Home Blog Page 336

Mike Francesa Just Reminded Radio Why Personalities Still Matter

John Mamola
-
1
Mike Francesa Just Reminded Radio Why Personalities Still Matter

Mike Francesa still has it. After a near two-week departure from his BetRivers podcast, the legendary New York City sports talker proved he can still command the attention of his audience.

Not with a new twist on a hot take or a featured interview that drew headlines. Instead, by proving that absence makes the heart and mind grow fonder. Over the last two weeks, Francesa stepped away from his podcast to undergo knee surgery—an operation he didn’t hint at publicly, keeping it within the walls of his friends, family, and staff.

What followed was rabid speculation. Rumors flooded timelines and message boards, with people guessing what had happened to Francesa. There was no word from him, BetRivers, or anyone connected to the show regarding his whereabouts or status. Without even trying, Francesa showcased a prime example of what many radio companies are forgetting about the connection between their brands and the consumer.

The content world is dominated by personalities. Social media has influencers. Television networks have talent and commentators. Sports radio has personalities who shape opinions and drive influence around local teams.

Francesa has done it all during his Hall of Fame career. He became a sports radio host viewed on a television simulcast and, since retirement, has built a strong digital and social following.

Fortunately for Francesa, he has never fallen victim to the red pen of death that radio companies use for layoffs and cost-cutting. Many of his peers, however, have encountered that red pen once, twice, or even more.

Francesa disappeared without explanation. No reasoning was provided by his sponsored podcast, leaving his audience to speculate. That sounds a lot like how radio companies often refuse to let talent say goodbye to their listeners on air.

Instead, they remove them and move on to the next step.

Power In Personality

Time and again, radio broadcasters forget that one of the top reasons people listen is… people. Jacobs Media’s latest TechSurvey shows that, outside of convenience in the car and being free, personalities rank as the third-largest reason listeners continue to choose radio.

Yet year after year, we see companies cut ties with the very personalities who make the medium unique compared to streaming apps or syndicated filler programming.

So, is there a fix?

Does radio want to maintain the reach it still has despite shifts in consumption habits, as audiences move from traditional platforms to digital ones?

Radio’s strongest remaining advantage is in the car. However, automakers are already exploring more advanced dashboards that prioritize new and innovative content options. It’s not hard to imagine a future where streaming video begins to invade that space.

Don’t believe me? Hit me back in five years.

For example, I worked for iHeartMedia for 13 years. Every year, employees would hear the same messaging from the top. iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman always emphasized that radio is about companionship.

“Everyone thought radio would decline like TV and newspapers, but the idea was, Let’s take on this platform. It turns out radio is companionship. People crave companionship, they develop a real relationship with our talent,” said Pittman in 2017.

“Our niche is companionship,” stated Pittman in 2019.

“Our radio stations are all about companionship, and our job is just to keep people company,” said Pittman in 2024.

Yet, when you talk to those who serve as those companions on a local level there’s a sense of the end always in sight. I’ve been in those hallways, and in those one-on-ones. It almost seemed an annual tradition when the company went through another round of cuts that impacted the same talent responsible for building those relationships.

No goodbye. No closure. Just remove, rinse, and replace. Also, no thought on how this would affect the station’s most important customer. The listener.

To be fair, it’s not just iHeartMedia. It seemingly affects every format at nearly every radio broadcaster in America. That’s not a winning formula if radio still hopes to hold onto its reach.

Francesa proved in two weeks that listeners want what they want—and who they want.

That’s also why the creator economy is becoming more lucrative than radio’s future, not only for today’s talent but for the next generation of aspiring broadcasters.

Francesa didn’t need a marketing campaign, a press release, or a carefully scripted return. His absence created demand. His return satisfied it. That only happens when there’s real equity in the person behind the microphone.

Listen To Your Audience

Radio can keep chasing efficiency. It can keep trimming budgets, syndicating hours, and convincing itself that content is interchangeable. But it isn’t.

The audience just proved that. They weren’t refreshing their feeds looking for “sports talk.” They were looking for Mike Francesa.

That’s the difference.

If radio wants to compete in a world where creators build loyal followings overnight and take them anywhere, it must stop treating talent like replaceable parts and start investing in them as irreplaceable assets.

Because once that connection is gone, it doesn’t return with a format tweak or a new voice. It comes back with someone people genuinely care about.

And as Francesa just reminded everyone—those voices still matter. He still has it.

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 Kevin Clark Built Credibility Through Compelling NFL Conversations

John Mamola
-
0
How Kevin Clark Built Credibility Through Compelling NFL Conversations

Kevin Clark is regarded as one of the best interviewers in the sport of football. His skill set was shaped from birth, as the son of two journalists, and refined while flipping through the sports section of his local newspaper. Following his graduation from the University of Miami, his approach has centered on combining his love for sports with a deeply rooted sense of journalism.

“Instead of saying I have a five-year plan, you just try to be good at everything and hone a million different skills,” explained Clark on his approach to his career. “All you can do is work hard and study where the audience is going. It’s been the same formula for the entire existence of media.”

It’s been nearly three years since Clark made a decision that changed his outlook. After seven years at The Ringer, where he wrote and hosted his popular Slow News Day podcast, his work earned him an opportunity to join ESPN and its partnership with Omaha Productions.

In 2023, Clark launched a new podcast, This Is Football, centered on having “the best conversations in football.” Each episode leans into his journalistic background and curiosity, creating compelling conversations with the biggest names in the game.

That approach is what separates This Is Football as one of the more successful football podcasts in a crowded sports media ecosystem.

“There’s so much you can do today, and it’s made our industry better because there’s more competition,” explains Clark. “Being on television is no longer the only voice in the room. Now, we have a culture of competition that back then simply did not exist.”

That culture fueled Clark’s transition from covering the NFL at The Wall Street Journal to joining The Ringer in 2016.

Brand Value & Clip Culture

While at Bill Simmons’ media company, Clark expanded his skill set from reporter to featured writer and podcast host. With an eye on emerging trends in sports media, he worked to develop new skills and stay ahead in an evolving landscape.

With This Is Football, Clark takes the most pride in how the brand has established itself—not just with a growing online audience, but with NFL franchises as well.

“The most important thing for us is establishing a brand that people know what they’re getting when they come on our show,” said Clark. “That’s what I’m most proud of. When we have something, it cuts through, which is something you can’t take for granted.”

To “cut through,” Clark focuses on ensuring the right clips from his interviews help market the program on social media. His goal in every interview is to generate moments that “stop the scroll.”

Using extensive research, he pieces together insights from prior interviews and identifies topics that deserve deeper exploration.

“You’re going to stop scrolling on the timeline if you see an impassioned take or a deep dive from a famous person,” notes Clark. “There’s no other secret ingredient. It’s not rocket science. It’s all about compelling information from compelling people… [This Is Football] evolved so much to meet people where they are on social media and shows on ESPN.”

Each show produces these clips with the Omaha Productions digital team, distributing them across every major social media platform. Clark notes a deliberate focus on reaching different audience segments that may connect with the content in unique ways. While he doesn’t obsess over every metric, his goal is simple: consistent growth and meaningful impact in a competitive sports content landscape.

Simmons vs Manning

His motivation has always come from working with people who deeply care about their product. Clark has had the rare opportunity to work with both Bill Simmons and Omaha Productions founder Peyton Manning. He notes that both share a similar approach to building their brands.

“I cannot believe I’ve had the opportunity to know, let alone work, for both of them. They both care so deeply about the product and get fired up when you’re as fired up as they are,” said Clark. “They both have had incredible second pivots in their careers. Their curiosity led to that, and a desire to roll up their sleeves and get it done no matter what.”

Clark also revealed that he turned down several offers from legacy media brands in 2016 to join The Ringer, which he described at the time as a “podcast startup.” His belief in Simmons drove that decision, as he trusted Simmons would not allow The Ringer to fail.

That same drive is what Clark sought when ESPN and Omaha Productions approached him in 2023.

“I love both Peyton and Bill. They’re absolute media geniuses. How could you not want to work for either of those guys,” said Clark. “Most people would feel extremely lucky to just work for one. To work for both is beyond comprehension.”

Sports Media Evolution

The evolution of sports media has played out throughout Clark’s career. He recalled a conversation with former NFL Chief Media and Business executive Brian Rolapp in 2016, while weighing his decision to leave The Wall Street Journal for The Ringer.

“He had a front row seat to sports media and told me in 2016, any job could be the best job in the world. However, at that time you needed space at legacy media brands to grow. Now, anyone can start up a YouTube page and be the highest paid person in sports media in eighteen months,” said Clark.

That conversation reshaped Clark’s perspective—not only on where sports media was headed, but on what it takes to succeed.

“In media, you’re six bad months from losing your voice in the industry. Far more important than contracts or role is your credibility and your name. Your name has to be more important than any show you’ll ever be on,” notes Clark. “It’s about what my name means when I talk about football. You always have to study where the audience is and cultivate different things on different platforms to grow.”

That understanding of what content succeeds has helped establish Clark as one of the emerging voices in the sport. Even as the industry faces disruption from artificial intelligence, he sees opportunity rather than threat.

“It’s been the same formula for the entire existence of media. It’s just the medium that’s changing,” said Clark. “If you were a sports columnist in 1980, you’d have a monopoly in your market. Now, you can dominate five different platforms with a worldwide audience. If you’re not excited about this era, then I don’t know what you’d be excited about.”

ESPN Super Bowl

Clark is especially energized by the upcoming NFL season, with ESPN set to broadcast its first Super Bowl in company history. While he hinted at additional projects tied to the event, he insists he feels no added pressure tied to the moment.

Instead, he’s embracing the opportunity one day at a time.

“Do good work with people you like. I’m so blessed to like all these people I’m doing television with. I’ve never had a negative interaction with any of them, and some of them are my heroes,” said Clark. “The Super Bowl is a cool milestone for ESPN. That broadcast is going to be unbelievable because I know and respect the people who are doing it.”

Clark’s outlook—shaped by years in an industry that never stands still—ultimately comes back to something simpler than algorithms, platforms, or access. It comes down to trust.

The trust he has built with audiences. The trust placed in him by leaders like Bill Simmons and Peyton Manning. And the trust he continues to earn with every conversation he produces.

In a space where anyone can grab a microphone and chase relevance, Clark has built something more sustainable: credibility that travels with him, no matter the medium. That’s why This Is Football resonates.

Not because it’s louder or flashier, but because it’s intentional.

As the next wave of sports media continues to blur the lines between traditional and digital, Clark isn’t chasing where the industry is going. He’s already there—doing what he has always done: asking better questions, finding sharper angles, and delivering content that cuts through.

Because Clark remains curious, credible, and, above all, worth listening to.

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.

White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Tests Broadcast Journalists Under Pressure

Lauren Ashburn
-
0
White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Tests Broadcast Journalists Under Pressure

For those watching at home, the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was a sterling example of journalists springing into action, despite their fear about becoming targets of the gunman who wanted to assassinate President Trump.

But the hidden story from inside the room is the toll that the frightening episode took on the 2,000 assembled journalists and politicians.

The morning after the gunfire at the Washington Hilton, former NBC correspondent Dasha Burns made a pained — more than eight-minute — confession on Instagram. She was in the ballroom and scrambled to hide under a table.

“I don’t think a lot of us are mentally and emotionally ok. I’ll be honest. I’m not.” She spoke haltingly, saying, “This is the second time in the last two years of covering Trump that I’ve been at an active shooting scenario.”

Burns, who now works at Politico, said that the assassination attempt — seen on live TV — of President Trump during a 2024 campaign stop in Butler, Pennsylvania, “did a number” on her and her colleagues. And that those same colleagues were in the room with her during Saturday night’s attack. She added, having been through this more than once, it’s “devastating to think about.”

“Last night, boy, does something like that make you feel human and vulnerable.” She admitted she had a panic attack on the way to the dinner, thinking about the possibility of a terror attack. And “that thought is always in the back of my mind now.”

She wrapped up the video with a ten-second pause that ended with tears in her eyes. “I can’t help thinking that it could have been a lot worse.”

Now, skeptics will say journalists shouldn’t complain about having to do their jobs. Obviously, they haven’t had the traumatizing experience of hiding from a would-be assassin. And they did their jobs extremely well — mostly — fueled by adrenaline, broadcasting and posting through the middle of the night. But that takes a toll. It is now “the cost of doing business,” New York Times White House correspondent Peter Baker said on MS NOW.

One glaring mistake was made by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. She said on air that the shooter was “confirmed dead.” She later corrected this, noting that Trump confirmed the suspect had been apprehended alive. It’s the kind of mistake made too often by less seasoned reporters that, sadly, happens in fast-moving, chaotic breaking news situations. She should have known better than to simply cite, as a source, security for Education Secretary Linda McMahon.

Others, like Wolf Blitzer — who was on his way to the bathroom and feet away from the shooter — said he thought he may have been in the line of fire. “All of a sudden I heard these loud… very scary gunshots right near me… next thing I knew… I was thrown to the ground and protected.”

He was so close to the action that he said, “I had no idea… who this shooter was aiming at.” And he said, “The first thing that went through my mind: is he trying to shoot me?” A reporter asked him how he could anchor after this. He simply said, “I’m a broadcast professional.”

Fox’s Peter Doocy said “it was really scary in there.” And he asked Trump, “Why does this keep happening to you?” The president, who remained calm at a briefing after the shooting, said those who do important things become a target.

Another Fox White House reporter, Jacqui Heinrich, remarked that Trump “held it together for all of us” during the emergency.

Fox anchor Bret Baier shared a firsthand account describing the “chaos” that unfolded in the ballroom. “I heard shots and everybody dove down… within seconds the entire place was filled with Secret Service guns drawn.” “As we were in the basement of the Washington Hilton as they’re clearing room to room, it was urgent… and they were telling us to run out of the building.”

Trey Yingst, Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent, who returned from a war zone in Gaza only to encounter gunfire in Washington, told viewers: “It was a very tense moment. Some people were laying flat on the ground, others hiding under tables, shaking and crying.”

MS NOW host Stephanie Ruhle worked to debunk emerging conspiracy theories that the shooting was “staged” or a “false flag,” declaring that “what happened… was real.”

The claim, on both sides, that the Trump assassination attempt was “fake” isn’t just wrong — it undermines reality and the seriousness of political violence. What proof do they have? When people come forward with conspiracy theories, they dismiss a documented event with real victims and extensive evidence. They’re not being skeptical; they’re spreading misinformation that erodes trust in everything from journalism to public safety.

Disagreement about politics is one thing, but denying events outright crosses into something far more damaging, where facts no longer matter and accountability becomes impossible. People can speculate all they want, but it comes at a cost.

Former CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin posted an angry video. “What is so deeply disturbing to me this morning isn’t just what happened last night in Washington,” she said. Although she said it troubled her to watch friends and former colleagues ducking for cover in “tuxes and ballgowns.”

“People are saying this was staged. That they wanted this to happen… this is political violence. This is real. Whether you support this president or you can’t stand him, we cannot normalize assassination attempts on any American leader.”

I can relate to that fear and sense of panic. And the unbelievable spread of conspiracy theories surrounding the loss of almost 3,000 lives. On 9/11, I was broadcasting from one of the top floors of the USA Today high-rise in Rosslyn, Virginia. It was directly in the flight path of airplanes headed down the river to Washington Reagan Airport. There were reports that a hijacked plane was headed our way. We were terrified that it might slam into our building. In fact, the plane did fly by us and crashed into the Pentagon. We continued to broadcast for the next 12 hours. Our fear became part of the story.

It’s a rare case when press people become subject, storyteller, and potential victims at once. But it shouldn’t be the case.

Journalists are meant to bear witness to events, not be thrust into them — because when the line blurs, the reporting can sometimes blur with it.

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.

Why The Wall Street Journal’s Gunjan Banerji is Betting on The Money Interview

Krystina Alarcon Carroll
-
0
Why The Wall Street Journal’s Gunjan Banerji is Betting on The Money Interview

There’s a new show on the street from The Wall Street Journal, as Gunjan Banerji leads The WSJ Money Interview.

“We are inviting some of the most compelling tycoons of our time to have a candid conversation about how they cemented their place in business, how they built their wealth, [and] how they think about money,” Banerji, who serves as a Lead Writer in the Live Markets sector and podcast host for The Wall Street Journal, said.

Banerji is more than just a writer. She’s the tenacious journalist asking your pressing questions to the wealthiest people in the world on The Wall Street Journal‘s new video series, The WSJ Money Interview.

“I really fell in love with viewing stories through the lens of money,” the journalist recalled. “My first job was covering a really niche area of financial markets, the municipal bond markets and the distressed debt markets.”

It’s been a long nine months working on the video series, which Banerji and the team officially launch on Monday.

“It’s actually really, really exciting. The strategy behind it is really distinctive, and I’m really proud of how we are approaching launching a new show,” Banerji said. “WSJ subscribers get access to these full-length conversations with business tycoons, investors, and people who have made it from all walks of life.”

There is also a rollout plan for non-WSJ subscribers. And of course, there will be lots of clips across all socials. Banerji noted the pilot episode had a few clips go viral.

“Kenn Ricci took us behind these family money meetings that he has with his kids and his wife. All the way down to the agenda of what they talk about and how he talks about passing down money and his estate plan,” she remarked.

It was a conversation that resonated with WSJ readers and across social media. “The clips that I have shared on estate planning, on real estate investments, on people’s money philosophy have done quite well,” Banerji said.

The social media interaction is one Banerji loves. “One of my favorite things to do is talk to our subscribers, investors, and readers who land in my inbox. I think it’s just so fun to engage with them.”

It’s an interaction that is now a pillar of the show. “It’s like an Ask Me Anything segment, where we are posing WSJ subscribers’ questions to our incredible guests.” Banerji added, “They are weighing in on everything from questions about entrepreneurship to investing, money philosophies, and estate questions. We’ve just gotten such a wide range of questions from WSJ subscribers. And it’s an opportunity for us to deepen that relationship with them.”

Another pillar of the show is a game — luck versus skill. The guests place a rock on a scale as they answer the most essential business questions: is having a successful business luck or skill?

“We use it as a closer. And I have to say, every single interview that I’ve done so far, that’s been the segment that people are the most animated about,” Banerji said. “I’ve got to give credit to the incredible WSJ team that helped bring this to life, where we wanted to experiment with creative formats, and this game was one of those things.”

It’s more than just a show about money. There’s a lifestyle element too, including one executive who spends $800,000 on vacations. “Our goal here is to give a window into how the ultra-successful think about their money. My goal is for this interview to provide insights for anyone. Whether they are in the C-suite already, or if they’re building a startup that they hope really blows up.”

One thing Banerji has learned over the years of covering business news is, “People manage conversations around money in so many different ways. So we want to represent a really broad swath of philosophies around how to build, grow, and spend your wealth.”

For the show, however, she believes, “The number one thing is we always want to keep it candid. It’s important for me that we bring our viewers and readers a conversation that they cannot find anywhere else.”

Banerji added, “People are letting us into their homes. They’re letting us into their lives. And they’re sharing details about how they think about money that you can’t find anywhere else.”

“I truly believe everything is a money story,” Banerji said. “I don’t think there are any exceptions at all to that. Every single thing on the planet is a money story. I love looking at everything through the lens of money.”

As for those looking to follow in The Wall Street Journal host’s footsteps? She says, “Journalists of the future need to be really flexible with how they tell their stories. And be really adaptable across mediums.”

Many view The Wall Street Journal as a print and digital outlet. Banerji’s hard work is proving WSJ is way more. “I think it’s important to think of yourself as a cross-platform journalist and meet the audience wherever they are.”

It’s a skill Banerji is continuously honing. “Once I write a piece for the Journal, I’m often thinking about how I can take this reporting and repackage it. How do I tell the story once, twice, maybe three times, maybe four times through different mediums?”

“I really think it’s important to take that exclusive bit of reporting that you’ve done and tell it in as many different ways as possible,” Banerji added. “I think it’s a lot of experimentation, because you just never know what’s going to land, especially on social.”

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.

Why Radio Stations Need Mascots More Than Ever in 2026

Phil Becker
-
0
Why Radio Stations Need Mascots More Than Ever in 2026

Somewhere along the way, radio stations decided mascots were corny.

Budget cuts. Fewer street teams. Less local marketing. More promotions that could be copied, pasted, in 40 markets.

The mascot got stuffed into a closet next to the faded remote tent, the broken prize wheel, and 400 leftover keychains.

And we lost more than a costume.

We lost one of the few brand assets that could walk into a school, wave at a kid, hug a listener, show up to a client event, survive a down music cycle, and still belong completely to the station.

Why a Mascot?

Each company deck now has a slide about artificial intelligence. Every memo finds a way to include the buzzwords of 2026: “efficiency,” “scale,” and “content first.”

But a mascot can always protect the brand because it can’t age out of the demo, hold you hostage during a contract negotiation, get poached by a competitor, or go on Facebook and rant about the President.

The company owns it.

The company can build social accounts around it. And the company can put it at schools, charity events, client appearances, concerts, parades, sponsor activations, and anywhere else the morning show does not want to go unless there is a talent fee.

And here is the part radio should understand better than anyone: mascots matter to the consumer.

Planters famously “killed” Mr. Peanut in 2020, held a Big Game funeral, brought him back as Baby Nut (also my AOL screen name), then aged him back into the beloved character.

Mr. Clean recently “retired” only to return two weeks later with a glow-up — a reminder that the bald man in the white shirt is a star (line doubles as a Phil Becker plug).

And if anyone thinks mascots are only for legacy brands, go watch the Savannah Bananas. Their mascot, Split, is not some small-market, local-ballpark afterthought. He is part of their entertainment machine that understands fans want characters, rituals, and shareable moments. Split stands seven feet tall and was named by the audience, not by the research team.

At the time I was leaving my role as EVP of Alpha Media, I created the return of WGTZ Z-93 in Dayton. And of course, you cannot relaunch Z-93 without the historic Zebra. That tells the listener everything they need to know about the brand before a song ever played.

The CashSquatch

A Portland station, for example, could build a character called the CashSquatch. It plays off the lore of Sasquatch, Bigfoot, whatever name you prefer for the world’s most famous blurry local celebrity.

The CashSquatch would be the deliverer of cash, concert tickets, and all things prize-related. He could hold coloring contests, with pages handed out to kids and hung in Safeway grocery windows. He could voice promos, star in a cartoon series on social, help stuff buses, show up at client events, and be onsite for photos people would actually want.

Because I assure you, no listener has ever said, “You know what would crush on Instagram? A picture of me next to a car salesman on an empty lot with a koozie and a tablecloth.”

A market-specific mascot can do something “Spring Into Cash” never will. It can be local, it can be entertaining, it can be funny, it can give promotions a starting place, and it can give programming something that is more interesting than another keyword contest. This hour’s keyword is “forgettable.”

And yes, it is also “guaranteed human.” Somebody has to wear the Jammin’ Salmon costume.

In an industry wanting to prove it still has human connection, we need to bring back the most physical, entertaining, touchable, IRL tool we ever had.

Real-Life Examples

Here are a few big-brand mascot starters I would build tomorrow:

KIIS-FM Los Angeles: The Kiss Cam Cupid — onsite at Staples Center, standing next to artist photos and not saying “I’m the one on the left.” Romance pics, couple photos.

KROQ Los Angeles: The Roq Rat — a scrappy, underground, nocturnal mascot. More Shredder, less Mickey, slight resemblance to Stephen Pearcy.

Power 106 Los Angeles: The Power Plug — The Plug delivers tickets, backstage passes, and merch drops.

B96 Chicago: The Bee — Dude, how is there not a B96 mascot?

Ready to build your station mascot? To start, ask yourself:

  • What local legend, food, animal, landmark, or attitude could only belong here?
  • Can a listener explain the character in one sentence?
  • Can a kid color it?
  • Would you buy the stuffy?
  • Can a sponsor support it?
  • Can social animate it?
  • Can it survive a format tweak or a talent exit?

Sometimes the person sweating inside the costume becomes the night guy, the next promotions director, the MD, APD, PD, OM, GM, station owner, EVP, or the author of this article.

They are guaranteed human — and how some of us became radio people in the first place.

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.

Audacy Moving KNX News Off 97.1 FM for FM All-Sports Station

BSM Staff
-
1
Audacy Moving KNX News Off 97.1 FM for FM All-Sports Station

Los Angeles is finally getting its first FM all-sports radio station. Audacy announced the launch of 97.1 The Fan, debuting May 11 at 6:00 a.m. PT. The station promises an all-live, local weekday sports lineup — the only one in the market.

“Los Angeles is the epicenter of the sports world, and 97.1 The Fan is its new voice,” said Jeff Federman, Regional President, Audacy West. With the FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics approaching, LA’s sports footprint is only growing. Audacy wants to own that conversation.

97.1 The Fan becomes Audacy’s 22nd FM sports station. The company now claims FM sports presence across all top 10 U.S. markets.

Its portfolio includes over 40 owned-and-operated sports stations and 160 digital sports channels.

Chris Oliviero, Chief Business Officer at Audacy, didn’t shy away from the big picture.

“This launch further strengthens Audacy as the unrivaled leader in sports audio, reaching more sports listeners than our eight closest competitors combined,” said Oliviero. “Adding Los Angeles—one of the most passionate and influential sports markets in the country—completes our presence across the top 10 markets and meaningfully expands our reach and scale. It allows us to deliver even greater impact for listeners and partners through premium content, unmatched distribution, and deeper fan engagement.”

Adding LA is the final piece of a major strategic puzzle.

Andrew Williams takes the helm as Brand Manager. He previously built the BetMGM Network’s national video and podcast distribution strategy. His resume includes senior roles at SiriusXM and Chicago Fire FC.

The programming lineup drops in the coming weeks.

KNX News 1070 will lose their 97.1FM signal as part of the announcement. However, KNX will continue its all-news format on its AM frequency 1070 and also be heard on 97.1 HD2.

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.

CNN Adds Rachel Siegel as Business Reporter

BNM Staff
-
0
CNN Adds Rachel Siegel as Business Reporter

CNN has announced the addition of Rachel Siegel as a business reporter, focusing on economic policy.

Siegel joins the network after most recently working at The Washington Post.

During her near decade with the company, she covered the U.S. housing market. She also covered the Federal Reserve.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked as a lead reporter on The Post’s economics team.

In a post on social media, Siegel shared her excitement for the move.

“So, so excited to join CNN next month for this dream job,” Siegel wrote. “And with enormous gratitude for almost nine years at The Washington Post.”

Prior to joining The Washington Post, Rachel Siegel worked for The Marshall Project and The Dallas Morning News.

In her new role with CNN, she’ll be based at the network’s Washington, D.C. bureau.

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.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez: Review of Disney Licenses a ‘Political Stunt’

BNM Staff
-
0
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez: Review of Disney Licenses a ‘Political Stunt’

The FCC has launched an early review of the broadcast TV licenses owned by Disney after recent comments made by Jimmy Kimmel drew the ire of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

The commission has called for an early renewal of the eight licenses owned by Disney. That comes after the FCC has previously opened two investigations into Disney. One for its DEI practices that was opened last year. The other was for an appearance by James Talarico, which raised questions about whether The View broke equal time rules in its interview with the Texas Senate candidate.

In a letter to Disney, the commission states that the company must file its license renewals for its owned-and-operated TV stations by May 28th, 2026.

Those licenses were not up for renewal until 2028.

Following the revelation of the action, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez shared her displeasure with the situation.

“This is unprecedented, unlawful, and going nowhere,” Gomez said in a statement. “It is a political stunt and it won’t stick. Companies should challenge it head-on. The First Amendment is on their side.”

The move follows recent comments by Jimmy Kimmel Live! host Jimmy Kimmel, who has drawn sharp criticism from the White House.

During a mock White House Correspondents’ Dinner roast last week, Kimmel said First Lady Melania Trump had the “glow of an expectant widow.” The joke drew widespread backlash after Saturday’s shooting at the actual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which took place two days later. The Trump family has called for Kimmel’s firing following the comments.

Currently, there are eight ABC-owned stations. They include:

  • KABC-TV (Los Angeles)
  • KFSN-TV (Fresno)
  • KGO-TV (San Francisco)
  • KTRK-TV (Houston)
  • WABC-TV (New York)
  • WLS-TV (Chicago)
  • WPVI-TV (Philadelphia)
  • WTVD-TV (Raleigh)

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.

Gabe Mercer Joins Country 107.9 In Mornings Following Cheyenne Davis Exit

Bethany Kent
-
0
Gabe Mercer Joins Country 107.9 In Mornings Following Cheyenne Davis Exit

Audacy has made a move for Country 107.9 KMLE in Phoenix. Gabe Mercer is back, joining Niko Petrou for mornings following Cheyenne Davis’s exit last week.

Most recently, Mercer was doing mornings in Seattle at Audacy owned 100.7 The Wolf KKWF alongside Matt MacAllister. The duo was also tracking afternoons for KMLE in Phoenix.

“I’m excited for this next chapter with Niko,” wrote Mercer to Barrett Media.

After McAllister was laid off earlier this month, it was unknown where Mercer would land. She knows the Phoenix market well and has held a myriad of roles within the cluster.

These include promotions coordinator, sales assistant, plus hosting evenings and middays at KMLE.

Petrou has served in mornings at KMLE since January of last year.

“I got my start in radio with KMLE and it feels right to be coming back,” notes Mercer. “I’m grateful for Drew Bland for believing in me and supporting us through this next era.”

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.

FCC Preparing Challenge to Disney’s O&O TV Licenses

BNM Staff
-
0
FCC Preparing Challenge to Disney’s O&O TV Licenses

Here’s the rewritten story:

The FCC is reportedly planning to file paperwork to challenge the broadcast licenses of eight Disney-owned television stations. The move follows recent comments by Jimmy Kimmel Live! host Jimmy Kimmel that have drawn sharp criticism from the White House.

During a mock White House Correspondents’ Dinner roast last week, Kimmel said First Lady Melania Trump had the “glow of an expectant widow.” The joke drew widespread backlash — especially after Saturday’s shooting at the actual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which took place two days later.

In response, FCC Chair Brendan Carr appeared on The Katie Miller Podcast. Host Katie Miller — wife of White House advisor Stephen Miller — asked Carr what license revocation could look like in practice.

“There’s lots of options,” Carr said. “You have a license. The licenses come due every so often. You can accelerate when a license comes due and say, ‘Hey, we have significant concerns with the value of conducting your operations. We want to review your license now. And decide if you’re in the public interest.'”

He continued: “If we find that a broadcaster hasn’t been doing that, then the statute requires us to issue a hearing designation order.”

That process now appears to be moving forward. Semafor’s Liz Hoffman and Rohan Goswami report that the FCC is working to file paperwork reviewing Disney’s broadcast licenses for eight local TV stations the company owns and operates.

The potential review follows calls from both President Donald Trump and the First Lady for Kimmel’s firing over the monologue.

Semafor notes the FCC could still choose not to initiate the process. However, CNN’s Brian Stelter reported the paperwork could be filed as early as this afternoon.

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.

1...335336337...2,883Page 336 of 2,883