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Any Criticism of 60 Minutes for President Donald Trump Interview is Misguided

Garrett Searight
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Any Criticism of 60 Minutes for President Donald Trump Interview is Misguided

There’s plenty to criticize about 60 Minutes. Sometimes the show edits interviews too heavily, sometimes it leans too hard on the host’s posture of superiority, and — at times — it can be downright pretentious. But the criticism surrounding 60 Minutes airing an interview with President Donald Trump is misguided.

Regardless of how anyone feels about him, Donald Trump is the President of the United States, and any news outlet worth its salt should want to speak directly with the most powerful person in the world.

Yes, Trump sued CBS and 60 Minutes’ parent company after an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris was edited in a way his campaign claimed was misleading. That lawsuit, in my opinion, was frivolous. It felt less like a genuine legal grievance and more like a political maneuver — a well-timed attempt to exert pressure that might grease the skids for the Paramount–Skydance merger. But that’s politics. It’s not new, I hate it, and there’s nothing I can do about it.

But it’s not a reason to shy away from covering the sitting president.

And that’s what this comes down to: Donald Trump isn’t just a former president or a candidate anymore. He’s the President of the United States. When 60 Minutes sits down with him, it’s not “platforming.” It’s journalism.

Whether viewers love him or loathe him, millions of Americans are directly affected by his decisions. It’s the same argument I made when CNN faced internal outrage over airing a town hall with Trump during the Republican primary. At the time, he was leading in nearly every poll, dominating the conversation, and reshaping the party. That made him newsworthy then, and it makes him newsworthy now.

There’s a dangerous impulse inside many newsrooms to conflate discomfort with irresponsibility. Some journalists and producers believe that because a figure like Trump has attacked the press, lied, or manipulated coverage, the media has a duty to deny him attention. That’s not how journalism works. The press doesn’t exist to validate feelings. It exists to inform the public. The second 60 Minutes starts choosing who gets airtime based on internal politics instead of public relevance, it stops being journalism and starts being activism. And regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, I feel like that’s something we can all agree on: journalism is great, and activist journalism isn’t.

Even if some CBS News staffers or 60 Minutes correspondents personally dislike Trump — and many probably do — that doesn’t change the facts. He occupies the Oval Office, he’s making foreign policy decisions, he’s setting domestic priorities, he’s got his hands in the middle of the government shutdown, and he’s got plenty to say about the New York City mayoral race. Those are all topics deserving of tough, direct questioning. That’s what 60 Minutes is supposed to do.

If anything, this interview represents a moment for the show to prove it still matters. 60 Minutes built its brand on asking hard questions to powerful people — not avoiding them. Whether it’s the president or a corporate CEO, the program’s credibility comes from its willingness to engage, not retreat. Refusing to interview Trump because of past lawsuits or perceived slights would be an admission that the network’s skin has gotten thin.

Critics might say Trump will spin, lie, or deflect. Of course he will. That’s part of the job of interviewing him — to confront, to follow up, to press for clarity. If 60 Minutes can’t do that, then it deserves criticism for execution, not for the decision to conduct the interview in the first place.

Ultimately, journalism is about accountability. It’s not about comfort, agreement, or optics. The fact that Donald Trump sued CBS News doesn’t erase the reality that his presidency impacts the lives of every American. Pretending otherwise would be malpractice. The more journalists forget that, the more they abandon the purpose of their profession.

So yes, maybe the lawsuit was ridiculous. Maybe it was performative. But that doesn’t matter now. What matters is that 60 Minutes is talking to the President of the United States. And that’s exactly what journalism is supposed to do.

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.

Pierre Robert Belongs in the Radio Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Jason Barrett
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Pierre Robert Belongs in the Radio Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

I had the pleasure last week of spending time in Chicago for the Radio Hall of Fame. It was a spectacular event. Kraig Kitchin and Dennis Green knocked it out of the park, and this year’s class was spectacular and very deserving. Accomplished executives, leaders, agents, advertising professionals and talent could be found everywhere. What stood out most was how many successful people came to support Colin Cowherd, Julie Talbott, Mike McVay, Martha Quinn, Alice Cooper, Tom ‘Mojo’ Carballo, DeDe McGuire and all of the inductees. Stephanie Eads and I sat at the ‘Friends of Mike’ McVay table, and were so thrilled for Mike, Julie, and Colin, three people I’ve known a long time who I hold in high regard. It was a special evening.

On Friday morning, I had some time to think about the one piece of sad news from last week. That was the passing of Pierre Robert. WMMR’s longtime personality was a larger than life figure in radio. He had an unbreakable connection with his audience and artists, and was always kind when we crossed paths during my short stay in Philadelphia in 2006. His warm spirit and decades of success warrant special consideration, and I will get to that shortly.

First, the next time someone in advertising questions radio’s relevance and importance, direct them to how the world grieved over Pierre. Bryan Adams dedicated the song ‘Heaven’ to him on-stage last week. Jon Bon Jovi, Living Colour, The Offspring, Alice Cooper, Billy Corrigan, Collective Soul, Shinedown, Papa Roach and countless other artists flocked to social media or to the airwaves to explain how much he meant. The tributes Preston and Steve delivered to their longtime colleague on Thursday and Friday were very touching. If you didn’t have a chance to listen, make time to do so. They were great.

But that’s just the radio and artist side of things. Scroll through Facebook, X, Instagram, etc. and you’ll find hundreds if not thousands of posts, photos, and special memories shared by radio professionals, record labels, radio stations and Pierre’s ‘citizens’. All saw him as a larger than life friend on the radio, and special human being. They understood how giant of a loss this is. Jacky BamBam’s post was especially moving.

Last Friday, I swapped texts with Chuck Damico and emails with Mike Stern after being reminded that we had just interviewed Pierre for an upcoming feature. Mike spoke with Pierre last Tuesday, the day before he passed. This was likely the final interview Pierre did with an industry outlet.

Given the situation, I knew we had to make sure this piece was handled with care. Today, you can find that conversation on our website. Mike did a GREAT job on it. Their discussion can be heard in the video down below. It allows you to hear just how much love and passion Pierre had for life, music, and radio.

As I thought about last week’s Radio Hall of Fame ceremony in Chicago and Pierre’s unexpected passing, I was surprised to learn that the Philadelphia legend wasn’t in the Radio Hall of Fame. Fred Jacobs wrote an outstanding piece in Pierre last week. In it he mentioned that Pierre was nominated for the hall in 2022, but missed the cut.

Selection processes for any hall of fame are hard. Many are deserving but only a limited number of spots exist. I think I speak for many though when I say that Pierre Robert is without question a hall of famer. His life’s work speaks for itself. I’m sure his induction will come in the future, and when it does, I know it will mean a lot to Pierre’s WMMR teammates, the Beasley Media family, every single Philadelphia listener of his, and countless artists and record industry professionals across the country.

But while I’m confident that Pierre’s work will one day be celebrated with a radio hall of fame induction, I think this conversation needs to be broader. Pierre Robert belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame too.

Pierre Robert was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame in 2019 (photo courtesy of 93.3 WMMR on Facebook).

Non-artists such as Alan Freed, Tom Donahue, and DJ Kool Herc have been inducted in years past. Label execs, producers, and editors have earned inductions as well. It’s time for the hall to make room for one of the most influential voices ever to grace the rock radio airwaves.

The golden period for a band typically lasts seven to ten years. If they last four decades, they’re usually considered an all-time act. That’s what Pierre Robert was in radio. He was 70 years old when he passed, and was as successful and important today as he was in the 80’s, 90’s, 00’s and 10’s.

That’s not just tap into the moment speech either.

Just two weeks ago, WMMR made history, winning 3 Marconi awards. That recognition was a reflection of the special work done by Pierre Robert, Preston and Steve, Chuck Damico and the entire WMMR team. Then yesterday, an impromptu meet up in Philadelphia attracted hundreds of fans to Rittenhouse Square (one of Robert’s favorite places) to remember Pierre.

How many people in the entertainment business have helped sell millions of records and concert tickets for over four decades? How many have used their platform to help artists and other organizations raise millions for important causes? Who has introduced millions of people to rock music, and continued that bond from teen life to adulthood? Let’s not forget how that established bond has helped one of America’s top rock stations deliver massive ratings and large revenues, and grown business for local and national advertisers.

Pierre Robert did all of it.

When Rick Springfield, Billy Idol and George Thorogood mourn a loss along with Dave Grohl, Eddie Vedder, and Jacoby Shaddix, you know a special connection was made. Cox Media’s Bob DeBlois shared on Saturday, “WMMR – Means More Rock…but to me it ‘Means More Robert’. Pierre Robert was Mr. WMMR.” If being the face of Philadelphia’s highly successful rock radio station for decades, helping launch and support countless artists, and introducing and educating millions of listeners about the history of rock music and the artists behind the songs isn’t hall of fame worthy, then I’m not sure what is.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame doesn’t need to take my word for it. Just ask the artists, labels, and citizens of Philadelphia. Pierre Robert left an indelible mark on radio, music, and the world. His body of work is worth highlighting so future generations understand how much his influence mattered. It may even rub off on the next Pierre Robert.

My condolences to Pierre’s friends, family, and listeners. He was a special talent. Although he is gone, he will never be forgotten. I’m sure his new all-access pass in heaven is allowing him to have some amazing conversations. I only wish we all could hear them.

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.

Why The Radio Hall of Fame Can No Longer Ignore Podcasters

John Mamola
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Why The Radio Hall of Fame Can No Longer Ignore Podcasters

Every year, the Radio Hall of Fame holds its annual ceremony to induct the latest crowd of radio royalty. This year was no exception. Ten of radio’s best were celebrated at a gala in Chicago for their accomplishments in the industry. Tom Carballo from Mojo in the Morning, DeDe McGuire, and a personal favorite of mine, Colin Cowherd, etched their names into the hall.

For one night, the radio industry came together to celebrate the accomplishments of the past and elevate the stories told by these ten individuals. For a single night, the challenges that the industry faces were washed away as the evening recalled the great memories of the past.

As I glanced at the photos from the night, there was one question I couldn’t avoid. In ten years, what will this night look like for the Radio Hall of Fame? Will it be filled with just the best of the best from the radio industry as we’ve known it? Or will it be time for the doors of the hall to open to a new generation of content creators?

If you’ve followed the industry at all, the buzzwords that surround it have begun to morph over time. The radio business is now the audio business. Talent are now content creators. The output they provide is no longer shows—it’s content feeding the ever-moving hamster wheel of the content business.

Radio Has Evolved

For as long as I’ve been involved with the radio industry (or is it the audio industry?), I’ve heard the narrative: Radio is dying, dead, forgotten, but also still here somehow. Music radio stations have gone from live and local talent (content creators) to voice-tracked personalities who supplement multiple markets for 15–20 seconds at a time.

Or are personalities now called influencers? I digress.

At this time, the 18–34 demographic that most radio stations once owned is now dominated by streaming services such as Spotify and YouTube. The age of peer-to-peer sharing changed the music industry forever in how people purchase music. The streaming age has changed forever how people consume music—wherever and whenever they want.

Furthermore, Nielsen just released its latest audio reports, showing a 22% plunge in AM/FM Cume listening since 2020. That’s only five years ago. The data also shows Spotify and YouTube Music now capturing 59% of the 18–34 listening share, up from 38% five years ago.

In ten years, where will those figures be, and how involved will radio be in it?

Sports Content Conversation

While many sports radio stations say they focus on the M25–54 demographic. In fact, the real secret sauce is that many truly lean on the 35–64 crowd. Much like streaming and peer-to-peer have morphed the music radio world, podcasting has continued to chip away at the sports radio world.

As each day passes, the demand from consumers is content (see, there’s that buzzword again) on their schedule. Appointment listening no longer applies in many cases. Attention spans are at an all-time low, and the consistent messaging at every turn on social media, broadcast, and digital media has weakened the hype machine for promotion.

Sports radio stations used to be the destination for sports conversation. Is there a sole destination today?

People are adapting as technology continues to adapt. The radio talent that grew to be my companions during my youth are no longer the type of companions that the 18–34 demographic flocks to. In ten years, that demographic plays squarely into the 25–54 window.

Which brings me back to the Radio Hall of Fame. While it’s almost certain that the hall will induct an all-radio class in a decade. Because it takes history to be considered for induction. Will there be an adaptation within the Radio Hall of Fame?

In other words, will podcasters be represented? Influencers? Could we see the hall begin to look at different wings for its induction ceremonies? Maybe a sports podcasting wing or a streaming video wing?

Open the Doors

The mission statement of the Radio Hall of Fame states the following.

“The Museum of Broadcast Communications’ Radio Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed to the development of the radio medium throughout its history in the United States,” reads via RadioHallofFame.com 

Broadcasting is changing. Radio is audio. Talent are creators, and shows are now content.

If the Golden Globes can begin recognizing the podcast industry with an annual award this coming winter, will the Radio Hall of Fame make way for the same in the future? The podcast industry is over twenty years old. In another decade, where will the podcasting industry be, health-wise, compared to the radio industry?

If podcasts and broadcasts are kissing cousins, it’s long past time for the Radio Hall of Fame to begin inducting podcasters and recognizing the industry’s finest in the same light as radio. Professional sports recognize different eras of their individual sports—why can’t the Museum of Broadcast Communications?

Broadcast communications is a ubiquitous term in today’s media landscape. Broadcast can mean many things. But content (or shows) is what people consume. No matter where the content is distributed.

The Radio Hall of Fame can’t keep guarding the gate to a house that’s already been remodeled. Podcasting isn’t a threat to radio’s legacy—it’s the next generation of it. Moreover, if the hall wants to stay relevant to the world of audio it claims to represent, it’s time to turn up the volume on inclusion.

The future isn’t about transmitters or feeds—it’s about storytelling that connects. The hall can either evolve with that truth or risk becoming a museum of what used to be.

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 Stirewalt Promises Viewers NewsNation Will Be the Most Transparent Outlet on Election Night

Krystina Alarcon Carroll
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Chris Stirewalt Promises Viewers NewsNation Will Be the Most Transparent Outlet on Election Night

One year ago, NewsNation was the first outlet to announce that President Donald Trump won the White House back. While the outlet’s Political Editor and anchor, Chris Stirewalt, won’t guarantee they will be first for this year’s elections, he does assure viewers they will be the most transparent and accurate, in part thanks to their partner Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ).

“As members of the media, we have to build trust [with the audience], and we have to honor that,” Stirewalt affirmed. “And you can’t fool around. You can’t screw up.”

According to Stirewalt, the transparency DDHQ provides allows NewsNation viewers “to see what’s happening, and they can also engage honestly and openly with the results.”

With just 180 different elections on Tuesday, November 4, it’s a relatively small number, but many hold high importance. “On a typical election night, you’re moving inventory, you make a call, [then] make another call, and make another call,” Stirewalt said. “[But the small number of elections] lets us savor a little bit and dive deeper into the data.”

There will be some elections that are easy to call because “the priors tell us a lot,” according to The Hill Sunday anchor. This is “because partisanship is a hell of a drug.” However, it also has to do with the counting capabilities of each state. “Virginia does a great job. We thank you, Virginia. [The state] has well-run elections, and it’s efficient.”

Stirewalt noted that states like New Jersey could take a lot longer to call. “New Jersey does not have the count speed that some other places have. If I had to guess right now, we may still be counting New Jersey, and looking at New Jersey, even at a time when we’ve called the race for Proposition 50 in California.”

Proposition 50 seeks to authorize temporary changes to congressional district maps in the Golden State. A Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll claims 60% of California voters are looking to approve the proposition. It’s one of the many races Stirewalt will be watching closely and asking, “Did polling consistently miss turnout for working-class voters?”

Chris Stirewalt affirmed white, working-class voters are “the hardest votes for polling” because they “have the lowest response rate [for polls].”

Another key (and sometimes overlapping) voting bloc with a low response rate is Republicans. “There is a demographic, cultural, and I think partisan bias against polling,” Stirewalt explained. “And it just makes it tough [to predict] these races because there’s a silent majority vote out there.”

A veteran journalist, Stirewalt got his first gig at 16, writing baseball box scores for The Wheeling Intelligencer. “I did not go looking for a job in sports. I went looking for a job, and they put me in this group. And I found my people.”

Comparatively, Stirewalt says covering sports is similar to politics, but the likeness also causes some problems. “We do treat politics, right? My team versus your team, I win, you lose. In one sense, that’s okay,” the political analyst said.

The problem with this is that “people watch and consume politics in the same way they would root for their team.” Stirewalt elaborates, saying this mentality might be why there is such an appetite for biased news.

“I’m a fan of the West Virginia University Mountaineers,” he explained as an example. “I want the Mountaineers to win, and I want them to succeed. If they are not having a great season, not having a good time like this year, I am not going to be interested in consuming media coverage that emphasizes how bad the Mountaineers are this year. I don’t want that.”

“We want bias,” Stirewalt affirmed. “We want to be flattered. And we are willing recipients of condescension because we want our feelings to be protected. That makes it very hard to have a grown-up discussion about self-government.”

Stirewalt remarked, “If we want to have self-government, we are obliged to work with and deal with people from the other team, and we are obliged to see the humanity, decency, and patriotism of people who are trying to beat us in elections.”

This is also what makes journalism a vocation and not just another job. “We have to honor those [vocational journalistic] principles [of presenting all sides of a political debate]. We also have to regularly interact with people with whom we disagree.”

These interactions, Stirewalt said, should not be “the funhouse mirror version [of the other side of politics], not to hold up ridicule and mockery, but to sincerely engage with the opinions of Americans with whom we sincerely disagree, and that’s hard. People don’t like to do it.”

For those looking to follow in Stirewalt’s footsteps, he suggests, “Don’t do it. Find another line of work.” However, if you do feel the vocation calling, Stirewalt suggests, “Don’t get a journalism degree.” Instead, “get a broad, useful, intensive education.”

He does not mean to offend any of the incredible journalism schools and even encourages students to join the school paper and take journalism classes. Stirewalt believes, “I can teach someone how to write an inverted pyramid news story. Someone can teach you how to edit. Someone can teach you how to set up reporting. Those skills can be taught.”

Stirewalt went on to say, “I can’t teach you the origins of the War of 1812, and I can’t explain the political pressures around the Vietnam War. I can’t. And I don’t have time.”

After getting a good broad education, “find someone who will pay you, and it will not be much,” Stirewalt said bluntly and honestly. “Go get the dirt under your fingernails and start grinding it and doing it. You will learn so much more doing journalism than you will [by] being taught about things that lack application in the real world.”

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.

Thank You, Pierre Robert

Terrie Carr
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Thank You, Pierre Robert

This week’s column was not unplanned. It’s about legacy. Something we often overlook. Especially now. I’m writing it last minute after processing the sudden and shocking death of WMMR broadcasting legend Pierre Robert.

I do not profess to know Pierre well. In fact, I’ve only met him a handful of times, (once with his beloved dog Lucy which I will never forget). However, we did work for the same company (twice) and we both understood the importance of having a strong, connected midday show, getting out in the public, and connecting with the audience and community outside of drive time hours.

On Wednesday, when my phone started blowing up with messages from colleagues, industry folks and friends, it took my breath away. “How could someone so vital to his profession and community be gone in an instant”? “The eternal, ageless rock fan”?

I asked myself – “Is This Death Of Rock Radio”? 

What occurred In the days following for radio was remarkable. 

Pierre was one who still believed in the medium. He understood it, and never abandoned it for a new shiny business model. He was a true believer. 

I remember streaming WMMR and hearing him talk about a contest. “They want me to ask you to text to win, no, CALL ME to win. I’m here. I want to talk to you”. 

Not many are brave enough to go to the wall for that one. Pierre believed in people, listeners and connection. Not the digital ear static we have been fed. 

Artist tributes poured in from everywhere. Bon Jovi, Sublime, The Offspring, Billy Idol, George Thorogood, Geddy Lee, I could go on. Bryan Adams dedicated “Heaven” to Pierre at his Philadelphia show. His death was national news with USA Today, Rolling Stone, and the NY Times covering it.

It seemed radio was relevant once again. Because of one man. 

Listener tributes poured in, photos with Pierre from those that counted on him everyday to navigate them through life. Not just an air shift but their actual lives. 

Multi generations of people STILL listening to the radio, for their favorite DJ. Good times, troubled times, businesses he affected, charity causes he touched. The tributes kept coming. His loss was massive. 

Pierre also united. Not just when he was working, but even after his death. The attention from other radio groups and their staff, who abandoned “competition” for the moment and focused on honoring a man who dedicated his life to connecting with his listeners, his community, and the artists and their music. 

He gave a crap. Pierre championed the live voice, the voice of a city and state, and his local community. He loved the music and that was evident in what he did everyday. He was a champion, not a yes man. The true spirit of the rock music he played every day. 

I spoke to one of Pierre’s co-workers in Philadelphia who told me. “Today, we were all united. No talk of business, or BS. It was all about radio. It felt like it used to feel, when everyone believed in and loved the business of radio. We laughed, we cried, we were all together. We need more of those days. Radio needs those days.”

In today’s troubled radio waters, that IS a legacy. One I believe Pierre would have been proud of. 

So I say ‘Thank You’ to Pierre Robert. Thank you for reminding us how important those of us behind the mic are and have been to the audiences that share life with us everyday. The good, the bad, the moments in between, life as we know it. The final act of our Good Radio Citizen. 

What a legacy indeed. I truly hope radio is listening.

PS – Pierre had a final conversation with Mike Stern the day before he passed away. Click the YouTube video below to hear it.

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.

What Talk Radio Audiences Really Want (And Don’t Know It)

Perry Michael Simon
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What Talk Radio Audiences Really Want (And Don’t Know It)

We’re in the market for a car. Sort of. It’s not like our current cars are nearing the end of the line—they’re Volvos; they can last forever — but we’d like a few things the old cars don’t have. That means getting a handle on which makes and models we prefer, whether to go with new or used, how much this is going to cost us, the usual tire-kicker stuff.

I approach this with a mixture of excitement and dread. On one hand, I can’t wait to drive a car with all the bells and whistles that I don’t have in my current vehicle, and we need more cargo space in case we have to evacuate, always a consideration in Florida.

On the other hand, car buying means haggling and the suspicion that the dealer is piling on unnecessary fees, and I can’t stand any of that. There are, of course, a few fixed-price cars and dealers out there, but I don’t want a Tesla, and I don’t want to pay more than a car is worth just to avoid the hard sell. So it’s off to the dealers we go.

If you ask practically anyone you encounter, they’ll say they hate haggling too, and they wish they could just go online, check off all the options they want, and pay a price that’s the same for everybody—no negotiating, just a single price like you’d buy anything else. There’s a price tag; you pay it. That’s it. Yet, with a few exceptions, every attempt at a fixed-price car or dealership has failed. Remember Scion? Or Saturn? They were fixed-price cars, made, respectively, by Toyota and GM. They’re long gone.

Why? Because research told the car companies that there was a vast audience for no-haggling auto sales, based on what potential car buyers told the researchers, but those car buyers weren’t being honest. What they really want is to feel that they got a great deal, that they pulled one over the dealer, that what they paid was a bargain. It’s all about bragging to your friends that you got your car for X dollars under the sticker price or a discount from the invoice price. You go to the dealer, you do the Dance of the Finance Manager, and you walk out with the keys and the feeling of superiority. It’s a powerful emotion, and it overrides what you say about hating the process and wishing it were easier. No, you don’t.

It’s the same thing for radio listeners. They will tell you that they want more variety in music and deeper cuts, yet stations with tight playlists and rotations inevitably beat stations in the same format with a wider selection. They say they want less talk and more music, but when the ratings come out, they’re listening to morning shows that are essentially talk shows. And they say they want “fair and balanced” talk and news, but they only want to hear talk that confirms their own viewpoints.

The graveyard of radio is littered with stations that tried wide playlists and centrist political talk and flopped. Wider playlists mean you’re playing more stiffs, because when listeners say they want more variety, they mean they want to hear THEIR favorites over and over rather than someone else’s. When they say they want balanced, they really watch Fox News Channel.

The dissonance between what people say they want and what they really want has always been the case; the trick is to know what the public’s desires really are, as opposed to what they say they are.

If that sounds like an apologia for the sameness of current broadcasting, or a warning not to try something different, it isn’t. You can reverse the results: what listeners say they don’t want may just be unfamiliar, or the target audience may not be who you assume it is.

Also, look, things can’t really get much worse for radio at this point, and perhaps it’s time to throw everything onto the air and see what happens. Lord knows you can’t cut your budgets much further to help your bottom line. And the audience’s opinions might be changing — maybe there’s finally an audience for well-done liberal talk where there wasn’t before, as polling might indicate. Or not. But if what you’re doing isn’t generating enough interest or revenue, it might be time to try something else.

TL;DR: People say they want one thing but really want something else. Your job in radio is to figure out what they really want. Alternatively, you can just throw all the research out and try something else if you really don’t have anything to lose. You can also go find another line of work that’s not as confounding. I understand Buc-ee’s is hiring.

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.

Connoisseur Media Names Todd Violette as Operations Manager in Palm Springs

BNM Staff
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Connoisseur Media Names Todd Violette as Operations Manager in Palm Springs

Connoisseur Media is continuing to strengthen its leadership team. The company is naming veteran programmer Todd Violette as Operations Manager for its Palm Springs cluster. Violette succeeds Dax Davis, who was recently promoted to Director of Sales for Connoisseur Media in San Antonio.

In his new role, Violette will oversee eight Connoisseur Media brands in the Palm Springs market. He’ll also directly program 98.5 The Bull. The move represents another step in Connoisseur Media’s ongoing effort to expand its leadership presence and operational consistency across its growing group of stations nationwide.

“I can’t wait to get started,” Violette said. “I want to thank Connoisseur Media and specifically Keith Dakin, Tricia Bastida, and Dax Davis for putting their trust and confidence in me. These are great brands with a remarkable staff — and who wouldn’t want to live in paradise?”

Violette becomes the fourth Operations Manager hired since Connoisseur Media acquired the former Alpha Media stations. He joins Ross MacLeod in Portland, J Love in San Jose, and Gordon Mays in suburban Chicago — a group that has played a key role in reinforcing the company’s focus on local programming, community engagement, and operational excellence.

Connoisseur Media executives praised the hire. Citing Violette’s experience and Southern California roots as strong assets for the Palm Springs market.

“We are excited to welcome Todd to Palm Springs,” said Tricia Bastida, Market Manager for Connoisseur Media Palm Springs. “With his Southern California roots and exceptional track record. He will be a great addition to our programming team, which continues to dominate the market.”

The appointment also underscores the company’s broader strategy of empowering local markets with experienced leadership capable of driving both creative and business growth.

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.

Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy: ‘We’re Seeing Growth in Almost Every Segment’ in 2025

BNM Staff
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Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy: ‘We’re Seeing Growth in Almost Every Segment’ in 2025

2025 has been a transformational year for Newsmax. And CEO Chris Ruddy is excited about what still lies ahead.

In an interview with NYSE Live, Ruddy shared that the company has seen growth in multiple facets throughout the calendar year.

“We’re seeing growth in almost every segment of the company,” he said. “Cable TV, streaming, digital platform, print publications, Newsmax Plus service. Everything’s up pretty much this year.”

Ruddy’s comments on the program come after the tremendous IPO the network featured earlier this year. In the days following the debut of the company’s trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the price soared to over $250 per share.

Additionally, Ruddy remarked that he believed the company’s availablity to consumers — after carriage deals with the likes of Hulu + Live TV, Verizon Fios, and digital outlets like Roku, Pluto, Samsung, and Vizio — have made it more competitive with other cable networks.

“60 million’s the magic number,” Ruddy said. “We’re on par with Fox (News) and CNN as a top-tier cable channel in terms of reach. And our ratings have been fantastic. We’ve been No. 4 in cable news, No. 5-10 overall in cable out of several hundred cable channels.”

Ruddy added that internal figures show an increase in viewership for the Newsmax 2 streaming and over-the-air television network in 2025, saying “viewership is way up.”

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.

ALLCITY Network Partners With Athletes First To Launch Podcasts Featuring Desean Jackson, Clinton Portis, Aqib Talib

BSM Staff
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ALLCITY Network Partners With Athletes First To Launch Podcasts Featuring Desean Jackson, Clinton Portis, Aqib Talib

Athletes First and ALLCITY Network are expanding their partnership with the launch of two new sports and lifestyle podcasts that blend athlete authenticity with digital storytelling.

The sports representation and marketing powerhouse Athletes First has teamed up once again with ALLCITY Network. A fast-growing digital sports media company. They are now delivering House of Action and No Lie Zone podcasts. Two shows that aim to capture the raw, unfiltered energy of football culture and beyond.

House of Action pairs NFL legends and current Delaware State coaches DeSean Jackson and Clinton Portis. Offering listeners a front-row seat to conversations that go well beyond the field. The show dives into football, culture, music, and entertainment with the kind of honesty and humor that defined both players’ careers. The chemistry between Jackson and Portis gives the show a natural flow. With candid moments and insight that fans rarely hear in traditional media settings.

Meanwhile, No Lie Zone delivers a Colorado-focused football experience through the voices of Super Bowl 50 Champion Aqib Talib and DNVR’s Ryan Koenigsberg. Talib, who earned a reputation during his playing days for being outspoken and fearless. He brings that same approach to the mic. Paired with Koenigsberg’s deep knowledge of the Broncos and University of Colorado programs. The show blends national perspective with local expertise.

Both new series follow the blueprint of Exciting Mics. Another collaboration between Athletes First and ALLCITY that has resonated with fans since its May debut. Hosted by Philadelphia Eagles teammates Cooper DeJean and Reed Blankenship. The Philadelphia-themed football and pop culture podcast has already surpassed 2.5 million downloads and views across all platforms. Now in its second season, the show demonstrates the growing appetite for content that merges authentic athlete voices with entertainment value.

The success of Exciting Mics appears to have paved the way for Athletes First and ALLCITY to expand their media footprint. By leveraging ALLCITY’s strong digital infrastructure and Athletes First’s deep connections with elite athletes. Both sides are betting that fans want more direct access to the personalities who define the game.

Together, the companies are positioning these podcasts as extensions of a larger trend in sports media—where athletes are taking ownership of their stories and creating new spaces for unfiltered discussion.

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.

Charles Barkley Praises ESPN Amid ‘Inside the NBA’ Transition

BSM Staff
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Charles Barkley Praises ESPN Amid ‘Inside the NBA’ Transition

Charles Barkley says the move of Inside the NBA from TNT Sports to ESPN has been “great,” praising the network for its hands-off approach and the opportunity to work on one of sports media’s most visible platforms.

Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show, Barkley emphasized that his comments were sincere, not a product of flattery.

“I said this and I wasn’t kissing anybody’s ass,” he said. “I ain’t going to kiss nobody ass. That’s the best thing about having money. I don’t have to listen to anybody.”

For Barkley, joining ESPN represents a professional milestone which he echoed on the programs debut on the network.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to work for ESPN because every kid grew up wanting to be on ESPN,” he said. “Every kid who’s ever touched any type of ball, if they’re being honest, you feel like you’ve made it. So it’s an honor to work for them.”

Despite the network switch, Barkley said the transition has been smooth. The first three shows aired on ESPN have gone “great,” he noted, crediting the network for giving the team creative freedom. “They left us alone,” Barkley said.

However, the NBA Hall of Famer acknowledged one frustration since launching on the network. During the first week on ESPN, a double-overtime game on NBC drew significant attention. Followed the next night by standout performances from Victor Wembanyama and Steph Curry. Barkley said the team was unable to cover these moments due to the FBI investigation into some current and former players/coaches in the NBA in a sports gambling ring.

“That was the only downer,” he said.

Aside from that limitation, Barkley called the experience “fantastic,” reflecting his enthusiasm for continuing the show in a new setting. Inside the NBA is now airing on Disney platforms (ESPN/ABC) throughout the season under a sublicensing agreement with ESPN through which TNT Sports will continue to produce the show.

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.

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