Meadowlark Media has officially named Bimal Kapadia as its new Chief Executive Officer, promoting a familiar face to lead the company into its next chapter. According to an interview with Le Batard in The Hollywood Reporter, Kapadia succeeds co-founder and former ESPN president John Skipper, who stepped away from his day-to-day role earlier this year.
Kapadia has served as Meadowlark’s Chief Operating Officer since the company’s launch, overseeing business operations and strategic partnerships. During his tenure, he played a key role in managing the company’s relationship with DraftKings and helped broker Pablo Torre’s multimedia deal with The Athletic, among several other projects.
Company co-founder Dan Le Batard praised the promotion in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, calling Kapadia the ideal person to guide Meadowlark through an evolving media landscape.
“Bimal has the experience, care and, most importantly, the vision to make our weird spaceship a new kind of media machine as turbulence rattles the rest of the industry,” Le Batard told The Hollywood Reporter. “He and we want to set a fiercely independent journalistic standard that is at once from another time and ahead of its time. The modern age demands different thinkers, and Meadowlark will be a progressive leader because Bimal ensures we’re guided and governed by one.”
In his new role, Kapadia says his focus will be on building out programming that extends the company’s current partnerships into broader creative opportunities. He believes Meadowlark can continue leveraging the foundation laid by The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz and Pablo Torre Finds Out to fuel expansion.
“How can ideas we’re presenting in Pablo’s show incubate a scripted or unscripted series? How can something within Dan’s network of ideas springboard another project?” Kapadia said. “That’s the fun part — finding ways to stretch what we’ve already created.”
The company continues to operate with the belief that its independent model positions it to thrive in a fractured media environment. Its partnerships with DraftKings and The Athletic have provided financial stability, allowing the team to invest in long-term growth and new storytelling opportunities.
Both Le Batard and Torre have cultivated loyal audiences built on credibility and authenticity — qualities Kapadia believes will anchor Meadowlark’s next phase. Torre, for instance, has earned attention for his blend of sharp analysis and original reporting, including a recent investigative piece on the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard.
“Dan is one of the best storytellers, thinkers, and creatives out there,” Kapadia added. “My job is to let him focus on the creative side and the vision of what Meadowlark can be — and handle the business of making it happen.”
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.
Much has been written and said about Audacy in recent years. What started with optimism following the CBS Radio acquisition turned to skepticism and strained relationships. That happens when revenue targets are missed, stock prices tumble, and management shuffles occur. Once confidence and trust are lost and poor results follow, change is inevitable.
The company started that process in February when David Field resigned. Kelli Turner was named the new CEO and tasked with leading the company forward. Most inside the radio business weren’t familiar with Kelli so questions arose about her interest in the business, how she’d lead, who she’d surround herself with, etc.. Some of those answers were provided when she elevated Chris Oliviero and retained many of Audacy’s best people. That was a good start.
It’s been less than a year so it’s far too early to say if the path forward is right or not, but I’m a believer in giving people a fair shot. Over the past couple of months I’ve seen positive signs. Audacy knows it has to rebuild relationships, trust, and enthusiasm, and they’re trying to do that. Kelli has made market visits to connect with staff and hear their challenges. The company’s top leaders also attended the Barrett Bash last month, and have been more accessible for conversations with other outlets. Those are good early steps.
Let me share a quick story that relates to this. When I built and programmed 101 ESPN in St. Louis, Steve Spagnuolo was named Head Coach of the St. Louis Rams. The team won 5 games combined the prior two seasons and needed a new vision and energy. Spags lacked head coaching experience but was easy to root for. Prior to his first season, media members were invited to his house for an off the record hang out. There were no tape recorders or secrets shared, just two sides connecting to get to know each other. It was a cool gesture, and the only time I’d ever seen a head coach do that in my media career.
Spags knew it was important to have a relationship with the media to earn trust from fans and partners. His wife Maria made food for the crew, beverages were supplied, and good conversations were had. Few left his home that day wanting to see him fail. Most in fact, hoped he would succeed.
Unfortunately, the franchise wasn’t good on the field. The Rams went 10-38 in three seasons under his watch, which led to his exit after the 2011 season. He has since won numerous championships as the Chiefs defensive coordinator, and after each Super Bowl win, I’ll shoot him a text to offer my congrats. He always responds back in a classy manner.
People like Spags remind us that the right attitude combined with the right pieces makes a winning combination. They understand the job you have to do and realize that the results dictate how they are covered. Equally important, they know it’s smart to have good communication with the press. Media folks will give you the benefit of the doubt if you’re good to deal with. But they can’t shield you from poor results and bad decisions. Journalists, hosts, and reporters have to report the facts or they lose the audience and industry’s trust.
Last week, Stephanie Eads and I were invited to New York City to attend Audacy’s Fall Mixer. I hadn’t been invited by the company to anything like that during the past decade. Similar to the Spags encounter, this was about relationship building. New CEO Kelli Turner, Chris Oliviero, Jeff Sottolano, Jenny Nelson, Rick Rosenthal, and Ray Borelli were some of the company’s management team in attendance. Boomer Esiason and Tiki Barber represented the on-air talent, and a few board members were present too.
This was the first time I had a chance to interact directly with Boomer. Great guy. We’ve covered him on this site for years so it was cool talking shop for a few. I’m expecting to hear more Gio-Adam Schein impressions on the WFAN morning show in the near future.
Jeff and Chris have been good to me for years and have always been bullish on the business. Catching up with them for a few and reconnecting with Jenny and Tiki was great as well. I especially enjoyed spending time with Ray, chatting with Kelli, and hearing some of the feedback about our brand from a few folks I hadn’t met.
Photos from Audacy’s Fall Mixer in New York City
During the event, Kelli gave a quick speech about radio’s importance and effectiveness. A well produced video followed that reinforced Audacy’s position. What I appreciated most was that people in the room were excited about the company. It wasn’t a case of everyone following orders to showcase positivity to media folks, it was genuine. That matters. As we drove home, I told Stephanie ‘that was different, and a great sign’. The energy was high, and some of the past tensions were gone.
This was a smart move by Audacy’s leadership team. The company has a lot of powerful brands, and elite talent, executives, programmers, and sales leaders nationwide. Experience and ability have never been the company’s issue, it was always about likeability, trust, and relationships. If the company’s top people are accessible, easy to root for, and able to deliver results, advertisers will invest and media outlets will champion their progress, ourselves included.
In the past year, Audacy has done deals with Good Karma Brands and Jomboy Media in New York and iHeartMedia on a national scale. That’s a sign that they’re willing to work with others to find new ways forward. As Chris Oliviero told John Mamola earlier this week, “we’re going to be aggressive and opportunistic. We’re going to throw the old hangups out the door in terms of, ‘oh, this is competition, we can’t do a deal with that person. Why can’t we’?”
Growing a business is easier when relationships are strong and collaboration is encouraged. For Audacy to thrive in 2026 and beyond, it needs its brands to perform, people internally to trust, and PR and advertising perceptions to improve. It’s still early but they’re moving in the right direction.
By the way, this isn’t all on upper management. Market managers and program directors have to do their part on the local level too. Better results are needed, and progress has to be communicated. I know people in the company who like to stay in the background and let their work do the talking. That sounds great but it doesn’t change advertising or listening habits. You’re not just in charge of sales, content, and budgets, you’re also responsible for creating enthusiasm around your brands, talent, and programming. Advertisers and listeners are impressionable. If you tell them you have a winner, and back it up with wins, support will follow.
Given our platform and reach, many expect us to cover Audacy. Everywhere I go someone mentions my David Field column. I stand by what I wrote in that piece but I didn’t enjoy writing it. The company had a dark cloud hanging over its head and change was desperately needed.
Media professionals expect us to be fair and tackle tough issues involving all media groups. I’ve shown that we’ll do that even if it ruffles feathers. One day when this all comes to an end, I want to be able to look myself in the mirror and say ‘I was honest, fair, informed, and made the business better.’ I’ll bite when it’s necessary but at my core, I love the media industry. I’d rather see people succeed than fail. I try to write columns that make people think. Sometimes I highlight success, other times I use a missed opportunity as a teachable moment. People are welcome to agree or disagree. I try to avoid getting personal unless someone makes it personal.
I recognize that a few hours spent at a private event doesn’t guarantee anything moving forward for Audacy, but I’m encouraged by the early signs. Kelli Turner’s fresh perspective and positive energy is needed. She’s surrounded herself with first-class operators, and that restores internal confidence. Speaking to many inside the company over the past few months, there’s a new sense of optimism. As I said before and maintain now, the radio industry is better with a stronger Audacy.
If the company produces what Steve Spagnuolo did during his three years leading the Rams, support won’t change because the results won’t justify it. But if the company can improve relationships, maintain internal enthusiasm and deliver results to excite the ad community, that’ll be exciting. It’ll certainly be more fun to write about. Either way though, we’ll be here to monitor their progress.
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.
Ratings are a metric—always have been and always will be. It’s the most recognized measurement most sports radio brands are held to nationwide as an indicator of success or failure. To establish a sports radio station’s ratings success story, one must subscribe to Nielsen’s service to access those figures. Many advertising agencies rely on them to decide where to buy and who to partner with.
The system makes sense in theory. A radio company buys a service trusted by advertisers. Stations receive ad buys based on their purchase of the measurement. It’s a potential return on investment for everyone involved—the sports radio station, Nielsen, and the advertiser looking to reach their target audience.
But it’s now 2025. Advertisers have shifted their dollars from terrestrial to digital more than ever before. Local radio broadcasters have begun moving away from Nielsen measurement, crafting their own metrics to sell to advertisers. The story a sports radio brand tells about itself is changing with the times. Yet many companies continue to invest in a model trying to game its own system just to stay relevant. Why should they continue to do so?
Cumulus Heads To Court
On Friday, Cumulus Media filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Nielsen, claiming the company engaged in “coercive conduct, strong-arm negotiation tactics, and restrictive terms” that harm radio broadcasters and suffocate measurement competitors.
This dispute stems from an alleged “tying policy” Nielsen introduced last September that changed how networks with locally owned stations must purchase ratings data. To simplify, Cumulus Media owns Westwood One, a syndicator of national talk and play-by-play content. In some markets, Cumulus owns a single local radio station that carries that programming.
The lawsuit alleges that in order for Cumulus to access national data for those markets—including the one where it owns that single local station. It must also buy the local data measurement from Nielsen. Otherwise, that market would be excluded from the national data.
If you don’t buy locally, you don’t show up locally. Iif you don’t show up locally, you don’t show up nationally.
The suit cites a July 25, 2025, call between Cumulus representatives and Nielsen Audio Managing Director Rich Tunkel. During that conversation, Tunkel allegedly admitted that a national ratings product without full geographic coverage “would be Swiss cheese” and “not the ‘real’ or a ‘useful’ product.” Cumulus argues that this confirms Nielsen’s tying arrangement. Effectively forcing companies to buy local data packages to get a full national picture.
Cumulus Media is no different from any other broadcast company in today’s media landscape. It’s trying to keep the lights on just like Audacy, iHeartMedia, or any other radio company. Cutting costs and increasing revenue with fewer resources is a constant challenge—and owning a national syndicator makes that balance even tougher.
After reporting a 9.2% year-over-year drop in net income for the second quarter, it’s easy to understand why Cumulus would push back against Nielsen’s “forceful hand” and question why it should invest in local ratings data that don’t fully benefit its larger, more profitable national syndication business.
But it’s worth asking: Is Nielsen still the best “ratings currency” a sports radio brand can buy?
Pave a New Road
Nielsen is not perfect, and its measurement isn’t either. In recent years, broadcasters have developed their own first-party data—both as an enhancement to existing measurement and as a potential replacement. Why not tell your own story with your own data instead of relying on someone else’s?
Of course, that requires investment—not only in people but also in technology. As Dolly Parton once said, if you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.
Nielsen, meanwhile, must continually market itself to radio companies. When confidence in its data starts to erode, it tweaks its methods to keep customers happy. Remember when Nielsen introduced wearables in 2021 to align with the popularity of smartwatches? It took that long to evolve from a pager to a wristwatch or pendant.
Or take last year, when Nielsen shortened its listening requirement—from five minutes to just three—to qualify for a full quarter hour of credit. That means listeners now need to tune in for only 20% of a 15-minute period to count for the entire segment. The move was pitched as a response to declining attention spans, but let’s be honest: if it inflates a station’s audience, it helps Nielsen keep its clients happy.
Draw Your Own Map
This constant quid pro quo between Nielsen and radio is disappointing, and both sides share the blame. Radio continues to struggle to develop its own data while cutting staff, and Nielsen keeps moving the goalposts to make it appear that more people are listening. In turn, radio keeps investing in a product that no longer reflects reality.
In the case of Cumulus, perhaps the right move isn’t a lawsuit—it’s cancellation. Several broadcasters have already walked away from Nielsen and thrived by selling their story directly to advertisers. They’ve leaned on their local talent as partners, developing their own success metrics and rate structures to keep clients engaged and excited to collaborate. Why can’t this work on a national scale with national advertisers and have Cumulus be the example for others to rally around?
Does the industry need another option besides Nielsen? Of course.
Do broadcasters need to do a better job developing and promoting their own data? Absolutely.
Will a lawsuit against Nielsen change anything in the foreseeable future? Unlikely.
Radio keeps waiting for Nielsen to draw a better map when it should be building its own GPS. The longer the industry clings to a measurement system designed for a world that no longer exists, the further it drifts from the audience it’s desperate to prove it still has.
The companies that survive won’t be the ones arguing over numbers. They’ll be the ones brave enough to stop letting Nielsen tell them what counts.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
Fox News has done something that doesn’t happen much in television anymore — it made more money this September than it did last year.
According to new estimates from EDO Ad EnGage, Fox News earned $105 million in advertising revenue during September. That accounts for more than half of the total earned by the big three cable news networks — Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC — during the month, and is an increase compared to the same month in 2024, when it reportedly earned $94 million in advertising revenue.
If you’ve been paying attention, it’s not exactly shocking that Fox News is performing well. The network dominates in the ratings, has an army of loyal viewers, and has the kind of built-in brand trust that most media companies would kill for.
But it’s one thing to win the ratings battle. It’s another thing entirely to increase revenue in an industry that’s shrinking by the day.
For years, the story around cable news has been the same: audiences are aging, subscribers are cutting the cord, and ad dollars are shifting to digital platforms. Despite all that, Fox News keeps finding ways to win — and not just by a little bit. It’s been cleaning up in the ratings, and it’s doing the same financially.
Let’s be honest: Fox News didn’t have the tailwind this year that it had last year. The election of President Donald Trump brought in unprecedented amounts of ad spending. Campaigns, PACs, and advocacy groups were throwing money at TV networks like it was their last chance to reach voters. When the calendar flips to a non-election year, that money vanishes. So, if you’re a network executive, you’re likely expecting a dip — not a jump — in revenue.
Yet, somehow, Fox News bucked that trend. That’s truly remarkable.
It says a lot about how Fox News has built its business. The network doesn’t rely on one show, one host, or one event to drive its success. Fox & Friends, The Five, Jesse Watters Primetime, Hannity, Gutfeld! — they’re all top performers in their time slots. Week after week, those programs don’t just lead cable news, they rank among the most-watched shows across all of cable television.
Think about that for a second. We’re not just talking about beating CNN or MSNBC anymore. Fox News is going head-to-head with the biggest brands in television — ABC, CBS, and NBC — and winning. On some nights, The Five outdraws live sports programming. When you’re competing with the MLB or college football and still coming out on top, that’s not just a win for cable news. That’s a win for television, period.
So how does Fox News keep pulling this off? Consistency.
Fox News sticks to what it does best. It delivers appointment television — live, personality-driven, opinion-heavy programming that feels like a community as much as it does a show. You don’t just watch The Five or Hannity; you feel like you’re part of the conversation. That connection is what makes the network nearly immune to the fragmentation that’s killing everyone else.
And it’s not like Fox News is ignoring digital. Fox Nation, Fox News Digital, and even its social content are pulling their weight. The company has done a smart job of turning its on-air personalities into multiplatform brands. Whether you’re streaming a full episode, catching a clip online, or seeing a Fox News host trending on social media, the brand is everywhere. That visibility reinforces what’s happening on linear TV — and that helps keep the ad dollars flowing.
Still, let’s not gloss over the context here. Cable subscriptions are in freefall. Every year, hundreds of thousands of households cut the cord. Fewer subscribers mean smaller affiliate fees — which, for most networks, means shrinking revenue. That Fox News is increasing its advertising revenue in that environment is almost unbelievable.
So while the industry keeps trying to figure out what’s next, Fox News just keeps stacking wins. It’s leading in the ratings. It’s maintaining dominance across every daypart. And now, it’s increasing revenue during a year when everyone else expected a pullback.
That’s the real story. Not that Fox News is still number one — we’ve known that for years — but that it continues to find ways to grow when growth seems impossible.
Rising revenue in 2025 isn’t just another bullet point in a corporate earnings report. It’s proof that Fox News’ formula still works. Even as the cable universe shrinks, the network is expanding its influence and deepening its profitability.
And when you consider that this revenue jump came the year after record-setting political ad spending, and during a period of nonstop subscriber decline, it might just be the most impressive thing Fox News has accomplished in 2025.
And that’s saying something.
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.
I’m taking this week’s column to share thoughts on a few notable, completely unrelated, articles that crossed my path last week. They involve Dr. Demento, NBC Sports and listener marketing.
So Long and Thanks for all the Fish Heads
If you missed the news reported by AV Club, the world’s weirdest DJ, Dr. Demento ended his show after 55 years. For anyone not familiar with him, the Dr. Demento show focused on novelty songs, comedy and unusual recording and he played a major role in making “Weird Al” Yankovic famous. His show was syndicated for broadcast from 1978 until 2010 and continued online until last weekend.
He ended the show in style with a three and half hour tour-de-force counting down the “top 40 most demanded demented discs and tapes” from his lengthy career. Some of my favorites from the list include: “Wet Dream” by Kip Adotta; “The Homecoming Queen’s Got a Gun” by Julie Brown; and “The Time Warp” from Rocky Horror. You can see the whole list here.
Even if you are too young to have encountered Dr. Demento, find a minute on the air to play a few songs in honor of his last show. It’s a great opportunity to pay tribute to a true legend of the business and give your listeners a good laugh. It’s something only our formats can and should do.
In Praise of Appointment Listening (Viewing)
The Sunday Scaries are a real thing, and they get worse at night. No one likes going back to work and facing the real world on Monday morning. If you are a sports fan, NBC is doing their best to help you get through.
Already the home of Sunday Night Football, when football season winds down the network will begin airing Sunday Night Basketball and now with ESPN moving on from its deal with Major League Baseball, NBC will take over as the leagues’ exclusive Sunday night partner for the next three years.
According to an article in Awful Announcing, NBC Sports President Rick Cordella hopes this will lead to habitual viewing because sports fans will know there is always something to watch Sunday night on NBC.
It’s a great reminder that people are creatures of habit. If NBC can own Sunday night in the mind of a sports fan, what can you do to own a spot in the week with your listeners?
Make Your Listeners Your Marketing
I know, I know, I used the M-word. Nobody has budgets for marketing. But that doesn’t change the fact that if we don’t market our brands they won’t be top of mind and if consumers forget about us amidst all the media choices they have today we’re going to be in big trouble.
Enter Hubspot with a lengthy post by Sophie Miller about how brands need to stop overlooking their most powerful influencers: their customers or in our case, our listeners. The focus of the article is about how many brands are cutting back or outright giving up on using influencers to promote their products and instead turning to their most passionate evangelists, their customers.
Some of the benefits they list include authentic, relatable content, messaging that accurately reflects the people who use your brand, the potential for real word-of-mouth sharing, increased loyalty in the listeners you work with.
Now let’s be honest, I don’t know if this works for every station or format. Top 40 listeners aren’t always very loyal, Alternative listeners are probably too cool to lend you their voice, Adult Contemporary listeners just aren’t that engaged. Classic Rock and Hits are more uniquely positioned than most to do this. Our listeners love our vibe, and they love our music. Let’s lean in and let them help us.
To effectively roll out listener-based marketing Miller recommends several steps including: taking time to decide ahead of time how you want to involve listeners; making it easy for them to communicate with the station; asking the listeners how they would promote your station; and finding ways to reward people who participate because even if it’s something small, the acknowledgement can lead to even more devotion.
Finally, this week, as I was putting the finishing touches on this post I found out that Ace Frehley has passed. While KISS isn’t the biggest Classic Rock artist, if you haven’t already, he should be acknowledged on the air. If you are looking for suggestions on how to deal with artists passing away, I wrote about it here. And for all of us who are fans, here’s “Cold Gin” the only song that Ace wrote for the band’s debut album. with Ace singing a verse.
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.
Take a look at the 2025 Marconi Radio Award finalists, and you’ll see a pair of hosts from WHIO Radio in Dayton on the list of those up for the Medium Market Personality of the Year honor.
While it’s impressive to land two hosts from one station on the list, what’s more impressive is that they’re the only two local weekday hosts on the Cox Media Group news/talk station. So, in essence, 100% of the station’s mainstays make up 40% of the nominees in one Marconi Award category.
The station is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, and WHIO Radio Station Manager Nick Roberts says the guiding principles that helped launch the brand still ring true today.
“I don’t think we could make it 90 years without being a community-focused station,” said Roberts. “When we plan anything here, the first thing we think about is ‘How do we help the community?’ And that’s definitely the truth. It motivates you to come into work, but it adds such a deeper layer than just ‘You’re a radio person,’ you’re helping people. I think that’s the big thing.”
Larry Hansgen, who has hosted mornings on the brand for nearly 25 years, is up for the Medium Market Personality of the Year honor. Joining him on the list of nominees is Todd Hollst, who hosts an afternoon show from 5-7 PM.
Hansgen can trace his roots with the station back to working as an understudy to former morning man Lou Emm, who began in the daypart in 1941. Hansgen has been with the station himself for more than 40 years. That’s some major staying power.
When asked what has been the key to personalities, hosts, and personnel staying with the brand for so long, Roberts shared that Cox Media Group has been nothing but fantastic to work for, prioritizing those who want to make an impact in the community when hiring.
Roberts added that there’s another facet to the station’s strategy that has led to having its two personalities up for the major honor.
“Hire great people,” he said. “That’s the key to everything. Hire great people that really care about the community. You can always teach them the business. But you can’t really teach somebody to be a great person. I think that’s what we do. We try to hire great people that really care and a lot of the rest, we can teach them.”
The two nominations for Hansgen and Hollst come after WHIO Radio earned a national Edward R. Murrow Award for the best newscast in the small market radio category. Roberts admitted it’s a “fantastic feeling” to be recognized for the station’s excellence.
“We tell our people ‘Hey, what you’re doing on the air is as good as any major market station,'” Roberts said. “With the awards, you’re kind of like ‘Oh, it’s not just a line that they’re throwing out. It really is true. We are doing really good work.'”
When asked if there had been any friendly competitions or wagering surrounding the two hosts inside the WHIO Radio studios about who will ultimately take home the award, Roberts shared that there’s been talk around the station.
“We’re just stunned here that we had any nominations, let alone two,” he joked. “They’re both looking at it from the perspective of just being nominated is once in a lifetime, and this is kind of the pinnacle highlight of their career.
“To do what they love to do, help the community, and be recognized for it, I haven’t heard any (friendly rivlary talk). There’s been no even jokes about it here in the office. I just think they’re so surprised.”
The others nominated for the Medium Market Personality of the Year award are KRMG’s Skyler Cooper (Tulsa), K105’s Dan Austin (Fort Wayne), and US 101.5 FM’s Mo & StyckMan (Chattanooga).
The Marconi Radio Award presentation will take place on Tuesday evening at The Edison Ballroom on the eve of the NAB Show New York.
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.
Yeah, so, you’ve probably heard about the AI formats created by a group of radio veterans, complete with AI jocks and turnkey, generic “radio” produced by computers, removing the human connectivity element from a medium built on exactly that.
If you’re a music jock, you may think your days are numbered, and you may be right, but you should have known that by now and planned accordingly. Let’s be honest with ourselves, too: if you owned radio stations right now, you’d probably be seriously considering replacing live or even voice-tracked programming with an AI format, because we’re experiencing late-stage mass media, and every dollar you save is welcome. That doesn’t speak well of the radio industry, but it’s the truth, whether you like it or not.
Most of my radio career revolved around news, talk, and sports radio, and when I heard about this format thing, I wondered whether anyone is looking at AI spoken-word formats. The pitch to station owners might be irresistible: no more talent costs, no more inventory given to syndicators, just (ostensibly) serviceable talk programming or news wheels and more inventory to sell—not that they’re selling what they have now, but it’s the potential that sells the idea. Could it happen? When? And what would it sound like?
First answer: yes, it could happen. AI already enables anyone to create deep-fake videos; creating a “host” who would suck up material from websites and social media, spit out monologues, and even interact with callers can’t be far behind. There are already plenty of news aggregators using AI to “write” stories and social media posts.
There’s no reason there couldn’t be an AI sports format based entirely on Xitter posts, although the result might violate indecency rules unless they can filter out Philadelphia, New York, and Boston sports takes.
On a technological basis, there’s nothing preventing a spoken-word AI format from being created, and, these days, business seems to run on the philosophy that if it can be done, it will be done, even if it SHOULDN’T be done.
When will this happen? I’m surprised nobody’s announced an AI talk format yet. You KNOW someone’s going to try it. Wouldn’t radio station owners be happy to take AI talk formats, where you can pick your political stance and the kinds of topics you want, and just let the computer generate the entire package? The answer is, obviously, yes.
Will it sound good? We don’t know yet, but I think it’ll be terrible. Talk radio is as much about the host’s personality as it is about politics. I suppose there are listeners who just want to hear someone—anyone—talking about the news, but personality is what radio always offered and podcasts offer today. Would you rather hear an entertaining, trusted (for better or worse) host regurgitating talking points or a computer simulating a human voice regurgitating talking points? Wait, that doesn’t sound good either way. Let it suffice to say that, in theory, humans are better at this kind of thing than AI.
For now, at least. I’m not convinced that AI is going to be the goldmine investors are touting, and I’m not sold on AI being undetectable. But the average person may not be able to tell the difference between a real person’s voice and a synthetic voice, and we know that there’s a large number of people who don’t care, as long as they hear things that confirm their opinions.
However, human hosts can judge which way public opinion is turning faster and better than AI, and, well, how do you train an AI platform to be entertaining and relatable? And what kind of professional in any field would voluntarily train AI to ultimately take their job, no matter how much money they’re offered?
I suppose everyone has a price, like the comics who went to Riyadh, but I don’t think AI companies will pay life-changing money for talk radio people.
I guess we’ll find out soon enough. In the meantime, remember, it’s not just music radio in the crosshairs. AI is coming for you, too. Proceed accordingly.
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.
It’s been a tough week in music. D’Angelo, Ace Frehley and Sam Rivers are gone. Tough indeed. With my history in rock radio, I’m going to touch on the death of the iconic Spaceman, Ace Frehley.
I have been an on air personality for more than half my life. I’ve reported more rock deaths than I want to remember. Freddie Mercury, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, Gregg Allman, Chris Cornell, Eddie Van Halen, Bowie, and Ozzy just to name a few.
The days of putting fans on the air, giving an open forum for grief, memories, and the nostalgia and joy it brings has always been an important part of the on air experience. But the job description has changed significantly.
The Loss of Ace Frehley
This week we suddenly lost Kiss Guitarist Ace Frehley at age 74 after a fall at his New Jersey home. Ace was still actively touring, fun to follow on social media-grocery shopping, playing his guitars (shout out to Perry who followed him around and had a blast doing it), and released a fantastic solo album in 2024: 10,000 Volts. He was also being honored with his former Kiss bandmates as part of this year’s Kennedy Center Honors.
The news of his death shocked fans. When it became public late Thursday afternoon, fans worldwide started their tributes, me included. I had a connection with Ace over the years (especially in the past two years). He joined on the air and last year hosted an episode of the “Home Shopping” style internet show – “Talk Shop Live”- which we filmed live from Ace’s New Jersey home. He was always fun to work with and kept me on my toes. For a Kiss kid and rock fan like me, this is a huge loss.
Ace was a character. He made for great radio because he was highly unpredictable and such a kind soul. He was also still passionate about making music with his producer and good friend Steve Brown (another Jersey guy from the band Trixter). He’d open his home to us for filming, making sure I took any guitar off the wall I wanted (I chose a 1978 classic and a few others). He even gave me his Kiss gold and platinum records to ‘hold” which was so much fun.
Ace was a man of the people. Conventions, tours, meet and greets and fans, he was out there, always accessible. A member of one of the most iconic pop culture bands of all time, he inspired so many guitarists to pick up the instrument and changed their lives and the course of music. It seems every rock fan has an “Ace” story.
When an iconic rocker that has been a part of our lives for 50 years dies, where is radio? It’s supposed to be the ultimate community. The first social media. It’s supposed to comfort and connect. Unfortunately waiting in the wings, most of the time not until “later”.
The Passing of Sam Rivers of Limp Bizkit
Let’s also reflect on the shocking death of Limp Bizkit bassist, Sam Rivers. He was an amazing bass player and with the bands recent comeback, certainly top of mind with fans. The news of his passing was shared by Limp Bizkit through their Instagram account. They wrote “he was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human. A true legend of legends. And his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory.”
Again, the non-stop tributes began to pour in. On social media. I immediately started scanning the dial and looking through my phone but found nothing. Where was the music? The mentions? The memories?
I’ve mentioned this issue to countless friends in the industry and the feeling seems to be that it’s not really important these days. I’ve been told, “people don’t get their news from the radio anymore”.
Really? I beg to differ.
Radio personalities have been guiding fans through grief, loss and the past forever. People need human connection more than ever. Radio staffs have gotten smaller, but listeners don’t know that. It’s our job to still inform especially during moments like these.
You may not be Live but you can be Local. Remember these phrases, “Live and Local”, “Timely and Topical”? They used to rule the radio airwaves but barely exist anymore.
Radio stations today are not stocked with talent ready to jump on the air live at a moments notice with “breaking news”. As a former PD, I know the harsh reality. I also know if you have no “death plan”, you better get one and fast.
Not only are aging icons disappearing, but let’s face it, artist deaths or breaking news can appear at any time. We just saw that this weekend with Sam Rivers. Earthquakes and major floods happen at a moments notice too (more common now in NJ – who knew?). When they happen, you have to be ready.
“DON’T LOOK DUMB!” – “Take Control and Do Something”.
What Can You Do?
Life Events will not go away. My social media feeds are still flooded with photos, tributes and memories to Ace. Not only from fans, but from artists in every age bracket, musical genre, and demographic. And now Sam Rivers too.
Rock radio fans care: In your demo, and in your format. These are your people. Here’s how you help them.
#1 – Designate a Go-To Gal/Guy – It’s tiring hearing “there is no one in the building and shows are pre-recorded”. Most staff have some sort of “home device” they can log into. Designate your “go to guy/gal” well in advance, and let them know to be ready. Within the hour, switch shifts, and get it done. Break the news, gather the fan community and stay relevant. Update your voice tracks.
#2 – Write The Web Story – Have one of your top talent or the PD take over your website and write something from “their” point of view. The last time they saw this artist. Why this band is their favorite. Here is an interview I did way back when. Check out this video I found on our YouTube.
The website needs to reflect the on air talent the listeners depend on. Not some strange author. Generic stories don’t cut it when music is involved. Music touches us. It needs a personal connection.
#3 – Social Media Posts – Have your jock who does the immediate posting ask the fans about their favorite show. Best memories? Do the fans have a photo with the artist? Have them send it in. Ask your jock to make a video and post it announcing the artist’s death.
Update your socials immediately, and stay on them with your fans. Designate the people who engage the best and start engaging!
Be There For Your Listeners During Tough Times
Radio jobs come with responsibility. In the technological world we live in, it’s not hard or incredibly time consuming to be there for your fans. Don’t let social media kick your butt. You control the narrative. Throwing in an occasional song doesn’t cut it when it comes to connection. People make the difference.
We are losing artists and it will unfortunately continue. A part of our lives, our musical journey. our Rock and Roll DNA. When the next situation happens, will you be ready?
This quote given to me from Ace’s final solo album producer, collaborator and friend Steve Brown the day of Ace’s death sums up the Spaceman best.
“Ace Frehley was my first guitar hero in 1978. He was the reason I started playing guitar. Kiss and Ace were a huge part of my musical journey. There would be no Trixter without his influence.
“Later on in life I became good friends with Ace and had the please of working with him on his last ever album 10,000 Volts. Writing songs and producing with Ace was one of the greatest experiences of my life. We had so much fun creating music together, but most of all being two east coast guys who loved their families and friends and we had so much fun cracking jokes!
“One of my favorite memories was when Ace joined my family for father’s day with his girlfriend Lara. He was a part of our family. A great guy, with a lot of love in his heart. Ace will be missed by the world, but thank god his musical legacy will live on, forever. God bless Paul “Ace” Frehley.”
Rest Easy Spaceman. Thank you for the great memories, for supporting radio, and for touring longer than you should have. Godspeed to Sam Rivers too, gone way too soon at the age of 48.
Fans care when people like Ace and Sam leave their lives. Radio, the ultimate social media community should care and show it as well.
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.
Veteran ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith says former athletes entering sports media face unique challenges, particularly when it comes to navigating criticism and maintaining their instincts.
Speaking on The Pivot podcast with Ryan Clark and Channing Crowder, Smith emphasized that success in broadcasting often invites scrutiny, and that athletes must adapt to a new set of professional expectations.
“You’re gonna have to understand that you’re doing big things,” Smith said. “This podcast is doing big things. That makes y’all a target because, unfortunately in this world, on far too many occasions. People’s definition of happiness is bringing others down to their level of misery instead of elevating themselves to your level of satisfaction, contentment, happiness, etc. And when you’re that kind of target, you have to see before you act.”
Smith noted that the transition from professional athlete to commentator is particularly difficult. Because former players are often asked to suppress the instincts that once made them successful.
“One of the things that as athletes, I think is incredibly unfair to y’all. Y’all made y’all livelihoods in your lives, not totally, but to some degree, based off instinctually, your ability to act instinctually,” he said. “Then you get away from the game, and you’re discouraged from doing exactly the thing that made you successful. You’re surrounded by people who have an authority over you that have no concept of that because they didn’t do what y’all do. But what you got to remember is it’s okay, because it’s an indication that it’s time to start anew.”
The ESPN analyst also stressed that criticism is an inevitable part of success in media, and that former athletes must learn to manage it without losing focus.
“We got purpose, and I know that, and so I’m telling you, remember that, because they gonna come,” Smith said. “The more you climb, the more successful you are. They gonna come to get you. You understand. And it’s gonna take everything. Sometimes you gonna be shaking because you want to go at some people so bad, and you got to refrain.”
Smith’s insights reflect a broader trend in sports media, where former athletes are increasingly valued for their firsthand experience but are also subjected to intense scrutiny. Ultimately, Smith argued that success in sports broadcasting requires preparation, resilience, and the ability to embrace new challenges. While former athletes may face unique hurdles, he said, they also have the opportunity to reinvent themselves and make a lasting impact in media.
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.
Trading has always been about making sense of patterns and signals in the market. In 2025, the tools available to traders have grown far beyond simple price charts and basic indicators. Modern software for stock analysis allows you to see how orders move through the market, where volume builds up, and which levels attract the most activity. With the right stock market analysis tool, traders can better understand what drives price changes and make decisions based on clear, structured data rather than guesswork.
Why Technical Analysis Still Matters in 2025
Some argue that artificial intelligence and quantitative models will replace traditional chart reading, but technical analysis remains as relevant as ever. Why? Because it provides structure. Human traders and algorithms alike respond to support and resistance, trendlines, and volume patterns.
The difference now is the depth of analysis available. What was once limited to moving averages and oscillators has expanded into heatmaps, footprint charts, and real-time order book visualization. For modern traders, technical analysis isn’t just about lines on a chart—it’s about interpreting market behavior at the micro level.
The Evolution of the Stock Market Analysis Tool
A stock market analysis tool used to mean a charting platform with basic indicators. Today, a modern technical analysis tool for stock market trading has evolved into a full ecosystem of advanced features designed to capture every layer of market activity. Instead of offering just moving averages or oscillators, platforms like ATAS integrate order flow, volume profiles, and cluster charts that reveal what’s happening beneath the surface. Traders in 2025 expect their tools to deliver this kind of depth and clarity, giving them insights that go far beyond traditional charting.
Order flow visibility: See who’s buying and selling in real time.
Volume profiles: Identify the price zones where the most activity occurs.
Cluster charts: Break down trades inside a single candlestick.
Custom automation: Build alerts, bots, and strategies around your own logic.
This shift reflects the reality that markets are more fragmented, with liquidity spread across multiple venues. To compete, traders need analysis tools that consolidate data and reveal hidden opportunities.
Order Flow Stocks: The Hidden Driver of Price Action
One of the most important innovations in technical analysis is the ability to track order flow stocks in real time. Unlike traditional indicators that lag, order flow shows who is active right now.
What Traders Can See With Order Flow:
Market depth: The number of buyers and sellers at each price level.
Aggression: Which side is crossing the spread to get filled.
Absorption: When large players hold the line and absorb liquidity.
Iceberg orders: Institutional buying or selling hidden within smaller trades.
For example, a stock might look flat on a candlestick chart. But zooming into order flow could reveal heavy buying pressure just under resistance — a sign of a potential breakout. Without this layer of insight, a trader might miss the setup entirely.
Must-Have Tools for Stock Analysis in 2025
To stay competitive, traders should know the essential tools that make up modern software for stock analysis. Let’s break down the most important categories:
1. Footprint Charts
These show volume at the bid and ask within each candle. They allow traders to spot imbalances, absorption, and areas of strong institutional interest.
2. Volume Profile Analysis
Instead of focusing only on price, volume profiles highlight where the most trading occurs. These “value areas” often act as strong support and resistance levels.
3. Depth of Market (DOM)
The DOM displays the real-time liquidity at every price level. Traders use it to gauge whether there’s hidden buying or selling pressure.
4. Custom Indicators
From moving averages to algorithmic signals, customizable indicators let traders tailor their platform to fit unique strategies.
5. Multi-Asset Coverage
The best platforms cover not just equities but also futures, options, and crypto. Traders can cross-reference order flow across markets for more complete decision-making.
Choosing the Right Software for Stock Analysis
Not every platform offers the same depth of data. Beginners may be fine with basic charting, but serious traders will need professional-grade features.
That’s where platforms like ATAS software for Stock Analysis come in. ATAS is designed specifically for order flow and volume analysis. It offers:
Cluster charts for inside-the-bar detail.
Footprint visualization to see buyers vs. sellers.
Volume profiles that pinpoint high-activity levels.
Easy integration with major global exchanges.
What makes ATAS stand out is that it balances power with usability. Beginners can get started quickly, while professionals can dive deep into advanced features without hitting roadblocks.
Stocks for Traders: Matching Tools to Strategy
The best tool depends on your trading style. Let’s look at how different types of stocks for traders align with modern analysis tools:
Day Traders
Rely on real-time order flow and DOM data.
Need instant alerts when liquidity shifts.
Benefit from cluster charts that show hidden imbalances.
Swing Traders
Use volume profiles to define strong entry zones.
Track order flow to confirm breakouts or reversals.
Lean on multi-day analysis for trend confirmation.
Long-Term Investors
Use technical analysis to time positions within fundamentals.
Volume profiles help spot accumulation or distribution phases.
Heatmaps and cluster charts add context to large institutional moves.
Options Traders
Track order flow to gauge whether implied volatility is supported.
Rely on cross-market analysis (stocks vs. futures) for hedging.
The Balance Between Tools and Human Skill
While technical analysis tools are more advanced than ever, they’re not a substitute for human decision-making. A tool for stock analysis shows possibilities, but traders must apply discipline.
Discipline: Even the best signals can’t prevent emotional trades.
Risk Management: Stop losses and proper position sizing remain essential.
Contextual Awareness: News, macro trends, and sentiment still matter.
Adaptability: Markets evolve; strategies must evolve too.
Think of analysis software as the most advanced map you’ve ever seen. But you’re still the one behind the wheel.
What to Expect Next: The Future of Stock Market Analysis Tools
By 2025 and beyond, traders can expect software for stock analysis to grow even smarter. Here’s what’s on the horizon:
AI-driven predictive models: Platforms that forecast where liquidity will form and additional tools, like Gemini-Powered Nest Cam, Doorbell, and Google Home Speaker.
Cloud-based workspaces: Sync your custom setups across multiple devices.
Mobile-first platforms: Full-featured analysis on the go.
Smart alerts: AI assistants that notify you when unusual order flow emerges and
Community-driven tools: Traders sharing strategies, templates, and signals within the platform.
Security and compliance focus: Stronger data protection as more traders move to cloud-based solutions.
The future is about accessibility and intelligence. Tools won’t just show you what’s happening — they’ll guide you toward where opportunities might develop.
Conclusion
Technical analysis remains one of the most powerful ways to understand market behavior, and in 2025, it’s only becoming more advanced. From order flow stocks tracking to volume profile analysis, traders have more ways than ever to spot opportunities.
Choosing the right stock market analysis tool is about more than features—it’s about matching technology to your strategy. Platforms like ATAS make this process easier, offering professional-grade insights without overwhelming traders.
At the end of the day, success comes from the combination of human skill and the right software for stock analysis. In the fast-paced world of trading, those who adapt, adopt, and master these tools will be the ones who thrive.
