Fox News led all of television for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday evening.
In the 9-11 PM ET window, when the majority of Trump’s speech took place, more than 9.1 million viewers were tuned to Fox News, on average. The network also saw the largest audience for the Democratic response from Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), with 4.7 million watching that speech.
ABC News was the next closest challenger, with 5.1 million viewers throughout the speech.
In the cable news space, Fox News far outpaced MS NOW, which averaged 2.4 million viewers, and CNN, which saw 2.2 million.
The race was closer in the broadcast television sector. While ABC saw 5.1 million viewers, NBC News averaged 3.6 million, and CBS News featured an average audience of 3.3 million. The FOX broadcast network averaged 2.1 million viewers throughout the window.
An additional 269,000 viewers watched the speech on Fox Business Network, according to Nielsen. Fox News Digital averaged 252,000 concurrent viewers in its vast array of viewing options for President Trump’s speech.
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The return of Major League Baseball is always a welcome rite of spring, but in the world of sports television, the real sign that better weather and sunny skies are imminent is MLB Network’s annual trek around Spring Training sites.
The 2026 version is entitled 30 Clubs, 30 Camps. With a host of different commentators and analysts, MLB Network provides a comprehensive preview of the upcoming season.
What better place to begin than in Glendale at Camelback Ranch, the spring training home of the two-time defending World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers? Through shrewd trades, targeted free agent signings, and disciplined player development, the Dodgers have built sustained dominance. They have come as close to a modern dynasty as any club since the late-1990s and early-2000s New York Yankees.
30 Clubs, 30 Camps: Dodgers offered an inside look at this diamond juggernaut. Greg Amsinger and Jake Peavy visited the Dodgers’ camp to check out the established stars and the next wave of LA talent.
Amsinger opened by saying that being with the Dodgers is like “déjà vu all over again.” He stressed that stars are speckled throughout the everyday lineup as well as the pitching staff. While Peavy echoed the dynasty moniker, Amsinger made the great point that last year’s World Series could easily have been won by the Toronto Blue Jays, creating a whole new storyline to kick off 2026.
Although the Los Angeles Dodgers are loaded with star power, Peavy and Amsinger emphasized the importance of roster depth. They noted the team relies on contributions from top to bottom. That reality showed in the World Series, when role players like Miguel Rojas delivered in key moments. Despite the praise for Los Angeles, Peavy identified four challengers. He pointed to the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Diego Padres as threats to the Dodgers’ National League reign.
I loved the simplicity of 30 Clubs, 30 Camps: Dodgers. It was simply a two-shot of Amsinger and Peavy in the stands at Camelback Ranch, with the ballpark and blue skies behind them. No laser beams or heavy metal light shows were needed.
As always, MLB Network provided telling and informative graphics to go along with the commentary.
The first one on this program showed some of the players the Dodgers lost this offseason. On the flip side, however, they added two true superstars in closer Edwin Díaz and outfielder Kyle Tucker. In perfect TV symmetry, Tucker then joined Amsinger and Peavy for an interview. The former Astro and Cub talked about his free agent experience and the road that took him to Los Angeles on a four-year deal.
While Tucker spoke, viewers saw clips of him in action and at his opening LA press conference with Manager Dave Roberts and Executive VP and General Manager Brandon Gomes.
Amsinger asked a solid question about what Tucker learned as a young player in Houston alongside the likes of José Altuve, Alex Bregman, and George Springer. The B-roll on 30 Clubs, 30 Camps: Dodgers was outstanding. As the trio discussed the talent on the Dodgers’ roster, viewers saw quick glimpses of the players mentioned.
Kyle Tucker shares how he approached his first offseason as a free agent and his adjustment to Los Angeles 👀
Another educational graphic highlighted that Mookie Betts led the Majors in Defensive Runs Saved after shifting to shortstop last season. His transition underscored the versatility of the Los Angeles Dodgers. It also reflected a willingness among the club’s stars to adapt for the sake of winning. Peavy and Betts later discussed that mindset during their interview.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto joined Amsinger for the next interview segment. Speaking through an interpreter, he reflected on the 2025 World Series. He also discussed the large contingent of Japanese fans and media who follow him to ballparks. Yamamoto was candid about his personal goals. He acknowledged the Dodgers’ deep pitching staff. However, he said he hopes to be the one who wins this season’s Cy Young Award.
Peavy then introduced first baseman Freddie Freeman as a surefire Hall of Famer to open his interview. In discussing how he has stayed so productive for so long, Freeman told Peavy that both his diet and exercise routines have changed to help him take better care of his body. All of the interviews by Amsinger and Peavy were on point.
If opposing teams and front offices were watching 30 Clubs, 30 Camps: Dodgers, one graphic had to instill spine-shaking fear. This graphic showed that LA has five of the current Top 100 MLB.com prospects.
Armed with this data, Manager Dave Roberts, interviewed by both Amsinger and Peavy, stated, “I think the lazy thing that when people talk about the Dodgers is payroll, and they don’t give credit to scouting and player development.”
Amsinger agreed, calling the Dodgers “the organization that everyone admires in the sport” largely because of the plentiful farm system. Now in his 11th season in LA, Roberts handles the media beautifully.
Let’s be honest. The Los Angeles media is not as harsh, hurtful, and heavy as New York or Boston, but Roberts plays it as well as Joe Torre and Terry Francona did in those cities, respectively.
Dave Roberts owns a 944-576 record, a .621 winning percentage, three World Series titles, five National League pennants, and 10 consecutive playoff appearances in Los Angeles. When the conversation shifted to Shohei Ohtani, Roberts praised his focus. He said the reigning MVP is “fixated on winning a championship.” Roberts added that Ohtani will be firmly in the Cy Young conversation this season.
Roberts went on to say that the rest of his rotation, including Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Yamamoto, will also be in that conversation. I love that Roberts does not spout the usual safe and humble BS to the media. He is not arrogant but knows he has a good team and does not shy away from it.
“I'm more excited about this year than I was last year or the year prior… Guys are still hungry and that's scary for the rest of the league.” 😳
As a player for Boston, Roberts is known for one of the most memorable steals in MLB history. That was in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees. He understands the big moments and the little things and has obviously relayed this to his team.
Always getting the fans involved, 30 Clubs, 30 Camps: Dodgers offered a social media question asking what accomplishment Ohtani is most likely to achieve for the first time in 2026. The most popular answer was winning the World Series MVP, followed by hitting 60 home runs, winning a Cy Young Award, and winning a batting title.
Both hosts offered bold forecasts for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Amsinger predicted a record 118 regular-season wins. He also projected that Shohei Ohtani would capture both the MVP and Cy Young awards. Peavy took a different angle. He predicted Ohtani would hit 60 home runs and win World Series MVP honors. Peavy also said Mookie Betts would finish among the top three in MVP voting.
After all the praise, neither host picked the Dodgers to win the World Series, and both kept their picks to themselves for now.
The style and pace of 30 Clubs, 30 Camps: Dodgers was akin to spring training itself. Everything felt a little more relaxed and laid back, not as hyperactive as regular season highlights and commentary. It was the perfect long stretch and gentle warm-up to get the baseball muscles primed for the 2026 season.
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The FCC is now interested in how you watch sports on television. Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission opened a wide-ranging inquiry into the evolving sports media marketplace, requesting public comment on how games moving to streaming platforms are affecting consumers.
If FCC Chairman Brendan Carr would like to look at my personal bank account, I’d be happy to oblige. My monthly payments to Prime Video, ESPN Unlimited, Peacock, and Netflix prove that watching sports in 2026 is not only becoming more fragmented, but also more expensive. Oh, I almost forgot the added MLB.tv add-on I need to watch my local MLB team this year because Main Street Sports Group couldn’t pay its bills.
It’s sort of cute to see how the FCC tries to balance testing the First Amendment while fighting the good fight for the sports fan. However, what can the FCC even do to curb the path the sports viewing experience has already taken long ago?
When I read the inquiry posted Wednesday afternoon, I chuckled. I knew this was another attempt by a government body that cannot prevent leagues from selling their rights to streaming platforms. That’s why it was amusing to see a reference to the 1939 World’s Fair, when NBC broadcast a college baseball game between Princeton and Columbia at Baker Field in New York, used as historical context.
Just like anything else in government, it’s always looking backward to make sense of the present but rarely looking forward.
For decades, Americans enjoyed turning on their TV & quickly finding the game they wanted to see.
Yet watching your favorite team play isn’t as easy these day. Many games are still on broadcast, but an increasing number are on a range of different online platforms.
Here are the questions the FCC is asking in its inquiry.
Q: How have recent developments in the marketplace affected the ability of broadcasters to obtain media rights to sports programming?
A: Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube entering the live rights space have drastically changed how traditional broadcasters can afford rights. That’s why traditional broadcast networks like CBS (Paramount+), NBC (Peacock), FOX (FOX One), and ABC (ESPN DTC) have all built their own direct-to-consumer platforms to compete.
Q: How have changes in the marketplace affected viewers’ ability to watch nationally televised live sports, as well as their local team(s) on broadcast TV?
A: Not every sport is the same. Let’s focus on national NBA broadcasts. Before the season began, MarketWatch found fans who want to watch every NBA game online this season — regular season and playoffs — will need to spend roughly $939 across five streaming services. Cable subscribers can still access NBC, ABC, and ESPN, but they’ll miss exclusive matchups on Peacock and Amazon, which stream games weekly.
If you have a local team, you may need to purchase access to your local RSN to watch local broadcasts because not every RSN is carried on cable without an upcharge. Also, that model will change next season with the demise of Main Street Sports Group.
In other words, it’s tougher and more expensive. That’s just one example from one league. Let’s not even get into the added costs and fragmentation with MLB, NHL, and the NFL. Plus, if you’re a fan of F1, MLS, or NASCAR, there are additional hurdles to clear.
Q: What type of rights are included in agreements between leagues or conferences and national video programming distributors? (This is in reference to exclusivity, simulcasts, and replays.)
A: From a consumer standpoint, no one watches a replay of a live sporting event. Technology has already addressed the consumer’s need for information and outcomes in real time almost erasing a need for a replay.
Q: How prevalent are sports media rights deals between local TV broadcasters and local sports teams, and what are their terms and conditions?
A: With the decline of the RSN model, over-the-air agreements are becoming fewer as teams and leagues build and produce their own streaming platforms. See MLB this season.
Q: How have changes in the marketplace impacted costs to consumers?
A: Chairman Carr, give me a ring and I’ll let you peer into my checking account.
The bigger question regarding the inquiry is why? The FCC cannot prevent sports leagues from making money from distributors willing to pay for their product. Leagues benefit from fragmentation in sports media. The more platforms audiences gravitate toward, the bigger the checks they receive.
It’s been reported that YouTube will get a four-game NFL slate next season. Do you think the NFL will turn down money from Google because it could affect how fans access the game?
After the 2028 season, MLB is looking to cash in on its RSN mess with a more centralized distribution model. That could include a combination of traditional networks, streaming platforms, and possibly another route not yet invented, which would only further fragment the industry.
The NBA is locked into its deals for the next decade. Is the FCC under the current administration going to tell the NBA it needs to rework those agreements to better cater to consumers?
Do you truly think the FCC is going to tell Roger Goodell he has to pump the brakes on media rights discussions this summer?
Sports is a luxury commodity, and it’s moving toward what was once called pay-per-view. Watching sports is becoming a luxury item for consumers.
I used to love watching my teams on over-the-air television. Then cable arrived, and I had to start paying to watch my favorite teams. That was a change in habit. Then streaming platforms came along, leagues chased the dollar, and the fan became secondary. Fans have already adapted and continue to do so with each new media rights agreement. Another change in habit.
Does it cost more to watch sports? Of course it does. Are fans ever going to stop following their favorite teams? No. But attending games isn’t exactly cheaper than paying a flat fee to watch from your couch.
I respect the effort by the FCC. However, getting involved in the private business decisions of broadcasters is a fight it simply cannot win. Sports organizations and leagues have the absolute freedom to sell their rights to any platform for any price they choose.
So yes, Mr. Chairman, by all means hold the inquiry. Ask the questions. Open the comment window.
But understand this: the marketplace already voted. The contracts are signed. The checks have cleared. The leagues aren’t looking for guidance — they’re looking for the next bidder. The FCC can study the fragmentation of sports television all it wants. The fragmentation isn’t the problem.
It’s the business model. And that model isn’t broken. It’s working exactly as designed. Sports has evolved from a civic pastime to a premium subscription ecosystem. The only real question left isn’t what the FCC will do.
It’s how much more fans are willing to pay before they finally change the channel.
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There is a lot of pressure to get to the top of your industry. Even more pressure ramps up once you achieve it and try to keep it. That’s why consistency is so key to lasting success in sports radio. It requires building rapport with your team, your station, and your audience through connection and a shared passion for sports. Gregg Giannotti has experienced the full lifecycle of the WFAN consumer, serving in every capacity available: listener, intern, producer, anchor, and now host of the highly successful Boomer & Gio show that has guided New York City sports fans every morning since 2018.
“It’s always great when your peers are the ones who recognize you. The people who have been in the business for a long time. That’s why this list means a lot to the show and me,” said Giannotti.
They finished 72 points ahead of their second-place competition and earned a category-best 15 first-place votes from 36 program directors and executives around the country. The criteria included overall impact, ratings, originality, and industry buzz. It marked a high achievement for a show that has built a national following with a local feel.
Strength Through WFAN Changes
Boomer & Gio have been a steadfast constant on a radio station that has experienced its fair share of change over the past eight years. Despite that change, Giannotti still enjoys the grind of morning drive, a daypart with plenty of benefits that also comes with massive responsibility.
“We’ve been there as pillars of the radio station. The opportunity to have first crack at talking about the games the day before is great. I absolutely love it,” noted Giannotti. “You’re looking at all the people in the cars as you’re driving in. Those are the people that are going to be listening to you to get their day started. I love setting the tone, and couldn’t think about doing anything else in another shift.”
Giannotti joined Esiason in January 2018 after Craig Carton’s exit from the program. Carton announced his resignation from the radio station following his arrest on federal securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy charges.
The sudden shock left Esiason with questions about the show’s future and the station’s direction. After several months of Esiason hosting solo, Giannotti was selected to join the program following successful stints hosting mornings on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh and CBS Sports Radio with Brian Jones.
Giannotti admitted the pairing initially felt unsettling, knowing he would have to develop trust among a staff already established with the program.
“I was stepping into their thing after ten years and had to be the point guard. Then the audience who is expecting a certain thing, I have to try and keep them,” said Giannotti. “That part of it was critical for me. I sort of laid back because I trusted Boomer and management, knowing I had to gain their trust. If I just worked my way in and made sure everyone knows their favorite morning show is still going to be great with a change at point guard, that’s the way I wanted to go.”
Instead of trying to take over the daypart, Giannotti relied on his producing background to ease the transition. He interned at WFAN at the start of his career, where his producing acumen and work ethic led to more opportunities to grow within the station.
Those early days at the top New York City sports talk station set the foundation for his eventual role co-hosting morning drive.
“Being behind the scenes, learning how to work with a host. There were so many things that I ended up figuring out that I didn’t understand behind the glass, that when I got behind the microphone I got,” explained Giannotti. “Having those experiences from behind the glass, I learned far quicker [how to host] than I would have without that experience of producing.”
Limitations And Coverage
Boomer & Gio are not just a local morning show for New York City sports fans. The program also airs as the flagship morning show on CBS Sports Network. The opportunity allows the program to reach a nationwide audience, including many native New York sports fans who have relocated across the country.
While the platform presents a massive opportunity, it also comes with drawbacks. Because the video is distributed through CBS Sports Network, the show cannot stream on platforms such as YouTube like other WFAN programming. Additionally, CBS Sports Network must approve clips from the program since it owns the video portions of the show.
“If you know our show and listen, there might be 25% of the program that is traditional sports talk. But if you just consume our show through the clips on social media or YouTube, generally you would think all we do is talk sports,” explained Giannotti. “That’s not the show. I do get a little frustrated by that.”
Giannotti admitted that while the show may miss out on potential streaming audiences on video platforms, he still appreciates the partnership with the network.
“We don’t ever cater to a national audience, and CBS Sports Network doesn’t want us to,” says Giannotti. “They told us to do our show and they’ll broadcast that show. They’ve never told us that they wanted anything different than what we were going to do.”
Sports radio is, by nature, a competitive industry. For every game it covers where there is a winner and a loser, the same can be said for rival stations in the nation’s top market. After Good Karma Brands decided to stop subscribing to traditional Nielsen ratings, the ratings wars that once defined sports radio faded.
Giannotti admits he misses the ratings battles between WFAN and its direct competition, but not because of the tension.
“It’s not about missing the anxiety you get if things aren’t going the way you want them to go. What I miss is the coverage of the radio station, because now we don’t get as much coverage as we used to,” said Giannotti. “I just like that the radio station and the business as a whole was being covered like a sports team in the city.”
Carton’s Return To WFAN
WFAN has made a number of headlines over the past six months, not for ratings gains or losses but for another seismic lineup shift as Craig Carton returned for a second time in the past six years. With Carton’s return, the station paired him with Chris McMonigle while shifting Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber to middays.
Giannotti said that when rumors began to spread about another Carton return late last summer, management offered no assurances about Carton reuniting with Esiason. Giannotti had signed a multi-year contract extension in 2025 and felt secure in his role on the morning show.
However, when Carton returned to WFAN in 2020, the situation felt different.
“The first time [Carton returned], I was curious and nervous how it would go. Craig said it himself. He thought the band would get back together, and maybe I would go to a different daypart. That first time I was nervous,” explained Giannotti. “This time, it never was a single thought. We had success and Boomer didn’t want anything different.”
Industry Concerns
Now in his eighth year co-hosting alongside Esiason, Giannotti appreciates the focus and direction that shaped his career. From interning to becoming a leading voice on arguably the nation’s most recognized sports radio brand, his path reflects steady growth.
He admits that journey is less likely in today’s sports radio ecosystem. Although he does not doubt radio’s future, he questions how the next generation will view its appeal amid limited opportunity.
“It’s more unlikely now. It just is. I don’t even know what sports talk radio is going to be in 15 years,” says Giannotti. “If you’re projecting all these years ahead. Leaving your home market to go to another and come back to host mornings in your home market. It just doesn’t feel like an available path any longer.”
Giannotti says he cannot imagine reaching this point any other way or working with different teammates. He believes the show continues to demonstrate why many around the country rank it among the nation’s best. Esiason toldBarrett Media he intends to continue hosting until he is “at least 68 years old.” Despite that projection, Giannotti says Esiason remains as focused as ever and has never broached the idea of stepping away.
That perspective continues to drive Giannotti. He no longer feels defined solely by his accomplishments. Instead, he leans into the blessings the job provides for him, his family, and the audience.
“This job is part of a greater thing. One of the things that Craig [Carton] said when he left the first time was that he regretted that the show wasn’t enough for him. He was chasing feelings about things elsewhere,” explained Giannotti. “That struck me. I want the show to be enough for me. So I’m really focused on the foundational things in my life which includes the job. If I started slipping or not caring as much, the amount of people that affects outside of me. That’s the motivation when the alarm goes off.”
That perspective comes from having seen every angle of the building.
Giannotti has been the kid listening in his car, the intern running errands, the producer behind the glass, and now the voice setting the agenda in the country’s biggest sports media market. He understands its fragility because he has lived the climb. In an era where platforms change, metrics fluctuate, and career paths feel less certain than ever, that understanding may be his greatest asset.
At WFAN, the morning show is not just another shift. It sets the tone and drives culture. Through scandal, competition, lineup shakeups, and evolving distribution models, Boomer & Gio has remained steady — not by accident, but by intention. Preparation. Trust. Patience. An understanding of when to push and when to facilitate.
Giannotti once eased into the chair to protect something that already existed. Now, eight years in, he helps protect something bigger — the idea that sports radio, at its best, still relies on chemistry, consistency, and connection.
Do the work. Value the people. Make the show enough.
For Gregg Giannotti, that is not just a philosophy. It is the reason the alarm clock still rings — and why, when it does, he is ready.
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In January, 1010 WINS beat 106.7 Lite FM in the New York radio ratings, marking the first time a station other than Lite earned the top spot in 41 ratings periods.
And it took a monumental ratings effort to earn the top spot. 1010 WINS earned a 7.5 share in the 6+ demographic. That marked the highest share for the Audacy New York all-news brand since 1968.
If you’re setting new highs not seen in nearly 60 years, you’re doing something right. 1010 WINS Director of News and Programming Ben Mevorach said it’s been a long time in the making.
“It’s like when a movie star or an artist suddenly bursts onto the scene, and they say, ‘Well, you’re an overnight sensation.’ Yeah, 17 years in the making!” Mevorach said with a laugh. “All of a sudden, we’re number one. We’ve been working that way for I don’t know how many — as long as I’ve been at the station, that’s been our goal. So, it’s obviously very satisfying. The team feels great, and it’s a really great win for the staff.”
He admitted that knocking off 106.7 Lite FM made the win “a little sweeter”, simply because of that brand’s sheer dominance in the market for so long. “I don’t know if that’ll ever be repeated,” Mevorach said of the 41 consecutive ratings wins for the station. “I have nothing but respect (for them).”
January was a busy month in New York. Harsh winter weather affected the city throughout the month. Furthermore, Zohran Mamdani — the polarizing political figure elected to the city’s top office — was sworn in as Mayor.
While those were major stories, Mevorach believes that the station was uniquely positioned to handle those news events and capitalize on them.
“In New York, it’s certainly more common than anywhere else in the country that stories just sort of bubble up to become either national stories or are bigger than life,” he shared. “So there’s no question that the election of the mayor, the snowstorm, those are all contributing factors. But I will always say that if you don’t execute on those stories that are there — it’s not enough just to have the story. You have got to have the team in place that understands, and executes, and is relatable and all those things. “I spend a lot of time, in particular with my anchors and my reporters to try to get them to understand that we are storytellers, journalism with a capital J, but they have to be relatable.”
He pointed to a recent report from reporter Sophia Hall, where she asked a Long Island resident when they thought the snow would melt. That citizen said “June,” to which she exasperatively responded “June?!” That lighthearted moment, Mevorach asserted, mimicked the response and feeling from 1010 WINS listeners.
“Something like that little moment there — who can’t relate to that? That’s what I’ve been trying to teach them to do on a regular basis,” he shared.
Another factor into the ratings victory for 1010 WINS was the simulcast on 92.3 FM. More than three years since taking over the signal, it’s been an undeniable success for both Audacy and the all-news brand. Ben Mevorach believes that Audacy Chief Business Officer and New York Market President Chris Oliviero deserves strong praise for his belief in the move.
“Chris said, ‘Look, if we’re going to even the playing field in this market, we’ve got to move WINS to FM.’ That, in and of itself, was an incredibly bold move,” said Mevorach. “There’s this whole Greek thing that people hate me when I say, but the fish rots from the head. Chris, as the head of the fish, really sets the tone for everyone.”
Mevorach shared that the members of the 1010 WINS staff feel seen and heard by station and market leadership. That culture, he believes, has propelled it to the top spot in the New York ratings.
“People put in so much time and effort to get it right, and to have the head guy say, ‘Listen, I see you. I see what you’re doing, and we appreciate it, and I support you’? That magical,” Mevorach said. “Then you take that, and you have a vision, and you try to create a culture that supports the vision. Sometimes everything sounds so simple. But if it were that simple, everybody would get to the top. So it’s not as simple as this kind of thing, but that’s sort of the secret sauce.”
Mevorach himself played no small part in the surge to the top spot. He was recently voted as the number one major market news/talk radio Program Director in Barrett Media’s 2025 Top 20 series. An ever humble figure, Ben Mevorach admitted that it was an honor to be recognized by his peers and those within the industry.
“I deeply appreciate it,” he said of the honor. “To me, it’s the respect that I treasure. I hope that people know that I treat them the way that I’d like to be treated myself … I’m just grateful. I’m just completely grateful for that.”
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Last week, I spoke to college radio students at the Intercollegiate Broadcast System conference. It caused me to think about the lack of opportunities for these students when they graduate versus 20 years ago. There are three primary reasons for that. The first is voice tracking, and the person I credit with that is Randy Michaels.
If you’ve come into the media business in the past 15 years, you may not know about Randy Michaels. He ran a company called Jacor through radio’s ’90s consolidation. That company became part of Clear Channel (now iHeartMedia). As CEO (along with the Mays family), he created the largest radio company in America before leaving in 2002. He has held various roles in media since. However, his role in creating what is now iHeartMedia was his epic achievement.
I remember the first time I saw Randy Michaels speak. He spoke about talent. The higher the ratings and revenue, the more the talent was allowed to get away with. The morning man with big ratings could break things in the studio, while the overnight talent better not spill Coke into the board or they’re out.
When I later worked for Randy, I found him always generous with compliments. I always felt that he understood what every programmer thought. The light went off in my head when he claimed the most important person in the building was not me, the programmer, but the chief engineer. How could anyone hear a station that wasn’t on the air? I believe I always gave engineering much more respect from that day on.
What I hated about Randy was the introduction of voice tracking. He compared radio to the railroad industry. We needed to operate with fewer people. I was horrified. I wanted live and local talent every minute of the day. Screw voice tracking and syndication. At the time, I was programming WLTW in New York, which would bill over $70 million in a year with 11 minutes of commercials an hour. I thought the money train would never end.
But alas, music radio is a hollow shell of what it once was. And the music radio “dee jay” is becoming an endangered species. But voice tracking is not the only reason.
Let’s reflect on how many fewer music radio stations exist today than 20 years ago. When WFAN became the first sports station in America in 1987, it was a great solution for AM radio, which did nothing for the sound of music. It took years for sports radio to migrate to the FM band. When it did, it came at the expense of music radio. The Score in Chicago is the latest major market station to fill the airwaves at 104.3, kicking classic hip hop jams to the curb.
It wasn’t until 2006 that the music died on a major market FM station for a news simulcast. The station that went away was classical. WTOP began one of the most successful runs in modern radio on the FM dial. KCBS in San Francisco soon followed. New York and LA were late to the party, but they’re there now. In fact, 1010 WINS on 92.3 FM in New York was the #1 station in the #1 market in January. It knocked my alma mater, WLTW, down to #2.
But that’s not all the losses FM music radio has suffered. EMF has put its formats on a great number of FM frequencies around the country. The radio world was shocked when WPLJ was added to its roster. Now, even Milwaukee has joined the parade. Air1 and K-LOVE are music formats. Christian music is increasing in sales as it gets more exposure. But the EMF formats are national, without an air talent in a local studio answering the request line and giving away tickets to some concert.
When Bob Pittman launched MTV with the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star,” it hardly affected music radio. But 25 years after that video first played, serious attrition started and continues today.
Maybe you weren’t replaced by voice tracking, a format change to talk, or a station sale to EMF. But I’m sure you know someone who was. Someone who has now gone in a different career path.
Randy Michaels compared radio to railroads. Trains are still running, and radio stations are still playing the hits of yesterday and today. But there’s a lot less of both. I can’t speak to careers in the railroad industry, but great radio jobs are few and far between. However, there is a seat for someone who can really entertain an audience.
Randy was right. He was also right about the chief engineer and the star talent who was bringing in the revenue and ratings. While the number of music radio air talents fully employed today is likely half of what it once was, those who make a difference are still in that chair.
If you’re on the air at a music-driven radio station, you have a duty to give your audience the best you can, no matter how many or how few stations you’re on. You need to leave an everlasting impression on your listeners. Touch an emotion. Radio provides companionship to those thirsting for it. Don’t take your position for granted. When that mic is on, you need to be someone’s best friend. It’s up to you to keep the music radio train running.
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SuperTalk 99.7 WTN and 570 KVI didn’t just cover the State of the Union on Tuesday night. They turned it into dinner.
While television networks rolled out their panels and cable news did what cable news does, those two news/talk brands leaned into something radio has always done better than anyone else — they owned the moment locally.
The “Steak of the Union” promotion is more than just clever wordplay. It was a reminder of what makes this format special.
One of news/talk radio’s best abilities is to own large moments. The immediacy of the medium allows stations to grab hold of breaking news and run with it in real time. No waiting for a polished package. No delay for a satellite window. Just a host, a microphone, and a direct line to the audience. That’s always been powerful in the political lane, where timing and tone matter most.
But here’s what made the Steak of the Union events stand out: they took that ownership off the air and into the community.
Thank y'all for coming out to our 2026 Steak of the Union event last night!🥩
We loved spending the evening with y’all and watching President Trump’s State of the Union Address together. Huge thanks to Legends Steakhouse for hosting us and helping make the night a success!💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZpztnZfMA9
Listeners didn’t just tune in for pre- and post-speech analysis. They showed up, bought a ticket, and sat at tables with other like-minded fans and watched the speech together. That matters more than a Nielsen number ever will.
Those who attended are the tried-and-true, dyed-in-the-wool fans of the brands. They already have a personal connection with the hosts and other station personnel. These are the people who call in, who show up at charity drives, who defend the station in the grocery store checkout line.
Taking that relationship one step further by spending an evening together does wonders.
It’s easy to underestimate how much loyalty is strengthened by face-to-face interaction. Radio has always been intimate. It’s one voice talking to one person. Yet there’s something transformative about turning that invisible bond into a handshake, a laugh, or a shared reaction when a line in the speech lands.
If you weren't able to get a ticket to the SOLD OUT Steak of The Union watch party at #DanielsBroiler, don't worry! KVI will be broadcasting from Bellevue starting at 3pm with the @thehoffather, then we'll carry the State of The Union and wrap up with a star studded roundtable. pic.twitter.com/KdS22rnlec
For stations like SuperTalk 99.7 WTN in Nashville and 570 KVI in Seattle, the payoff isn’t just in ticket sales or sponsor signage. It’s in reinforcing that they’re more than frequencies. They’re gathering places. They’re hubs for political conversation in their cities. That identity becomes even clearer when listeners can physically gather under the station’s banner.
News/talk thrives when it feels essential. Big national moments like the State of the Union provide that opportunity every year. Plenty of outlets will carry the speech. Many will analyze it. Only a few will turn it into a shared local experience.
That’s the difference between covering an event and owning it.
Ownership doesn’t require a massive budget. It requires imagination and a willingness to engage. A steak dinner, a room full of loyalists, and a couple of familiar hosts can create more brand equity than another segment squeezed between network breaks. Local radio still has the ability to convene its audience in ways digital platforms can’t replicate.
And let’s be honest — the people who showed up on Tuesday night didn’t need convincing to care. They were already invested. The stations simply rewarded that loyalty with access and atmosphere. That’s smart programming and even smarter marketing.
Kudos to SuperTalk 99.7 WTN, 570 KVI, and any other news/talk outlet that hosted a State of the Union event this week. I doubt any of them would tell you it wasn’t worth it. When you can strengthen bonds, showcase your local muscle, and capitalize on a major political moment all at once, that’s a win for everyone involved — especially the listeners who chose to pull up a chair.
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Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy is not expected to return as a regular contributor on NBC’s Football Night in America. According to a report by The Athletic, the network plans to make significant changes to its long-running Sunday pregame franchise ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
Dungy has been a fixture on the program for 17 seasons, serving as one of the show’s most recognizable analysts. According to the report, network executives are evaluating the show’s structure, on-air chemistry and overall footprint which could signal a potential reset for a broadcast that has largely maintained continuity in recent years.
Football Night in America remains the highest-rated NFL pregame show. The program benefits from powerful audience flow that few competitors can replicate. Even so, network leadership appears intent on evolving the presentation rather than relying solely on structural advantages.
Sources indicate to The Athletic that NBC has discussed taking the show fully on the road more frequently next season, while also reducing the size of its studio roster.
Several analyst contracts concluded following the Super Bowl on NBC Sports, giving the network flexibility as it reimagines the lineup. NBC declined to comment on the reporting by The Athletic.
Dungy, 70, joined NBC after a distinguished NFL career that included three seasons as a defensive back and a Super Bowl title with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He later guided the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to sustained contention before leading the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl victory in 2007.
His steady demeanor and coaching insight became a defining part of NBC’s pregame identity, making any transition a notable shift for the network’s NFL coverage. As NBC evaluates its next steps, the decisions surrounding Dungy could signal a broader strategy aimed at refreshing one of television’s most prominent studio brands while preserving the credibility that has long defined it.
🏈NEWS: Tony Dungy likely out at NBC as network looks to revamp "Football Night in America," The Athletic has learned.https://t.co/PjwBPj0zLL
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As live sports migrate across an expanding lineup of streaming platforms, the FCC are stepping into a debate that has been simmering among fans, broadcasters and lawmakers who question whether the modern viewing experience has become too expensive and unnecessarily complicated for the average household.
The Federal Communications Commission announced that its seeking public comment on how the shifting marketplace for sports rights and distribution is affecting consumers, particularly as marquee events move away from traditional over-the-air television and onto subscription-based digital services.
In a Public Notice, the bureau pointed to a longstanding tradition in which viewers could turn on a television and easily locate major sporting events without paying additional fees beyond a basic antenna or cable package, contrasting that experience with today’s environment, where fans often juggle multiple subscriptions to follow a single league or even one team across a full season.
The agency asked stakeholders to weigh in on whether the current structure benefits consumers through expanded access and innovation, or instead creates confusion, higher costs and barriers to entry, especially for households that rely on free broadcast signals for news and emergency information.
One example cited in the notice underscores the growing complexity. During the 2025 season, NFL games appeared on 10 different services, and estimates suggested that a consumer attempting to watch every contest could face costs exceeding $1,500 annually.
Moreover, 20 regular-season games and a playoff matchup aired exclusively on streaming platforms, including Amazon’s Prime Video, YouTube, Peacock and Netflix.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr echoed those concerns previously on social media, writing that while many games remain available on broadcast television, an increasing share now resides on a patchwork of online platforms that require separate subscriptions and navigation tools, a development he suggested has complicated what was once a straightforward experience for viewers.
The FCC also signaled a strong interest in how these distribution trends affect local broadcasters, particularly as the commission continues its broader efforts to bolster local news production and public interest programming. Regulators want feedback on whether sports fragmentation undermines the financial stability of local stations that depend on high-profile games to drive advertising revenue and audience engagement.
The proceeding set a March 27, 2026 deadline for initial comments, with reply comments due April 13. Notably, the Public Notice stops short of proposing specific regulatory changes, instead framing the inquiry as an information-gathering effort designed to assess whether evolving market dynamics threaten consumer access to free over-the-air content and vital public safety information.
The conversation also extends to Capitol Hill, where Republican leaders on the House Judiciary Committee last year questioned whether major sports leagues should continue to receive antitrust exemptions that allow them to coordinate national television rights deals.
For now, the FCC appears focused on listening, but its questions make clear that the economics and accessibility of live sports have moved squarely onto the regulatory radar.
For decades, Americans enjoyed turning on their TV & quickly finding the game they wanted to see.
Yet watching your favorite team play isn’t as easy these day. Many games are still on broadcast, but an increasing number are on a range of different online platforms.
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The Daily Wire is beefing up its opinion team with the addition of Ben Domenech as its new editor of the division.
On Wednesday morning, Domenech shared the news that he had joined the outlet co-founded by Ben Shapiro and Jeremy Boreing.
“I’m proud to join The Daily Wire to create the best opinion page in America,” Domenech wrote in a post on social media.
“Say no to tired ghostwritten opeds, yes to writing that is fearless and bracing,” he continued. “Conservatives deserve to debate in an arena not run by the left. We will build it. Join our team. The future is fight.”
He also shared his first opinion column for The Daily Wire, showcasing his belief that President Donald Trump’s ability as “The Greatest Showman” was on display during the State of the Union address.
I'm proud to join @realDailyWire to create the best opinion page in America. Say no to tired ghostwritten opeds, yes to writing that is fearless and bracing. Conservatives deserve to debate in an arena not run by the left.
We will build it. Join our team. The future is fight.
Previously, Ben Domenech served as the editor of The Spectator World. He helped co-found The Federalist and RedState. He joined Fox News as a contributor in 2021 and hosts a weekly podcast for the network.
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.
