Have we all lost sense of what ESPN is? Has sports media—and fans—forgotten the sole point of ESPN’s programming, the purpose it has always served?
It’s been a difficult couple of weeks for the “four-letter network” as the ongoing carriage battle between The Walt Disney Company and YouTube TV rages on into a third weekend of football. Therefor, more than ten million subscribers are having to find alternate ways to watch sports that they love and pay for. Plus added tensions from the current state of the country and the time of year.
Amid all this, ESPN presented two recent instances that, for many, were shocking. Events that suggest the modern audience may have forgotten what ESPN is for today’s consumer.
The first example came on Monday Night Football’s alternate broadcast, The ManningCast, with the Manning brothers. Earlier that day, Omaha Productions announced that Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger would appear on the program as Green Bay hosted Philadelphia.
It was an unusual choice for a football show: the CEO of the company embroiled in a public dispute with YouTube, appearing with no explanation as to why. Furthermore, timing, of course, is everything. This was an opportunity for Iger to use his platform to provide his spin on the dispute. Even if those affected couldn’t watch live.
Nine minutes of scripted questions about Iger’s background and his love for the Green Bay Packers. He was treated with soft Mickey Mouse hands by the show’s hosts.
It was predictable, expected, and boring. Exactly what you would expect from a CEO talking to his partners on their own broadcast. Why throw in a hardball question about a pressing business matter when it’s third down and four?
Still, many in sports media and among fans criticized the Manning brothers for not asking a single question about the YouTube TV dispute.
SI Media columnist Jimmy Traina said that to not ask Iger a single question about the YouTube TV issue was “a complete joke.” Mike Florio questioned why Iger was even at the game in the first place when he could be working on the issue itself. He called the interview “a microcosm of the current disconnect between those who pull the strings and those whose chains are getting jerked.”
Sports radio hosts across the country chimed in as well. Including Craig Carton, who questioned if the Mannings were told not to ask, or “didn’t have the stones to ask” Iger the question. Many others, including Clay Travis of Outkick, questioned why even have Iger on at all.
Trump’s Debut
On Tuesday, a second occurrence of a somewhat similar appearance happened when The Pat McAfee Show welcomed President Donald Trump on the program, which airs on ESPN. McAfee and his program were broadcasting live from Parris Island as the show celebrated Veterans Day with the United States Marine Corps.
McAfee and Trump discussed a range of topics from college football’s evolving landscape under name, image, and likeness rules to the NFL’s new kickoff format, the Ryder Cup, and the World Cup. There was some non-sports conversation too. Topics regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs, his labeling of the shutdown as a Democrat shutdown, and ending wars.
This marks Trump’s first appearance on ESPN programming after his re‑election. Also just two months after ESPN personality Paul Finebaum publicly stated the network turned down an offer to have Trump interviewed on his program.
Once again, sports media and fans upset. This time that McAfee didn’t challenge Trump on statements about improving the VA after slashing roughly 30,000 jobs or on his claims about the government shutdown.
Have we all forgotten what ESPN is? The very first letter of the “four-letter network” stands for entertainment. The content company of what ESPN has become provides entertainment for the viewing audience.
Iger wasn’t going on CNBC, and Trump wasn’t going on CNN. ESPN is a safe space for public figures. They know there’s challenging on a majority of programming that the network provides.
All in the name of providing entertainment.
Are You Not Entertained?
Was it disappointing to see Iger avoid questions about a business matter affecting more than ten million YouTube TV subscribers? Sure. But why expect it?
When has Pat McAfee ever been a fact-checker for an interview? He rarely, if ever, challenges the person who gives their time to his program. That’s why he gets the list of celebrities he gets. It’s not a knock; the formula works. So why change the model if the business continues to grow?
Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, and Pat McAfee are not journalists. They go into interviews uncoached on tough questions—and that’s the point. The concepts and models for their programs are designed to be the escape from the realities and difficulties of the world.
Sports media and fans have lost their way in what to expect from ESPN. Bob Ley is no longer around. Outside The Lines doesn’t exist anymore, and The Sports Reporters was the first shovel in the grave. Journalism is no longer the product that the network provides to the consumer, because entertainment is where the dollars and eyeballs are going.
Sports is the escape, and the programming direction of ESPN serves as exhibit A of that escape. To expect anything different is more a reflection on the ones providing the critique.
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.
Meet The Leaders is a special 8-week series created in partnership with Point to Point Marketing. Our sixth feature is on the CEO and founder of Connoisseur Media, Jeff Warshaw. Follow along with the series and revisit former conversations by checking out the entire category.
Jeff Warshaw’s entrepreneurial journey began at the Wharton School of Business, where he built his first radio station. A lifelong broadcaster, Jeff launched Connoisseur Communications Partners LP in 1993, growing it into a 39-station powerhouse before selling it to Cumulus Broadcasting in 2000 for $258 million. In 2004, he founded Connoisseur Media, which has recently acquired Alpha Media and its 207 radio stations in dozens of markets around the nation. The company also acquired stations from Bonneville International in San Francisco.
Jeff’s influence extends beyond his company. He serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Broadcasters, the Executive Committee of the Radio Advertising Bureau, and is Chairman of the Nielsen Audio Advisory Council. Widely celebrated for his integrity, accountability, and forward-thinking spirit, Jeff continues to set the standard for excellence in broadcasting.
In this edition of “Meet The Leaders,” we dive into why Warshaw is leading Connoisseur Media to purchase traditional radio brands across the country. Why investing in local is key for success. Also his thoughts on the potential relaxing of ownership limits on radio stations, and what makes a Connoisseur Media seller standout from the rest.
Warshaw spoke with Barrett Media from his offices in Connecticut.
*Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.*
John Mamola: Why is traditional radio a medium still worth the investments that your company has made in it?
Jeff Warshaw: We’re vital to our communities. We get great results for our clients, providing unique, compelling, and required coverage in our markets. We provide great results.
Not only using radio but using all the tools of a radio company such as endorsements and events. We are a great tool for our clients, and we’re beloved by our communities.
There’s nothing like radio. We are the local voice.
John Mamola: You recently acquired Alpha Media earlier this year. When you were scouting the possibilities of what that move could be before the acquisition, what stuck out to you as the greatest purchase point with the acquisition of Alpha Media?
Jeff Warshaw: The company had a lot of terrific assets in the markets that we’d like to be in. The company had not been able to invest in its people and its products.
We saw a lot of opportunities to improve things and saw an opportunity to improve digital execution to enable the sellers to get better results for their clients. We saw an opportunity to get stronger in some of the markets.
It was a group of stations that didn’t have a tremendous focus on market size or strategy.
Our approach of being extremely focused on our local communities, having large sales forces, and lots of local talent. We saw that they had been doing that in some cases. In some cases, they had not been able to continue to do it the way that we thought was the best for the communities, clients, and for the people that work in the company.
We are very much of the belief that the only way we can be successful is if we look at our bosses as our communities, our listeners, clients, and colleagues—the people that work in the company. We believe that if we take care of those three, they will get taken care of.
If we put our own interests first, if we put what we think is right first, then we’ll be destined to fail. We need to listen to what our listeners want and what our clients need. We want to make it a great place to work, and want to keep the best people and help them get better at their jobs so they can make more money with a longer tenure and build the careers that they want. That’s important to everybody.
John Mamola: I just talked with Scott Sutherland at Bonneville International. He mentioned the acquisition that Connoisseur Media made with their San Francisco stations.
What was the attractive part with those brands from Bonneville in San Francisco?
Jeff Warshaw: These are fantastic radio properties in one of the largest, most dynamic markets on the planet. Top-rated stations with great people. Legendary talent providing amazing programming. These are a dream to own.
We already have a strong presence in the Bay Area. We own stations in the South Bay and East Bay. This will give us an opportunity to have more scale, interesting programming, and resources as a total entity than either of us could have done individually.
John Mamola: The one aspect that I see from talent Connoisseur Media employs is the trust and belief that the company has in them. That’s a rare sight today when there are so many companies continuing to slash jobs.
The notion of “stop cutting, start hiring” is something I continue to see revolving around Connoisseur Media. From your point of view, how could a talent look at a longer-term career play with Connoisseur Media versus another entity in the radio industry?
Jeff Warshaw: First, we are strong financially. We have a great balance sheet. We have built our business on having large presences in our markets. We’ve built our business on having great people that we retain and make them feel loved and valued.
That’s why we have had extremely low turnover within our company historically. We pride the people in the company.
I always say that the people in the company have a lot more to say about how successful I will be than I will say about how successful they will be. I truly believe that. The only way that we’re going to be successful as a company is if we have people that are dedicated, inspired, and rewarded for contributing.
We have a Connoisseur employee Bill of Rights. You have the right to be told what your job is. You have the right to be told how you’re doing, plus have the right to be told how you can do your job better, and you have the right to benefit if you create value.
We believe that, and we’re going to push that through the entire organization. It’s part of our DNA.
John Mamola: You mentioned the Connoisseur Media Bill of Rights. Do you think that’s one of the biggest mistakes that some of the bigger brands are missing on—explicitly showing the belief in people, where people can believe in the companies that they work for?
Jeff Warshaw: I don’t really need to talk about other companies. Everyone has their own strategy. Our perspective is that when we give somebody a job, we have a responsibility to help them become great at their job.
I’m a huge believer that people should be working in the office every day. The industry and many companies have whiffed on that, particularly in the radio business or local media business. We’re intrinsic to our communities.
How can we be great community servants if people aren’t there?
With that strategy and that core belief, it’s our responsibility to make our offices a great place to work. We need to provide people the opportunity to be creative and share their ideas, to be inspired and compete with each other.
We have the opportunity to show people that they are valued. When you make it worth somebody’s while to show up—when they feel like they’re learning, being inspired, and becoming more successful—they’ll come to the office.
It’s not just that we believe that our communities and clients are better served if people are in the office. We also feel it’s our responsibility to make it a great place to work. There are many different forms. They think they can make more money. They’re learning more, they’re growing. It’s fun because there’s camaraderie. They get to know each other and become a team.
You can’t do that if you’re hoteling and making an appointment to get a desk. It’s a different strategy. Everyone is entitled to their own strategy. I don’t need to denigrate anybody else’s; this is what works for us.
This is how we got through COVID-19, right after having bought out the Perot family as an investor. When people talk about COVID, it was obviously awful. Our markets were decimated. New York and Connecticut were the hardest-hit markets, but we were able to pay off almost all of our senior debt from the time when COVID started to the time that we bought Alpha Media.
We did that despite headwinds and an environment that everyone is blaming for their troubles. We walk the walk and have more salespeople in the markets that we owned prior to Alpha Media than we had before COVID. Plus we have a big promotions staff and all the things that we think are important pieces of our success.
That’s what we do. Everyone has a different strategy, but this has worked for us.
John Mamola: What stands out to you as characteristics of a solid seller for Connoisseur Media?
Jeff Warshaw: Extremely client-focused. Realizing that their success is totally dependent on whether or not we’re doing right by our clients. They need to be creative, be able to sell more than just spots and dots.
They need to really care about their client’s success. Their client being successful and a long-term user of our company is the way that they can be successful in the long term as well. Fully understand that it’s not just about making their commission.
It’s about having a deep interest in their client’s best interest. There is no successful salesperson if they don’t get success for their clients.
They also need to work their asses off and need to be in there every day being creative, trying to get results for their clients. Using the full capabilities of our business. We have radio and all the things that go along with it along with a full digital agency and a creative agency that we own.
We have a lot of tools for our sellers to be able to bring to our clients.
John Mamola: The 18–34 demo in a short time will be in the 25–54 demographic, and right in the heart of where a majority of clients’ advertising dollars go.
What’s the strategy for the Connoisseur Media radio brands to attempt to reach that 18–34 demo today when data shows they’re moving away from the traditional radio side of the industry?
Jeff Warshaw: Media has become much more fragmented. Audio is extremely strong. We need to give our listeners products that they’re excited about, and don’t need to run twenty minutes of commercials that are huge tune-outs, especially through programmatic streaming.
We need to make sure that we are creating local and compelling content.
I coached Little League a couple years ago. My son at that point was ten years old. Star 99.9, one of my local stations here in Fairfield County, sponsored the team. So I hand out the uniforms, and on the back, it says Star 99.9.
One kid says, “Star 99.9? That’s my favorite radio station.”
Another kid says, “Anna and Raven? I love Anna and Raven.”
Another kid says, “That’s what me and my mom listen to on our way to school every day.”
Two weeks later, guess who’s sitting at one of their baseball games? Anna. She comes and meets all the kids. It was a huge moment for them.
We’re providing great, compelling content, and it’s something that they’re listening to on their way to school with their parents. You can’t get that interaction or local presence any other way except for local radio.
We think there’s obviously a place for syndicated programming. There’s a place for local. At the end of the day, having one-to-one relationships with our listeners is something that we need to continually always remember is the bread and butter of our business.
John Mamola: I know you’re very involved with the ongoing discussions about relaxing ownership limits with the FCC.
If that indeed does happen and it does go through, what’s the first plan of action for Connoisseur Media to capitalize on if that were to happen?
Jeff Warshaw: We won’t be waiting for the rules to change. We’re going to continue to try to buy things where necessary. We’re going to ask for waivers. You cannot have a monopoly on local media.
Radio does a low single-digit percentage of the total advertising pie. I don’t even know that there are any radio clusters that do more than one to two percent of the total advertising in our markets. Those are tremendously antiquated rules.
What we’ll be doing is finding the right opportunities in our markets to be stronger. To be able to provide greater content, diversity of content, more news, and local public affairs programming. Bigger staffs being able to do more for our communities as a result of having some scale.
John Mamola: You’re acquiring all these properties and injecting positive vibes in an industry that has had a lot of negativity for many years. What’s the most fun part about your job, and the most difficult part of the job for you?
Jeff Warshaw: The excitement of meeting new people, being in new cities, hearing unusual programming from different personalities is the fun part. There are so many new things to experience. I love going into the markets and trying the food that is local to that town.
This is an opportunity to see places and meet people that I don’t normally get a chance to do.
The toughest part is trying to create a place that’s inspiring for people to compete effectively in a challenging market where there’s been so much depression in the rates and the way our inventory has been. So many people are running so many commercials.
The markets are very competitive, partially because of the financially challenged places that many of our competitors have found themselves. Getting our local people to understand the value of what we’re doing and getting them excited again about what we think is still an industry that has a lot to offer.
Getting past the negativity and the competition that has depressed things. That’s a challenge.
John Mamola: If you have one message for advertisers in all the markets where you’re at, if they ask you the question of why legacy media like radio still works in 2025 but also five years from now, what would you say to them?
Jeff Warshaw: We make every other kind of media more compelling and more successful.
Whatever else you’re doing, adding a radio schedule to it will make it much more successful, efficient, and get better results for you.
To learn more about Point-To-Point Marketing’s Podcast and Broadcast Audience Development Marketing strategies, contact Tim Bronsil at tim@ptpmarketing.com or 513-702-5072.
He’s lived life on “The Edge” through four different infernos, and now Eric Bolling is bringing this edge to a screen near you.
“[My new show] is about taking [life’s] fires, getting knocked down—[I’ve] clearly been knocked down a bunch of times—and what it takes to get back up,” the host boasted resoundingly.
The show is one Bolling wishes he had started prior to his June 2021 stint at a fringe network. “Wish I had done The Edge then [because] we’re servicing a lane that’s highly, highly underserved, and men being men again,” the former CNBC and Fox News host said. “I call it the pro-bro show.”
Launching in September, the podcast’s first 45 days on YouTube saw 3,504 subscriptions, which is 100× faster than the average new channel. Bolling also garnered over 50,000 views with more than 1,120 watched hours — meaning The Edge is outpacing 99.9% of YouTube channels in the same timeframe.
“So the people I have on are people like that: successful people who didn’t have the wind in their sails the whole way. They get knocked down, [and most importantly] they get back up,” Bolling added. “We’re growing at a rate that takes the average YouTube show two to three years to hit, and it’s because I bring authenticity to it, because I’ve lived it.”
“The Edge has become what my life was,” Bolling affirmed.
“I was drafted in college by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and I only spent a few weeks in the minor league system. I blew my rotator cuff out right away. It was a couple of weeks in, and you know, you’re a kid, your dream is to become a pro ballplayer — I made it — and it blew apart within weeks.”
The disappointment was just the first of many infernos Bolling would face in his life.
Bolling went back home to Chicago, down on his luck, when his father “threw a classified ad newspaper at me. He’s like, ‘Just get a job.’” He got a job as a traveling salesman and recalled, “I couldn’t be more depressed” during those few short weeks.
Turning the depression into something productive, Bolling said to himself, “‘Screw this.’ I just got up and went to New York.” He got a gig at the New York Mercantile Exchange [NYME], with no connections and no Ivy League degree. With just a resume and grit, he jumped into his second inferno: Wall Street.
By 2006, Bolling became Trader Magazine’s Trader of the Year and later helped bring the NYME public. “[It] was the largest [banking] IPO in the history of Wall Street at the time.” CNBC caught wind of his achievements, and as oil hit $50 a barrel, Bolling recalls, “Trish Regan stuck a microphone in my face and said, ‘What’s going on?’ I gave them a 60-second rundown—they liked it.”
Next thing Bolling knew, CNBC was calling him for a new show. “I became the fourth seed of what became Fast Money.” The rest is history. Bolling moved on to Fox Business before heading to Fox News, where he became a household name.
“I’m gonna make you a star,” Roger Ailes told Bolling when he joined the network. Taking center stage, Bolling became one of the network’s biggest stars, helping to launch The Five after Glenn Beck departed Fox in 2011. “Within a week, we were exceeding Glenn Beck’s audience.” Of his long stint on cable TV, Bolling called it his third inferno.
The fourth inferno, Bolling said, is the one “which is hardest to talk about”—losing his only child to an overdose. “[My son] thought he was taking the Xanax. He bought it on campus; it was laser fentanyl. He died.” Still, Bolling persevered, and he wants his viewers to know that no matter what you are going through, you can too.
Bolling loves the non-legacy media (digital) platform. It offers a better connection to his viewership, which is mostly men aged 25–44. “It’s straight-up YouTube right now. Who knows where it’s gonna go? I think it’s gonna become a platform more than just a show.”
This connection and prospective platform wouldn’t be possible without social media. “I spent probably six months understanding the YouTube algorithm,” Bolling asserted. “You can’t do the same things on X that you do on YouTube. There are just so many quirky, unique rules, tricks, and hacks within the digital world. I’m constantly working to understand how to cross-brand, cross-promote, and cross-pollinate content from social media to YouTube, and vice versa.”
This small learning curve is nowhere close to the infernos Bolling has faced in his life. More importantly, it is the culmination of his life’s work and could be the most rewarding for him personally. For those who are looking to follow in his footsteps—be it in baseball, Wall Street, or TV — his show will surely provide good guidance. But no matter where you’d like to go, Bolling believes you should always “make sure you love what you’re doing, because if you don’t, it’ll shine through, and you won’t be successful, you won’t be as successful at it, but certainly find your passion and pursue it.”
That being said, Bolling gives a caveat: “Just be realistic, whether it’s talent on the baseball field. Maybe you’re not great with numbers, but you really want to work on Wall Street. That door might be too heavy for you.” If the door is too heavy, there will be another passion somewhere—just as there was for Bolling, not once, not twice, but several times over his successful career.
For Bolling, this next career move is not for the money but instead for passion. “I made a lot of money on Wall Street. I’m not doing this for the money. I don’t care if it makes a dime,” he asserted. “I care that this is something I can deliver organically, because it means so much to me to put my life out here.”
“I adore the ability to show young, aspirational, aggressive, persistent guys how to make it — and to let them know that, no, you’re not alone if you just got slammed, or fired, or lost all your money on a trade, or made a bad sports bet.” Bolling’s latest platform is ensuring his audience hears this: “You’re not alone. I got a million stories. Sit down, let’s talk about this, and let’s talk about what it’s gonna take to get your ass back up and become successful.”
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 words everyone longs to hear when a PPM weekly or monthly is released – we got a meter. You see a minor cume increase in some demo but a big jump in share. It’s like winning the lottery. Although instead of getting yearly payouts, you could get cut off at any time. In fact, you may only have this golden meter for a week.
I’ve day to day programmed in New York for 28 years, watching measurement change from diary to meter. I remember those trips to Arbitron for a diary review under the watchful eye of Pat Duggan. I always loved those diaries where the respondent wrote WLTW and drew a line down from 9am to 5pm indicating non-stop listening at work. Of course, I knew that person didn’t really listen for 8 hours without a break. No rest room, no trip to Starbucks, no meetings, no lunch? Yes, PPM really fixed that. That wonderful 8 hours of listening was cut by 75%. But, once in a while we got that “heavy” meter.
They are few and far between. My former station WLTW had a young woman hang with them for well over a year ending in April. Lite FM is a very successful station, but was it real that they were beating Z100 and Hot AC WNEW 4 to 1 with 18-24 women? Of course not.
We had one come our way at CBS-FM a few years ago as well. It was a 52 year old man who listened every night without fail. We had that guy for 51 weeks and my night talent enjoyed #1 25-54 adult bonus checks for 4 quarters. When he went away, so did the bonus checks.
I’ve always felt it is important to know when your station is getting an artificial lift and when a competitor has a friendly meter. A meter that gives you a huge lift can come from someone really devoted to your station. They may listen all day because they love your product. But those of you who subscribe to the Nielsen Control Panel Reports, know that magic meters can also come from a good listener who is heavily weighted. That means they come from an under sampled zip, age or ethnicity. The “weight by panelist” column shows most meters counting for something between 1,000 and 2,000.
When you see a number like 8,000 you know you’ve hit the jackpot. I dream of a loyal listener, on the stream (counting much more than over the air) with a heavy weighting that stays in the panel for 3 years (yes, they can be there that long). However, I live in reality. I know that while that is unlikely, if I had one like that, a competitor is likely to “target” that meter with marketing.
For those large market folks who never worked in radio in the time before PPM, we marketed back then to be top of mind. Much like I see in my home diary market of Ft Myers-Naples, Florida. TV advertising was great for that.
Back in the 90’s and early 2000’s people watched local TV, sports and male targeted stations bought cable to be on ESPN and CNN. But now, in a market like New York, if I’m targeting a 10 year core age cell, there aren’t more than 4 zips that have meters worth going after. Why advertise to the 18 million people in the metro when I only need a handful of PPM households to switch or remain loyal?
Yes, you have to make a good product and pay attention to commercial placement. Great content that engages the listener is the critical step one. But step two is playing the Nielsen game.
Some companies do it better than others with someone on staff who can narrow the focus on who to target. Each of the two biggest broadcast companies have a “Gary” for that. If your company doesn’t have one, and you have the ability to micro market, there are outside vendors for hire. Ted Ruscitti is someone I would recommend. I learn from Ted with each conversation.
Next week, I’ll dig into some tips on maximizing your meters. I’ll add that there is someone in that PPM panel closer to you than you think.
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.
Little did we know at the time that it was likely that he would never return to the airwaves on a regular basis ever again.
Dennis Prager’s absence from news/talk radio leaves a hole that few others have been able to fill. In a landscape dominated by shouting matches, viral moments, and attention-grabbing outrage, Prager stood apart.
He wasn’t a hot-take artist, he didn’t try to shout down his opponents, and he didn’t aim to provoke just for the sake of clicks or ratings. Whether you agreed with him or not, you could follow his reasoning, understand the foundation of his arguments, and even, at times, see the logic behind perspectives you might otherwise dismiss. That kind of clarity is rare in today’s radio environment, and it’s sorely missed.
Prager’s approach was calm, deliberate, and thoughtful — a blueprint for what news/talk radio could be if it wanted to elevate the conversation rather than merely chase the next viral soundbite. In a medium where too many hosts now chase emotion over reasoning, he reminded listeners that ideas can be compelling without being sensational. Listeners tuned in not for a fight, but for a guide through the complexities of politics, culture, and morality. In short, Prager made the audience think.
The irony of his absence is that his style — measured, well-reasoned, and intellectually rigorous — should be in high demand. Stations chasing ratings often assume the loudest, most polarizing voices draw the audience. And while that formula works, it undervalues what Prager represented: a voice that encouraged understanding, reflection, and intellectual engagement. News/talk radio could use more, not fewer, voices like his. The format benefits when hosts treat their listeners as capable thinkers rather than as a mob to be stirred.
Prager also demonstrated that conservative commentary can exist without constant outrage. In an era when many hosts lean on insults and exaggeration to maintain relevance, he chose the opposite path. Listeners knew what to expect from him: a clear articulation of principles, a willingness to walk through his reasoning step by step, and an insistence that arguments stand on logic rather than theatrics. That consistency created trust, a rare commodity in today’s fragmented media landscape. His absence highlights how little radio prioritizes voices that foster thoughtful discussion.
It is easy to forget, though, the personal struggles behind this absence. The fall left Prager as a quadriplegic. Yet even from a wheelchair, he has shared messages of relentless optimism, demonstrating resilience and determination that are inspiring in themselves.
While he may not be able to return to the Salem Radio Network lineup daily, his perspective and intellect remain undimmed. His occasional opining on major topics is a reminder that a voice as measured and insightful as his can still contribute meaningfully, even in limited form.
Watching Prager navigate this stage of his life offers lessons beyond politics or radio. It is a testament to perseverance, intellectual rigor, and the importance of thoughtful dialogue. For a medium that thrives on sound bites and steaming hot opinions, his continued engagement — even from a wheelchair — is a reminder that substance still matters. Perhaps his absence will remind news/talk radio leaders that not every voice needs to scream to be heard. Some need only to reason, to guide, and to teach listeners how to think, not just react.
Dennis Prager’s story is both a caution and an inspiration. While his absence from the airwaves leaves a noticeable void, his personal resilience and unwavering commitment to clarity and optimism provide a blueprint for how news/talk radio could evolve.
The format may not be ready to fully embrace his style again, but the audience that craves thoughtful, reasoned discourse remains. That is a demand that deserves attention.
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.
Normally, you give a rose to someone you love, but in this column, I’m going to give love to a Rose. Chris Rose is the sole proprietor of NFL GameDay Highlights every Sunday on NFL Network. Rose does not have six other people on air with him, multiple sets with flashy graphics, huge screens, or other such technical bells and whistles.
It’s pretty much him, a script, and a desk. Yet the show is captivating, fun, and a terrific recap of the day’s NFL action.
NFL GameDay Highlights hits the airwaves after the late afternoon games and before the Sunday Night Football game on NBC. Rose’s humor, turns of phrase, and puns. Combined with his fast-paced style, make him a combo of ESPN’s Chris Berman and NFL RedZone’s Scott Hanson. This is his show. If it’s great, it’s on him. If not, guess what? It’s on him.
The latter is seldom the case. Rose flips through highlights like a speed reader flips through War and Peace. Every Sunday, he is on his game and has an energy level that goes into the red in a pleasant manner. Rose is a veteran of the sports television wars. He has been front and center on several networks and all different kinds of sports shows.
He co-hosted Intentional Talk on MLB Network and did play-by-play for BattleBots on ABC. Rose worked previously at FOX Sports and was one of the hosts of The Best Damn Sports Show Period on FOX Sports. He also hosted Million Dollar Challenge and FOX’s MLB coverage, among other tasks.
On NFL GameDay Highlights, Rose is an absolute maestro.
In an age where most sports shows have several people handling different roles on air, Rose is a solitary figure, turning out football highlights like a short-order cook turns out burgers. I caught the program this past Sunday, November 9, and loved every second of it.
Rose approaches his role as host in a dual mode: he performs and informs. He understands the drama of football and also understands the pacing and timing of high-level highlight presentation. This is not a TV neophyte stumbling through highlights. Rose is a seasoned sportscasting veteran. He knows what he is doing and is an absolute expert at it.
Rose’s specialty is blending substance with style. As he’s narrating highlights, he’ll slip in where a player was picked in the draft. A former team, or a connection that he has to his opponent. He also has fun with names. In highlighting Patriot Stefon Diggs’ touchdowns throughout his career, he has always used the phrase, “Can you Diggs it?”
It kind of reminds me of the classic Berman SportsCenter highlights that put ESPN on the map. Rose is not derivative, however. He puts his own stamp on every highlight.
Speaking of Diggs, Rose’s recap of the Patriots at Buccaneers game this past Sunday was not a highlight — it was high art. When Pats QB Drake Maye hit rookie Kyle Williams with a 72-yard touchdown pass. Rose noted that it was the longest Patriots play in four years. When New England scored at the end of the first half and then at the beginning of the third quarter. Rose said that they “pulled a Belichick,” recalling that recurring action from the Patriots’ title-winning teams.
That third-quarter score was a 55-yard run by TreVeyon Henderson, and Rose commented that the rookie running back was running at a pace of 22 mph. The post-touchdown crowd shot caught a woman shouting, “Holy s**t!,” and Rose had a field day with this.
Later in the game, when Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson did a cartwheel into a backflip after scoring a touchdown, Rose said, “I pulled 16 muscles just watching that highlight.” Rose also had a fun narration of Henderson’s fourth-quarter touchdown scamper. With about 1:30 left in the game, Henderson looked at the sidelines as he was running to see if Head Coach Mike Vrabel wanted him to score or just go down and let the Pats run out the clock.
Rose noted that Henderson is only the fourth rookie in NFL history with multiple 50+ yard touchdown runs in the same game. He closed the highlight saying that it was the Patriots’ seventh straight win, their best 10-game start (8-2) since 2019, and that they are now 4-0 against the NFC South this season.
Honestly, Rose’s Pats-Bucs highlight reel should be sent to Canton.
It was as close to perfection as you can get. Rose gets a lot of help from the NFL GameDay Highlights production staff. Following the highlight narration, video cut to a clip of Vrabel shaking hands with each Patriot player as they headed to the locker room. This was followed by press conference video of an angry Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Later in the program, following Rose’s highlights of Falcons vs. Colts in Berlin. A graphic showed NFL running backs who have the most games with 200+ rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in their careers. Indy’s Jonathan Taylor is now tied with Derrick Henry, Adrian Peterson, and Jim Brown — all with two such games.
In addition to the graphics, I love the press conference sound and video of coaches’ comments to their respective teams in the locker room following victories.
With Rose and this crew, I can safely say that NFL GameDay Highlights is my favorite NFL show on the air right now. Rose’s ebullient élan explodes through the TV screen, but he knows when to temper his presentation as well. Prefacing highlights of the Browns at Jets game, Rose went to a near monotone level while video showed how the Jets honored Nick Mangold, the team’s legendary offensive lineman, who passed away on October 25 due to complications from kidney disease.
Rose ratcheted up again duringSaints at Panthers highlights. Commenting on a throw from New Orleans’ 26-year-old rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Rose spouted, “He’s got an arm, man. He might be like 43 years old or something, but the kid can throw it a little bit.” From those boisterous highlights, Rose once again lowered the decibel level, reporting news of the death of former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
Rose subtly detailed Tagliabue’s accomplishments and soberly led to a commercial break.
This is what a professional does, and Rose is the ultimate sportscasting professional. At the end of his highlight package on Rams at 49ers, Rose detailed that the Rams have won four straight games, all by 14-plus points.
Listen, I’ll be honest — I like survivors in the TV game. It’s a true test of fortitude out there, with career pitfalls at every turn. Rose is not only a survivor. He is a thriver who has carved his own niche in the crowded talent pool at NFL Network.
It’s fitting that Rose’s name is a flower because his performance week in and week out on NFL GameDay Highlights blooms with brightness and color. Highlight narration is a skill, and nobody is better at adding context and texture to this craft than Chris Rose.
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Chicago radio veteran Dave Fogel has built a career on charm, chemistry, and a genuine love for connecting with listeners. Currently waking up the Windy City on 94.7 WLS, Fogel is part of a long-standing Chicago radio tradition with his partner Kim Berk—one built on storytelling, local pride, and authenticity.
“I came to WLS in 2010 and crossed the street in 2013,” Fogel recalls. “Kim got to WLS in 2015, and then I came back and joined her in 2018. We both think we were here first!” he jokes. It’s that kind of good-natured humor and self-awareness that has defined Fogel’s career and made him and Kim listener favorites for decades.
Fogel’s broadcast roots run deep. With experience across major markets and legendary stations, he’s seen firsthand how the industry has evolved and how personality radio continues to thrive when it’s local, relevant, and real. “Radio is still about being a companion,” he says. “Listeners invite us into their homes, cars, and lives every day. You can’t fake that connection.”
As for what makes the Chicago market so unique, Fogel says it’s the people and their pride in their city. “Chicago listeners are incredibly loyal. They know their sports, they know their neighborhoods, and they have high expectations for their morning shows. You have to bring your A-game every day. They’ll know if you don’t.”
That challenge is one of the reasons Fogel loves what he does. “Chicago has always had great radio. It’s a market filled with history and personality. You can’t just show up and do a show; you have to understand Chicago. You have to know what’s happening on the Eisenhower, who the Bears drafted, and which pizza joint is the real deal.”
When asked what keeps him motivated after so many years behind the mic, Fogel’s answer is simple: “It’s still fun. Every day is different. Making people laugh, making them think, and being part of their morning. That’s what it’s all about.”
Over the years, Fogel has earned a reputation for being one of the most consistent and likable voices in Chicago radio. He’s led shows to top ratings across several formats, including classic hits and adult contemporary, and has worked with some of the industry’s most respected programmers and personalities. His versatility and humor have allowed him to build chemistry quickly with any co-host—something he credits to staying humble and “never taking himself too seriously.”
His career highlights include stints at iconic stations like The Loop, WLS, and K-HITS, where his quick wit and approachable style made him a household name. He’s been recognized for both his on-air performance and community involvement, frequently lending his voice and time to local charities and events that make Chicago a better place to live.
Fogel’s formula for success is simple but powerful: stay connected, stay local, and have fun. “Radio is theater of the mind,” he says. “As long as you can make people feel something—laugh, smile, or think—you’re doing your job. And if you can do that in a city like Chicago, you’re pretty lucky.”
For those working their way up in the industry, Fogel’s career is a reminder that consistency, authenticity, and preparation still matter. “You can have all the digital tools in the world,” he says, “but if you’re not connecting with people, if you’re not talking with them instead of at them, you won’t last. Be relatable. Be curious. And never forget that it’s a privilege to be part of someone’s morning.”
That mindset—equal parts gratitude, humor, and hard work—is what has kept Dave Fogel’s career thriving in one of America’s toughest and most competitive radio markets. And it’s proof that in the ever-changing world of media, great personality still wins.
Follow Dave Fogel on Instagram @fogeldave and @947wls.
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ESPN is attempting to distancing itself from a controversial gaming company after several of its top on-air personalities promoted it on social media. According to Front Office Sports, sources tell the outlet that ESPN instructed Dan Orlovsky, Kendrick Perkins, Mina Kimes, and Laura Rutledge to end their marketing partnerships with Papaya Gaming, the company behind a popular solitaire app facing a federal lawsuit.
Papaya has been accused of falsely advertising games of skill and allegedly using “tailored bots to control the outcomes of tournaments,” according to court documents cited in the case.
Mina Kimes, one of ESPN’s most visible NFL analysts, was the first to publicly sever ties over the weekend. In a candid apology on X, she called her involvement “a colossal f**k up.” Admitting she failed to properly vet the company before signing on. “Thought it was just typical marketing work, and I’m deeply embarrassed I didn’t vet it,” she wrote.
Within days, she and fellow ESPN personalities Orlovsky and Rutledge deleted their promotional posts tied to the campaign.
The promotion is tied to ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith being named a global ambassador for Papaya’s World Solitaire Championship. This follows Smith earlier this year being spotted playing the game during the NBA Finals.
Y’all really mad I was playing Solitaire during the Finals? Maybe ask yourself why. Join now for the first time ever – World Solitaire Championship.
Smith released a statement on the promotion during his Stephen A. Smith podcast Monday night.
“We’re aware of the recent legal developments involving Papaya and the broader skill/gaming space,” said Smith Monday night. “My team is currently evaluating the accuracy and merits of the claims made. I want to be very clear. I do not support nor condone any company engaging in fraudulent or unfair gaming practices. Thus, my team and I will evaluate the situation and ensure that we are not in favor of any fraudulent or unfair gaming practices at all.”
According to the report, the sponsorships reportedly blindsided ESPN executives, who were not given an opportunity to review or approve the deals before they went public. That lack of internal vetting, combined with Papaya’s legal troubles, created a situation the network wanted to resolve quickly.
Papaya has denied the lawsuit’s claims.
“Papaya looks forward to vigorously proving in trial that Skillz’ misleading accusations against the company are false and unjustified,” the company said in a statement.
You can’t beat my score. Nobody can. Download Solitaire Cash. Enter the “Beat Stephen” Tournament.
Win? Post your screenshot in the comments. You will get a prize. ♠️
No distractions. Pure focus. That’s how champs win.
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PodcastOne has unveiled its third-quarter financial results, and the company reported an increase in revenue during the period.
During July, August, and September, the company secured $15.2 million in overall revenue. That figure represented a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
PodcastOne operates on a fiscal year that begins on April 1st, so the calendar quarter represented the midway mark of its fiscal year. In total, the company saw $30.2 million in overall revenue in the first half of its year.
During the period, the company reported an Adjusted EBITDA of $1.1 million, which is a sharp change from 2024, up 369%.
During the quarter, the company added 17 shows to its growing roster of podcasts. It also says it is expecting between $56-60 million in overall revenue during the year.
“PodcastOne continues to lead the podcasting industry by combining innovation with proven performance,” President Kit Gray said of the revenue gains.
“Our brand momentum is stronger than ever,” Gray added. “We’re expanding both our content lineup and our audience reach.”
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There’s potential new life in the negotiations between YouTube TV and Disney that could soon bring ESPN and ABC back to millions of frustrated subscribers.
Sources tellThe Athletic that the two companies have made progress, though disagreements over the value of Disney’s non-sports networks — including FX, Freeform and National Geographic — remain a sticking point.
The blackout, which began October 30, has left roughly 10 million YouTube TV subscribers without access to Monday Night Football, college football, and other ESPN programming during one of the busiest stretches of the sports calendar.
The timing could prove critical. Disney will release its quarterly earnings Thursday afternoon. Providing added incentive for both sides to reach an agreement before the company faces investor scrutiny.
Neither Disney nor YouTube TV would comment on the current state of negotiations.
Disney’s carriage agreements typically come as a bundled package combining ESPN’s portfolio. Also its ABC-owned affiliates, and entertainment channels such as FX, Freeform, and Disney Channel. Distributors have long complained that the bundle forces them to pay for lower-rated networks that viewers rarely watch.
Disney, meanwhile, insists those networks are offered at a discount within the package.
Earlier this week, Puck reported that YouTube TV is attempting to negotiate rates for Disney’s content that are lower than the three largest pay TV distributors in the country: Comcast, Charter, and DirecTV. Disney sees this as untenable. As agreeing to give YouTube TV a lower rate would trigger “Most Favored Nation” clauses in its other contracts. That would force the company to give the same lower rate to the other distributors.
In a sign that talks have escalated, The Athletic is reporting top executives have reportedly stepped in. Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Disney CEO Bob Iger are now said to be directly involved. Alongside Disney Entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
Adding another layer of intrigue. YouTube TV’s global head of media and sports, Justin Connolly, has been recused from the discussions due to his prior role at Disney. Connolly, who departed Disney earlier this year after legal wrangling over his contract. He is required to sit out negotiations involving his former employer.
Meanwhile, YouTube TV has attempted to keep customers appeased, offering a $20 credit to subscribers impacted by the outage.
Even the federal government has taken notice. Earlier today, FCC Chair Brendan Carr weighed in on X, urging both sides to resolve the impasse: “People should have the right to watch the programming they paid for — including football. Get it done!”
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