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Should Mike Pereira’s Upcoming Retirement Signal The End Of The Human Rules Analyst

John Mamola
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Should Mike Pereira’s Upcoming Retirement Signal The End Of The Human Rules Analyst

Mike Pereira has been the calm in the storm for football fans for 15 years on FOX. When chaos breaks out on a Sunday—flags fly, tempers flare, and millions of fans shout “what even is a catch?”—Pereira’s voice has been the bridge between confusion and clarity.

But with reports suggesting Pereira is likely stepping away from his role at FOX Sports after his contract ends following the 2026 NFL season, a bigger question emerges: in an age of technology, real-time replay systems, and now artificial intelligence.

Does modern football broadcasts even need a rules analyst anymore?

When FOX brought Pereira into the booth full-time in 2010, it wasn’t just a programming tweak. It was a revolution. For decades, broadcasters relied on the booth and the officials to explain calls that were often vague or inconsistent. Pereira, armed with credibility from his years as NFL vice president of officiating, became a trusted voice that viewers could rely on to explain the rulebook in real time—often better than the officials themselves.

That move set a template every network followed. CBS has Gene Steratore. ESPN has in Russell Yurk. Terry McAulay serves both NBC Sports and Amazon Prime. The “rules analyst” became a broadcast staple thanks to Pereira setting the stage—right up there with the sideline reporter and the telestrator.

They weren’t just analysts; they were translators. They humanized the rulebook and provided transparency in a sport that often feels like it’s evolving weekly. The human element of the insights was a massive addition to the broadcast at the time, even if the call didn’t go their way.

Enter the Algorithm

Fast forward to 2025, and the broadcast ecosystem looks nothing like it did when Pereira first joined the booth.

Today, AI systems can already track player movements, ball trajectories, and boundary markers with near-perfect precision. The NFL has invested heavily in its Next Gen Stats platform, which uses chips inside footballs and player pads to measure every movement. Tech firms like Genius Sports and Zebra Technologies are working on automated replay tools that can identify penalties or spotting errors before the human eye catches them.

In a world like that—where a smart replay system could instantly overlay whether a receiver’s toe grazed the sideline or whether the ball broke the plane—do we really need a former official to tell us what happened?

Or Do We Still Need a Human Voice to Explain the Human Game when it came to a close call?

Here’s the counterpoint—and it’s a strong one.

Even if AI can detect a violation or show us the rule application instantly, that doesn’t mean it can explain it. Rules in football aren’t purely black-and-white. They’re about interpretation, intent, and context. With humans there to explain it all.

What happens when an AI system flags a defensive hold that wasn’t called on a questionable play? Or when replay shows simultaneous possession but the rulebook’s gray area decides outcome? These are judgment calls—the kind where fans don’t want a machine’s opinion. They want a human to explain the why behind what they’re seeing, and what is being called.

That’s where people like Pereira, Steratore, and Yurk earn their value. They’re not just explaining rules—they’re explaining reasoning. They offer context, and sometimes even criticism that resonates with fans because it’s grounded in experience, not data. Something AI can never provide.

The Broadcast Challenge

Sports networks are walking a tightrope. AI and new tech tools can make broadcasts faster and more precise, and in some cases even more creative. Sports, especially football, are still emotional theater. Fans tune in not just to know the call, but to feel the call.

The tone of a Pereira explanation, his measured patience or his raised eyebrow at a missed holding call, carries personality—something that’s hard to replicate with algorithms or prepackaged graphic explainer tools.

That said, networks are all about experimenting with new toys at their disposal. It’s not a stretch to imagine a future where a replay box instantly shows the probability that a call will be upheld, powered by years of officiating data.

In that world, the “rules analyst” may evolve from explainer to interpreter—someone who doesn’t just tell us what the call means, but how the technology determined it.

Maybe the future isn’t a replacement—it’s a partnership.

Imagine a broadcast where AI instantly breaks down a questionable play, showing probability and rulebook reference in real time. Then a human expert like Pereira (or his successor) adds the “why it matters” context: explaining league tendencies, ref crew habits, or how similar plays were called earlier in the season.

It’s the same reason we haven’t replaced color commentators with predictive analytics, even though the data often outperforms human intuition. Fans want connection and perspective, not just precision.

What Pereira’s Retirement Symbolizes

If Pereira does indeed step away, it’s the end of an era—but maybe the start of an important conversation.
For 15 years, he’s been the face of accountability in a broadcast world that thrives on second-guessing referees. He made the complicated understandable and the controversial tolerable. But his potential departure forces networks to ask a deeper question about where that role goes next.

Will they train the next generation of former officials to fill that seat? Or will the booth slowly phase it out in favor of AI-generated rule breakdowns and automated replay explanations? Isn’t that what all talent in broadcasting in afraid of? Why would the NFL be any different?

The smarter move might be to modernize the role, not eliminate it. Fans still crave that trust and transparency—perhaps now more than ever, in an age where everything feels filtered through algorithms and graphics. AI can tell us what happened, a rules analyst like Mike Pereira can tell us why it matters.

The future of sports broadcasting shouldn’t choose between them—it should find a way to let both voices coexist. When millions of fans are shouting at their TVs about whether that was a catch or not, there’s still something reassuring about hearing a calm, credible human voice say, “Here’s what they saw. Here’s why it’s right—or wrong.”

That voice, at least for now, can’t be programmed.

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.

Self-Care Isn’t Just a Buzzword: A Radio Pro’s Guide to Staying Sane

Peter Thiele
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Self-Care Isn’t Just a Buzzword: A Radio Pro’s Guide to Staying Sane

We are all under pressure in our lives. We have personal lives, financial concerns, work worries as it relates to our radio jobs, and safety concerns. This is a lot of stuff, and some people seem to handle it better than others. But I have seen people who seem like they have it all together, and then the wheels come off.

Are you taking time for yourself?

I know — I used to roll my eyes when someone said the term “self-care.”

Even in the happiest and most functional of romantic relationships, there can be some conflict. Obviously, we all know couples who always seem to be fighting like cats and dogs.

I have dear friends of mine who fought like hell while they were dating, engaged, and married. Eventually, they divorced but co-parented two amazing kids. Because I am in radio and have moved a few times, I see these people rarely, but when I visit, I see them. Even though both have remarried, they still have great love and respect for each other and, yes, still snipe at each other over everything.

That works for some people. These are great professionals. Especially when trying to host a show, most hosts want to be focused like a laser beam on the task at hand. When I was hosting a daily show, an argument with my lady friend would be a huge distraction. Perhaps you can handle that better than I. A kid has gotten into trouble or is sick — how do you handle these things? Your mom fell and broke her hip. Your wayward sibling was arrested.

How do you keep the show first? I will answer that for you.

What are your financial concerns? Are you ready for your kids’ never-ending college careers? What about retirement? Do you have enough money to cushion the blow if you are a victim of a RIF? You also may have more personal debt than is manageable. Are you financially supporting elderly parents? Have you priced out doggy daycare? Nothing is cheap, and raises at radio stations are as rare as the black-footed ferret.

Most radio people are creative types, and that doesn’t necessarily mean that we are careful planners. We must focus on a holistic look at our lives. Are you maximizing the 401k program at your office? Are you saving outside of the company program? You are likely not receiving that precious company match to your 401k program.

How do you adjust? There are two ways, of course: gamble a lot and hope for the best, or carefully monitor your spending, debt, and savings. How can you get out of debt quicker? Are you spending an insane amount on car payments? I know people who spend a couple of grand a month on eating out. It is not that tough to spend a couple of hundred dollars on dinner and drinks. How much are you door-dashing? I know that I personally need to watch how much I eat out each week.

What’s going on at the office? A few companies recently laid off employees. If this happened at your workplace, it is stressful and can impact your show. Office stress can affect your enthusiasm, motivation, coworkers’ moods, and teamwork. This can be detrimental to your show. A buddy of mine recently lost his longtime producer to a RIF. He is lost — that producer kept him organized and guaranteed a strong show. These circumstances beyond our control can create stress, challenges, and are just not fun.

Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, there is a big concern for safety. Most radio people are not experts in personal security. We want to live our lives without having safety as job one. Well, it is. It is not just your safety that you are worried about. You can’t help but think of coworkers, family members, and, of course, yourself. Doxxing people is shockingly easy to do. All a crazy person has to do is spend $10 to know where you live. This is stressful as hell. I know that you put this to the back of your mind, but it is there and can affect your mood, show, and more. Do you have a safety plan?

Here are my thoughts on self-care. I hate that term as well, but here we are. You must be able to handle all of these pressures and more. We have all been in situations that seem like a dead end. I personally have benefited from spending time alone to reflect on things. It allows me to make an action plan for what is next.

I was at a job early in my career for too long. I was very comfortable and really enjoyed what I was doing. And I then realized that I could have done more. I was being held back by not moving on to the next position. I was very happy in that city — great friends, fantastic employer, good work experience — but staying would hold me back from achieving what I felt I could do.

My self-reflection was the first step for me to move on to my next job.

Are you taking time for yourself? Are you ignoring issues because you are too busy? If your life is filled with commitments and activities, you may just be hiding from the problems in your life. There is nothing wrong with seeing a religious leader, a counselor, or a trusted confidant and sharing your concerns.

Don’t ignore the issues in your life. Lying to the person in the mirror is so damaging. There are no guarantees in your life. You will be facing huge challenges. We don’t get unlimited time to fix what is wrong. Waiting until next year or for some other benchmark won’t fix what needs to be addressed.

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.

Why Coaching Makes a Difference in Radio

Kevin Robinson
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Why Coaching Makes a Difference in Radio

Coaching. Some have it, some don’t. Other’s get bad coaching, even today, from peers who’ve been at this radio thing for decades.

In every field, from boardrooms to break rooms, football sidelines, and chef competitions, no one achieves brilliance alone. A true coach is a trusted partner that helps us grow. No matter where we are in our growth development.

True Growth isn’t an accident. Growth is intentional both using and deploying a step by step process to increase a talent’s confidence and potential.

The number one golfer in the world has a team of coaches. Scottie Scheffler’s swing coach is Randy Smith (since he was seven). The coach behind Sheffler’s brilliant putting is Phil Kenyon. To stay in top physical shape Scheffler turns to Dr. Troy Van Biezen. Those who swing a club know the mental game is a huge part of the game. Scheffler stays fully present on the course by following the teachings of Mental Coach Dr. Karla Steingraber.

In radio, especially among Adult Formats, consistent coaching is nearly non-existent. However, as a talent or programmer, you can find affordable resources to assist in staff advancement.

Coaching isn’t a one or two session thing. No matter the ratings season or system, every day your audience votes with their attention. Not just during a “big” ratings book.

Listener perception never goes on hiatus. What you execute today becomes tomorrow’s reputation. Every element of your brand as a talent weaves into the long-term impression that drives audience recall, preference, and daily visits to your show.

As programmers, you are their coach. Create the time to invest in your most important asset – Talent.

Here’s a starter kit check list:

  • Equip talent with the tools they need to win.
  • Define and share a clear picture of success.
  • Coach consistently and with purpose.
  • Encourage talent to build a Personal Promotional Strategy.
  • Hard schedule team updates that keep talent aligned.
  • Partner with key brands to maximize shared exposure like Chambers of Commerce or local travel bureaus.
  • Create the atmospherics that make your event feel like a political rally with eye-catching signs, swag that sticks, and show business.

If you’re budget-challenged, affordable sources for talent and programmers are a click away. This list includes the still relevant and decades old “Personality Radio” from Dan O’Day, Tracy Johnson’s “Morning Radio Revisited: A Guide to Developing On-Air Superstars” and the talent staple handbook “Creating Powerful Radio: Getting, Keeping and Growing Audiences” from talent coach Valerie Geller.

At times, you catch sage advice from unconventional places. Here are a few.

Steve Dahl and Garry Meier; photo courtesy of the Radio Hall of Fame and Canva

Before moving onto writing and publishing, Rick Kaempfer made great radio as the guiding rudder as show producer behind the legendary duo Steve Dahl & Garry Meier on WLUP-FM/Chicago (The Loop) and WJMK/Chicago’s John Records Landecker.

Rick is now a publisher and author of several bestselling books including The Radio Producer’s Handbook (with WTMX/ Chicago John Swanson). In it, they share in which they share their legacy knowledge of all things-morning-show-producing. Rick’s just curated the exhibit “Five Decades of The Loop Radio: Where Chicago Rocked” at The Museum of Broadcast Communications in downtown Chicago.

I’ve come to know that radio producers make superior coaches. Nearly two decades back, Rick was a Guest Host for my weekly column “The Robinson Report”.  What he wrote then applies still today. Here are a few excerpts:

“I was a radio producer for twenty plus years. I always got along well with both sides because I’m a natural right brained person and could think like the talent, but I was raised in a very strict German family of left-brained thinkers. Therefore I could also understand where the programmers were coming from.

I heard what programmers were trying to say during coaching sessions, but I also heard what the talent was hearing. It wasn’t the same thing. Ninety percent of those problems could have been avoided by following three simple rules.

1. Leave your anal tendencies at the door.

In your job, attention to detail is a necessity until you apply it to your coaching sessions. You must let the little things go. When the talent hears you constantly harping about something that he or she considers completely meaningless (you know what I’m talking about here—the stuff that makes them roll their eyes), your chances of getting them to listen to your advice on any other subject is gone forever. 

2. Use the proportional rule.

Yes, talent is sensitive, but you don’t need to deal with them with kid gloves. You can say what you really believe. You just need to convey the positive as enthusiastically as you convey the negative.

If you think 90% of the show was good and only 10% wasn’t, then you should be spending 90% of your time praising the stuff you liked, and only ten percent critiquing. When you only accentuate the negative, you’re subliminally telling them that you hate the show, even if you don’t feel that way.

3. Listen to their ideas, don’t immediately judge them.

Way too many great ideas die because programmers don’t listen. Often a creative person can see the potential in an idea before he or she is able to put it into words. That needs to nurtured, not squashed. Restrain yourself from pooh-poohing ideas you don’t understand. Help them talk through their ideas instead. When the talent is unable to verbalize it to you, he will realize that it needs to gestate in his brain a little longer. Eventually, he’ll come back to you later with a great idea, or he’ll kill it himself.

The key is being non-judgmental. You’re not against it. You’re just trying to understand it. That’s it. That’s all you need to do. If you follow those three simple rules, the talent will believe you are on the same team, which of course you are.

Once the talent believes he has a teammate, he or she will be more confident. Once they are more confident, their natural creativity will flourish, and once that happens, everyone wins.”

Comedian Nate Bargatze is barn-storming his way through America on a sold-out arena tour. So when we saw THIS CLIP of how he writes comedy, it hit home. He doesn’t write his jokes word-for-word. He keeps content conversational and “knows how to get out of the joke” when the timing or audience shifts.

“I always have how I would start the joke and how I would end the joke. It’s when I don’t have the ending that’s where I could lose the steam in the joke. To me, it’s always you’ve got to know how to get out of the joke so you can riff. As long as you start the joke, then you can play and have a dismount.”

We coach talent to write the exit FIRST and assign the exit in an ensemble environment. It’s like building a roadmap for your storytelling.

Coaching styles and presentation tips are vast. Your style should be customized by talent personality and format. Each coach has a different perspective on how to get to the shared ratings win.

Starting with small, meaningful steps with YOUR style builds confidence, trust and results. You get to witness real growth. You might even surprise yourself with your own growth.

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.

How Hot AC Radio Can Make Halloween Memorable

Jim Ryan
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How Hot AC Radio Can Make Halloween Memorable

Every October, like clockwork many Hot AC radio stations cue up Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash.” There is nothing wrong with the classics. In today’s competitive and content-saturated world though, radio can’t rely solely on the predictable.

Halloween is a creative opportunity to energize your brand, engage listeners emotionally, and deliver something unexpected. Going beyond the two usual suspects can turn a one-day theme into a weeklong or weekend experience since Halloween falls on a Friday this year. The opportunity to drive ratings and social buzz is huge!

First, you should lean into atmosphere, not just songs. The Hot AC format is usually strong at delivering emotion and connection. Use production, imaging, and music flow to create the Halloween mood. Think subtle, not spooky overkill. Add eerie sweepers, whispers, and quick short stabs of imaging with clever humor instead of cartoonish ghosts. A female voice softly saying, “Something’s in the air tonight, and it’s not just pumpkin spice,” sets a tone without feeling like a Halloween special for kids.

Then, curate a “Hauntingly Good” playlist that fits the format while adding seasonal texture. You don’t have to abandon core artists, just reframe them. Songs like “Bad Habits” (Ed Sheeran), “Disturbia” (Rihanna), “Sweet but Psycho” (Ava Max), “Demons” (Imagine Dragons), “Bad Guy” (Billie Eilish), “Bad Blood” (Taylor Swift), “Dark Horse” (Katy Perry), and “Vampire” (Olivia Rodrigo) fit perfectly and keep the sound modern.

Tie these songs into short imaging intros like, “Not all monsters hide under the bed, some top the charts.” The trick is to keep your brand’s Hot AC identity intact while giving listeners that fun, thematic thread.

Next, go next level and create listener experiences that go beyond the speakers. A “Pumpkin Spice Challenge” with local coffee shops, a “Haunted Happy Hour” on-air and online, or even a “Costume Confession Hotline” where listeners share their best or worst costume stories! All can drive engagement. Turn phone calls, DMs, and voice notes into quick on-air bits between songs to make the audience part of the show. Hot AC thrives on relatability, so make the spooky season about real people and their quirks, not just sound effects.

For mornings and social, build content that’s shareable. Polls like “What’s the most overrated Halloween candy?” or “Which pop star from last 20 years would make the best vampire?” invite participation and promote tune-ins. Short-form videos of your airstaff in costume doing pop-culture skits (like “Horror Movie Auditions” or “Celebrity Trick-or-Treating”) can humanize the brand while pushing digital engagement.

Remember, Halloween is visual. Every piece of social content should drive people back to the on-air product. Don’t forget the community tie-ins either. Partner with local haunted houses, corn mazes, breweries, or theaters for themed nights or costume contests. Give away “Boo Bags” of prizes from sponsors. These activities reinforce your local presence and keep advertisers happy while staying audience focused.

You can wrap it all up with a Halloween weekend special, a “Haunted Countdown” or “Pop Hits That Give You Chills.” Make it host-driven, personality-forward, and filled with listener shoutouts and local flavor.

Hot AC radio can make Halloween memorable without leaning on the same two songs every year. It’s about creating an experience through sound, story, and community, that feels festive, modern, and uniquely you. Above all else, it’s about having fun!

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.

Quu Names Joe Marshall Vice President of Technical Success

BNM Staff
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Quu Names Joe Marshall Vice President of Technical Success

Quu has announced it is promoting Joe Marshall to the role of Vice President of Technical Success.

Previously, Marshall was the Technical Success Manager for the company after joining in 2021.

As part of his duties, Marshall led the development of the annual In-Vehicle Visuals Report, showing the way car infotainment systems have evolved and continue to take shape across the top 100 best-selling models in the United States.

“We’re rolling out new products designed to grow time spent listening and revenue, not just on the dashboard, but wherever audiences tune in,” said Marshall. “Radio plays a vital role in our communities, and we’re committed to strengthening that connection through visuals that engage, inform, and keep radio front and center on every screen.” 

“Joe’s unique blend of technical expertise and deep understanding of radio makes him invaluable to Quu and our partners,” said Quu CEO Steve Newberry. “He’s been a driving force behind our innovation, and his contributions continue to move both Quu and the industry forward.” 

As he did in his previous role, Joe Marshall will continue to report to Quu CEO Steve Newberry.

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.

What CBS News Will Miss When John Dickerson Exits

Garrett Searight
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What CBS News Will Miss When John Dickerson Exits

When John Dickerson leaves CBS News at the end of the year, the network will lose one of its most reliable and adaptable pieces.

Dickerson isn’t just another face who can fill time on air. He’s a rare broadcaster who can anchor, report, analyze, and interview with equal skill.

For a news organization that prides itself on credibility and versatility, his departure will leave a noticeable void.

Dickerson’s resume reads like a checklist of what you’d want in a modern journalist. He’s anchored CBS This Morning, Face the Nation, and contributed to CBS Sunday Morning. He’s served as a political correspondent and interviewer, moving between formats and tones with ease. Whether sitting across from a U.S. Senator or explaining complex election data to viewers, Dickerson makes it look simple. But that’s the thing about great versatility — it rarely commands headlines, even though it often keeps a newsroom running smoothly.

In television news, being a utility player doesn’t always come with the glamor of being a star anchor. The people who can do a little bit of everything often find themselves doing just that — everything. They’re trusted to step in when others can’t, to stabilize coverage during breaking news, or to lend authority when analysis is needed. That’s what John Dickerson became for CBS News. You could plug him in anywhere and be confident he’d deliver.

And yet, that same dependability can make a journalist somewhat invisible. When you’re constantly moving between roles, it’s hard to plant your flag in one spot and make it your own. Dickerson never had a “signature show” or a role that defined his public persona in the way Scott Pelley or Norah O’Donnell have until he became one of the two anchors of CBS Evening News earlier this year.

Instead, his calling card was competence — steadiness in any setting. It’s not flashy, but it’s invaluable to any newsroom.

CBS News has leaned on that steadiness for years. When it needed gravitas on Face the Nation, Dickerson brought it. When CBS This Morning required intelligence and warmth, he provided both. When the network’s political coverage demanded context and insight, Dickerson’s background as a respected political journalist made him a natural choice. He filled gaps without complaint and raised the level of whatever program he was on.

That’s a quality that’s harder to replace than many might think. In a media environment where personalities often drive coverage, Dickerson was the opposite. He wasn’t there to be the story. He was there to tell it —clearly, calmly, and completely. That consistency builds trust with viewers, even if it doesn’t always draw viral moments or online buzz.

It’s worth noting how rare it is to find journalists who can toggle between roles with genuine proficiency. Anchoring requires composure and timing. Reporting demands curiosity and persistence. Interviewing takes empathy and preparation. Dickerson excelled in all three. His ability to adapt made him a kind of newsroom Swiss Army knife — always ready for the next assignment, no matter what it was.

John Dickerson’s time at CBS News is a reminder that versatility is both a blessing and a burden in television journalism. The ability to do everything well sometimes means you’re asked to do everything, leaving little time to carve out a single identity. But when the cameras roll, the teleprompter scrolls, and the breaking news alert flashes across the screen, it’s the versatile journalists who keep the broadcast steady.

That’s what Dickerson did for CBS News — time and again, without fanfare. And while he might not have been the network’s most visible star, his departure will show just how valuable he truly was.

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.

Glenn Beck Launching New Foundation for American History and Education ‘The Torch’

BNM Staff
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Glenn Beck Launching New Foundation for American History and Education ‘The Torch’

Glenn Beck is launching a new foundation for American history and education, called “The Torch”, to pair with his TheBlaze media empire.

To begin his show on Monday morning, Beck shared his intentions to launch the new foundation with an educational background on American history in mind early next year.

“As a nation, we are we are now suffering from a lack of true education, true individual empowerment, and true non-governmental rescue,” he shared. “In January, I am launching the Glenn and Tania Beck Foundation for American History. It is a privately funded trust that will continue to do in an accelerated fashion what I began almost 20 years ago.

“For nearly two decades, I have been collecting the physical evidence of America’s soul, the documents, the letters, the artifacts that tell the true story of who we are. And it’s amazing to me, after 20 years, how big this thing has gotten, and how few people, even in my own audience, really know what it is, because we haven’t really unveiled it, except in glimpses here and there.”

Glenn Beck noted that his collection is now the “third largest private collection of founding documents in the world,” ranging from artifacts from the Pilgrims and the Jamestown colony to over a million documents and items of “evidence of the greatness of the American experiment.”

Beck shared that his daily radio show, which is available on TheBlaze and BlazeTV, is not going away.

“This is the next chapter — the final chapter — of my career. To try to restore curiosity, try to restore the ability to ask questions about history and then get honest results back without any bias, just based on actual documents. And all of it begins appropriately at the beginning of the 250 year of our nation’s founding now. This show that you hear, the radio show, will still be heard on radio and on Blaze TV.”

He concluded by teasing upcoming additions to his show and network.

“BlazeTV is going to be announcing some very exciting new expansions very soon,” Beck shared. “The app is going to have a completely new addition. We’re in beta testing right now. I hope it is going to be shocking in its usefulness.”

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.

Trey Wingo Reflects on “Pretty Stupid” Content Ideas From Hosting NFL Live

BSM Staff
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Trey Wingo Reflects on “Pretty Stupid” Content Ideas From Hosting NFL Live

Former ESPN host Trey Wingo offered a candid look at the network’s NFL programming model during an interview with God Bless Football with Stugotz.

In reflecting on the evolution of content both on NFL Live and across ESPN’s broader sports coverage. Wingo, who helmed NFL Live for years, weighed in on how daily sports programming has changed and the challenges of maintaining substance in a 24/7 sports media landscape. Speaking about the relentless pace of hosting NFL Live, even during the NFL offseason, Wingo admitted the daily grind could stretch content thin.

“I didn’t think it was stupid at the time. I’ve come to the realization when I don’t do this five days a week, eight hours at a time. Most of what we used to do was pretty… let’s just be honest about it… pretty stupid,” Wingo said. “There’s not enough real information to talk about this stuff, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That’s why you come up with stuff like the schedule release or funny little bits like Wing Go or Wing No, because there really isn’t enough to talk about.”

Wingo further explained that, while he enjoyed the experience at the time, he wouldn’t consider a similar daily role today.

“Outside of watching live events and then reacting to it and talking about what’s gonna happen next, it’s all just fodder. It’s all just filler,” he said. “I enjoyed it when I did it. If you asked me to do it now, I would say, put a power drill into my head.”

The remark underscores how even seasoned broadcasters recognize the challenges of sustaining compelling content in an era where attention spans are short and news cycles move quickly. Reflecting on the broader evolution of ESPN’s content model, Wingo noted a cultural shift in how the network approaches sports storytelling.

“We used to have a saying on ESPN when we were in cahoots with CNNSI and battling for viewers. We’re like, we don’t take ourselves seriously. We take sports seriously. And now I feel like it’s the exact opposite. We may talk about sports, but look at what I have to say. It’s just a very different dynamic now,” he said.

Wingo added that while some personalities thrive under the new model, it wouldn’t suit him. “If people are doing it, God bless you. Go for it. Have fun. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do it right now for all the money in the world.”

Trey Wingo left ESPN in 2020 and has found a space in the independent sports media scene crafting content for a number of 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.

Draymond Green Signs Podcast Agreement With Audacy, Leaves The Volume

BSM Staff
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Draymond Green Signs Podcast Agreement With Audacy, Leaves The Volume

Audacy is deepening its footprint in sports podcasting with a major new partnership involving one of the NBA’s most outspoken stars. The company announced it has struck a strategic deal with four-time NBA champion and Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green and his media and production company, The New Media, to oversee sales, distribution, and production for The Draymond Green Show.

The popular podcast returns for a new season on Tuesday. With episodes released twice weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Green said the timing for the relaunch couldn’t be better.

“The fresh look and feel of the podcast comes at the perfect time,” he said. “There is so much going on in basketball, but also very interesting topics outside the game that I’m excited to cover. Audacy’s team helps elevate the podcast, and I can’t wait.”

This new partnership represents a significant addition to Audacy’s growing sports audio portfolio. The company already serves as the flagship home for the Warriors and the Golden State Valkyries through 95.7 The Game in San Francisco. Draymond Green’s collaboration adds a distinctive digital edge to that relationship.

Audacy Head of Podcasts Leah Reis-Dennis praised Green’s influence and fit within the company’s sports strategy.

“Draymond Green is one of the most dynamic and unfiltered voices in sports,” Reis-Dennis said. “His authenticity and influence resonate across fan communities, and we’re beyond excited to welcome his show to our network. Bringing Draymond into our lineup strengthens Audacy’s position as a leader in sports storytelling and analysis. This expands the powerful platform we offer to advertisers looking to reach devoted sports fans.”

The move for Green comes less than two years after announcing he signed a multi-year extension with The Volume. The podcast debuted in 2021 with The Volume. It has won the iHeart Sports Podcast of the Year and the Webby People’s Voice Award in 2022.

On the show, Green brings his signature candor and intensity to the mic. Offering unfiltered takes on the NBA’s biggest storylines. He’ll also break down everything from Golden State’s latest performances to the off-court narratives shaping the league. The show’s blend of analysis, personality, and storytelling has made it a go-to listen for fans who want more than standard basketball talk.

Listeners can expect returning favorites like the Dub Nation segment — focused on the Warriors’ latest stretch. Alongside new features including Around the Association, where Green reacts to the biggest league headlines; Check the Tape, a breakdown of viral or game-changing plays; and Red Light, Green Light, a segment designed for blunt, rapid-fire takes on trending sports news.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Dayanara Torres Joins The Enrique Santos Morning Show as Co-Host

BMM Staff
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Dayanara Torres Joins The Enrique Santos Morning Show as Co-Host

iHeartMedia has announced it is adding Dayanara Torres as co-host of The Enrique Santos Morning Show, beginning this week.

The show — which originates from iHeartMedia Miami’s Tu 94.9 FM is nationally syndicated to Hispanic audiences around the nation.

A former Miss Universe, as well as actress and TV host, is joining the show for her radio debut.

“This is such a beautiful new chapter for me,” said Torres.  “I’ve always loved connecting with people, and now I get to do it every morning — live, real, and full of laughter. I’m thrilled to join Enrique and this amazing team, and I can’t wait to wake up nuestra gente across the country with joy, energy, and heart.”

“Dayanara has already conquered the worlds of pageantry and television — now she’s conquering morning radio,” added Santos. “She’s real, she’s radiant, and she’s the perfect addition to our family. The chemistry is instant, and the laughs are non-stop.”

The show airs from 6-10 AM ET in Miami and is syndicated around the country. The program also airs on the iHeartRadio app, which is available on 500 platforms and more than 2,000 devices.

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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