Home Blog Page 357

Are TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels Helping or Hurting the Podcast Industry?

Garrett Searight
-
0
Are TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels Helping or Hurting the Podcast Industry?

The podcast industry has always faced one major hurdle: discovery. How do you get someone to find your show, give it a shot, and then keep coming back? For years, the answer seemed to be guest swaps, cross-promotion, or hoping you’d somehow crack Apple’s algorithm. But now, that challenge has been largely solved by TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

Those platforms have made podcast discovery easier, faster, and more accessible than ever before. It’s hard to deny that short-form video has helped podcasts find new audiences. But it’s worth asking — is it also hurting them?

There’s no question short clips have revolutionized how podcasts market themselves. A two-minute clip can reach millions of people who may never have even opened a podcast app. It’s a game-changer. Listeners can instantly get a sense of the show’s tone, the host’s style, and whether it’s worth their time.

For creators, it’s free exposure and engagement in places where audiences already spend their time. If your podcast can go viral on TikTok, you’ve skipped a lot of the grind that used to define the medium.

That’s the upside. The downside might be harder to see — and potentially more damaging in the long run.

Short-form video platforms are training audiences to consume content in bursts, not in full meals. Podcasts were built on long-form storytelling and deep conversation. But when a podcast’s best, most viral moments live in a 90-second clip, it raises an uncomfortable question: what’s the point of the rest of the episode? Why would a listener sit through a 60-minute discussion when the most engaging pieces are already chopped up and easily digestible in their feed?

That’s the tension the podcast industry is now facing. Discovery has never been easier, but attention has never been shorter.

It’s easy to see how we got here. The algorithm rewards quick hits. The viewer rewards brevity. Creators have adapted by designing episodes around “clipable” moments — soundbites made to fit neatly into a TikTok reel or YouTube Short. The conversation doesn’t just flow; it’s guided toward viral potential. That’s not inherently bad, but it does change the purpose of the medium. Podcasts used to thrive on depth. Now, they often thrive on shareability.

The result is that a podcast might reach millions of people without many of them ever actually listening to a full episode. A fan of a certain host or show might never open Spotify or Apple Podcasts because every highlight is already on social media. And if the best moments live outside of the traditional feed, what does that mean for the value of a download or the effectiveness of a host-read ad?

It’s not just a theoretical issue. The top podcast creators — from Joe Rogan to Theo Von to Call Her Daddy — all rely heavily on short clips to fuel awareness. Their content floods TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Reels. For many people, those clips are the show. They might not even realize those clips come from longer episodes.

And maybe that’s fine. Maybe podcasts don’t need to be long to be effective. Maybe the format’s future isn’t in hour-long conversations but in micro-content — short, engaging bursts that feel complete on their own. That might go against the traditional idea of what a podcast is, but the industry has always evolved with technology.

Still, there’s a sense something is being lost. Podcasts were once the antidote to the fast-scroll, short-attention-span nature of modern media. They gave audiences time to listen, think, and engage deeply. Short-form video is the exact opposite — quick hits designed to keep people scrolling. The two worlds might coexist for now, but it’s fair to wonder if one will eventually eclipse the other.

The question becomes: are TikTok and other short-form platforms helping podcasts grow, or are they changing what “a podcast” even means? If a show’s reach and engagement live entirely on social media, is it still a podcast, or just a video series built around clips of conversations?

Right now, it’s hard to pin down an answer. Discovery is up, attention is down, and the definition of success is shifting. For creators, that tradeoff might be worth it — exposure drives brand deals, guests, and recognition. For listeners, it’s about convenience and time. But for the medium as a whole, it might be eroding what made podcasts valuable in the first place: longform storytelling that rewards patience and focus.

So, is the podcast industry being helped or hurt by TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts? Honestly, I’m not sure. There’s no definitive answer from where I sit. Discovery is up, and that’s a massive win. But attention spans are shrinking, and that’s a problem that can’t be ignored. Like most things in media, there’s a tradeoff.

The question now is whether the medium can survive — and thrive — in a world that values minutes over hours. It’s something worth wondering about as we watch the unintended consequences play out.

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.

Proving Value and ROI in Radio’s Attention Starved Ecosystem

Bob Lawrence
-
0
Proving Value and ROI in Radio’s Attention Starved Ecosystem

Welcome to what is now called the “Attention Economy”. This is where views from eyeballs are the new currency, scrolling is the gatekeeper, and a logo competes with puppy videos, conspiracy memes, and last night’s highlight reel. It’s not enough to just be seen anymore; you’ve got to be noticed, remembered, and as crazy as it may be – loved. That’s the new equation for ROI, and it’s messier than the junk drawer my wife complains about in the kitchen.

Once upon a time, in a galaxy not far away, sponsorships were simple. Slap a logo on a t-shirt, congratulate your team for achieving “brand visibility,” and hope someone noticed. On the air, we just came up with features like weather or traffic and gave it a five second sponsorship billboard, perhaps an adjacency and voila! Alas, that was the old world, before algorithms ruled and audiences developed the attention span of a goldfish on a double-shot espresso.

Now, proving ROI isn’t about who saw your logo; it’s about who felt something when they did.

Let’s consider the evolution of sports sponsorships. For decades, a logo on a jersey was considered prime exposure. Today, users scroll past a majority percentage of videos within the first few seconds. Yet it counts as a view. But did it amount to anything in their minds and make them feel something? That’s the real question.

These days, sponsorships succeed much more when they enhance an experience with some sort of exclusive content, backstage access, interactive apps, or social storytelling. That’s what sponsors seek more of. They demand those things that cut-through and amplify. The “pièce de resistance” is only achieved when the sponsorship creates a moment that people want to share. That’s when engagement becomes organic, and ROI is measurable in more than traditional ways.

None of this should come as a shocker! After all, the best definition of a brand is, “a promise, based on a relationship, wrapped inside some addictive, emotional experience.” It’s nothing less than a “marriage” with the consumer that touches the heart. This applies to music or sports entertainment cause-based partnerships. A beverage company sponsoring a sporting event for instance, can no longer rely on product tents and signage. But if their brand powers a meaningful initiative that provides hydration stations and is tied to social challenges, or creates content that moves beyond the venue, the sponsorship generates impact that lives long after the event ends. That’s modern sponsorship ROI. It’s truly less about a logo and more about meaningful participation. (As an aside, the cash register in my radio mind, is still the best measurement of ROI.)

Data for marketers now plays an enormous role in their ROI equation. Real-time analytics track clicks, QR scans, sentiment, and conversions are tied directly to sponsorship activations. AI-driven insights can even attribute sales spikes or engagement lifts to specific sponsored moments. The combination of emotional resonance and quantifiable data allows brands to tell a more complete story of value—one that satisfies both the CMO and the CFO. Is all the data real? We’ve heard it’s quantifiable but does it all truly qualify? No one really knows for sure, but that’s for a different article.

For media companies, this shift has called for a new sales strategy. It’s no longer about selling airtime or signage; it’s about selling solutions. I remember when I was with Saga Communications and Chris Forgy (now President/CEO) was running the Columbus Radio Group. He had a sign outside the building that read, “The Solution Store”. He saw this need a decade earlier than anyone. Today, clients want proof that their investment works. Successful media sellers now package creative storytelling, audience insights, and performance metrics into every proposal. They no longer offer exposure; they deliver outcomes.

Ultimately, proving sponsorship ROI in the attention economy means demonstrating that the partnership didn’t just capture eyes, it captured hearts and drove action. If attention seems to be the new currency, then authenticity is the exchange rate. At a time when digital consumers can skip, scroll, or block anything they don’t care about, the true ROI those sponsors care about will continue to be measured by relevance, resonance, and results.

Let’s also keep in mind that attention is not only new currency, it’s in very short supply. Most people can’t watch a full 10-second ad without frantically looking for “skip”, proving the ROI of your sponsorship has become both an art and a science, and occasionally nothing short of a high-flying trapeze act.

Proving sponsorship ROI today means moving beyond impressions to expressions and trying to measure how people feel, share, and act after being exposed to a brand. Sponsorship is already less about how loud you were and more about how deeply you connected. So, welcome to the Attention Economy, where the only thing harder than getting noticed is proving it was worth it.

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 Izzy’s One-Woman Morning Show Is Captivating Phoenix Radio Audiences

Mike Stern
-
0
Why Izzy’s One-Woman Morning Show Is Captivating Phoenix Radio Audiences

The thing about conventional wisdom is that it’s, well, conventional. That means everyone tends to follow it. For example, the conventional wisdom about morning drive at a radio station is that you can’t have ratings success with a solo host playing a lot of music. To compete with other stations that all have multiple-person, content intensive morning shows, you must have one too.

I’m not saying there isn’t something to that. A solo host playing a lot of music in morning drive can be a tough way to get ratings but with the right host anything is possible. Take for example, the successful run that Kelly Ferry, better known to listeners as Izzy, has been having on Hubbard’s ALT AZ 93.3/Phoenix where she is regularly in the Top five with Adults 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

Ferry is the only one in the studio, with no co-hosts or producer to help, but she is not alone. Her show is based on a strong connection with, and heavy participation from, the audience. “I make the show more about them than about me,” she explains. “Listeners love being heard. They love telling their stories. So, I lean on them. They’re my cohosts.”

Her signature segment Blow My Mind features a daily topic with listeners calling in to share their stories with the best call winning a prize. She posts the subject on social media ahead of time and then, after the official on-air topic is revealed during the show, the calls just come flowing in. “Honestly I don’t have to do much to get it going,” she says. “People think their story is the best story and they want to tell it.”

And those stories can be about almost anything, with a few exceptions like politics. “That is simply a no,” she laughs. “Same with religion and a few other hot topics.” But beyond that, she says, they’ll talk about anything, “drugs; sex; relationships; whatever. They’re down to share their trauma.”

Her other rule is to be wary of topics suggested by the station’s midday host, Izzy’s close friend, Mo. “It’s literally a running joke with us. Anytime she gives me a topic, I get like zero calls.”

Knowing what to ask and what to avoid, along with the audience’s willingness to tell Izzy everything has led to memorable moments ranging from serious and seriously funny. “There’s a guy who told me about losing his wife to cancer and we were both crying. I still check on him when he calls,” she says. “But there was also a woman who ran herself over because she forgot to put her car in park. She broke her ankle, and nobody helped her. It was awful and hysterical.”

Izzy’s Stories

It’s not just the audience participation that sets Ferry’s show apart from other solo morning hosts. She has a unique ability to weave her own stories, about all kinds of topics, into the show in a compelling way that brings listeners back for more.

The key, she insists, is authenticity. Ferry says she doesn’t play “radio host.” She talks to the audience like a friend. Sometimes that means being funny, but other times it’s about being vulnerable. “If it’s something that makes me laugh or something I’m learning about myself, I’ll share it. I talk about personal growth, embarrassing stuff, even moments where I’m scared or unsure. People connect to that. They care.”

Her stories start with a spark. “Something will happen during the day, and I’ll write it in my phone,” she says. “It’s the kind of stuff I used to post to social media, but now it’s for the show.” Then, once she has the idea, she’ll expand on it and practice to prepare it for the audience, “I’ll hear myself saying it in my head, like a comedian. Then when I’m on the air it just comes out naturally.”

That openness resonates off the air too. At events, fans approach her like an old friend, already knowing her pets’ names or details about her boyfriend. “It’s always weird when someone feels like they know you and you have no idea who they are,” she says, “but it’s the best compliment. It means they’re really listening. Meeting them in person just strengthens that bond.”

Izzy’s Journey

Izzy’s road to mornings in Phoenix ran through Fresno and Las Vegas, and not every stop was easy. “I definitely had to go through some fires to get here,” she says. “Collaborating with other people on a show can be tough. It’s like dating without the fun stuff.”

But just because she went through butting heads with co-hosts at previous stations doesn’t mean she instantly loved the idea of doing a solo show. In fact, it came as a surprise to her. “When they said they wanted me to do my own show, I was like, ‘Are you sure?’” she says. “Mornings is a big deal. To have all that pressure on just you is scary.”

But once she got over that initial shock she has grown to appreciate the autonomy that the management team at Hubbard has given her. She says it has led to creative freedom and personal growth. “I don’t have to defend myself. I can just be who I am on the air,” Ferry says. “It’s also the first time in my 15-year career that I feel like I’m making a difference. I’ve never felt this connected to listeners before, or this safe being myself on the radio.”

She also credits part of her success to breaking down another piece of conventional wisdom. While the industry, and morning drive are male dominated, she sees being a woman as an advantage. “I’m emotionally intelligent and can have conversations that go deep,” she says. “Sometimes people call with stories about addiction or relationships, and I can really listen and give them a safe space.”

Izzy’s Advice

Asked what she recommends for other women in the industry Ferry says strive to get your authentic voice onto the air. “Be the personality you can be. People want to hear what you have to say.” She adds that it’s important to stand up for yourself, “I hate when people say, ‘you need thick skin.’ That’s just telling you to shut up and take it.”

For other hosts of any gender aspiring to do mornings, she says to be aware that it’s a grind, “Waking up at 4am sucks.” What works for her is making sure to practice self-care and stay centered. “I do meditation, breath work, whatever I need before I get to the station. You must be grounded because the listeners deserve your full attention.”

She also feels it’s important to give yourself some grace. “Not everything’s a home run,” she admits. “Sometimes I’m in the middle of a break and think, wow, this isn’t that funny. But that’s okay. We’re human. And the listeners know you’re real when you mess up.”

But in the end, it’s all about communication. “Radio is just humans talking to other humans,” she says. “If you’re real, if you care, people feel that. And when they do, they’ll follow you anywhere, even at 4 in the morning.”

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 Two Different CNN Headlines Show Context Gets Lost in Today’s News Cycle

Krystina Alarcon Carroll
-
0
How Two Different CNN Headlines Show Context Gets Lost in Today’s News Cycle

The very best journalists are typically incredible writers with a distinct flow. The very best editors adapt to that flow and enhance the writing, not disjoint it. This is when a company’s editorial voice can come in and screw everything up — like CNN did in September.

To make matters worse, the other side of the political aisle is using the flub to manipulate their audience.

“Democrats want to offer health care to undocumented migrants. Here’s what that means:” was a headline published by the outlet on September 11, 2019.

The piece, written by Tami Luhby, frames the political stance of the 2020 Democratic candidates — all ten of whom famously raised their hands at the Democratic primary debate when co-moderator Savannah Guthrie asked, “Raise your hand if your government plan would provide coverage for undocumented immigrants.”

President Donald Trump called it “an end to that race.” Spoiler alert: he lost that year.

The CNN piece also broke down how, in 2019, the undocumented — or “illegal alien” for those who prefer to use the actual legal term — could already access health care for free via state or federal funding (thanks to your tax dollars).

But if you just read the headline, all you’re going to get out of it is: Democrats want to give illegal aliens free health care. Not realizing they were already getting free health care in 2019.

Fast forward six years. On September 30, 2025, the very same CNN writer, Tami Luhby, published a piece titled, “Fact check: Trump falsely claims Democrats want to give free health care to ‘illegal aliens’ in government shutdown battle.” Now, if you’re on the right — or extreme right — you can screenshot these two headlines and have an argument. However, it’s an argument out of context (or, as I like to call it, noise for the political gabber).

The 2025 piece outlines what Democrats would like to keep funding: “federal subsidies to help Americans afford Obamacare policies and to reverse deep cuts to Medicaid and other health coverage contained in Trump’s sweeping domestic policy agenda package.” Luhby added, “But neither of those changes would provide health coverage to undocumented immigrants, since they aren’t eligible for either program.”

This last line is mostly true, with the exception of illegal aliens who came over on a boat from Cuba or Haiti, who are provided Medicaid under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). It is, more importantly, in Luhby’s report. She even ends the piece by saying, “But the ‘big, beautiful bill’ provision is not directly tied to coverage for undocumented immigrants.”

How does this all tie into CNN’s editorial voice screwing up two well-written and informative pieces about the events happening at the time each was written? The answer is twofold.

One, they are trying to distract readers by claiming something is false when it’s only half false. CNN previously outlined how illegal aliens can receive free health care in the aforementioned 2019 report written by Luhby under President Trump’s first term.

More importantly, it shows that context is key. Sure, the right can argue Democrats want to give health care to illegal aliens because that is a fact.

Of the ten Democrats who took part in the 2019 Democratic primary debate (Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Andrew Yang, Pete Buttigieg, Kirsten Gillibrand, Michael Bennet, Marianne Williamson, John Hickenlooper, and Eric Swalwell), four still hold office, and others have recently echoed support for the sentiment.

But the issue in question is not Medicaid or Obamacare. It’s the funding going directly to hospitals to support their “needs.” This is the funding issue neither side has touched upon, because the right wants to sweep under the rug the fact that Republicans have provided and advocated for funding of hospitals (which provide services to illegal aliens) for decades without blinking an eye.

To quote Jesus, “He who is without sin may cast the first stone.”

Sure, federal funds to hospitals might give free health care to illegals, and yeah, Republicans could be trying to stop the cash flow by claiming their policies are “America First.” But in reality, both sides of the media are acting like red and blue ants in a tube that’s been shaken by an outside force.

Editorial cajoling of headlines to appease your “fact-checking” or fact-searching audience is killing good journalism. It can also kill your brand because factual, catchy headlines from years past will now be held against you in the court of public opinion.

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.

Hits on the Horizon: Charlie Puth, Ella Langley, Cheap Trick, Hayley Williams

Jim Ryan
-
0
Hits on the Horizon: Charlie Puth, Ella Langley, Cheap Trick, Hayley Williams

Welcome back to Hits on the Horizon! October marches on as we creep closer to Halloween. Let’s see if we can “scare” up some more potential hits for programmers and music directors to sink their fangs into!

Starting with Top40/Hot AC, the first tune that jumps out is Charlie Puth’s “Changes”. It’s a really good song, which Q92.9 in Pittsburgh, Alice in Denver and San Francisco and 94.3 The Point on the Jersey Shore have lent support to. Next is Jisoo X Zayn’s “Eyes Closed”. It scored 6 million streams this week, and KIIS/Los Angeles, Sirius XM-Hits 1, 99.7 Now in San Francisco and others have provided radio airplay. Finally, Khalid’s “Nah” is very catchy and scored 2.3 million streams this week. It’s received some early radio love from PST in Trenton, Music Choice and K92 in Roanoke.

Moving into Country, first up is Ella Langley’s “Choosing Texas”. It’s a solid song with a good hook and it’s gained radio support so far from 100.3 The Bull in Houston, 93Q Country, and New Country 96.3 in Dallas, and Z104 in Salt Lake City. Another song to get your ears on is Luke Bryan’s “Kansas”.  As the lyric says, “But if it’s a wheatfield, I’ll give you Kansas”.

Heading to Rock, I’m obsessed with Cheap Trick’s “The Riff That Won’t Quit”. This song is getting early love from recent Marconi winner for “legendary station” as well as “major market station of the year” WMMR in Philadelphia. Another solid choice from the Alt world is Hayley Williams’ “Parachute”. Paramore’s lead singer has generated over 800K in streams, and gained radio love from Sirius XM Alt Nation, Music Choice and WOKV-2 /Jacksonville and WTBV-2 in Tampa.

From the Triple-A format, check out Rocket’s “Another Second Chance”. The current radio spin leader is WFPK in Louisville. Others on board include The Current in Minneapolis, 99.1 NXP in Nashville and a few others.

Last, Rhythm this week has two worth listening to. Karri & Kehlani’s “Go” is a solid song with a good hook, “smack it up, flip it up!”. Nia Allen’s “Sunshine” also sounds like it has hit potential!

There you go, some tasty ear candy as we head towards Halloween. The best part, no calories or rotting teeth! Happy Listening!

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.

Radio Isn’t Dead — It’s Just Bad at Bragging About It

Pete Mundo
-
1
Radio Isn’t Dead — It’s Just Bad at Bragging About It

Wait, so you’re telling me radio isn’t dead? But social media influencers, ad agencies, and brand executives across the country are convinced that it is. Oh, so many of the same people who were convinced that the hyper-liberal worldview was here to stay in 2021–22 turned out to be wrong about something else? Color me shocked.

New data released by Nielsen and Edison Research shows that AM/FM radio still accounts for the vast majority of daily time spent listening, with 64% of all listening taking place on ad-supported audio. Of that total time, 62% was spent with AM/FM radio. An additional 20% was spent listening to podcasts, 15% listening to streaming music, and 3% listening to satellite radio.

Now, this is not to say that programmers or content creators should turn their backs on podcasting, live streaming, YouTube, or any of the other important platforms that our brands need to thrive in the future. But it is a reminder that the notion that no one listens to radio — because of what an advertising executive who rides mass transit in a high-density coastal city claims — is simply not backed by data.

And yes, the time-delayed listening to shows via podcasts and other avenues is real and continues to increase. However, radio still doesn’t do a good enough job bragging about what it brings to the table. This is the latest example of hard data that should be shouted from the rooftops.

Another narrative put to rest is the notion that, well, if there are radio listeners, they’re all old. Also not true.

For those aged 25–54, podcast listening rises to 24%, while radio sits at 59%. Meanwhile, in the 18–34 demographic, both podcasts and streaming music see significant growth. In that group, 31% of daily audio time is spent listening to podcasts, while 24% is spent with ad-supported streaming music. AM/FM radio falls to 43% in that sector.

Podcasting clearly has a larger share among the younger demographic, but AM/FM radio still leads by a wide margin with 25–54-year-olds and is even tops with 18–34-year-olds. While margins are shrinking, there is still reason for celebration—especially when considering the narrative that too many unfortunately believe.

And the news gets even better from a News/Talk perspective because talk has inherent advantages that music doesn’t.

Young people are looking for compelling talk content, and while they’re likely to find it on a podcast, the fact that they want it suggests radio has a chance to compete. These potential younger listeners may have to find your station on a social media platform first, then realize that radio is where they can consume your content in real time. But the key point is they want your kind of content: talk. They just may not know where to find you.

Last week, we had high school students stop by our Cumulus KC radio cluster. I began my conversation by asking the room who listened to podcasts. Most of the hands went up.

Then I said to them, “What if I told you that you could listen to your favorite podcaster in real time, knowing that the person on the other side is having that specific conversation with you live, at that exact moment? And if you wanted to, you could interact with that person by phone. That person would also deliver you breaking news in real time that your favorite podcaster would have to take time out to record, upload, and deliver to your phone—and you would be at the mercy of a notification from Apple or Spotify.”

All of a sudden, talk radio’s live and highly personable edge seems awfully compelling, no?

And it’s why, while there are real challenges and headwinds — and serious investment is needed in the future of the format to grow our brands on other platforms — there is still an incredibly strong and compelling case to make for radio, especially talk formats. And the recent data drop this week just backed it up.

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

‘The Athletic Show’ Launches Saturday Featuring Robert Mays, Zena Keita, and Jason Goff

BSM Staff
-
0
‘The Athletic Show’ Launches Saturday Featuring Robert Mays, Zena Keita, and Jason Goff

The Athletic is taking its newsroom to the screen. The subscription-based sports media outlet announced the launch of The Athletic Show. A new weekly 30-minute video series that will debut Saturday and offer a fresh take on the biggest stories in sports. The show will be filmed at The Athletic’s Chicago studio and made available first to Fire TV customers before being released to all viewers across The Athletic’s platforms. Episodes will also be accessible on Amazon’s Echo Show and Fire Tablet devices.

Hosted by three of the publication’s most recognizable voices. Robert Mays, Zena Keita and Jason Goff. The Athletic Show aims to blend reporting, analysis and personality-driven discussion.

Mays hosts The Athletic Football Show and serves as an NFL writer for the outlet, while Keita co-hosts No Offseason and The Athletic NBA Daily. Goff is best known as host of The Full Go podcast.

The premiere episode will focus on sports dynasties, tying together the Dodgers’ return to the World Series, the start of the NBA season and a feature on John Brown. The father of Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown — whose unconventional approach helped produce a family of elite athletes.

Sebastian Tomich, The Athletic’s chief commercial and development officer, said the new series is designed to showcase the depth of the outlet’s reporting in a new medium.

“With The Athletic Show, we’re bringing that same rigor and storytelling to a new format,” Tomich said. “Partnering with Fire TV makes perfect sense — it’s where sports and entertainment enthusiasts already spend their time.”

Amazon’s Charlotte Maines, director of devices content and advertising, added that the collaboration gives Fire TV users another reason to engage with premium sports content.

“Our collaboration with The Athletic gives our customers early access to even more great sports content at no additional cost — right where they already watch,” Maines said.

The Athletic Show will be promoted across Fire TV, Fire Tablets and Echo Show devices in the U.S. Episodes will be free to access without requiring a download or subscription. Fans can also launch it hands-free by saying, “Alexa, play The Athletic Show.”

Executive editor Steven Ginsberg called the project a natural extension of The Athletic’s journalism.

“By bringing our distinctive reporting and storytelling to a cross-sports show. We can showcase the full range of The Athletic’s journalism and invite new audiences into the conversations that shape sports today,” Ginsberg said.

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 FBI Arrests of NBA Stars Was Covered By Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC

BNM Staff
-
0
How FBI Arrests of NBA Stars Was Covered By Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC

On Thursday morning, the FBI announced it had made multiple arrests of current and former NBA stars in an illegal gambling and sports betting sting. The news drew plenty of coverage from the cable news realm.

Current player Terry Rozier, head coach of the Portland Trailblazers, Chaunce Billups, and former NBA star Damon Jones were arrested this morning in connection with illegal gambling.

According to the FBI, more than 30 people were arrested, including members of the Sicilian mafia, for two separate illegal activities.

Rozier is accused of providing information to sports bettors to enhance their chances of winning wagers placed on his specific performance.

Billups, meanwhile, is accused of working with mafia members to lure people to high-stakes poker games, where the organized crime unit used cameras and X-ray technology to see the cards of the opposition, ensuring that the mafia would win large sums of money that it subsequently laundered through cryptocurrency purchases.

On Fox News, the network broke into regular programming to cover the news. Correspondent Nate Foy was on location in Brooklyn ahead of the 10 AM ET press conference featuring FBI Director Kash Patel.

At the press conference, Patel explained the details of the plot. Fox News aired the remarks, and provided coverage throughout the remainder of the day.

MSNBC responded similarly. The network interrupted Morning Joe to report the news of the arrests. New York Magazine’s Will Leich contributed to the coverage, as did MSNBC contributors Lisa Rubin, Mark Sanita, and sports content creator Jason Page.

It, like Fox News, carried portions of Patel’s press conference live.

CNN also went into breaking news coverage as word of the arrests circulated during the 9 AM ET hour. CNN correspondent Kara Scannell joined the network’s morning show to give further details on the news.

USA Today columnist and CNN sports analyst Christine Brennan also joined the network’s coverage to provide context on the NBA’s rules and policies surrounding gambling and sports betting.

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.

Infinity Networks Names Jeanne-Marie Condo-Bucknell Senior Revenue Leader

BNM Staff
-
0
Infinity Networks Names Jeanne-Marie Condo-Bucknell Senior Revenue Leader

Infinity Networks has announced that it has named Jeanne-Marie Condo-Bucknell as its new Senior Revenue Leader.

She joins the company after spending the past 25 years working at Skyview Networks, where she worked as Chief Revenue Officer and President of Network Partnerships. She helped lead sales initiatives for ABC Radio and CBS News Radio during her tenure at Skyview Networks.

As she begins the role, Condo-Bucknell will be tasked with developing the revenue strategy and growth of the division.

“I am truly honored. This is a fantastic next step, doing what I love, centered on driving revenue with an exceptional team,” said Condo-Bucknell. “Infinity Networks is making great strides as a network leader, and I look forward to making a significant impact.

“Driving revenue requires strategic plans with depth-based concepts, stellar industry relationships, fresh ideas and new revenue paths, all of which Infinity is 100% focused on,” she continued. “We will leverage strategic audio partnerships, cross-generational audience engagement and unwavering commitment to client service, driving impactful results.”

“Jeanne-Marie is a respected and accomplished leader in network radio, and we couldn’t be happier to have her join the Infinity Networks team,” added Audacy Chief Revenue Officer Bob Philips. “Her exceptional reputation for delivering revenue growth, strategic vision and innovative approach to developing new revenue paths makes her an invaluable addition as we scale Infinity’s sales strategy.” 

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

The Charlie Kirk Show Moves Into Top 5 of Triton Digital September Podcast Rakings

BNM Staff
-
0
The Charlie Kirk Show Moves Into Top 5 of Triton Digital September Podcast Rakings

Conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University on September 10th. In the aftermath of his death, The Charlie Kirk Show saw an increase in listenership according to the September podcast rankings from Triton Digital.

During the month, The Charlie Kirk Show finished September in third place on the Top Podcasts By Weekly Average Downloads list from Triton Digital.

That result represented a three-position increase for the show compared to the previous month. The program from Charlie Kirk was the highest mover inside the top 10.

Only NPR News Now and Up First From NPR bested Kirk’s program during September, according to Triton Digital.

The Shawn Ryan Show was the only other news/talk-adjacent show in the top 10 of the rankings, as it fell one position to finish the month in eighth overall.

It would appear as if the increase in listenership to The Charlie Kirk Show affected other conservative podcasts.

In addition to Ryan’s program seeing a decline, shows from Vince Coglianese (-2 positions), Clay Travis and Buck Sexton (-2 positions), Ted Cruz (-1 position), Sean Hannity (-1 position), Mark Simone (-5 positions), and Chris Plante (-5 positions) saw decreases during the month in their rankings compared to August.

In the Top Podcast Networks by Weekly Average Downloads, there were no changes as iHeart Audience Network, NPR, Audacy Podcast Network, Audioboom, and Cumulus Podcast Network earned the top five positions in the rankings, in order.

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

1...356357358...2,603Page 357 of 2,603