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Disney Asks YouTube TV to End ABC News Blackout on Election Day

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Disney Asks YouTube TV to End ABC News Blackout on Election Day

The Walt Disney Company and YouTube TV are in the midst of a carriage dispute, with the company’s channels off the digital television service. It is now asking for a one-day reprieve for ABC News to be seen on Election Day.

Channels owned by Disney were removed from the service last week. However, with Election Day set to take place on Tuesday, the company is asking for at least ABC to be placed back on packages for subscribers in an effort to provide important information.

In a statement, a Disney spokesperson shared their reasoning for the request, arguing that it is in the public interest.

“Despite the impasse that led to the current blackout, we have asked YouTube TV to restore ABC for Election Day so subscribers have access to the information they rely on,” a company spokesperson said. “We believe in putting the public interest first and hope YouTube TV will take this small step for their customers while we continue to work toward a fair agreement.”

As of this publication, YouTube has not responded publicly to the Disney request.

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FOX Nation to Debut The Charlie Kirk Legacy Award at 2025 Patriot Awards

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FOX Nation to Debut The Charlie Kirk Legacy Award at 2025 Patriot Awards

FOX Nation has announced that it is creating the Charlie Kirk Legacy Award at its annual Patriot Awards event, with his wife, Erika Kirk, to receive the inaugural honor.

Country music star Jason Aldean and his wife, Brittany, alongside Jesse Watters, will present the inaugural award during the event, which is set for Thursday, November 6th. The seventh annual Patriot Awards are slated to be held at The Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville, New York. Sean Hannity will serve as the master of ceremonies.

FOX Nation has shared that the new award, named in honor of Charlie Kirk, will be bestowed annually upon “a recipient who embodies Charlie’s mission and his spirit of free speech, faith, and family.”

Erika Kirk became CEO of Turning Point USA in the wake of her husband’s assassination in September.

The Charlie Kirk Legacy Award joins a longstanding list of awards included in the event, like the Young Patriot Award, Benjamin Hall’s ‘Honor’ Award, T2T Stephen Courage Siller Award, Salute to Service Award, Most Valuable Patriot Award, Heroism Award, and Patriot of the Year Award.  

Ahead of the awards ceremony, FOX & Friends will broadcast live from the theater, as will The Five.

The Patriot Awards broadcast is scheduled for 8 PM ET on Thursday, with a subsequent encore presentation on Fox News scheduled for a later date.

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Star 94.1 Names Brian Moote New Afternoon Drive Host

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Star 94.1 Names Brian Moote New Afternoon Drive Host

Star 94.1, part of Audacy’s Atlanta cluster, has named Brian Moote as its new afternoon drive host. Moote will be on-air weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. ET, taking over a key slot in the station’s lineup.

“I have followed Moote’s impressive career for many years and knew that he would be a fantastic addition to our on-air team as we build Star 94’s exciting future,” said Emily Boldon, Brand Manager for Star 94.1. “Moote is hilariously funny, relatable, and intrinsically tied to the Atlanta community. Audacy Atlanta and Star 94 are fortunate to have him come aboard.”

Moote expressed enthusiasm about joining the station.

“I am beyond excited to join the team at Star 94 and Audacy and be part of the creative and fun, listener-focused environment they have built,” he said. “Huge thanks to Emily Boldon and Rick Caffey for bringing me on board to launch a new afternoon show that will provide the audience with a content-driven and interactive experience for their ride home, something afternoon radio has been missing in Atlanta for a long time.”

A veteran in both comedy and radio, Moote brings extensive experience in major markets nationwide. His previous roles include co-hosting the nationally syndicated “The Bert Show” on Q99.7 in Atlanta and serving as a cast member and writer on MTV’s “Money from Strangers.” Moote has also led shows in Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Atlanta.

In addition to radio, Moote maintains a presence in digital media. He is a correspondent for DraftKings Sports and a segment host for Neighborhood TV, further highlighting his versatility in entertainment and broadcasting.

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Barstool Sports Founder Dave Portnoy Feels ESPN Will Win Carriage Dispute With YouTube TV

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Barstool Sports Founder Dave Portnoy Feels ESPN Will Win Carriage Dispute With YouTube TV

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy weighed in on the ongoing carriage dispute between The Walt Disney Company and YouTube TV, offering a perspective that balances both the fan experience and the business realities behind the conflict.

Speaking on Wake Up Barstool Monday morning, Portnoy referenced how sports fans are stuck in the middle of the ongoing dispute which continues into tonight’s Monday Night Football broadcast on ESPN.

“This is chaos for a sports fan, and it sucks for us,” Portnoy said, referring to the recent removal of all ESPN programming from YouTube TV as the two media giants negotiate terms. “Disney, ESPN, want more money from YouTube. YouTube doesn’t want to pay, and they took away all the college games you got to buy. ESPN, now it’s chaos for a sports fan, and it sucks for people who want to watch football.”

While the disruption has frustrated viewers accustomed to seamless access to live sports. Portnoy emphasized that the impasse is understandable from a business standpoint.

“As a business guy, I totally get it. I understand ESPN’s point of view, and I understand YouTube’s point,” he said. “This is this is America, this is capitalism. The market will dictate what the market wants, and it stinks for us.”

Portnoy outlined the positions of both companies. Noting that ESPN is seeking additional fees for its extensive portfolio of rights. Which includes high-demand conference games and live broadcasts.

“We [ESPN] pay all this money for all these rights for these conference games and live television. We don’t think you’re [YouTube TV] giving us enough,” he explained, paraphrasing ESPN’s perspective. “They think people sign up for YouTube TV to watch football and these games, so they need more money. And YouTube is saying, ‘No, no, no, we can’t give you more money.’”

Despite his frustration as a viewer, Portnoy stressed that the dispute ultimately reflects basic market dynamics.

“I’m under no delusion that Disney gives a crap about us, or YouTube TV gives a crap about us,” said Portnoy. “They’re pointing the finger, putting us in the middle. They only care about their bottom lines.”

Still, Portnoy predicts that the market will favor the established sports broadcaster. “As a business guy, I totally understand the fight, and my guess is ESPN wins,” he said.

For viewers, that likely means the eventual resolution will involve restored access to games, albeit after another round of negotiation.

Disney has all content pulled from its entire slate of channels — including ESPN, ABC, FX, and National Geographic — from YouTube TV after both the companies failed to reach a new distribution deal before the deadline last week.

The dispute, which centers on carriage fees and contract terms, leaves millions of YouTube TV subscribers without access to some of the most-watched sports and entertainment programming. It also underscores the growing tension between traditional content owners and digital distributors as streaming economics continue to reshape the media landscape.

Among the networks now dark on YouTube TV are ABC, ESPN, FX, Freeform, Disney Channel, National Geographic, and the ACC and SEC Networks. Spanish-language feeds including ESPN Deportes, Baby TV Español, and Nat Geo Mundo were also removed.

To offset the blackout, YouTube TV said it will offer subscribers a $20 credit if Disney channels remain unavailable “for an extended period of time.” Though it did not specify how long that period might last.

This marks the third time in two months YouTube TV has found itself at an impasse with a major media company. The service narrowly avoided blackouts in separate disputes with both Fox and NBCUniversal earlier this year. With each case ultimately ending in a last-minute deal.

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.

Lotus Broadcasting Adds JD Greene As Operations Manager Las Vegas

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Lotus Broadcasting Adds JD Greene As Operations Manager Las Vegas

Lotus Broadcasting Las Vegas has appointed veteran programmer and media strategist JD Greene as its new Operations Manager, adding another experienced leader to the company’s management team.

Greene joins Lotus with more than two decades of experience guiding content and audience strategies across multiple markets. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Programming for Leighton Media, a role he held since 2022. Before that, Greene spent 16 years with iHeartRadio, contributing to stations in both Pittsburgh and Minneapolis.

In his new role, Greene will oversee the day-to-day operations for Lotus Broadcasting’s Las Vegas cluster, which includes a variety of music and spoken-word formats. He will also play a key part in shaping the company’s long-term strategic goals, focusing on improving content development, digital growth, and community engagement.

“JD brings tremendous energy and expertise to our team,” said Natalie Marsh, Market Manager for Lotus Broadcasting Las Vegas. “His positivity, leadership, and collaborative approach make him an outstanding fit for our culture and our goals.”

Greene’s career has been defined by a strong emphasis on connecting brands with their audiences through innovative content strategies and forward-thinking communication. His experience spans programming, digital marketing, and talent development — all areas that align closely with Lotus Broadcasting’s mission to evolve its listener experience while maintaining strong local roots.

The addition of Greene marks another strategic step for Lotus Broadcasting as the company continues to strengthen its presence in the Las Vegas market. With an expanding focus on multiplatform engagement and content innovation, his leadership is expected to help drive both creative and operational success.

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.

Bob Trumpy, Former NFL Tight End and National Broadcaster, Dead at 80

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Bob Trumpy, Former NFL Tight End and National Broadcaster, Dead at 80

Bob Trumpy, the former Cincinnati Bengals tight end who built a Hall of Fame-worthy second career behind the microphone, has passed away at age 80. Trumpy’s story was one of rare achievement across two arenas — first as a player who helped put the Bengals on the map, and later as one of sports broadcasting’s most respected voices.

A 12th-round pick in the 1968 AFL Draft, Trumpy became an original member of the Bengals and made an immediate impact by scoring the first touchdown in franchise history. Known for his speed and athleticism, he redefined the tight end position in an era when the role was far more limited. Over 10 seasons, he earned four Pro Bowl selections and finished his career in 1977 with nearly 300 receptions.

Yet for as much as Trumpy accomplished on the field, his work in broadcasting took him to even greater heights. After hanging up his cleats, he launched a local sports talk show in Cincinnati that quickly made him a trusted and familiar voice.

That early success paved the way to national prominence with NBC Sports, where Trumpy joined the network’s top NFL announcing team and became a fixture for nearly two decades.

Between 1978 and 1997, Trumpy called four Super Bowls for NBC, along with coverage of three Ryder Cups and three Olympic Games — a résumé few broadcasters can match. His on-air style blended intelligence, preparation, and the kind of plainspoken credibility that comes from experience in the game.

Trumpy later transitioned to radio, serving as the lead analyst for NFL Sunday Night Football on Westwood One from 2000 to 2007. His ability to explain the game with clarity and candor made him a favorite among listeners nationwide.

Bengals president Mike Brown praised Trumpy’s rare combination of athletic skill and broadcasting talent in a statement.

“I’ve known Bob since we started here and he had an extraordinary career as both a player and a broadcaster,” Brown said. “He was an exceptional and rare tight end who could get downfield and split zone coverages. Speed was his hallmark. … As a broadcaster, he made his mark both locally and nationally, and excelled at sports other than football. He did it all very well and I regret his passing.”

In 2014, Trumpy’s decades of excellence behind the mic were recognized with the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Radio & Television Award, honoring his “longtime exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football.”

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World Series Game Seven Posts Massive Viewership In Early Returns

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World Series Game Seven Posts Massive Viewership In Early Returns

Featuring a Canadian team and airing on what’s typically the least-watched night of the week, Saturday’s Game 7 of the World Series still managed to pull in a massive audience across the United States.

According to Nielsen fast-nationals, the Dodgers-Blue Jays finale averaged 25.98 million viewers across FOX Sports platforms, including 25.45 million on FOX alone. It marks the largest Major League Baseball audience since Game 7 of the 2017 Astros-Dodgers World Series, which drew 28.29 million viewers.

The Dodgers’ extra-inning win, which peaked at 31.54 million viewers around 11:30 p.m. ET, also surpassed the most recent World Series Game 7 in 2019 between the Nationals and Astros. That matchup averaged 23.19 million viewers, though Nielsen did not begin including out-of-home viewing in national estimates until 2020 — meaning the 2019 game likely would have rated higher under today’s measurement standards.

Saturday’s showdown was historic for another reason. It was the first World Series Game 7 played on a Saturday since 1931, and the audience reflected the rarity. The 25.98 million average made it the most-watched Saturday MLB broadcast in 29 years, dating back to the Yankees’ World Series-clinching win over the Braves in 1996, which attracted 30.44 million viewers on FOX.

While some past games — such as Indians-Marlins in 1997 or Yankees-Diamondbacks in 2001 — would likely rank higher with modern measurement methods, the 2025 World Series still represents a remarkable 20-plus-year high for Saturday baseball viewership.

For perspective, before this weekend’s Game 7, the most-watched Saturday baseball game of the past two decades was Game 4 of the 2016 Indians-Cubs World Series, which averaged 16.7 million viewers.

Outside of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, few major championship events take the risk of airing on a Saturday evening — and none have ever drawn as many viewers as this year’s World Series finale.

Canadian ratings from SportsNet were not immediately available, but if trends hold, the combined North American audience may come close to matching the legendary Cubs-Indians Game 7 from 2016 — one of the most-watched baseball games of the modern era.

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More Names From Widespread CBS News Layoffs Emerge

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More Names From Widespread CBS News Layoffs Emerge

Paramount Skydance enacted widespread layoffs last week, affecting hundreds at CBS News. More names have emerged in recent days of those who are no longer with the organization.

After previously sharing that Dana Jacobson and Michelle Miller would exit, as well as companion streaming shows for CBS Evening News and CBS Mornings were cut, names from both the network level and from the CBS owned-and-operated stations locally have been released.

Lisa Ling, who worked as a contributor to the network, shared in a post on social media that she had been one of the hundreds who saw their positions eliminated.

“​​So yesterday, I got a call from CBS that I was among the massive layoffs at the network,” Ling said. “Now this didn’t entirely surprise me, because I wasn’t a full-time employee, but rather a contributor, and we’re easy to cut.”

She had joined CBS News in 2023 after her time working with CNN ended.

Deborah Patta, who reported out of the network’s Johannesburg bureau, has exited after the South African bureau was closed by the company.

Other on-air staffers exiting include Nancy Chen, Nikki Battiste, Nicole Baker, and Janet Shamlian.

The cuts come just over two months after the merger of Paramount and Skydance was officially closed, receiving government approval for the move. The merger was part of an $8.4 billion deal between the two organizations. As part of the eliminations, Paramount Skydance hopes to cut $2 billion from its annual operating budget.

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Nashville Predators Honor Broadcasting Legends Terry Crisp, Pete Weber

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Nashville Predators Honor Broadcasting Legends Terry Crisp, Pete Weber

It was a night filled with emotion, nostalgia, and well-deserved recognition inside Bridgestone Arena on Saturday. Longtime Nashville Predators broadcast icons Terry Crisp and Pete Weber were officially inducted into the Preds Golden Hall as members of the Class of 2025.

Before a loud crowd for Nashville’s matchup against the Calgary Flames, the organization honored two of the most familiar and beloved figures in franchise history. During a break between peiords. Fans joined players, coaches, and executives in celebrating the duo’s decades-long impact during a special ceremony benefiting the Nashville Predators Foundation.

Crisp and Weber became the fourth and fifth members of the Preds Golden Hall. Joining David Poile, Pekka Rinne, and Shea Weber, who comprised the inaugural 2024 class.

“When you think about the Predators, there’s a strong chance the first people who come to mind are Pete and Terry,” said Predators CEO Sean Henry, in a press release earlier this year. “They’re synonymous with our franchise. For more than two decades, they’ve brought our team to life and helped define what SMASHVILLE means.”

The evening served as both a celebration and a reflection. Weber, entering his 28th season as the Voice of the Predators, has called more than 2,000 games and collected multiple Emmy Awards along with nine Tennessee Sportscaster of the Year honors. His unmistakable enthusiasm has been the soundtrack of Predators hockey since the team’s debut in 1998.

Crisp, who retired from television duties following the 2021–22 season, spent 24 years in the broadcast booth and studio. Known for his sharp hockey mind and colorful storytelling, Crisp transitioned from analyst to studio personality on Predators LIVE alongside Lyndsay Rowley. Before his broadcasting career, he earned three Stanley Cups — two as a player with the Philadelphia Flyers and one as head coach of the 1989 Calgary Flames — and was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

As fans cheered and old highlights played on the video board, it became clear why both broadcasters occupy such a revered place in Predators lore. Their voices, humor, and humanity helped turn a fledgling expansion franchise into one of the NHL’s most passionate markets.

And now, fittingly, their names are etched among the legends of SMASHVILLE forever.

Katie Pavlich Steps Down From Editor Role with Townhall.com

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Katie Pavlich Steps Down From Editor Role with Townhall.com

Katie Pavlich has announced she’s stepping away as the editor of Townhall.com, the Salem Media Group digital conservative news and political commentary outlet.

Pavlich has spent the past 16 years working as editor of the site.

However, in a post to social media on Friday, she shared that the time was right for her to “step back” from that role.

“I am deeply grateful to the dedicated Townhall team for many years of accomplishment and extraordinary news coverage,” Pavlich shared. “Thank you to our dedicated readers for their support. The outlet is in good hands and the future is bright.”

In addition to her work with Townhall, Katie Pavlich also serves as a contributor to Fox News, where she appears on shows like The Five and The Ingraham Angle, as well as in programs for the FOX Nation streaming platform.

She previously worked as a columnist for The Hill and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review before joining Townhall.com.

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