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Stingray To Acquire TuneIn in $175 Million Deal, Expanding Global Digital Audio Reach

BSM Staff
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Stingray To Acquire TuneIn in $175 Million Deal, Expanding Global Digital Audio Reach

Stingray Group Inc. have announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire live audio streaming pioneer TuneIn Holdings, Inc., in a transaction valued at up to $175 million. The deal underscores Stingray’s push to expand its digital audio footprint and strengthen its advertising offerings.

Under the agreement, Stingray will pay $150 million at closing. Plus an additional $25 million 12 months after closing, contingent on performance. The acquisition will be financed in part by a $150 million term loan under Stingray’s renewed credit facility.

The transaction is subject to TuneIn shareholder approval, regulatory clearance, and customary closing conditions, with completion expected by year-end 2025.

The acquisition is poised to combine Stingray’s extensive music and video distribution infrastructure with TuneIn’s robust platform. Which reaches more than 75 million active listeners monthly. TuneIn offers access to over 100,000 radio stations, podcasts, music channels, news, sports, and audiobooks across more than 200 platforms and connected devices. Including more than 50 in-car audio systems in over 100 countries.

“This acquisition marks a pivotal moment in Stingray’s journey to further strengthen its position as a global leader in audio entertainment and digital advertising sales,” said Eric Boyko, Stingray’s president, co-founder, and CEO. “We are crafting an unmatched audio ecosystem by merging Stingray’s technology and content distribution capabilities with TuneIn’s expertise in monetization, advertising technology, and diverse content offerings.”

Boyko highlighted the deal’s potential in the automotive sector, where both companies have strong existing integrations.

“This aligns perfectly with our strategy to meet listeners wherever they are — at home, in the car, or at retail locations,” he said. “Together, we are poised to redefine audio for a connected world, delivering extraordinary value to our listeners, content partners, and advertisers.”

The transaction will provide advertisers access to a highly engaged global audience while broadening Stingray’s digital audio advertising platform. Analysts expect the combined entity to surpass $400 million in pro forma revenue. Solidifying Stingray’s role as a key player in the growing digital audio advertising market.

Richard Stern, co-chairman and CEO of TuneIn, said the partnership will accelerate the company’s growth. “Stingray is the ideal partner to propel TuneIn’s next chapter,” Stern said. “Our global reach and advanced advertising capabilities, combined with Stingray’s audio and video distribution, create a significant growth opportunity. Joining forces allows us to deliver the world’s best audio content to listeners everywhere while providing new avenues for advertisers.”

Following the acquisition, TuneIn will continue to operate under its existing brand. Maintaining its presence as a leading platform for live and on-demand audio.

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Izzy Mitchell Elevated To Program Director at 95 Triple X

BMM Staff
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Izzy Mitchell Elevated To Program Director at 95 Triple X

Vox AM/FM is investing in the next generation of radio leadership with the promotion of Izzy Mitchell to Program Director for its flagship Top 40 station, 95 Triple X.

Mitchell, a 2025 graduate of Emerson College, currently serves as the station’s midday host. She will officially step into her new programming leadership role in January 2026, when she also transitions to hosting afternoons from 2 to 7 p.m.

Vox AM/FM Operations Manager Ted Richards said the company is confident that Mitchell’s blend of creativity, drive, and modern perspective will strengthen the Triple X brand in a competitive market.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Izzy to our management team,” Richards said. “I couldn’t be more excited to have one of the brightest young talents joining 95 Triple X. The station has a proud history, but I’m confident Izzy’s winning attitude will help us connect with listeners in new and creative ways. This is an amazing opportunity to bring in the next generation of talented radio leaders. Izzy is just who we need.”

In her expanded position, Mitchell will oversee all aspects of the station’s daily operations. Including content strategy, sound design, promotions, audience engagement initiatives, and relationships with record labels. Her new responsibilities place her at the center of one of New England’s most recognizable CHR brands. Which continues to evolve under Vox AM/FM’s regional leadership.

Mitchell’s promotion reflects her rapid rise in broadcasting. In addition to her on-air role at 95 Triple X. She has served as program coordinator and host for Emerson College’s WERS-FM in Boston and recently completed a podcast operations internship with CNN.

For Mitchell, taking the reins at the station she grew up listening to is both a professional milestone and a personal full-circle moment.

“To be trusted with leading the station is an incredible honor,” Mitchell said. “I’m excited to build on what makes 95 Triple X special and keep it a real part of the community. To be the voice Vermonters and New Yorkers hear on their morning carpools, late-night drives, and weekend getaways. I grew up listening to the radio in Vermont. To be part of that now feels a lot like coming home.”

WERS Brand Manager Ken West also praised Mitchell’s promotion. Saying her leadership skills and personality will resonate quickly with both staff and listeners.

“We’re incredibly proud of Izzy at WERS and know she’s ready for this incredible opportunity,” West said. “Her leadership skills, fun personality, and natural ability to connect with audiences will immediately shine through to Triple X staff and listeners.”

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Marcellus Wiley on Stephen A. Smith, Michelle Beadle Feud: “About Damn Time”

BSM Staff
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Marcellus Wiley on Stephen A. Smith, Michelle Beadle Feud: “About Damn Time”

Former ESPN and FOX Sports personality Marcellus Wiley is weighing in on the ongoing back-and-forth between Stephen A. Smith and Michelle Beadle — and he’s not surprised it’s finally playing out in public. Wiley worked with both Beadle and Smith in some capacity during his sports media career, and provided some insights on the behind-the-scenes of how the two worked with staff and management during his time with ESPN.

On his Hydration Situation podcast, Wiley said he believes both former ESPN colleagues are finally dropping the act and addressing the long-standing tension that many inside Bristol already knew existed.

“They keeping it real. And this just the beginning,” Wiley said. “I am not rooting for drama. I’m rooting for honesty, and that’s why I know the drama is coming, because enough of them sitting on these eggshells, and enough of them lying to everybody like, how cool we are… We are taking the gloves off — about damn time.”

Wiley, who previously shared the screen with both Beadle and Smith at ESPN, described Beadle as a “natural talent” who commanded respect within the building but admitted her principled personality often clashed with others behind the scenes.

“People used to walk around [and] had to coddle Michelle Beadle. They kind of walked around on eggshells around her,” Wiley said. “She was so good at what she did, she commanded that type of attention and respect… but she was also principle-based and comfortable. So you know what that means — production meetings, oh, Michelle was gonna be Michelle.”

According to Wiley, Beadle’s straightforward nature sometimes created friction, especially when it came to Smith’s influence on programming.

“Stephen A. Smith, in the show, on the show, any information from him? It’s not happening,” Wiley added. “And people, once again, were all coddling her until it got to a point where it’s like, is it worth it?”

Still, Wiley cautioned against what he called “unfair attacks” on Smith, noting that his drive and work ethic often get mischaracterized as ego.

“Why are people attacking Stephen A. Smith for being the man when he wants to be the man?” he asked. “People attack him because he wakes up and wants to make his bosses money… He’s waking up thinking about how can I get work done that’s going to be profitable for all of us.”

As for Beadle’s recent claim that she is “praying” for Smith’s downfall, Wiley didn’t mince words.

“Who says that?” he said. “Michelle Beadle knows how much I love her, but I love the truth more. Who says that? And Stephen A. Smith is sitting there like enough’s enough — and I get it.”

For Wiley, it’s not about choosing sides. It’s about transparency — and for the first time in years, he says, both are finally saying what they really feel.

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Pat McAfee Defends Interview On ESPN With President Donald Trump

BSM Staff
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Pat McAfee Defends Interview On ESPN With President Donald Trump

United States President Donald Trump made an appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show on Veterans Day, joining the former NFL punter for a conversation that blended politics, sports, and McAfee’s trademark energy.

During the wide-ranging segment, Trump discussed topics ranging 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. The interview reflected the intersection of sports and culture that has become a hallmark of McAfee’s program. Following the interview with the President, McAfee addressed viewers who might criticize the decision to host a sitting president on a sports talk show.

“I would like to say though, for the media people that are going to be mad about that happening, that’s the President of the United States,” McAfee said. “It’s Veterans Day. He’s the Commander-in-Chief. Obviously, if we’re going to have the opportunity to talk to him, we’re going to.”

McAfee also revealed that he reached out to former President Barack Obama to appear on the program in honor of the holiday.

“As soon as we found out this was an opportunity, I reached out to President Obama as well and his team to potentially come on,” he said. “Because of scheduling and conflicts, they were very kind and obviously sent incredible hope for the veterans and were thankful… but because of his schedule, he wasn’t able to do that. But I did reach out.”

For his part, Trump leaned into the moment with humor. “I’m only joining you because I hear you say such nice things about me from your very large audience,” Trump said. “I’ve always heard you’ve said such nice things. When people say nice about me, I join. When they don’t say nice about me, I take a pass.”

The appearance marked another example of McAfee’s growing influence across the sports media landscape. Since joining ESPN in 2023, The Pat McAfee Show has blurred the lines between sports talk, pop culture, and current events, attracting a wide range of guests — from NFL stars and college coaches to celebrities and now a sitting president.

The conversation, airing on a day dedicated to honoring service members, underscored McAfee’s willingness to tackle big moments in unconventional ways.

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.

CNN to Stream Dana Bash-Led Conversation on Political Violence From Site of Charlie Kirk Assassination

BNM Staff
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CNN to Stream Dana Bash-Led Conversation on Political Violence From Site of Charlie Kirk Assassination

CNN has announced plans to livestream a conversation between sitting senators centered on political violence from the site of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

On Wednesday at 5 PM ET, Dana Bash will moderate a discussion between Sens. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and John Curtis (R-UT) about the need to confront political violence and the mission to restore civil discourse in the United States.

The discussion will be held at Utah Valley University in Orem. The college campus is where Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated in September while speaking at an event held by the organization.

“In the wake of that devastating moment, Senators Kelly and Curtis will come together in front of impacted students to discuss the importance of bipartisan civil discourse and explore how constructive dialogue can help bridge America’s deepening political divides,” the network says of the upcoming event.   

On Political Violence: A Bipartisan Conversation with Senators Mark Kelly and John Curtis will be available only to subscribers of CNN’s All Access.

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Paramount Skydance Plan Streaming Price Hikes With Increased Content Spending

BSM Staff
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Paramount Skydance Plan Streaming Price Hikes With Increased Content Spending

Paramount Skydance is signaling a dual strategy: investing heavily in content while raising prices for its Paramount+ streaming service. The company disclosed its plans in a Q3 2025 shareholder letter, noting that the changes are designed to enhance value for consumers while supporting ongoing investments in original programming and acquisitions.

Starting January 15, 2026, U.S. subscribers will see increases across both Paramount+ tiers. The ad-supported Essential plan will rise $1 to $8.99 per month, while the ad-free Premium tier will climb $1 to $13.99 per month. Annual plans also are going up, though they still offer a monthly cost savings: Essential will be $89.99 per year ($7.50/month), and Premium $139.99 per year ($11.67/month).

These increases follow prior hikes in August 2024 and are part of a broader strategy that includes recent announcements of upcoming price adjustments in Canada and Australia.

“These changes will fuel continued reinvestment in the user experience and deliver an even stronger slate of programming for our customers in the year ahead and beyond,” David Ellison wrote in the shareholder letter.

Paramount+ has been bolstering its content portfolio aggressively. Among recent deals is a seven-year, $7.7 billion exclusive rights agreement with UFC. Making Paramount+ the home for the MMA promoter’s events. Ellison also highlighted the company’s five-year, $1.5 billion partnership with “South Park” co-creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker. According to the letter, the series was the top driver of subscriber acquisition in Q3 2025.

Even after the price hikes, Ellison said, Paramount+ remains one of the most competitively priced streaming services in the U.S. Its library includes originals such as Landman and Tulsa Kin and franchises like South Park and Star Trek. Also films including Mission: Impossible and The Naked Gun, CBS staples like Tracker and Survivor, and exclusive sports content including Sunday NFL games and UEFA Champions League coverage.

The price increase comes after Skydance Media completed its $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global in August. For 2026, Ellison said the company expects to make incremental programming investments exceeding $1.5 billion. This budget covers UFC rights, Paramount+ originals, third-party content licensing, and a planned ramp-up to 15 films annually.

Paramount+ closed September 2025 with 79.1 million subscribers, up from 77.7 million in Q2. Revenue for the streaming service surged 24% year-over-year to $1.04 billion. Contributing to $2.17 billion in total direct-to-consumer revenue for Q3. Adjusted operating income in the pre-close period was $105 million (12% margin) and $235 million (18% margin) post-close.

Beginning in Q4 2025, Paramount Skydance will report only paid Paramount+ subscribers, excluding those on free trials. At the end of Q3, free trial subscribers totaled 1.2 million.

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NewsNation to Present Veterans Day Special with Bill O’Reilly, Leland Vittert

BNM Staff
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NewsNation to Present Veterans Day Special with Bill O’Reilly, Leland Vittert

NewsNation is set to host a Veterans Day special helmed by Leland Vittert and Bill O’Reilly on Tuesday evening.

America’s Greatest Warriors will be a one-hour program with Vittert sitting down with O’Reilly from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

The program will discuss the greatest military leaders in United States history, from President George Washington to General Douglas MacArthur, among others.

Also included in the special is a discussion between Leland Vittert and Colonel Bryan Gibby about the life and career of former Secretary of State General Colin Powell.

“Colin Powell’s journey, I think, is an exceptional one, comes from New York City at an ROTC program, goes to Vietnam, is not necessarily identified early as a fast mover,” Gibby said. “This is someone we’re going to watch. But at every position that he’s in, he does the very best that he can.”

Colonel Gibby went on to say of General Powell’s role in the Gulf War, “Powell, you know, he gets some criticism of being this political general. Well, yeah, we needed a political general at that level. What are we trying to do? What are we trying to achieve?”

The special program will air on NewsNation at 10 PM ET.

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Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy: Many Media Companies Don’t Want ‘Spectacle’ of Battling Donald Trump in Court

BNM Staff
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Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy: Many Media Companies Don’t Want ‘Spectacle’ of Battling Donald Trump in Court

President Donald Trump has stated he’s considering suing the BBC over an editing scandal. Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy says there’s a reason Trump has had the upper hand in other battles with media companies, but not have it in this case.

A documentary released by the BBC in 2024 edited portions of Trump’s speech on January 6th to make it appear as if Trump told his supporters to march down to the Capitol and “fight like hell.” Those edits, Trump alleges, were taken out of context and made to make him appear more responsible for the ensuing riots.

As a result, BBC News executives Tim Davie and Deborah Turness have resigned, with Trump threatening to bring a $1 billion lawsuit against the organization.

Similar lawsuits against American news outlets like ABC News and CBS News have ended in settlements, with payments made to Trump.

During an appearance on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday, Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy shared that he believes, for a multitude of reasons, that if the BBC wanted to fight the lawsuit from Trump, it would be successful.

“I’m very assured that if the BBC took the case to court, they would prevail,” Ruddy said. “They would prevail because the state of Florida has pretty strong libel laws that defend media companies and free speech.”

He added that Trump has had the leverage in similar situations against ABC News and CBS News, but shared there’s a reason those organizations chose not to battle back against the lawsuits brought against them.

“What’s happening is that a lot of media companies would prefer not to go through the media spectacle of all this,” he shared.

The Newsmax CEO continued by noting that Trump sees the settlements from ABC News and CBS News “as victories.”

“I’ve talked to him about the CBS and the ABC case, and he sees this as legitimizing his claims that there’s fake news, that the news is out to get him,” Ruddy concluded. “I think there’s a feeling that the media in America is quite weaponized.”

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Kay Adams: “I Knew That I Didn’t Want To Stay” on ‘Good Morning Football’

BSM Staff
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Kay Adams: “I Knew That I Didn’t Want To Stay” on ‘Good Morning Football’

Kay Adams has no regrets about stepping away from NFL Network’s Good Morning Football to launch her own show, Up & Adams, with FanDuel TV in 2022. Appearing on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, Adams opened up about her decision to leave a show she helped make a morning staple for football fans across the country.

“I loved Good Morning Football and being on in every important facility is invaluable,” Adams said. “You walk in and you have this three hours—it replayed for three hours—so six hours you’re on in the most important places.”

Adams, who was part of Good Morning Football’s original lineup when it debuted in 2016, said she took great pride in the work she did there but reached a point where she felt the timing was right to move on.

“I felt so good about the work I did there,” she explained. “I knew that I didn’t want to stay, and had an offer to stay. But I was like, ‘Man, do I really want to do this for four more [years]? Is this the right time to leave?’ And I very much feel great about when I left.”

After leaving NFL Network in 2022, Adams partnered with FanDuel TV to create Up & Adams. A daily show mixing NFL conversation, player interviews, and sports culture in a more relaxed, personality-driven format. She said her confidence in the project stemmed from FanDuel’s track record of empowering creators. Giving them room to shape their own content.

“I had felt very good about sitting with FanDuel and what that could look like,” Adams said. “At that point, Pat [McAfee] was still with FanDuel. I loved what that looked like—the support FanDuel gave him and the creative freedom.”

Now entering her fourth year with the platform. Adams believes the move positioned her ahead of the industry’s evolution toward creator-led sports media. “I look at it and I’m seeing other people do that, and that’s where content creation can go,” she said. “I feel like I made the right move at the right time.”

Reflecting on her Good Morning Football years, Adams also credited the show for pioneering a more authentic, unpolished style of sports TV—one that has since become commonplace across digital and linear platforms.

“We were really interested in breaking the fourth wall, which back then you didn’t really do,” she said. “Now it’s normalized in the content space. But we were just so down from the beginning to say, ‘Oh snap, my mic fell off,’ or, ‘We got tripped up on this wire.’ We loved and embraced those moments.”

Adams believes that willingness to be real on camera helped shape not only Good Morning Football’s enduring identity but also the tone of today’s sports media.

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Leighton Media Elevates Kris Valentine Following JD Greene’s Exit

BMM Staff
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Leighton Media Elevates Kris Valentine Following JD Greene’s Exit

Leighton Media has announced a series of programming changes following the departure of longtime programming executive JD Greene. The company has promoted veteran programmer Kris Valentine to Director of Country Programming, while consultant Mark St. John will expand his role across several Leighton markets.

Greene, who previously served as Leighton Media’s Vice President of Programming. Exited the company last week to become Operations Manager for Lotus Broadcasting in Las Vegas. His departure prompted a restructuring of the company’s programming leadership, with Valentine stepping into a broader role overseeing Leighton’s Country portfolio.

Valentine, who has served as Program Director of Wild Country 99 and News-Talk KNSI-AM in St. Cloud, Minnesota. As well as Music Director for Country KYCK in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Will now guide the company’s Country-formatted stations across multiple markets. In his new position, Valentine will oversee programming strategy, brand development, and talent coaching for Leighton’s Country properties.

“Kris Valentine will assume leadership responsibility for our Country stations,” said Leighton Media CEO Bob Leighton. “Kris will oversee programming, talent development, and brand strategy for these properties. Station managers and music directors at Country-formatted outlets should report directly to Kris on all format-specific initiatives.”

Valentine said he’s eager to build on the company’s existing foundation and continue driving growth for its Country brands.

“I’m incredibly excited to step into this new role and continue building on the amazing work already happening across our Country brands,” Valentine said. “We’ve got some of the most passionate teams and listeners in the business. I’m looking forward to collaborating closely with each station to keep our momentum strong and take our brands to the next level.”

In addition to Valentine’s promotion, Leighton Media has expanded the consulting role of Mark St. John. St. John will now provide broader strategic support across the company’s stations in Fergus Falls, Winona, Detroit Lakes, Grand Forks, Alexandria, and St. Cloud.

Leighton said the moves are designed to ensure stability and continued success during a period of transition.

“We appreciate everyone’s flexibility during this transition,” Leighton said. “Mark and Kris are both deeply committed to elevating our stations, and their expanded roles will strengthen our competitive edge.”

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