Home Blog Page 315

It’s Time for ESPN To Attempt an AI Alt Cast

John Mamola
-
1
It’s Time for ESPN To Attempt an AI Alt Cast

Technology is always evolving. Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a regular part of our daily lives. We see ads marketing its benefits, Wall Street investing heavily, and people saying they don’t want it—but knowing they’ll eventually need it. In sports, innovation has always been at ESPN’s core.

From pioneering 24-hour coverage to introducing alternate commentary feeds (a.k.a. alt casts) like the beloved Manningcast, the network has consistently sought ways to give fans more personalized, immersive experiences.

As technology evolves and audiences grow more comfortable with AI, a new opportunity emerges that ESPN has yet to fully explore. After the success of alt-casts presenting live play in a digital realm, could it be time for an AI-powered alt-cast for play-by-play and analysis? The timing could not be better.

Hear me out before heading to the comments.

AI has moved from the fringes into the mainstream. Millions of Americans interact with it daily—through virtual assistants, recommendation algorithms, and generative tools that produce text, images, or music. Some of the top tracks you listen to are fully produced and arranged by AI. Don’t believe me, ask Alexa!

Your social feeds are filled with AI-generated ads geotargeted to your location, your diet, and even why you still love funny cat videos after all these years.

AI is no longer a novelty—it’s embedded in how people work, learn, and play. Sports fans, often early adopters of technology, present a prime audience for innovation. If ESPN wants to stay at the forefront of broadcasting, now is the time to experiment with AI-driven commentary.

The case is simple: fans want customizable, data-driven insights during live events. ESPN already taps into this with the new SC For You feature in its app—a personalized, daily version of SportsCenter delivering highlights, news, and must-see videos tailored to each fan’s favorite teams, leagues, and sports. ESPN has shown it can combine AI technology with its storytellers, expanding what SportsCenter can be in a new era.

Is play-by-play next?

Traditional broadcasts are entertaining, but human commentators have limits. They can only process stats, recall history, and deliver insights so fast while keeping up with live play. They are human, after all.

AI thrives where humans can’t keep pace. It can access vast databases, calculate probabilities instantly, and deliver nuanced insights that would be impossible in real time.

Picture a live NFL game. An AI alt-cast could provide immediate analysis after every snap. When a quarterback scrambles for a first down, AI could calculate the play’s success probability, compare it to past scrambles, and suggest alternative strategies—all in seconds. Think of it as Next Gen Stats on steroids.

If a wide receiver drops a pass, AI could provide context on historical drop rates, defensive adjustments, and projected impact on win probability.

All this data is available instantly—information human commentators would take much longer to compile.

Do all fans need this? Not necessarily. But alt-casts exist to give viewers options. Want stats? The stat-cast has you covered. Want sideline commentary? Enter Pat McAfee. Want to wager on the next sequence with ultimate probabilities on a single snap? AI delivers instantly, and data has enormous value.

With the College Football Playoff National Championship, why not experiment with the crown jewel of the college season? If that’s too soon, consider the NBA or the network’s college basketball slate. AI could calculate a shot’s expected value based on distance, defender position, and shooting history under similar conditions.

Even MLB, where moments are slower but highly data-driven, benefits. During a pitcher-batter matchup, AI could calculate pitch probabilities based on historical tendencies, weather, and sequencing. It could highlight a batter’s success against left-handed pitchers in the eighth inning or a pitcher’s ERA in high-leverage situations.

Sabermetrics will end up back, back, back, and gone with the birds.

The success of ESPN’s alt-casts shows there’s appetite for this innovation. The Manningcast draws high ratings and social buzz by offering something different—a more intimate, conversational experience.

Nothing AI can replicate… at least for now.

The timing is perfect. Over the past year, AI has shifted from curiosity to utility. Chatbots, AI image generators, and productivity tools have become mainstream. The public engages with them daily.

Sure, people say they want a human touch in entertainment. But how long will that remain true? It likely will be shorter than you think. Fans are experimenting with AI in their daily lives and learning to trust it as a tool for insight, creativity, and information. Sports fans, who crave instant analysis and dynamic storytelling, are particularly ready for AI integration.

So why not now?

Of course, challenges exist. AI commentary must be accurate, engaging, and culturally sensitive. Mistakes in analysis could erode credibility. These risks are manageable, especially if AI supplements rather than replaces human broadcasters.

It’s just another viewing option—not the only one.

Disney, ESPN’s parent, has a long history of embracing new technologies and creating integrated entertainment ecosystems. AI in sports broadcasting aligns perfectly with this philosophy. An AI alt-cast signals that ESPN is not just keeping pace—it’s leading the integration of technology into mainstream sports media.

The potential extends beyond fan engagement. Advertisers could see AI-driven broadcasts as a platform for targeted messaging and interactive experiences. AI could dynamically highlight sponsored content, adapt commentary to showcase brand partnerships, or create interactive features that traditional broadcasts cannot.

Adopting AI in broadcasting could open entirely new revenue streams while enhancing the fan experience. If it makes cents, it makes sense to try.

Are audiences ready? Is the technology mature enough? Would an AI alt-cast align with ESPN’s mission to serve sports fans anytime, anywhere? For a network that thrives on innovation and credibility, there may never be a better moment to leap.

With technology maturing and audiences increasingly comfortable with AI, the question isn’t whether ESPN can experiment—it’s whether it can afford not to. The future of sports broadcasting is arriving fast with a younger generation looking for more than is currently being presented. An AI-powered alt-casts could keep ESPN not just in the game, but ahead of it for generations to come.

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.

The Truth Behind Why Concert Ticket Prices Are So Expensive

Mike Gunz
-
1
The Truth Behind Why Concert Ticket Prices Are So Expensive

Music fans of all genres can agree on one thing: Concert tickets are too expensive.

But besides going on social media and screaming into the desolate void alongside fellow frustrated Ticketmaster buyers, is there anything an individual can do to fight back against the out-of-control pricing within the ticketing market?

During a recent sit down with Randy Nichols, board member of NITO, the National Independent Talent Organization, the lifelong artist manager explained that although there are positive changes coming within the ticketing industry, it’s going to take a while. The path is not going to be easy, nor pretty.

StubHub vs. Ticketmaster

One of the biggest issues an average fan faces when trying to purchase a ticket to see their favorite artist perform is the lack of transparency.

Fans aren’t quite sure who they should be mad at for the outrageous prices. Is it the artist? Ticketmaster? Live Nation? The music venue?

“Fans need to understand that StubHub and Ticketmaster are two very different companies. StubHub is a secondary market platform, which is where scalpers are listing their tickets, while Ticketmaster or other sites such as AXS are the event holders selling the tickets.”

“Anytime you go to StubHub, you have a much higher likelihood of paying much more for the ticket… when a fan goes to resale marketplace such as [StubHub] or VividSeats, you know you’re overpaying.”

Fans are overpaying while competing against hundreds of thousands of bots run by scalpers, and fellow fans when tickets go on sale.

“It’s tough to get a shot at things like front row seats these days because these scalpers are using all kinds of bots to cut the lines.”

“There’s a whole set of scalpers that call themselves short sellers. They sell the tickets high, sometimes before the show is even on sale because StubHub will list tickets before the show is even out yet to the general public on Ticketmaster.”

“So they sell high, and as you get closer to the show date, some people’s plans change and they want to dump their tickets on the secondary market. However, scalpers are using bots to immediately pick up all those tickets that people list. The scalpers will buy [the recently released tickets] low, after already making enormous profit from their other sales… and it takes advantage of the fans.”

The Buck Stops Here

In the age of social media, it’s easy to point fingers and blame the powers-that-be and giant corporations.

In 2024 a disastrous pre-sale rollout of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour occurred which led to Ticketmaster crashing. Fans were stuck in queue’s for 6+ hours before learning they wouldn’t be able to purchase tickets. Swifties were so furious that the hashtags “Ticketmaster Sucks,” “Ban Ticketmaster,” and other words that I can’t write here began trending worldwide. This continued for weeks!

However, Nichols says that it’s important for fans and artists to direct their frustration at the real culprits.

“You’ve got Ticketmaster and Live Nation and we all have our various issues with them, but they reinvest that money into producing events. Scalpers do not put a dime of the money they make into producing live events.”

“At the end of the day, the fan is not actually a customer of the ticketing company. So, the ticketing company is not even thinking about the fan in every part of the purchase relationship and the fan is hurt in that process because of it.”

“In my eyes, the big bad wolf is the multibillion dollar ticket scalping industry. These are people that are siphoning money out of local communities, as well as artist’s pockets and fan pockets  in order to buy yachts and private jets!”

“If I’ve got to pick the worst of the worst, it’s always going to be the person that is sucking our money out from everyone in the system and make no mistake about it, this stuff hurts everyone all the way down to the local restaurant owner in the neighborhood.”

“If an artist wants to sell tickets for $20, and scalpers bought them all and were selling them for $100 and fans bought them all, those fans may not be able to go out to dinner before the show because they spent so much money on the ticket. So, it really does effect everyone across the whole ecosystem,” said Nichols.

New Laws On The Way

Nichols has been one of the leading voices in the fight for ticketing reform. He recently addressed the issue with Gail Slater, the United States Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.

Politicians from both sides of the aisle recognize that inaction is no longer acceptable. Nichols, along with entities such as the Fix The Tix Coalition, have been actively working with and educating state legislators on what is really happening behind the scenes. The fight however, hasn’t been easy. The secondary ticket market is worth billions of dollars. It won’t simply go quietly into the night.

“The ticket scalper industry makes over $10 billion a year and is a private equity-backed business,” Nichols explained. “There’s a lot of legislation that protect scalpers and we need to roll the back.”

In March, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing the FTC and the DOJ to enforce the BOTS Act more vigorously. It not only reports bot attacks but can also shut them down.

“Both federally and statewide, there are countless legislators that want to take on this issue and we’re working on bills in states all across the country, so there is excitement and we feel good about it,” said Nichols.

Enough Is Enough

Fans can take comfort in knowing that their frustrations are being heard. The fact of the matter is, everyone has purchased tickets and understands how insane the marked up prices on the resale market have become.

“It’s tough because the artists aren’t as educated as you’d think on this problem,” Nichols explained. “The artists are busy trying to be artists. Now they have to run social media, they’re leading their marketing campaigns, there’s more and more put on the artist to do. And now we expect them to fix the ticketing problem.”

“The ticketing problem is incredibly difficult [for an artist to fight] because technically a ticketing contract for a concert is between the venue and the ticketing company, the artist is a use caught in the crossfire.”

“So, whether you’re Taylor Swift or The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, [artists] are all stuck in the same spot where the ticketing company isn’t our decision, and because of that, it’s not easy to force change easily.”

Artists Fight For Cheaper Tickets

Some artists however, are doing their part to fight back against ticket scalpers.

For example, Hayley Williams recently announced that her upcoming “Hayley Williams at a Bachelorette Party Tour” would be partnering with OpenStage, a verified ticketing platform that requires two-factor authorization to gain access to purchase tickets. The goal is to limit bots and scalpers.

“You shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to buy tickets to see the show, but unfortunately, it’s a broken and convoluted system,” Williams shared in an Instagram post. “My team and I are doing everything we can, and I am hopeful that the processes we’ve put into place will get as many tickets into the hands of my fans (at face value) as possible.”

“I want to get tickets into the hands of my fans, at a price that is as reasonable as I could get it,” Williams continued. “I’ve had countless conversations with my team, and they’ve spent countless hours trying to find the best solution for fans to be able to buy tickets. It’s been tough (to say the least), and unfortunately, there’s just no way to guarantee that zero tickets get scalped. But we’re doing our best.”

Fans across the globe expressed high praise for Williams’ move.

Just as companies such as Coca-Cola and McDonald’s face intense criticism and even boycotts from customers due to their use of Artificial Intelligence in advertisements, fans are not going to hold back their outrage over high ticket prices. Artists would be wise to follow what Hayley and other bands are doing. The battle against marked up ticket prices and scalpers isn’t going away anytime soon.

Looking Ahead

The good news is that change is on the way.

“2026 will be known as the year that changed the future of live event tickets,” Nichols excitedly told me.

“The UK is in the process of finalizing laws on capping resale prices from scalpers and we’re starting to see momentum globally and we are looking forward to bringing this to the United States.”

So are the fans… and their wallets!

How much have you paid for a concert ticket? Tweet me @TheGunzShow or email TheGunzShow@gmail.com.

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.

How 104.1 KMOX PD Steve Moore Built the Station’s 100th Anniversary Celebration

Garrett Searight
-
0
How 104.1 KMOX PD Steve Moore Built the Station’s 100th Anniversary Celebration

Few radio station stories start with “So we put the station on the air on Christmas Eve.” But 104.1 KMOX in St. Louis isn’t your typical radio station.

The heritage news/talk brand is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary next week, and longtime Brand Manager Steve Moore joked he’d been planning the on-air specials surrounding the event since he joined the station in 1999.

“I remember the 75th anniversary, because I was only here for a year, and at that time, I wasn’t nearly involved in the process of building it, and I remember the things that we were doing at that time,” said Moore. “So over the course of the past year, as this has gotten closer to me, I think that this is a significant not only for KMOX, I think it’s significant for the city of St Louis, because KMOX is so tied into the fabric of our of our community.

“And I think it’s significant for our industry that we celebrate these big brands,” Moore added. “We’ve been thinking about it for a year, and we’ve had big ideas, and we’ve had and some ideas that were that we didn’t work, we didn’t pull off, and other ideas that have worked out great. And over the course of the past four or five months, it ramped up into what we wanted to do.”

A St. Louis native, Moore said he wonders what went through the minds of the station’s founders on Christmas Eve 1925 that made putting the station on the air their top priority.

“I always am like, well, what were those guys doing that day that they were like, ‘Let’s put it on today. I gotta be at my mom’s for dinner at around three, so we better do it in the morning,'” he said with a laugh. “What was the conversation that day that they decided to put the radio station on?”

When asked if the 100th anniversary falling on a holiday — or at least the eve of a holiday — was an inconvenience, the KMOX Brand Manager said it wasn’t.

“I think it was inconvenient only in the sense that the audience levels would have been down, and we wanted to be able to try to do it when we would have the most amount of listeners that we could expose it to,” he said.

In total, the 100th anniversary special is over 10 hours long. Which means there are plenty of opportunities to reuse the content, portion the content out into its own specials, or use it for “best of” programming if needed.

Dozens of people — whether they be current or former hosts, reporters, anchors, producers, board ops, or executives — contributed to the 100th anniversary celebration. The celebration began on November 20th, a ceremonial date marking 11/20 on the calendar, mimicking the longstanding 1120 AM band that the station was primarily heard on until receiving a full-market FM simulcast on 104.1 FM earlier this year.

Now that the 10 hours of on-air programming has been produced, Steve Moore said it’s now about fine-tuning the content.

“We want the show — when people listen to it — we want the very natural interactions. We want the excitement, and we want the studio door to be open and there to be a buzz about it,” said Moore. “So I want that to play through the show. The show — when we built it, when we did the outline for it — was, by design, hour by hour. And we felt like we were checking boxes to make sure that we were respectful for the first 50 years … so we checked a lot of boxes by design. It flows very naturally. The first hour is kind of a historical perspective of the radio station and how when they launched the radio station, it’s style positions, who the players were that owned the radio station, and what the programming was.

“And then in the second hour, we introduced Bob Hyland with his daughter Molly Hyland, and we talked about his impact in the community, launching agri-service programming, and then it evolved into what became our news department and news programming. That carried on for several hours, until we introduced sports programming. At the back half of the day, we focus on sports,” Moore added. “Our sports history is very, very rich. We know we’re not an all-sports station, but when your roster of Hall of Famers includes Jack Buck, Bob Costas, and Dan Dierdorf, you’ve got some names on your roster.”

Moore added that he believes, even 100 years after its original sign-on date, that 104.1 KMOX is accomplishing the mission that was started on Christmas Eve 1925.

“Right or wrong, I think that we have done and tried to be true to what the mission of the radio station has been in recent years, and have actually gone back towards that,” said Moore. “There was a time when — and I’m not taking anything away from the 25 years Rush Limbaugh was on the radio station — politics became such a huge part of it, and it moved the radio station either right, too far right, or too far left, or whatever, however you want to look at the radio station when politics drove it.

“But I really tried to keep the radio station true to its core. It’s community-focused. It has a strong news background. It has integrated sports throughout its programming,” continued Moore. “The talent are not typical of what you might hear on a lot of radio stations around the country. We’re not looking for their hot takes on their political ideas. We’re looking for smart, interesting people who are community-minded and focused, and who are able to talk about a wide range of things. I think that we’ve done a pretty good job of trying to keep the radio station St Louis-centric, and try our best to stay out of the politics.”

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.

When Scandal Sells: Why the Epstein Files Photos Dominated the Cable News Cycle

Lauren Ashburn
-
2
When Scandal Sells: Why the Epstein Files Photos Dominated the Cable News Cycle

Television exploded when a fresh batch of never-before-seen Jeffrey Epstein photos suddenly materialized, featuring a who’s who of the global elite — President Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Steve Bannon, Bill Gates, and Woody Allen, among others. Wall-to-wall media coverage followed the latest Epstein Files release, sending headlines into overdrive.

The 19 photos released by Democrats on the Hill show the men standing near Epstein, and some include women, their faces carefully blurred to protect privacy. No nudity, no illegal activity, no indication of their age. Yet questions are swirling: What were these powerful men doing with the heinous pedophile, and who were these women?

Trump, of course, weighed in days later on TV. His take? Classic Trump. “He was all over Palm Beach. He has photos with everybody,” he said. “I know nothing about it.” Cue the eye rolls.

So what gives? Why did these images, which even partisan pundits admitted had minimal news value among these admitted old pals, drive the coverage so relentlessly?

Social media went absolutely berserk. TikTok and meme creators blanketed feeds. Epstein on his island in a bubble bath. Graphic pics of him with young women, faces censored. One viral clip even had lightning shooting from Epstein’s eyes to a rap beat. And it wasn’t just in English — fake versions sprang up globally.

Saturday Night Live didn’t waste a second. Its sketch opened with Trump on Air Force One being grilled about the photos. His reaction? Denial. “Fake hoax!” But the nastiness escalated. A question about a bowl of condoms with Trump’s face on it? The actor leaned in, grinning: “They’re 100% legit. I love those files. I’m in the files. I took a lot of great pictures. I like that bowl.” Comedy gold. But for some, over-the-line, distasteful garbage.

Meanwhile, the politics got messy. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) blasted X with, “It’s time to end this White House cover-up and bring justice to the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and his powerful friends.” GOP Oversight Chairman James Comer slammed the photo dump as a headline-chasing stunt, warning Bill and Hillary Clinton to respond to subpoenas or face contempt of Congress. “They think they are above the law,” Comer said.

And then there’s Elon Musk — Trump’s bestie turned traitor turned bestie again — who went radio silent. Earlier this year, Musk had tweeted, then deleted, that Trump was in the Epstein files and hinted that was why most files hadn’t been released. “Some posts went too far,” he admitted.

More photos, and possibly newsworthy documents, are expected in the coming weeks, promising a never-ending media feeding frenzy. For Trump, it’s a thorn he keeps poking himself with. During the 2024 campaign, he promised the files would come out. Then he left it to Pam Bondi and the Justice Department, which ultimately punted. Then he told Republicans to release them when many in his own party started to challenge him. Now, the turnaround has left him under relentless scrutiny from the mainstream media.

At the end of the day, this latest release is essentially a nothing-burger. No sexual images. No incriminating evidence. But that didn’t stop the headlines. It’s too juicy, too scandalous, and too politically charged for anyone to look away. The Epstein saga continues, and the world is watching and waiting, remotes in hand.

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.

105.9 WMAL PD Bill Hess Announces Retirement

BNM Staff
-
0
105.9 WMAL PD Bill Hess Announces Retirement

Longtime 105.9 WMAL Program Director Bill Hess has announced he’ll retire at the end of the month.

The retirement from Hess will conclude a nearly 50-year run in the radio business for Hess, who has led both music and spoken word formats during his career. 

Bill Hess has spent the past 15 years leading 105.9 WMAL. Included in that time was a nine-year stint as the Vice President of News/Talk for Cumulus Media, providing oversight for the company’s 43 news/talk brands. Before his tenure as Vice President, he served as the Operations Manager for the company’s Washington, D.C. cluster. 

“I am grateful for these 48 years in the business I love, programming both music and spoken word stations, and working with the most exciting and entertaining teams in radio.  Concluding with the past 15 years at WMAL and Cumulus Media has been a true highlight.”

During his time in the nation’s capital, Bill Hess also programmed music stations WASH-FM and WBIG-FM, in addition to his time leading 105.9 WMAL.  

“Bill is an esteemed leader, teacher and journalist,” said Cumulus Media Chief Content Officer Brian Phillips. “He possesses intellect, a gift for talent development and strict high standards. It has been our good fortune to work in the trenches with Bill during the overheated recent news cycle. Bill will always be our trusted advisor. We wish Bill great things in retirement and thank him for his uncountable accomplishments with Cumulus Media and our high-performing News/Talk stations – particularly for his work programming our News/Talk flagship, WMAL. His legacy is forever secure.” 

“It has been a privilege and a blessing to work alongside Bill,” added Cumulus Washington, D.C. Vice President/Market Manager Jeff Boden. “His calm, insightful demeanor and his remarkable ability to attract and lead best-in-class talent has set a standard rarely seen in the News/Talk format.” 

Bill Hess’ final day with the company is scheduled for Thursday, December 31st.

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.

Megyn Kelly Facilitated Meeting Between Candace Owens and Erika Kirk

BNM Staff
-
0
Megyn Kelly Facilitated Meeting Between Candace Owens and Erika Kirk

Candace Owens and Erika Kirk met privately for more than four hours on Monday after a public war of words with one another. Now it’s been revealed that the meeting was set up by Megyn Kelly.

During The Megyn Kelly Show on Tuesday, the SiriusXM host revealed that she had originally put the two in contact with one another to settle their differences.

“Many of my viewers have been wondering why I haven’t said anything, given my previous statements about Erika,” Kelly began. “There is a reason for my silence. The reason is that I have been working behind the scenes to try to foster a day between them. Erika called me weeks ago and asked if I would be part of a sit-down with them. Originally, they had contemplated that it might be for public consumption — that it might air in some way, shape, or form — and she asked if I would facilitate that meeting between the two of them. I said, ‘Yes, immediately. Of course, I would.’

“I reached out to Candace, and she said, ‘Absolutely. I’m thrilled it’s you. I’m in.’ The two of them then took it from there, trying to negotiate the specifics of what they would both be comfortable with — where, when, and so on.”

Megyn Kelly then shared that the meeting “hit some roadblocks,” failing to disclose what led to the impasse in scheduling the event. She did note that the extra time allowed the two women to recognize that the conversation would be better served to be held behind closed doors.

“I thought that was a great idea, and I fully support it,” Kelly said of the private meeting. “I have been in touch with both of them repeatedly. So that’s what I’ve been doing.”

After the Monday meeting, both Erika Kirk and Candace Owens categorized the discussion as “extremely productive.”

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.

DAZN Reportedly in Talks To Acquire Majority Stake in Main Street Sports Group

BSM Staff
-
0
DAZN Reportedly in Talks To Acquire Majority Stake in Main Street Sports Group

DAZN is in “advanced talks” to acquire a majority stake in Main Street Sports Group, sources told The Wall Street Journal, signaling a potential expansion of the sports streaming company’s footprint in the United States.

According to the report, the deal could be announced as soon as January if negotiations proceed smoothly. DAZN is reportedly considering a sizable cash investment in Main Street Sports. The plan is to integrate the two live-sports platforms, creating a broader streaming network for professional sports content.

DAZN, which holds broadcast rights for several marquee sports internationally, has its largest markets in Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain. While its U.S. presence is currently smaller, the acquisition would mark a significant push into the American sports media landscape.

Main Street Sports manages local broadcast rights for 29 major league teams across the NBA, NHL, and MLB. The company’s portfolio gives it a strong foothold in regional sports broadcasting. This segment has faced increasing competition from both traditional networks and direct-to-consumer streaming services.

DAZN has been steadily increasing its profile in the U.S., offering streaming packages for combat sports, soccer and other global leagues. The addition of Main Street Sports’ assets could expand its reach into team-based sports and help the company compete more directly with U.S.-based sports networks.

The potential deal underscores DAZN’s strategy to expand beyond its overseas markets. It also aims to tap into the robust U.S. sports media ecosystem. By combining Main Street Sports’ regional rights with its own streaming infrastructure, DAZN could accelerate growth in a market dominated by established players.

Both DAZN and Main Street Sports have not comments on the reported discussions.

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.

Rebecca Lowe Named Daytime Host for NBC Sports’ Coverage of 2026 Winter Olympics

BSM Staff
-
0
Rebecca Lowe Named Daytime Host for NBC Sports’ Coverage of 2026 Winter Olympics

Rebecca Lowe will continue her long-standing role with NBC Olympics, serving as a daytime host for the seventh consecutive Olympic Games at the XXV Olympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina, NBC Sports announced. The Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games is scheduled for February 6, 2026, airing on NBC and Peacock.

Lowe’s latest assignment extends her record as the longest-tenured daytime Olympic host among current NBC Olympics broadcasters. In addition to anchoring NBC’s daytime coverage, she will also host the primetime Milan Cortina Olympic Preview Show. The special will air Thursday, February 5, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock. The one-hour program will air the night before the Opening Ceremony. It will focus on the top storylines, athletes, and events heading into the Games.

“Rebecca is a natural in our daytime window as she seamlessly transitions live from sport to sport while incorporating analysts and conducting entertaining interviews,” said Molly Solomon, executive producer of NBC Olympics. “As her streak attests, she has many fans among Olympic viewers, and we are excited she will be hosting our primetime Olympic preview special the night before the Opening Ceremony.”

Lowe made her Olympic hosting debut during NBC’s coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi on NBCSN. She went on to host Olympic coverage across NBC and NBCSN for the 2016 Rio Games. Lowe also hosted the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games for the network.

More recently, Lowe served as a host for NBC’s coverage of the Tokyo Olympics. Also in the same role for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Her work during the Paris Games was recognized with a Sports Emmy Award. The honor came as part of NBCUniversal’s coverage, which won Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event. It further cemented Lowe’s reputation as one of the most trusted and versatile studio hosts in major international sports coverage.

Beyond the Olympics, Lowe has been a cornerstone of NBC Sports’ soccer programming since joining the network in 2013. She continues to serve as the lead host for NBC’s Premier League coverage, headlining Premier League Mornings, Premier League Live and Goal Zone pregame and postgame shows. The current Premier League season marks her 13th year in that role.

Earlier this month, Lowe’s expanding profile across major sports properties was underscored when FOX Sports announced she will join its broadcast team as a host for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins in June.

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.

iHeartMedia Announces Exclusive Video Podcast Partnership With Netflix

BNM Staff
-
0
iHeartMedia Announces Exclusive Video Podcast Partnership With Netflix

iHeartMedia, the nation’s leading audio company, and Netflix announced an exclusive video podcasting partnership that will bring more than 15 original iHeartPodcasts to the streaming service. The deal includes all new episodes of participating shows, as well as select episodes from their existing libraries. The first video podcasts are slated to launch on Netflix in early 2026 in the U.S. Expansion to additional markets will follow.

The initial lineup features some of the most popular and influential podcasts in the country. These include The Breakfast Club, My Favorite Murder, Bobby Bones Presents: The Bobbycast, and Dear Chelsea with Chelsea Handler.

Other shows in the agreement highlight high-profile talent such as Grammy-nominated music artists Fat Joe and Jadakiss on Joe and Jada, and the Workaholics stars Adam Devine, Anders Holm, and Blake Anderson on This Is Important. Category-defining series such as The Psychology of Your 20s will also be part of the partnership.

“Audio podcasting has been the fastest-growing medium over the past 20 years. Now we’re thrilled to expand that experience with an exciting new category—video podcasts,” said iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman. “Working with Netflix—an important leader in entertainment—gives fans one more way to connect with the personalities they love. Opening the door to new audiences, including viewers discovering these shows for the first time.”

Pittman added that the partnership provides audiences with a natural extension of popular audio shows. “Audiences can now not only listen but also watch and enjoy top-rated iHeartPodcasts alongside award-winning series and movies from Netflix,” he said.

Netflix VP of Content Licensing and Programming Strategy Lauren Smith emphasized the value of the partnership for the streamer’s audience.

“With this partnership we are incredibly excited to offer our members unmatched variety, and to deliver highly entertaining podcasts featuring some of the world’s most dynamic personalities,” she said. “Get ready to dive in with the true crime phenomenon My Favorite Murder, the dynamic perspectives of The Breakfast Club, and the sharp, unfiltered comedy of Chelsea Handler in this initial collection.”

In addition to the marquee podcasts, the agreement includes curiosity- and history-focused shows. These include Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know, Stuff You Missed in History Class, Stuff To Blow Your Mind, and Behind the Bastards. Sports and culture content will also be represented. This includes New Rory & MAL and 3 and Out with John Middlekauff. The agreement also includes the true crime series Buried Bones.

iHeartMedia retains all audio-only rights and distribution for the podcasts. This ensures all shows will remain available on iHeartRadio and other podcast platforms.

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.

Newsmax Inks Multi-Year Carriage Agreement with YouTube TV

BNM Staff
-
0
Newsmax Inks Multi-Year Carriage Agreement with YouTube TV

Newsmax has announced it has reached a multi-year contract extension with YouTube TV to remain on the streaming TV provider.

As part of the deal, Newsmax will remain included on the Base Package for YouTube TV. Beginning early next year, YouTube TV will also add the Newsmax+ streaming service as part of the Primetime Channels app store.

“This agreement keeps Newsmax, the fastest growing cable network in the U.S., on YouTube TV, the fastest growing pay TV platform in the U.S., for years to come,” said Newsmax Senior Vice President of Distribution Andy Biggers. “YouTube TV have been great partners, and we look forward to continuing to grow together.”

The extension between Newsmax and YouTube TV comes after the streaming platform added the Spanish-language version of the channel, which utilizes AI to dub its content into different languages in real time.

With the extension, Newsmax remains available in nearly 60 million U.S. households, keeping it on par with the likes of CNN and Fox News.

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.

1...314315316...2,645Page 315 of 2,645