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Audacy Extends Broadcast Partnership With Wichita State Athletics

BSM Staff
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Audacy Extends Broadcast Partnership With Wichita State Athletics

Audacy announced a multi-year extension of its broadcast partnership with Wichita State Athletics, ensuring fans will continue to hear Shocker basketball and baseball games on the company’s local stations.

Under the agreement, 103.7 KEYN-FM will remain the flagship station for all men’s basketball games and select women’s basketball contests. This also includes postseason play. Baseball coverage, including all postseason games, will be exclusively aired on KFH Radio. In addition to live broadcasts, Audacy will produce and distribute weekly coaches’ podcasts for multiple sports throughout their respective seasons.

“We are proud to continue our 50-plus-year tradition as the radio home of Shocker sports,” said Tommy Castor, senior vice president and market manager of Audacy Wichita. “Our partnership with Wichita State Athletics reflects a deep commitment to the community and to connecting with generations of fans. We’re excited to provide Shocker fans the best play-by-play coverage and exclusive updates that bring every game to life.”

The new two-year agreement runs through the 2026-2027 season. Returning to the radio will be the iconic voice of Shocker athletics, Mike Kennedy. Who is entering his 48th year calling Wichita State basketball and baseball.

Kennedy’s long-standing presence has become synonymous with the team’s broadcasts, delivering decades of play-by-play that resonate with fans across generations.

“This partnership expands how Shocker fans connect with our programs,” said Madison Stein-Mason, deputy athletic director for external affairs and revenue generation at Wichita State. “By bringing game broadcasts and coaches’ conversations to more platforms. We’re creating new ways for our community to experience Shocker Athletics all year long.”

The collaboration between Audacy and Wichita State Athletics was facilitated through Shocker Sports Properties, a division of Playfly Sports. Which serves as the exclusive partnership representative for the university and specializes in maximizing revenue and audience reach for collegiate programs.

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Erick Erickson: The Daily Wire Took Wrong Turn Elevating Matt Walsh, Candace Owens, Brett Cooper

BNM Staff
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Erick Erickson: The Daily Wire Took Wrong Turn Elevating Matt Walsh, Candace Owens, Brett Cooper

The Daily Wire has proven to be a conservative political powerhouse. But Erick Erickson doesn’t believe it’s all been good and positive movement.

The digital media enterprise founded by Ben Shapiro has helped launch the careers of many prominent names in conservative media, like Matt Walsh, Brett Cooper, and Candace Owens, despite the final two members of that list no longer working for the company.

In a post on social media, Erickson argued that he doesn’t believe that trio of podcasters has been good for the political right.

“I have long admired what Ben Shapiro and The Daily Wire have built up in terms of ecosystem on the right,” Erickson wrote. “But the Brett Cooper, Matt Walsh, and Candace Owens side of the business is something I didn’t expect to go the direction it has gone.”

The comments from Erick Erickson come after Brett Cooper shared her displeasure with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) calling Nick Fuentes a “Nazi.” She called Cruz “hypocritical” and “irresponsible” for using the term to describe Fuentes — who has previously shared his admiration for Adolf Hitler — and argued that “it’s such a dangerous precedent to set.”

Matt Walsh didn not sit idle after the comments from Erickson.

He responded by stating, “I’ve been saying all the same stuff for years now. Please explain what direction you’re talking about.

In a later statement, Walsh said, “A lot of people are drawing lines on the Right. Here’s the line I care about: conservatives who’ve actually shown an ability to win and move the needle culturally and politically vs conservatives who’ve never contributed meaningfully to any victory at all. The folks in the latter group are really loud but it’s unclear why we should ever listen to anything they say.”

It is unclear if that message was directed at Erick Erickson or if it was a reaction to the lack of Republican victories in high-profile election results on Tuesday evening.

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Q99.7 Atlanta Adds Patrick Davis As New Program Director

BMM Staff
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Q99.7 Atlanta Adds Patrick Davis As New Program Director

Cumulus Media has tapped longtime programming executive Patrick Davis as the new Program Director for Q99.7, Atlanta’s heritage Top 40 station. Davis, who officially steps into the role effective immediately, will report to Cumulus Media Vice President of CHR, Hot AC and Rhythmic CHR Leslie Whittle and Cumulus Atlanta Vice President and Market Manager Justin Schaflander.

Davis joins Cumulus after more than a decade as Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Dallas. Where he helped shape the company’s CHR and Hot AC presence across major Texas markets.

He’s widely recognized for his tenure with The Kidd Kraddick Show. Where he served as Operations Manager for the late syndicated host before taking the programming reins at Kiss 106.1 in 2004. Davis was elevated to VP of Programming in 2011 and later expanded his oversight to include iHeartMedia Austin.

In announcing the move, Cumulus Chief Content Officer Brian Philips called Davis “one of the most admired, credible programmers in America,” adding that Q99.7 represents “a perfect new proving ground for Patrick’s prowess in talent and brand development.”

Philips also hinted at a broader future within the company for Davis, describing the appointment as “an important next step” for both Davis and the Cumulus portfolio.

Schaflander echoed that enthusiasm, saying Davis brings “acumen, track record and energy” to one of Atlanta’s signature music brands. “I’m so excited to have him leading the charge with one of our Atlanta Radio heritage gems, Q99.7,” Schaflander said. “Let the fun begin!”

Whittle, who oversees Cumulus’s CHR and Rhythmic brands nationally, praised Davis’s leadership and consistency.

“To know Patrick is to respect him,” she said. “His legacy of excellence, leadership, and vision will continue to elevate the Q99.7 brand. Simply said, we’re beyond thrilled to welcome Patrick to our Cumulus Atlanta team.”

For his part, Davis said the role represents both a professional challenge and an opportunity to build on a strong foundation. “This station has a storied past, killer existing staff, and the challenge of retaining its CHR dominance. Beginning with our plans to launch a terrific new morning show,” he said. “Every PD dreams of working on a vast canvas like Q99.7.”

With Davis at the helm, Cumulus aims to strengthen Q99.7’s position in a competitive Atlanta market that continues to evolve across 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.

Mix 100 Signs Nina Blanco to Contract Extension, Promotes to Music Director

BMM Staff
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Mix 100 Signs Nina Blanco to Contract Extension, Promotes to Music Director

Nina Blanco is staying with Mix 100 in Denver, and is adding some new duties to her plate as part of a contract extension.

Blanco — who currently serves as the afternoon host on the station — has shared that she’s inked a two-year contract extension to remain with the Hot AC station. She originally joined the outlet in 2023, before moving to afternoon drive in September of last year.

As part of her extension, Blanco will now serve as the Music Director for the KSE Media station.

“Pretty cool to add this title to my resume and continue learning the programming side of the radio biz!” she said in a message on social media announcing her extension.

“Never did I think I’d take this step in my career but with a little help and encouragement, I’m all in,” she added. 

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Paramount, PBR Strike Five-Year Media Rights Deal

BSM Staff
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Paramount, PBR Strike Five-Year Media Rights Deal

Paramount and Professional Bull Riders (PBR) are taking their partnership to the next level. The companies announced a new five-year media rights agreement that will make Paramount+ the primary streaming home of PBR’s premier tour, Unleash The Beast. Beginning with the 2026 season on December 12.

For the first time, Paramount+ will carry live coverage of the full Unleash The Beast schedule. A five-month, 19-city competition featuring the world’s top bull riders. The deal expands on a relationship between PBR and CBS Sports that dates back to 2013 and now runs through 2030.

CBS Television Network will continue to air the PBR Game of the Week during the 2026 season. Keeping the league’s presence on broadcast TV while giving Paramount+ exclusive rights to full-season streaming coverage. The agreement further strengthens Paramount’s sports portfolio and builds on its ongoing collaboration with PBR through Pluto TV. Which launched the PBR RidePass channel in 2021.

“This deal aligns with our longstanding relationship with CBS. This reflects our shared commitment to expanding PBR’s reach,” said PBR CEO and Commissioner Sean Gleason. “We are excited to continue this extraordinary partnership and thrilled that this new deal. Bolstered by Paramount+, will bring our sport to an even broader audience.”

Dan Weinberg, EVP of Programming at CBS Sports, added, “CBS Sports has been the home of PBR for decades. We are proud to deepen our partnership by bringing the Unleash The Beast series to our expanding streaming audience on Paramount+. This extension enables us to extend our reach, delivering dynamic PBR content to an even wider audience.”

The timing of the announcement follows a strong ratings performance for PBR on CBS. In October, the network delivered its highest-rated PBR broadcast ever, averaging 2.7 million viewers.

Highlights of the upcoming Unleash The Beast season include PBR’s debut at TD Garden in Boston and Doak Campbell Stadium at Florida State University. The circuit will also return to major markets such as New York City — for the 18th time at Madison Square Garden — and Pittsburgh. Which sold out back-to-back nights at PPG Paints Arena in 2024.

The 2026 season will open December 12, 2025, in Manchester, New Hampshire. It will conclude with the PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast in Fort Worth, Texas.

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.

Former WRVA Morning Host John Reid Loses Bid For Virginia Lt. Governor

BNM Staff
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Former WRVA Morning Host John Reid Loses Bid For Virginia Lt. Governor

Earlier this year, WRVA morning host John Reid departed the station in an effort to run for Lt. Governor of Virginia. He did not win that race.

In the race against Ghazala Hasmi, a Democrat, Reid earned 44.2% of the vote. He garnered just under 1.5 million votes, while Hashmi secured nearly 1.9 million. Hashmi becomes the first Muslim woman elected to a statewide office in the United States.

Had Reid won, he would have been the first openly gay elected official to statewide office in the state.

Reid outperformed Republican counterpart, Winsome Earle-Sears, in the gubernatorial election, where she earned 42.3% of the vote in the race against Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger.

Reid joined WRVA in 2017 and hosted The John Reid Show from 5:30-10 AM. Reid’s father, Jack, served as a state delegate from 1990 through 2007.

He has made no announcements about whether or not a return to radio or any other media endeavor could be in the cards for him after falling in the Lt. Governor’s race. He was replaced in the WRVA lineup by Rich Herrera.

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.

FOX Sports World Series Viewership Best Since 2017 For Seven Game Series

BSM Staff
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FOX Sports World Series Viewership Best Since 2017 For Seven Game Series

FOX Sports closed out the 2025 Major League Baseball season with record-setting momentum, as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Game 7 victory in the World Series became the most-watched baseball broadcast in eight years.

The network’s coverage of the Dodgers’ dramatic 11-inning win over the Seattle Mariners averaged 27.33 million viewers across FOX, FOX Deportes, and FOX Sports’ streaming platforms. That total ranks as the most-watched World Series game since 2017, when the Dodgers faced the Houston Astros in a classic seven-game showdown.

On the FOX broadcast alone, Game 7 averaged 26.88 million viewers and peaked at 33.06 million between 11:45 p.m. and midnight ET, marking the network’s most-watched Saturday prime-time telecast since January 18, 2025. Compared to the last Game 7 in 2019, the audience jumped 16 percent.

Across all seven games, the 2025 World Series averaged 15.71 million viewers on FOX, the highest series average since 2017 and up 2 percent over last year’s five-game matchup. The full MLB Postseason on FOX, FS1, and FS2 averaged 8.09 million viewers, up 8 percent from 2024 and representing FOX Sports’ best postseason showing in eight years.

Local ratings further reflected the enthusiasm. In Los Angeles, Game 7 posted a massive 22.2/62 household rating, peaking at 26.5/66 shortly after midnight. Other top markets included San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Las Vegas.

The network’s pregame coverage, anchored by Kevin Burkhardt, Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, and Alex Rodriguez, averaged 3.41 million viewers through seven telecasts—its strongest performance since 2021.

Beyond linear television, FOX Sports saw significant digital growth throughout the Fall Classic. Game 7 delivered a record average minute audience of 752,731 across streaming platforms, marking the most-viewed World Series stream in FOX Sports history.

Social engagement also surged, with 1.3 billion views across @MLBonFOX channels—a staggering 96 percent increase from 2024.

Meanwhile, FOX Deportes averaged 448,000 viewers for its Spanish-language broadcast of Game 7, the best for a World Series finale since 2019.

With back-to-back titles for the Dodgers and a resurgent national audience, FOX Sports continues to demonstrate baseball’s enduring pull when drama and legacy collide on the sport’s biggest stage.

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.

60 Minutes Interview with Donald Trump Earns Largest Audience Since 2021

BNM Staff
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60 Minutes Interview with Donald Trump Earns Largest Audience Since 2021

60 Minutes featured an extensive sit-down interview with President Donald Trump on Sunday. That led to a large ratings boost and one of the largest viewership totals in nearly five years.

According to figures from Nielsen, the show featured 14 million viewers for the Sunday evening broadcast. That marks the largest total audience for the show since the January 10, 2021 edition of the program.

Of the 14 million viewers, 3 million came from the key 25-54 demographic. The performance made it the most-watched non-sports program of the week.

The program marked a 71% uptick in viewers compared to the same week in 2024. It earned a 133% year-over-year increase in the 25-54 demographic.

On YouTube, the edited interview has more than 2 million views, while the full, unedited discussion — which lasted for more than an hour — also surpassed 2 million views.

Some noted the irony in the edit by 60 Minutes. President Donald Trump sued CBS News and its parent company for editing an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris in the lead-up to the 2024 election. The two sides ultimately settled that lawsuit for $16 million.

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Chris Russo: Joe Davis Hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Celebration “Bad Look”

BSM Staff
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Chris Russo: Joe Davis Hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Celebration “Bad Look”

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo isn’t holding back on what he considers a “bad look” for both Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and FOX Sports. The Mad Dog Radio host on SiriusXM ripped lead play-by-play voice Joe Davis for serving as emcee during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series celebration at Dodger Stadium following the team’s championship win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Russo argued that Davis — who calls national games for FOX, including the World Series — shouldn’t have been the one publicly hosting the team’s festivities given his dual role as the Dodgers’ television voice throughout the regular season.

“When you’re a national broadcaster and you’re the voice of the sport on a big stage. When you did a million playoff games, and then in one of the crippling losses that a franchise is going to have in the history of the sport. That’s as bad a loss as you’re ever going to have,” Russo said. “The body’s not even cold yet. And I got Joe Davis at Dodger Stadium doing a freaking Dodger parade. Oh, my God, that’s bad. I’m sorry. I don’t care what you say … that would piss me off if I’m a Blue Jays fan.”

Russo continued by saying that the optics reflected poorly not only on Davis but also on baseball’s biggest broadcast partner, and the Dodgers themselves. He suggested that when a national play-by-play voice becomes tied to one team’s victory celebration, it undercuts the perception of impartiality that national coverage is supposed to uphold.

“If you’re a Blue Jay fan, you’re vomiting right now,” Russo said. “That is bad. I don’t care what you say. You could say I’m being hard. That’s ridiculous. Chris, what’s the big deal? He does the games. Nonsense. He’s the voice of the World Series — supposed to be right down the middle. Obviously, he’s rooting his a** off for the Dodgers in the World Series. And everybody who I spoke to hated the idea.”

Davis, who succeeded Joe Buck as FOX’s lead baseball voice in 2022, has balanced his Dodgers role with national assignments throughout the season. However, Russo believes that distinction should matter more in moments that involve championship outcomes.

“The Dodgers should have done a favor,” Russo added. “Hey Joe, you know what? You’re the voice of the team. We just won a classic. Why don’t you lay low here? We’ll get somebody else to do this. You’re the voice of baseball in postseason play. You can’t be doing our parade waxing poetic about us at the Blue Jays’ expense. Wrong.”

While Davis has not responded publicly, Russo’s critique highlights an ongoing debate in sports media: how broadcasters can balance local loyalties with the national objectivity their network roles demand.

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Xania Monet, the First AI Artist Just Cracked Radio

Phil Becker
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Xania Monet, the First AI Artist Just Cracked Radio

Xania Monet.

Who is this?

No, seriously. Who is this?

Xania Monet is an R&B newcomer now spinning on radio. She just cracked the Billboard Hot 100, and she’s sitting at No. 30 on the Mediabase R&B chart, ahead of Leon Thomas, Teyana Taylor, and Ella Mai.

There’s just one problem.

She’s not real.

No label dinner. No artist showcase or “this is my year” post with a praying-hands emoji.

An AI-generated artist, written by Mississippi poet Telisha “Nikki” Jones, voiced by machine learning, and charted with the help of programmers from Audacy, Saga, Summit, Connoisseur, and iHeart.

The Charts Don’t Care She’s Fake

  • No. 30 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart — the first AI artist to ever do it
  • No. 1 on R&B Digital Song Sales
  • No. 3 on R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Sales
  • No. 22 across all genres
  • 44.4 million streams and counting, with over $52K in royalties generated without touring, or a sweaty meet-and-greet in Milwaukee with a PD who just showed up for the picture and didn’t stay for the show

Who Is Xania Monet?

She’s not real.

But the woman behind her is.

Meet Telisha “Nikki” Jones, Mississippi-born, poetry-bred, and currently ghost-singing her way onto about 25 radio stations across America.

Telisha writes it She picks the tone. Sets the vibe. Hits go.

Sung by an R&B artist who isn’t real, who’s now playing on Phil’s “Healing, But Sexy” playlist.

Monet isn’t here to replace Jones though. She’s here because Jones couldn’t afford a studio, session singer, producer, or PR team. So she built one (necessity is the mother of something).

The Artist Isn’t Real But The Budget Definitely Is

Monet signed with Hallwood Media for a reported $3 million.

Yes, million.

As in: the kind of advance human artists usually only see in Drake rumors or TikTok conspiracy threads.

And the team’s not shy about it. “We’re not replacing artists,” said manager Romel Murphy. “We’re just building a new lane.”

The Artists Who Called Cap
(My son taught me to use that word)

Kehlani posted a rant (now, deleted; but not forgotten).

SZA shared the news with a side-eye and a caption: “I don’t f*** with this either.”

Chlöe Bailey: “AI in art should be banned.”

Some called it innovation. Others called it erasure. (Not the 80’s band…but, note to other artists, allusions to Erasure would make me smile, something to consider).

So… What Happens Now?

Somewhere between Spotify streams and lawyer bills, Xania Monet becomes a case study.

Accountants will calculate ROI on AI in all areas of music.

A&R people will evaluate digital delivery and not have to stay out late at concerts.

Record companies will get in bed with Suno and AI music production tools — the same companies that were filing cease and desists two years ago.

Broadcasters will push to lower music royalty fees (I mean, why should I pay a robot the same as Rihanna?).

And while all that’s happening, Timbaland’s getting dragged for trying it first (same, Tim, same *ahem* Ashley).

But while all those things are happening in the background…listeners still liked the song.

Which means the real challenge isn’t AI. It’s us.

Will we double down on songs with presence, production, or performance? Will we champion creators who create for something beyond the feed? Are stations going to proudly say the music on KBCO is crafted by humans, for humans? Will we disclose that AI was used when a song is playing on the rAIdo?

Or will Suno get a ton more subscribers from morning show DJs who now think they can make Song of the Week parodies as well as Jeffrey from Brooke & Jeffrey (Jeff is the O.G. and an American treasure and mastermind, btw)?

Xania Monet’s voice may be fake. But the implications are real.

She’s not the death of music. She’s the mirror we need to look into.

What we choose to reflect back? That’s on us.

“How Was I Supposed to Know?” isn’t just the name of the song, it’s the one thing your brand can’t afford to say when it comes to your stance on AI.

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.

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