NPR has announced it is adding reporter Miles Parks to the NPR Politics Podcast as a regular co-host for the popular program.
Parks will join Tamara Keith and Sarah McCammon for the show. Currently, Parks serves as a reporter for the network’s Washington Desk, where he covers election security and voting-related issues. He’ll continue in that role, in addition to his work with the podcast.
“I love being on this show for the same reasons I fell in love with it as a listener 10 years ago,” said Parks. “Our format allows a level of detail and nuance that feels refreshing in the era of social media politics. The current moment often feels impossible to fully understand, but I’m honored and excited to get to the bottom of it with our listeners.”
Miles Parks has been with the network since 2014, after previously working at The Washington Post and The Lakeland Ledger in Florida.
Parks joins the NPR Politics Podcast as it gets set to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Launching in 2015, the program routinely finishes in the top 50 most-listened to podcasts in rankings from Triton Digital and Podtrac. The show is set to record a live show at the network’s Washington, D.C. headquarters on Thursday, October 30th.
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CNN Max, the news network’s live stream, will be pulled from the HBO Max streaming platform on November 17th ahead of it launching its own channel.
The live stream of the cable news network launched in 2023, but the network has planned its own streaming platform which is scheduled to debut later this year, with no concrete details yet announced.
“CNN has benefitted tremendously from its two years of offering a live 24/7 feed of news to HBO Max customers,” said CNN Executive Vice President of Digital Products and Services Alex MacCallum. “We learned from HBO Max’s large base of subscribers what people want and enjoy the most from CNN, and with the launch of our own new streaming subscription offering coming later this fall, we look forward to building off that and growing our audience with this unique, new offering.”
HBO Max will continue to feature original programming from CNN on its platform, like shows hosted by Anderson Cooper, Anthony Bourdain, and Stanley Tucci, among others. Those lifestyle and culture shows will remain, while the more news-focused content that airs live on the network will be placed on the new service.
Warner Bros. Discovery recently changed the name of the service back to its previous HBO Max branding, stating that the premium offerings on the service more closely aligned with the HBO brand.
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930 WFMD Program Director and morning co-host Chris Michaels has announced his intention to step away from the news/talk station later this month.
Michaels has been with the Frederick, Maryland, station for two-and-a-half years.
In a post on social media, Michaels shared his admiration for those who have helped him join the station and remain with the brand during his tenure.
“I’m grateful to Connoisseur Media, a fantastic company that, at the time, owned WFMD, and to Frank Mitchell, who hired me and trained me, for the opportunity to be part of this legendary station, and to my close friend and mentor, Bob Miller,” Michaels wrote on Facebook. “My passion for radio is strong, and I look forward to returning to the airwaves as soon as my time at WFMD comes to an end.”
He added that he is not leaving the medium.
“I love the radio industry; who knows where this journey will take me next, but I hope it will still be in this area,” Michaels wrote. “You will hear me on the air again one day, because my radio career is NOT over.”
Michaels has past experience in the market, working at 106.9 The Eagle, and COOL Oldies 1450 WTH, in addition to spending time at WRGG in Greencastle, Pennsylvania.
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Paramount Skydance is closing in on officially completing an acquisition of The Free Press, and is hiring its founder, Bari Weiss, in a senior executive role.
Weiss previously served as an editor and writer at The New York Times before her high-profile 2020 exit. In the wake of her departure, she launched The Free Press.
The addition of Weiss — who many have viewed as shifting her political views from center-left to the right — comes after CBS News settled a lawsuit brought forth by President Donald Trump over its editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Bari Weiss will join the outlet that has seen plenty of changes in its executive ranks over the past year. Former CBS News President Wendy McMahon exited, as did longtime 60 Minutes Executive Producer Bill Owens. Tom Cibrowkski now serves as president of CBS News. However, Weiss will reportedly report directly to Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, and not Cibrowski, when she begins her new role.
Meanwhile, Tanya Simon has been named the new Executive Producer of 60 Minutes. The network also made an executive producer change on CBS Evening News amid slumping ratings. Kim Harvey replaced Guy Campanile in the position in late August.
According to a report from Puck’s Dylan Byers, the announcement that Weiss will join CBS News will be made official on Monday. He adds that the purchase price for Paramount Skydance is believed to be around $150 million, with a mix of cash and stock options.
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FanDuel Sports Network is shifting several of its production jobs to a new hub in Denver, a move that has stirred pushback from crews who fear it could diminish the quality of nightly game broadcasts.
The relocation affects broadcast roles for five NBA teams — the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs — and three NHL clubs: the Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators. Six of those markets will see as many as three positions moved, including replay, graphics and score bug operations.
The restructuring is part of what parent company Main Street Sports Group calls a modernization plan, according to a report in The Athletic. Norby Williamson, president of production and programming, argued the Denver hub will enhance the telecasts by providing more technology, staff and live cut-in capabilities.
“We’re trying to make a modernization hub,” Williamson said to The Athletic. “More technology, more personnel, more bells and whistles, more live cut-ins right through the new facility in Denver which they didn’t have before. Everything about it, you’re absolutely right: they’re going to change. And they’re going to be improved.”
Some staff members see it differently. Nine workers, who were granted anonymity to speak freely to The Athletic, described the decision as cost-cutting that could hurt broadcasts and sideline freelance specialists with years of experience working closely with announcers and teams.
The changes come less than a year after the former Bally Sports regional networks emerged from bankruptcy and rebranded as FanDuel Sports Network. The company had been saddled with $9 billion in debt under Diamond Sports Group before reorganizing and negotiating new rights deals with leagues.
Despite the skepticism, Williamson said the Denver approach can create opportunities. Roles that were previously freelance are being offered as full-time positions — if candidates are willing to relocate. “It’s not for everybody, but it’s a great opportunity,” he said.
Union leaders remain unconvinced. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), which represents many FanDuel Sports Network workers, noted the Denver jobs are being offered through Mobile TV Group, a third-party vendor that does not provide union protections.
Executives maintain the network is investing, not retreating. Williamson pointed to new hires, more cameras and expanded programming as evidence. He also cited other broadcasters, including ESPN, where he spent four decades, as proof a centralized model can succeed.
“This has been going on because technology allows it to,” Williamson said. “This is not like a new FanDuel Sports Network phenomenon.”
For some freelance crew members, however, the uncertainty looms larger than the technology. “Sometimes change is good,” one recently terminated worker said. “But change like this — not only are you coming in with sweeping changes, but you’re not doing it in a manner that seems respectful of the people who have been there.”
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ESPNannounced it has signed three-time NHL All-Star and Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban to a new multi-year contract extension, keeping the former defenseman in his role as an NHL studio analyst across the network’s platforms.
Subban, who originally joined ESPN in 2022 shortly after retiring from a 13-year NHL career, has become one of the network’s most recognizable voices on its hockey coverage. Known for his energy, candid analysis, and ability to connect with fans, Subban will continue appearing on studio shows and in select game analyst roles.
When he first joined ESPN, Subban emphasized the opportunity to remain connected to the sport while offering insight from both sides of the glass.
“I have a vested interest in growing the game and know the importance of the rapidly expanding sports landscape,” Subban said at the time. “I look forward to bringing my unique insights from having recently been on the ice and now my off-ice perspective.”
Subban’s playing resume speaks for itself. He won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman in 2013 and skated for the Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, and New Jersey Devils. Beyond the rink, he was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2022, honoring his leadership qualities and significant humanitarian contributions. Through the P.K. Subban Foundation, he has supported racial and social justice initiatives, youth programs, COVID-19 relief efforts, and access to hockey for underserved communities.
Internationally, Subban added to his legacy as a member of Team Canada’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. He also captured gold medals at the World Junior Championships in 2008 and 2009. Away from competition, he became the cover athlete for EA Sports’ NHL 19, cementing his reputation as one of hockey’s most marketable figures.
ESPN has signed @PKSubban1 to a new, multi-year contract extension
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KSE Radio Ventures is turning to an experienced hand to oversee its portfolio of Denver stations. The company announced that veteran radio and advertising executive Joel Clary has been appointed Senior Vice President and General Manager, taking the lead at Mix 100, KOOL 105, and Altitude Sports Radio.
Clary’s appointment marks a return to the Mile High City for a leader with more than two decades of experience in sales, management, and strategy. He arrives from Salem Media, where he most recently served as Regional Multimedia Sales Manager, directing teams across multiple markets.
Prior to that role, he built a reputation in Northern Colorado with Townsquare Media as Director of Sales, where he helped secure broadcast rights for major sports properties while driving significant growth in digital and live event revenue.
In a statement, Steve Smith, President of KSE Media Ventures, praised Clary’s track record and emphasized his role in shaping the company’s next chapter.
“We are excited for Joel’s leadership and expertise as we continue to evolve and strengthen our radio business,” Smith said.
The move signals KSE’s focus on both its music and sports formats. Mix 100 has been a staple for adult contemporary fans in Denver, while KOOL 105 continues to draw listeners with classic hits. Altitude Sports Radio, meanwhile, serves as the flagship home for Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche broadcasts. With Clary at the helm, KSE is aiming to expand its influence in a competitive radio landscape where audience engagement increasingly extends beyond the traditional dial.
Clary’s career spans markets across the Midwest, Southwest, and Rocky Mountain regions, with leadership roles at Cumulus Media, Urban One/Radio One, and Clear Channel. That breadth of experience positions him to navigate both the revenue pressures and content opportunities facing local stations.
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Connoisseur Media is bringing Dayton listeners familiar voices and bold new sounds as the city’s radio dial undergoes a major shakeup. The legendary Z93 returns to the Miami Valley, while the brand-new 101.5 The Fridge debuts with an alternative rock format.
The revival of Z93 brings back one of Dayton’s most iconic stations, reuniting longtime personalities and music that defined an era for listeners across the region. Connoisseur Media Market Manager Brett Beshore said the return will bridge the station’s storied past with a fresh presentation designed for 2025.
“Z93 was a powerhouse in Dayton, and we’re thrilled to bring it back for a new era,” Beshore said. “By reuniting popular voices like Scott Sharp and Dayton’s most iconic personality Kim Farris with a high-energy presentation, we’re delivering a station that feels both legendary and fresh. Listeners will experience a station that sounds like nothing else on the air today.”
Operations Manager Kevin J. Washington echoed the sentiment, noting the personal significance of the relaunch. “It’s truly an honor to help bring Z93 back to Dayton,” Washington said. “The station meant so much to me back in the day when I was an intern. To be part of its return is a full circle moment.”
Program Director Joel Murphy confirmed the station will lean into the music that made Z93 famous. The playlist will spotlight hits from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, with artists like Prince, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins and Whitney Houston.
Morning show host Scott Sharp, who returns to the mic, said the comeback is especially meaningful for longtime fans. “Z-93 is the station that I, and many other Daytonians, grew up with,” Sharp said. “Hearing ‘Eaton, Dayton, and Springfield ALIVE!’ will be a goosebumps moment, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be part of a special station and legacy.”
While nostalgia drives Z93’s return, the market is also gaining something brand new thanks to Connoisseur Media. 101.5 The Fridge enters the scene as Dayton’s modern alternative rock station, playing artists like Foo Fighters, Green Day and Mumford & Sons. The brand pays homage to the city’s history with Frigidaire while carving out a unique sonic identity.
“With 101.5 The Fridge, we’re giving Dayton the coolest alternative rock station it’s ever had,” Beshore said. “The name pays tribute to the city’s proud Frigidaire heritage, while the format delivers a bold, modern sound that will stand out and connect with listeners and advertisers across the market.”
Washington added that The Fridge will feature “a fresh, energetic sound with jocks to match.” Program Director Kevin Begley was even more direct. “Alternative has been missing from Dayton for way too long, and that ends now,” Begley said. “The Fridge isn’t just a name, it’s a signal that alternative in Dayton is alive, loud, and impossible to ignore.”
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Do you really enjoy talking about a government shutdown on your show? Really? Would you want to talk to someone about a government shutdown at your next Happy Hour? I mean, sure, it’s the national topic of the week, but if you really get excited trying to talk about a government shutdown, you’re some kind of masochist.
Granted, in news/talk, we have to discuss it this week, for obvious reasons. But it’s your job to figure out how to make this compelling, interesting, and entertaining for a broader audience beyond the traditional news/talk P1 listener.
This is the fourth government shutdown in the last 12 years, so Americans are familiar with it. Both parties will blame the other, and eventually, a deal is reached. There could be some inconveniences for some Americans, but it’s become a predictable way of federal government life over the last decade.
So if your plan is to mimic your favorite politician and take the “We’re all going to die!” approach, you’re not in touch with your regular listener. Leave that to the politicians. For you, just go out there and be a talk show host. Inform and entertain.
For local shows, drop the cable news talking points. What is the impact, if any, on your market? Most national parks are remaining generally open, according to the Associated Press. However, the Liberty Bell was not open after the government shutdown at midnight on Wednesday. Are there any notable closures in your city? How many federal workers are in your metropolitan area who could be impacted? Will those government facilities be open?
And then, there’s the humor and bizarreness of the whole shutdown. The President sent social media into a frenzy with his viral AI-generated video of Reps. Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) earlier this week. The right calls it a hilarious troll, the left calls it a racist video. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) responded by releasing an AI-generated Vice President J.D. Vance video.
For news/talk, that video is infinitely more compelling to discuss than the intricacies of a government shutdown that makes most people’s eyes glaze over. Do you want your politicians sparring like this? Is this how political debate is going to be in the 21st century? At least it’s better than Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton dueling in 1804.
We’ve officially entered the WWE era of politics — complete with deepfakes, viral memes, and performative outrage. It’s weird, it’s wild, and yes, it’s way more entertaining than a C-SPAN budget hearing. Use that to your advantage in the days to come.
So yes, talk about the shutdown. But do it your way. Be local. Be funny. Be real. Because if you’re bored by it, your audience definitely is too.
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Baseball is tradition. But that shouldn’t mean the same postseason voices year after year telling the story of October. In 2022, Joe Davis took over as FOX’s lead MLB play-by-play announcer, succeeding Joe Buck, who left for ESPN’s Monday Night Football.
Davis is sharp, capable, and professional. While he didn’t make Dodgers fans forget the legendary Vin Scully, he has filled the chair as well as anyone could expect in Los Angeles since 2017. Buck called 24 World Series matchups from 1996 to 2021. There’s that famous baseball tradition again: it takes 10 men and a forklift for baseball to make a change in the booth—or, in Buck’s case, $75 million from ESPN.
I’m thinking more about the former players who analyze postseason games in the booth and the studio. Lead FOX analyst John Smoltz retired in 2009 and has been in the No. 1 chair since 2016. Baseball didn’t have full-time replay until 2014—five years after he retired. In just the last few years, MLB has added a pitch clock, ghost runners, banned shifts, implemented a universal designated hitter, and expanded the playoffs. Next year, they are adding ABS, the Automatic Balls-and-Strikes system. Yet there are few national postseason analysts who have first-hand experience with any of these changes on the field.
Meanwhile, look at the NFL.
Recently retired stars are flooding into studios and broadcast booths, bringing fresh perspective, energy, and personality.
The NFL Churns Stars
Tom Brady, who retired in 2022, signed a 10-year, $375 million deal with FOX to become their lead NFL analyst. J.J. Watt, also retired in 2022, moved quickly into CBS’s No. 2 booth alongside Ian Eagle. Matt Ryan, retired in 2024, joined The NFL Today as a studio analyst.
Eli Manning retired in 2020, Richard Sherman in 2021, and Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2022. Derek Carr, a first-year retiree, impressed in his debut as a studio analyst for the Chargers-Chiefs game in Brazil on YouTube. Tony Romo retired in 2017 and, at 45, is now a seasoned veteran behind the mic. Not long ago, he was the young hotshot predicting plays before they happened.
If he were calling baseball games, he would be among the younger voices in the sport.
The NFL is actively turning former stars into must-watch voices, giving fans insider anecdotes, fresh perspectives, and analysis of rule changes—all from personalities they remember from recent Sunday afternoons. Their broadcasts feel alive, current, and relevant because the voices are too.
Baseball? Not so much.
Same Storytellers, Different Year
Analysts like David Cone (retired 2001), Eduardo Pérez (retired 2008), and A.J. Pierzynski (retired 2016) have been part of ESPN’s national coverage for years. Solid, knowledgeable, reliable—but very much “been there, done that.”
Ron Darling, one of my favorite postseason voices, is insightful, opinionated, funny, and passionate. He spends the season in the Mets booth and was part of the 1986 World Series-winning team—but he retired 30 years ago.
The FOX studio panel leans heavily on Pedro Martinez, Derek Jeter, and David Ortiz, who retired in 2009, 2014, and 2016, respectively. All three are Hall of Fame winners who can relate that experience to fans. However, without watching a second of 2025 coverage, I already know what they’ll bring: Ortiz will be loud and unpredictable, Jeter could be more engaging if he truly opened up, and Martínez, the best of the bunch, may go off the rails with his analysis while the panel reacts to his rants and raves.
They’re good—but I know their rhythm before a pitch is even thrown.
Why don’t more recently retired MLB players jump into broadcasting?
Part of it is lifestyle. Unlike NFL players, many MLB stars play into their late 30s or even 40s. Their retirements often lead directly to front-office, advisory, or executive roles. Buster Posey, for example, retired in 2021 and is now the San Francisco Giants’ president of baseball operations. Others want to stay in their hometown markets, coach, or step away from the grind. Keeping up with 162 regular-season games plus the playoffs is exhausting, and doing it on TV requires a different kind of preparation—studying stats across all teams, tracking endless numbers, avoiding bias, and entertaining a national audience.
That’s a lot to ask, even for someone with a World Series ring and years of clubhouse stories to tell.
NEEDED: New Blood
The lack of new blood isn’t a critique of those already in the booth. Smoltz is excellent. Davis is polished. Ortiz, Jeter, and Martínez bring credibility. But credibility alone doesn’t make broadcasts exciting.
MLB’s national coverage could benefit from the same boldness we see in the NFL, where former stars jump in immediately, unafraid to challenge norms, speak their minds, and inject personality. Imagine calling a playoff game with insights still fresh, memory sharp, and voice current.
The postseason is baseball’s most valuable stage. This is when casual fans pay attention, when narratives are written, and when legends are remembered. Right now, the game has incredible stories to tell, yet the voices telling them are largely the same ones we’ve heard for years.
MLB has to encourage and cultivate recently retired players—charismatic, game-savvy talent up on the latest rules and trends in an ever-changing, numbers-driven analytical baseball world. Adam Wainwright, who retired in 2023 with two World Series titles as a member of the Cardinals, is a step in the right direction. Hunter Pence, who won two rings with the Giants in 2012 and 2014, will do early-round coverage for ESPN.
Good first moves, but it’s up to baseball to farm more recently retired, high-quality talent and steer them into the booth.
October baseball is magical and memorable. What it needs is the guts to let new voices tell the stories. The postseason shouldn’t just be a showcase of the game on the field—it should feel alive in the booth and in the studio.
The sport can honor tradition while embracing the new. The postseason is the perfect time for baseball to refresh, to excite, and to prove that even in a sport steeped in history, innovation matters.
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