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Newsmax’s Rob Carson Reflects on the Night He Quit Drinking and Really Started Living

Krystina Alarcon Carroll
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Newsmax’s Rob Carson Reflects on the Night He Quit Drinking and Really Started Living

He’s says he’s on a mission from God, and no, he is not one of the Blues Brothers. Dubbed “the funniest man on television” by President Donald Trump, Newsmax TV and radio host Rob Carson says of his career, “I became an overnight success in… 30 years.”

More importantly, he believes “my miracle of overcoming alcoholism, in a night” is a contributing factor.

An alumnus of Northwest Missouri State University, he started in radio upon his 1989 graduation. “I was making very little money, and I started writing comedy for comedy networks for radio [and later TV],” Carson said of his early days in the industry.

Carson’s comedy writing has passed through the lips of many big-time stars, including Rush Limbaugh and Jay Leno. He also had a successful music radio career, but in his 40s, he felt, “I was a little too old to care about Lady Gaga and Hollywood Dish. Honestly, at what point in your life do you go?”

So when MIX 107.3 in D.C. let the radio star go, “I built a studio on my own in my basement, and I didn’t just start doing talk radio,” Carson recalled. He filled in for a lot of hosts before getting a full-time gig at KCMO in Kansas City. “They fired me two years into a three-year deal. That was my first talk radio gig.”

He built another studio, but on the brink of losing his home, Carson took a gig selling cars. “I drank every day. I drank 34 glasses of wine every two days,” Carson said of his life before meeting Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy. “Five years ago, I was a hopeless drunk, [I] wanted to die, asking God every night, ‘Maybe you should just let me die so the kids can get $2 million in life insurance, because I will never make that kind of money on my own.’”

Carson, who is not related to the famous funny man Johnny Carson, was hospitalized several times while he tried to quit drinking.

“One day, January the 10th, four years ago, my son demanded that I take a breathalyzer in the middle of the afternoon. I blew a .27,” Carson recalled.

“I had just found out a few weeks or months earlier that I was given up for adoption because my [birth] mother was raped. That was great. My mother died, my brother died. I was just drinking myself to death.”

Carson believes a “Battle Royale” happened in his brain. When he woke up the next morning, on January 11, “I was not able to remember the taste of alcohol and had no withdrawal. It left me,” Carson said of the urge to drink.

Today, the radio and TV funnyman doesn’t drink or do drugs, but he does compare his brain to “a hamster on cocaine between my ears.” His conservative comedy is organic and comes naturally.

However, natural talent is not enough to become a success. “You have to be relentless, you have to be creative, and you have to connect and increase the value of your currency.”

“In a world of AI, in a world of everything, you are the only thing that makes you unique,” the radio host affirmed. “What you have to do in your career is increase the value of your currency. You have to do more than just be one thing.”

Using his own career as an example, he noted, “I am a radio personality, TV personality, comedy writer. I’m a cook who’s hosted lifestyle videos. I’ve always tried to increase the value of my currency.”

“If I can add value to my currency, make myself more valuable to an employer, other than just having an opinion [that’s good],” Carson then effused, “Opinions are like a-holes. Everybody’s got one, and the last thing talk radio needs is another a-hole.”

Most importantly, Carson believes that to be successful, you have to have faith.

“[You need] a faith and a belief that there’s something higher than you. If you want to call it God, whatever you want to call it. It really is important,” he said, later adding, “Get on the good side of good and have a spiritual element in your life, or you’re not gonna make it.”

While Carson jokes he was an overnight success 30 years in the making, he will tell you, “It’s been a long effing road for me.” Carson elaborated, saying, “Because I have a hate-hate relationship with myself. You know what they say? They say a love-hate relationship? I have a hate-hate relationship with myself, and it’s taken me a long damn time to get here to this point of joy.”

“It has taken me a long time to get here, and I am unapologetic,” Carson added. “I’m not going to stop. I’m not gonna let people take away my joy.”

Rob Carson’s road to success, joy, and pursuit of the American Dream will be celebrated in his upcoming book, Homeboys, Hebrews, and Hillbillies: How We Came Together to Save America.

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.

Locked On Podcast Network Achieves Biggest Month In History

BSM Staff
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Locked On Podcast Network Achieves Biggest Month In History

The Locked On Podcast Network capped off a record-breaking September, achieving six of its ten biggest days ever across listens and views. The network’s strong cross-platform presence powered unprecedented audience engagement, including back-to-back record days to close out the month.

According to the network, September 29 and 30 ranked among the three biggest days in Locked On history, as the company hit new highs across both audio and video platforms.

In total, Locked On recorded 45,691,452 listens and views in the record-setting month—its best performance since launching in 2016.

Locked On’s success underscores the growing demand for team-focused, daily sports content. Fans are increasingly consuming sports coverage not only during peak moments but throughout the year, reflecting a broader shift toward consistent, day-to-day engagement.

The network’s “Your Team. Every Day.” model continues to resonate with audiences seeking reliable, local-driven analysis across the major sports leagues.

In a competitive digital landscape, Locked On’s cross-platform strategy has been central to its growth. By emphasizing both traditional podcast audio and video-driven content, the network has cultivated a loyal audience across listening and viewing platforms. The surge in engagement at the end of September demonstrates how its dual-format approach continues to attract fans where they already consume content.

Since its launch, the Locked On Podcast Network has grown into one of the leading voices in sports podcasting, producing more than 275 daily podcasts that cover every NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL team, plus major college sports teams and conferences. The network’s daily shows have become a trusted destination for fans seeking consistent updates and insight from hosts who live and breathe their local teams.

Locked On’s growth remains impressive. The network now generates more than 40 million listens and views each month, and its podcasts were streamed 358 million times in 2024 across the leading podcast platforms, YouTube, and OTT services. Its diverse programming lineup also includes daily shows focused on fantasy sports, league drafts, and league-wide discussions featuring respected journalists, reporters, and analysts.

Owned by TEGNA Inc.—which operates 64 broadcast stations in 51 U.S. markets—Locked On continues to expand its reach by combining local expertise with a national brand identity.

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iHeartMedia’s Black Information Network Expands Through Syndication

BNM Staff
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iHeartMedia’s Black Information Network Expands Through Syndication

Beginning November 1, the Black Information Network (BIN) All News format will be available to all broadcasters on a market-exclusive basis, opening a new chapter for one of the nation’s most trusted and fastest-growing news brands serving Black audiences.

Previously available only on iHeartMedia-owned stations, the BIN format will now be accessible to any station looking to deliver credible, community-centered news programming. Broadcasters will be able to integrate BIN content in multiple ways — from short hourly newscasts to select dayparts or as a full 24/7 turnkey format.

The expansion gives local operators flexibility to align BIN programming with their individual market needs while maintaining the network’s consistent focus on reliable, culturally relevant journalism.

Launched five years ago, BIN has developed into a leading voice in Black news coverage, providing listeners with national and local stories from a distinctly Black perspective. Based in Atlanta with reporters across the country, the 24/7 audio news service currently airs on AM and FM stations in 34 markets and is also available nationwide on the iHeartRadio app.

From the outset, BIN’s mission has centered on informing, engaging, and uplifting the Black community. The network has backed that mission through strategic partnerships that amplify its reach and deepen its connection to local audiences.

Now, by making its news service available to all broadcasters, BIN is taking its next step in that mission — extending an invitation to stations nationwide to join in providing credible, relevant news that reflects and empowers their audiences.

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MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler Shares Breast Cancer Diganosis

BNM Staff
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MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler Shares Breast Cancer Diganosis

MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Kutler shared the news with company employees on the editorial call on Wednesday morning after previously disclosing the information to other MSNBC executives and top NBCUniversal brass.

After sharing that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, Rebecca Kutler stated that her prognosis for recovery was promising, and that she would only expect to be away from the network for a short period of time as she sought treatment.

MSNBC is currently in the midst of separating from NBC News as part of a spin-off featuring the cable brands of NBCUniversal being placed in their own company, Versant.

On October 6th, MSNBC and CNBC stopped utilizing NBC News for domestic and international coverage from its correspondents and production crews. Beginning on Monday, October 20th, MSNBC will be completely independent and separated from NBC News. MSNBC will also transition away from the branding it has used for nearly three decades, switching to MS NOW in November.

Versant and its full complement of cable channels — which includes CNBC — expects to be officially independent from Comcast and NBCUniversal on January 1st.

Rebecca Kutler was named President of the network in February, succeeding Rashida Jones, who had led the network since 2021. She joined MSNBC in 2022 as Senior Vice President of Content Strategy before ascending to the network’s top role.

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.

Kenny Thomas Named New Afternoon Drive Host at 95.9 & 610 The Sports Animal

BSM Staff
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Kenny Thomas Named New Afternoon Drive Host at 95.9 & 610 The Sports Animal

Cumulus Media has tapped one of New Mexico’s most recognizable sports figures to anchor afternoons on 95.9 FM & 610 The Sports Animal. Former University of New Mexico basketball standout and 11-year NBA veteran Kenny Thomas will debut his new weekday show this week, airing Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.

For Thomas, the move represents a full-circle moment in the same city where his basketball journey began. The UNM legend remains one of the most beloved athletes in Lobo history. Plus, he continues to be an influential figure in Albuquerque’s sports and business community.

“Albuquerque made me,” Thomas said. “I’ve played here, raised my family here, and I’ve never stopped talking hoops here. Taking afternoons on The Sports Animal means more time with Lobos fans and more honest conversations with the 505.”

Thomas, already a familiar voice to listeners across Albuquerque. The new program will feature a mix of insider interviews, player development analysis. Also local high school and UNM coverage, and listener interaction. His conversational approach and deep ties to the community aim to make the show a daily must-listen for sports fans throughout the state.

“Kenny is authentic, competitive, and connected—the perfect fit for afternoons,” said Brandon Vogt, Program Director for Cumulus Albuquerque. “He knows this market, he knows our teams, and he knows how to carry a locker room-level conversation on the radio. In this new role, Kenny will make a huge impact in the community and on the airwaves. Continuing the tradition of great local sports talk in Albuquerque on New Mexico’s heritage sports station, The Sports Animal. We couldn’t be more excited.”

The new show expands Thomas’s presence across the Cumulus Albuquerque cluster. He currently hosts Unfiltered with Kenny Thomas on Saturdays on The Sports Animal and Lobos Live on sister station News Radio KKOB 96.3.

His weekend programs have earned strong local engagement and helped build a foundation for this weekday opportunity.

A first-round pick in the 1999 NBA Draft (No. 22 overall), Thomas spent 11 seasons in the league, including stints with the Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Sacramento Kings. He was inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame and has maintained close ties to the university and local athletic scene.

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.

Joe Buck: Tom Brady wearing a headset in Las Vegas Raiders’ Coaches Booth was “too public”

BSM Staff
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Joe Buck: Tom Brady wearing a headset in Las Vegas Raiders’ Coaches Booth was “too public”

During a recent appearance on The Pivot Podcast, longtime play-by-play announcer Joe Buck weighed in on the controversy surrounding NFL on FOX broadcaster Tom Brady being seen wearing a headset in the Las Vegas Raiders coaching booth during a Monday Night Football broadcast earlier this year.

The sight raised questions about a potential conflict of interest. Given Brady’s status as a minority owner of the Raiders and his role as a broadcaster for NFL on FOX. Buck acknowledged that the optics were unusual but suggested the perceived issue was largely overblown.

“It was the visual. Yeah, it was the visual. He wants to be involved. My god, the last person I’m telling what to do is Tom Brady,” Buck said. “I know they [Raiders] weren’t happy that that got out—but he’s in a booth with a headset on. I mean, we’re all at least smart enough to know that there are cameras everywhere. They’re going to find you. So cameras found him and then it became a big thing. Just like everything else in the world, it goes away five seconds later and everybody moves on.”

Brady retired after a 23-year career and debuted on FOX last season under a 10-year, $375 million contract originally agreed to in 2022. Limitations were placed on him due to his partial ownership of the Raiders. A deal approved by NFL owners in October of last year.

This season, the league has eased some restrictions on his broadcast duties, allowing him to join production meetings remotely. These meetings, where broadcast crews confer with a game’s head coaches and key players, are now open to Brady. Though he is still barred from attending team practices.

Buck addressed the concern that Brady might gain insider information from production meetings that could benefit him as a Raiders executive. He dismissed that notion, emphasizing that the information Brady might gather would not materially affect his role.

“The whole inside information—I don’t know what he’s going to get that’s going to help him as an executive for the Raiders out of a production meeting,” Buck explained. “Maybe if other owners don’t like it, then I guess that’s their prerogative, too.”

While acknowledging the optics of the headset were “a little too public,” Buck stressed that Brady’s involvement was not inherently problematic. He highlighted the evolving nature of sports broadcasts and the importance of providing new insights for a more informed audience.

“The sports fan and the football fan is so educated now, even more so than when I started in this job, because of your phone,” Buck said. “Everybody knows everything. You used to watch SportsCenter to get highlights, and now it’s on your phone in five seconds after it happens. So now, what are you bringing new to the broadcast? A lot of times it’s, ‘Hey, we talked to Tom Brady and here’s what he had to say.’ That’s kind of the new information we can bring…and I think that’s good sprinkled into a broadcast.”

Buck further explained that Brady’s access to team and production insights is standard in the industry, noting that it is common for broadcasters to interact with players and coaches to provide added context.

“If he wants to talk to the quarterback or the head coach or whoever, who’s not taking a call from Tom Brady, right? So, I think it was more perception than reality,” Buck said.

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

NBC News Begins Layoffs of More Than 100 Employees

BNM Staff
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NBC News Begins Layoffs of More Than 100 Employees

NBC News has begun a round of layoffs that is slated to affect more than 100 employees, reports suggest.

The news of layoffs at the network comes as MSNBC and CNBC have begun the process of separating from their longtime partners as part of a spin-off featuring the cable brands of NBCUniversal being placed in their own company, Versant.

On October 6th, MSNBC and CNBC stopped utilizing NBC News for domestic and international coverage from its correspondents and production crews. Beginning on Monday, October 20th, MSNBC will be completely independent and separated from NBC News. MSNBC will also transition away from the branding it has used for nearly three decades, switching to MS NOW in November.

Versant and its full complement of cable channels — which includes CNBC — expects to be officially independent from Comcast and NBCUniversal on January 1st.

In a meeting with staffers on Tuesday morning, NBC News Executive Vice President of Editorial Catherine Kim said that it would “be a difficult day for a lot of us” as the cuts were enacted.

In total, between 7 and 8% of the employees inside the outlet are expected to see their positions eliminated as part of the reductions.

That figure accounts for between 100 and 150 positions inside the company. While those positions are eliminated, NBC News will encourage employees to apply for current vacant positions inside the organization in an attempt to retain a job at the company.

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CNN Expanding Podcast From Anderson Cooper to Year-Round Production

BNM Staff
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CNN Expanding Podcast From Anderson Cooper to Year-Round Production

CNN has announced it is expanding the podcast series All There Is with Anderson Cooper to a year-round program.

The program featured on the exploration of grief will begin releasing new episodes every Tuesday and will be available on all major podcast platforms.

Additionally, the show will now feature a live stream on CNN.com and on the CNN app, streaming at 9:15 PM ET each Thursday. With the live stream, Anderson Cooper will interact with podcast listeners and viewers, and will feature live conversations with his guests.

“The conversations I’ve had, and the connections I’ve made with podcast guests and listeners have been profound,” said Cooper. “Grief can feel so lonely, but talking about it and hearing the experiences of others helps.  I’m excited and to be able to expand the podcast and launch this new streaming show All There Is Live. I hope it helps people feel less alone in their grief.”

Guests for the latest season of the podcast include musicians Luke Bryan, Patti Smith, and Nick Cave, actors Kelsey Grammer and Mariska Hargitay, filmmaker Ken Burns, and radio host Charlamagne tha God, among others.

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Bob Rivers Tribute Show Planned to Benefit Seattle-Area Charities

BMM Staff
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Bob Rivers Tribute Show Planned to Benefit Seattle-Area Charities

A tribute show to radio legend Bob Rivers is set to be held next month, with proceeds going to benefit local charities in the Seattle region.

On Thursday, November 13th, the Bob Rivers Tribute Evening will be held at the Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel east of Seattle to remember the radio legend. Live music featuring Heart by Heart and Spike and the Impalers will be heard, as will a stand-up comedy set from Andrew Rivers, the son of the legendary radio host.

Tickets are $20 and all the proceeds from the event will go to benefit the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank and Summer Stars Camp for the Performing Arts.

Rivers’ former agent, Paul Anderson, shared that the event will “ensure that Bob gets the tribute he deserves.”

Bob Rivers — who died in March at the age of 68 after a bout with cancer — spent 25 years in Seattle radio before retiring in 2014. He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2023. During his career in the industry, he also worked at stations in Boston and Baltimore, among others.

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.

Chris Russo Feels Molly Qerim Left ‘First Take’ Abruptly Because She “Felt Embarrassed”

BSM Staff
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Chris Russo Feels Molly Qerim Left ‘First Take’ Abruptly Because She “Felt Embarrassed”

Sports media personality Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo expressed surprise over the sudden departure of Molly Qerim from ESPN’s First Take, shedding light on the circumstances and relationships behind the move during a recent appearance on the SI Media Podcast.

“Stephen [A. Smith] called me the night before to tell me that Molly was going to leave. I did not speak to Molly prior. I had one conversation with her since. She was on there a long time,” Russo said. “I think they probably wanted to move [her] around a little bit and try something different. Not that the ratings are bad, it’s just they know the nature of the beast. You’re on there forever. They like to make a change.”

Russo speculated that Qerim may have opted to exit on her own terms rather than pursue another role within the network. “I think Molly probably looked at it as, ‘I’m not gonna do First Take. I don’t want to do SportsCenter,’ so she probably didn’t want to, felt that would be a demotion,” he said.

Discussing the timing of Qerim’s exit, Russo suggested that the decision may have been influenced by the public nature of the news.

“I don’t know when her contract was up, but I don’t think that it was going to be an immediate decision about removing her by October 1,” he explained. “I think she precipitated it. Once it was in Sports Business Journal…I think probably she felt embarrassed. She probably thought the world would see her as a lame duck and she’s still doing the show. That probably had a little something to do with it.”

Russo also reflected on his relationship with Qerim, emphasizing their mutual respect and her importance to the program.

“Molly was great to me. We had a great relationship. She got a kick out of me for whatever reason. She was a very important ingredient to what they were trying to do. Her and Stephen [A. Smith] had a good relationship — I would say big brother-sister. They knew each other well, and she listened to Stevie. When Stevie gave her advice, she always listened to him.”

However, Russo expressed shock at how quickly ESPN removed Qerim from all on-air and promotional materials.

“I was surprised. I did not know that was occurring. I was shocked…They scrubbed her off all the promos. It tells you the quickness of television. If you’re gone, they get you out in 10 minutes,” he said.

Russo concluded that Qerim may have had more time to navigate her decision. “A lot can happen between September 20 and the end of the year. So why precipitate a decision when you don’t have to? Once it leaked, I think she felt embarrassed. That’s probably why she left.”

Qerim’s departure marks a notable shake-up at ESPN, highlighting the fast-moving nature of live television and the often unpredictable dynamics behind major talent shifts. First Take has been using a rotation of hosts since Qerim’s departure in hope of naming a new permanent host of the program in near time.

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