duties, Snoop will appear on Netflix during Christmas Day for Snoop’s Holiday Halftime Party, which will air during the NFL matchup between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. The show will feature performances from Lainey Wilson, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, among others.

“We are excited to have Snoop bring his unique energy and passion to our NBA coverage,” said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports. “It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch Snoop, Reggie and Terry talk hoops with a side order of fun.”

Snoop’s crossover from music to live sports broadcasting reflects a broader trend in the industry, where networks are increasingly seeking celebrity voices to complement traditional analysis. Snoop Dogg’s blend of charisma, humor, and sports knowledge resonates has proof it resonates with audiences. His involvement in high-profile events like the Olympics and NFL halftime specials underscores the network’s confidence in his ability to engage viewers across multiple platforms.

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Brandon Tierney Addresses WFAN Exit: “That Chapter Is Shut”

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Brandon Tierney closed a significant chapter in his broadcasting career last Friday. He signed off from WFAN and immediately turned his focus to a new digital venture, the Unkillable to Unleashed Podcast. Reflecting on his final day at the station, Tierney expressed deep appreciation for the support he received from fans and colleagues.

“I would really, truly like to thank you guys. I felt the love, and it’s been absolutely awesome,” Tierney said during his debut episode of the YouTube show. “You know, I’ve talked about social media and how much I hate it, at least aspects of it. I’ve got to tell you, it was really awesome.”

Despite leaving a prominent role in traditional radio, Tierney was clear that his new program would not dwell on his departure from WFAN.

“Some of you are waiting to hear me bash WFAN. It’s not going to happen. That’s not what I’m about. I love WFAN. I’ve got a lot of love for WFAN. Do I think WFAN made a mistake? Yeah, I absolutely do. I have no problem saying that, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t own WFAN, and I don’t get to make those decisions,” he said.

Tierney described his new YouTube show as a personal and professional mission.

“I am on more of a mission now to build this thing out with you, and to really do it in a way that, quite frankly, I really didn’t know I would ever do. I was always curious about doing a YouTube show,” he said, emphasizing his enthusiasm for the creative freedom digital platforms offer.

BT acknowledged that taking the leap into hosting on YouTube may have initially terrified him. He said that if someone had told him previously that he’d be in his early 50’s with no definable income coming in he’d likely have been scared shitless. But as he approaches the space today, he’s not. In fact, he’s energized.

Reflecting on his final on-air moments at WFAN, Tierney acknowledged the challenges and emotions that accompanied the conclusion of his tenure.

“It was hard to get certain things out, but I am very proud of the way I finished my run at WFAN. The easy thing would have been to tap out,” he said. “That’s not the way that I’m wired. That’s not the way that I’m built. I’m built to finish the race.”

Tierney’s attachment to the WFAN studios was evident in his description of the final moments before leaving.

“I was almost in a trance and didn’t really want to leave the building at that moment. I wanted to soak it in because I’ll still do some shows on WFAN. I’ve got a great relationship with them. I knew that that part of my life, that chapter was shut, that was it. The book was closed,” explained Tierney. “I remember taking a bit of a lap around the floor, just wandering around aimlessly. Basically, I’m like, All right, check, you did it. Let’s go.”

Tierney plans for the new YouTube program to be a daily fixture airing live around 10am ET. As for any fill in roles for Tierney at WFAN, neither WFAN nor Tierney have yet to announce any dates.

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1130 WISN Elevates Benjamin Yount To Morning Drive, Adds Jason Goch

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iHeartMedia Conservative Talk 1130 WISN Milwaukee will debut a refreshed weekday lineup beginning Friday, January 2, with notable shifts in its morning and late-morning programming.

Benjamin Yount, currently the 9-11 a.m. host, will move into the coveted morning drive slot from 6-9 a.m., succeeding Jay Weber. Yount first joined WISN in 2020 from WRPW in Bloomington, Illinois, serving as News Director and primary fill-in host before taking over the late morning show earlier this year.

“WISN has always been about serving Wisconsin with smart, honest conversation, and I’m honored to take on morning drive,” Yount said. “Our listeners count on us to start their day informed and engaged, and I’m excited to continue that in a new time slot while keeping the same commitment to strong local coverage.”

Stepping into the 9-11 a.m. slot is Jason Goch, who will also anchor news segments during Yount’s morning show. Goch brings a diverse background in talk and sports radio, including stints at SB Nation Radio, Illinois Radio Network, and Chicago’s 87.7 The Game. He has previously served as a fill-in host at WISN.

“WISN is one of the most respected talk stations in the country, and I’m thrilled to join the lineup,” Goch said. “Midday is a great opportunity to connect with listeners on the issues that matter most, and I’m excited to contribute both on the air and in supporting WISN’s live, local mornings.”

Program Director Jerry Bott described the lineup changes as a strategic move to reinforce WISN’s local programming presence.

“This lineup builds on WISN’s momentum and reflects our focus on serving listeners with strong, credible voices throughout the day,” Bott said. “Benjamin has earned the trust of our audience and brings proven ratings success to morning drive, while Jason is a terrific addition whose experience and versatility strengthen our local programming bench.”

The shift signals iHeartMedia’s continued investment in local talent as part of a broader effort to maintain WISN’s position as a leading conservative talk station in the Milwaukee market. By promoting from within, the station aims to sustain audience engagement during peak listening hours while keeping coverage rooted in regional and national issues that resonate with its Wisconsin audience.

WISN 2026 Weekday Lineup:

  • 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. | Benjamin Yount
  • 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Jason Goch
  • 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Clay Travis and Buck Sexton
  • 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Vicki McKenna
  • 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Dan O’Donnell

The new lineup follows the previously announced transition of longtime morning host Jay Weber, who will conclude his daily morning show at the end of December and launch a new twice-weekly iHeartPodcast in 2026, while remaining a contributor to WISN and iHeartMedia.

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Bari Weiss Defends Pulling 60 Minutes Story on CECOT Saying Piece Was “Not Ready”

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CBS News Editor in Chief Bari Weiss is facing criticism after she decided to pull a planned 60 Minutes segment examining the Trump administration’s deportation of Venezuelan migrants to a harsh prison in El Salvador. The decision, made just days before the segment was set to air, has sparked questions over the network’s editorial independence and the role of political influence in its reporting.

The correspondent behind the story, Sharyn Alfonsi, sent a memo to colleagues Sunday evening, calling the decision “political” and a case of corporate interference. According to the memo, the segment had been screened five times and cleared by standards and practices as well as network attorneys. Alfonsi argued that the piece was factually sound and that pulling it at the last minute represented a “kill switch” for reporting the administration might find inconvenient.

In a Monday call with staff, Weiss defended her decision, saying the story was “not ready.”

“I want to say something about trust: our trust for each other and our trust with the public,” Weiss said on the call. “The only newsroom I’m interested in running is one where we can have contentious disagreements about the thorniest editorial matters with respect. Crucially, it must be a place where we assume the best intent of our colleagues. Anything else is absolutely unacceptable.”

Weiss continued to defend her position via the call saying, “I held a 60 Minutes story because it was not ready. While the story presented powerful testimony of torture at CECOT, it did not advance the ball—the Times and other outlets have previously done similar work. The public knows that Venezuelans have been subjected to horrific treatment at this prison. To run a story on this subject two months later, we need to do more. And this is 60 Minutes. We need to be able to get the principals on the record and on camera. Our viewers come first. Not the listing schedule or anything else. That’s my north star and I hope it’s yours, too.”

Alfonsi, however, suggested that the segment’s shelving was connected to the administration’s refusal to participate. She argued that waiting for government officials to cooperate would allow the administration to effectively veto reporting it opposed.

The decision to delay the segment has already drawn political scrutiny. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) called for an explanation on X, saying, “This CBS thing does merit an explanation right away. It’s a pretty big deal to pull a story at the request of the White House. And if that’s not what happened everyone should know that too.”

The segment had been scheduled to explore the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelan migrants earlier this year. Many were sent to CECOT, one of El Salvador’s harshest prisons. The segment was to feature interviews with deportees describing brutal conditions. In its place, 60 Minutes aired a feature from Nottingham, England. There, correspondent Jon Wertheim spoke with a family of classical musicians.

CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, have faced ongoing tension with former President Trump. He previously sued 60 Minutes over an interview with Kamala Harris, eventually settling for $16 million. Trump has continued to criticize the program and Paramount’s new ownership on social media. This comes as the company pursues a hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.

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Main Street Sports Group Reportedly Could Shut Down if DAZN Sale Falls Through

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Main Street Sports Group, the company which owns FanDuel Sports Network, has missed a December rights payment to the St. Louis Cardinals as it works to finalize a potential sale to DAZN, sources told The Sports Business Journal. If the deal does not close by January, Main Street could dissolve its business following the 2025-26 NBA and NHL regular seasons, potentially upending local sports broadcasts.

The scenario would return broadcast rights for 30 professional teams across the NBA, NHL and MLB to the individual franchises, a move that could accelerate national streaming regional sports networks for both basketball and baseball.

Despite the missed payment, Main Street remains in active talks with all 30 teams, including the Cardinals, who have not terminated their rights agreement. A Main Street spokesperson said Saturday to SBJ, “Main Street Sports Group is in discussions with certain team partners around the timing of their rights payments as we progress discussions with strategic partners to further enhance our long-term capital position.”

Sources familiar with the situation said if the DAZN deal collapses, Main Street plans to wind down operations while minimizing disruptions to local game broadcasts, including making final rights fee payments. The company does not intend to file for bankruptcy again, after emerging from Chapter 11 just a year ago.

NBA franchises account for nearly half of Main Street’s sports portfolio, with 13 teams affected, including the Hawks, Hornets, Cavaliers, Pistons, Pacers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Heat, Bucks, Timberwolves, Thunder, Magic and Spurs. Executives from those teams participated in a leaguewide call last week with attorneys from Proskauer, the NBA’s lead law firm.

Sources said NBA executives were alerted that the Cardinals had not received their December payment and were warned that future payments, totaling roughly $180 million this season, could be at risk. “For now, no big change, but refine your contingency plans,” one source said.

If Main Street fails to make payments, the NBA has told teams the league would step in. The NextGen platform would provide local streams, likely via League Pass and the NBA app, while teams would need to negotiate short-term over-the-air or direct-to-distributor deals.

The situation is intensifying interest in a national streaming RSN that could combine Main Street teams with others whose games are currently over-the-air, potentially offering a single package to platforms like Amazon, YouTube, Apple or ESPN.

MLB faces a slightly different timeline, with the season starting in March. Teams including the Cardinals, Brewers, Reds, Royals, Tigers, Angels, Marlins and Rays will need to decide whether to have their games produced by MLB or explore independent distribution.

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Paramount Guarantees Backing of Larry Ellison in Warner Bros. Hostile Bid

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Paramount on Monday amended its hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, adding an “irrevocable personal guarantee” from Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison to support the $108 billion offer.

The move comes after WBD last week raised concerns about Paramount’s proposal, noting that it had already accepted an $82.7 billion offer from Netflix. Paramount’s revised bid maintains the original $30-per-share valuation.

Ellison, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, has long backed Skydance, the production company run by his son, David Ellison. While Larry Ellison is involved in the proposed WBD acquisition, the WBD board questioned the transaction’s structure. They cited potential unpredictability due to the Ellison family trust.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Paramount said, “Larry Ellison has agreed to provide an irrevocable personal guarantee of $40.4 billion of the equity financing for the offer and any damages claims against Paramount.”

The company also announced an increase in its breakup fee to $5.8 billion, matching Netflix’s terms. Additionally, Paramount said Ellison would not revoke the family trust. He also would not transfer its assets in a way that could affect the deal.

The Ellison family trust holds approximately 1.16 billion shares of Oracle stock. Paramount noted that all material liabilities tied to the family have been publicly disclosed.

Paramount criticized the handling of the WBD merger process. It asserted that none of the board’s concerns, nor the demand for a personal guarantee, were raised during the 12 weeks before WBD agreed to Netflix’s “inferior transaction,” according to the filing.

The competition for WBD could reshape Hollywood’s entertainment landscape. Paramount’s offer encompasses all of WBD, including legacy cable networks. Netflix’s bid targets only the studio-and-streaming division, which includes Warner Bros. and HBO. WBD had planned to split into two companies in 2026. Netflix intends to respect that strategy before assuming control of the studio-and-streaming assets.

Paramount also extended the deadline for shareholders to respond, moving it from January 8 to January 21.

“Paramount has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to acquiring WBD,” said Paramount CEO David Ellison. “Our $30 per share, fully financed all-cash offer was on December 4, and continues to be, the superior option to maximize value for WBD shareholders. Because of our commitment to investment and growth, our acquisition will be superior for all WBD stakeholders, as a catalyst for greater content production, greater theatrical output, and more consumer choice. We expect the board of directors of WBD to take the necessary steps to secure this value-enhancing transaction and preserve and strengthen an iconic Hollywood treasure for the future.”

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