Home Blog Page 397

Live 105 Named Legendary Station of the Year by Bay Area Radio Museum & Hall of Fame

BMM Staff
-
0
Live 105 Named Legendary Station of the Year by Bay Area Radio Museum & Hall of Fame

Live 105 has been named the 2026 Legendary Station of the Year by the Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame. The station will be recognized at a ceremony on January 30 at the California Historical Radio Society in Alameda.

Launched in 1986, Live 105 quickly established itself as a pioneering force in modern rock radio. Over the decades, the station cultivated a devoted audience. It also broke new artists and influenced generations of music fans and radio professionals. Its impact on both the local music scene and the broader broadcasting industry remains widely recognized.

The upcoming ceremony promises to honor that legacy with a diverse lineup of alumni and current staff.

Kieran Geffert, senior vice president and market manager of Audacy San Francisco, expressed pride in the station’s recognition. “We are deeply honored and so proud to see Live 105’s rich legacy recognized,” Geffert said. “It’s a milestone that truly reflects decades of culture, creativity, and community.”

Speakers will include former brand managers Richard Sands and Mark Hamilton. Also participating are former general manager Ed Krampf, former promotions and marketing director Gabby Medecki, and former music director Steve Masters.

In addition, legendary on-air personalities such as Alex Bennett, Big Rick Stuart, Mike “No Name” Nelson, Spud, Lori Thompson, and Roland West will also participate. Audacy’s Vice President of Programming John Allers, along with current hosts Aaron Axelsen, Dallas Osborn, and Marci Wiser, will round out the roster.

John Allers, who oversees programming at Audacy, emphasized the station’s influence. “What an incredible honor for an incredible brand and people who’ve made Live 105 the legend it is,” he said. “Very few radio stations have influenced and inspired listeners, artists, and radio professionals the way Live 105 has over its 40 years.”

David Jackson, founder of the Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame, highlighted the station’s cultural resonance. “Live 105 was simply the coolest station in the Bay Area during the 1980s, into the 1990s, and beyond. And its listeners knew it was just that,” Jackson said.

The Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame, a program of the California Historical Radio Society, preserves the region’s broadcast history. It does so through archival recordings, photographs, documents, music surveys, and biographies. Since 2009, the organization has annually recognized a Legendary Station. This celebration honors the broadcasters and brands that have left a lasting mark on the Bay Area airwaves.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

NFL on FOX Rules Analyst Mike Pereira Calls for Full-Time NFL Referees

BSM Staff
-
0
NFL on FOX Rules Analyst Mike Pereira Calls for Full-Time NFL Referees

NFL officiating is once again under the microscope after a weekend filled with contentious calls, and longtime rules analyst Mike Pereira says the league needs a major structural change.

Pereira, a former NFL official who has spent decades analyzing and explaining the rules for FOX Sports, argues that the league should move toward full-time referees.

“I think it’s time to look at full-time officials,” Pereira told the Charlotte Observer on January 9. “Not everyone. But I do believe that the person that represents the crew in the field, the guy in the white hat, the referee — I think those 17 people should be full-time working together all year. Not going home in between games, but going to an officiating institute and breaking down all the games together. So the messages are consistent. . . . I’m not a fan of making everyone full-time, but make the referees full-time. To me, it’s time for that.”

Moreover, Pereira’s comments were made before the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. However, since then these comments now gain added weight in the wake of high-profile playoff controversies, including the Broncos’ overtime victory against the Bills and the Rams’ overtime win over the Bears.

Currently, most NFL referees hold full-time jobs outside the league and work part-time. Pereira believes this system contributes to inconsistent calls. He argues that full-time referees could study game film together in the offseason. They could also prepare for the season in a structured environment. This approach could lead to more uniform decisions on the field.

“The league owes it to the players, coaches, and fans to get it right,” Pereira says. “Making referees full-time is a start.”

The call for reform has support among coaches frustrated by recent rulings. Bills head coach Sean McDermott, who was fired on Monday, spoke passionately after a controversial interception in Buffalo’s loss to Denver.

“That play is not even close. That’s a catch all the way,” McDermott says. “I sat in my locker and I looked at it probably 20 times. Nobody can convince me that that ball is not caught and in possession of Buffalo… I think the players and the fans deserve an explanation.”

McDermott also criticized the league’s process for reviewing calls, noting that decisions appear to rest with one official or the league office in New York rather than involving multiple perspectives. “Here’s the deal, right? The fans deserve more. The players certainly deserve more. They deserve an explanation, and it’s a shame that a game is decided on a call like that, and there is no time spent with the head official going underneath the hood or to the replay booth,” he says.

Pereira believes a full-time model could address those concerns. Ensuring referees are better prepared, more consistent, and more accountable.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Charles Barkley Blasts Sports Media for Lynn Jones’ Outrage

BSM Staff
-
0
Charles Barkley Blasts Sports Media for Lynn Jones’ Outrage

Charles Barkley didn’t hold back in his appearance on The Dan Le Batard Show. The popular NBA analyst offered candid assessments of today’s sports media landscape while lamenting how little he and the Inside the NBA crew have been on ESPN this season.

During his appearance following the Miami Hurricanes’ loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Barkley offered his positive reflections on the Miami season. However, he followed his comments with a critique of how some sports media reacted following Jacksonville Free Press reporter Lynn Jones’ positive interaction with Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen.

“Have we got to the point now where you just have to be an idiot or fool or jackass to be on television or podcast or something?” Barkley asked, articulating a frustration he has felt about the direction of sports coverage.

His comments suggest a growing impatience with what he sees as superficial commentary dominating airwaves and streaming platforms.

“I don’t want all these punk ass reporters and clowns talking bad about me like they did that lady in Jacksonville who had a moment of humanity,” Barkley said.

Barkley, a Hall of Famer and longtime NBA analyst, also joked how he has lumped his new colleagues at ESPN potentially into his broader critique of sports media.

“Well, they can fire me,” Barkley joked. “I got seven years left on my contract. I’m 100% retired, but if I can do something just a little bit stupid, so they have to fire me. They don’t have to pay me for the whole seven years,” he said.

This season marks the first time Inside the NBA has been broadcast on ESPN. It is still produced by TNT Sports though. Barkley expressed positive feelings about the work on ESPN so far. However, he noted that Inside the NBA has aired significantly fewer broadcasts than usual

Barkley, known for his outspoken and humorous takes, noted the scarcity of appearances with blunt disappointment.

“We’ve complained we’ve only been on ESPN, I think four times in three months,” noted Barkley. “I don’t like that at all. I wish that we had been on more during the first half of the season. But I just checked the schedule. I think we’re on Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday. So they’re gonna start making up some of the days.”

As ESPN begins to increase Inside the NBA’s airtime later this month, Barkley’s fans will likely welcome more frequent appearances. Whether his observations about media standards prompt internal reflection remains to be seen. However, the Hall of Famer’s candor reminds viewers of the unique voice he has brought to sports television for decades.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Larry O’Connor Named Editor of Townhall.com

BNM Staff
-
0
Larry O’Connor Named Editor of Townhall.com

Townhall Media has announced it has named Larry O’Connor as the new Editor of Townhall.com.

O’Connor is no stranger to the brand. He has worked as a writer for both Townhall and HotAir since joining in 2016. He hosts a daily live podcast — LARRY — at Noon ET on weekdays for Townhall.

“Townhall has been a cornerstone of the conservative movement for decades, and I’m incredibly honored and excited to take on the role of Editor,” said O’Connor. “This is a platform with a powerful legacy, an outstanding team of contributors, and a loyal audience that cares deeply about ideas, culture, and the future of our country. I’m eager to build on that foundation, elevate strong conservative voices, and help Townhall continue to inform, challenge, and inspire readers every day.”

In addition to his role as Editor of Townhall.com, Larry O’Connor will continue to host mornings at 105.9 WMAL in Washington, D.C.

O’Connor steps into the role previously held by Katie Pavlich. She departed the outlet in November 2025 after spending more than 16 years as the Editor. She now hosts a primetime program on NewsNation, Katie Pavlich Tonight.

“Larry O’Connor is the perfect leader for Townhall.com,” said Townhall Media Publisher Jonathan Garthwaite. “He brings credibility, experience, and a genuine respect for both our contributors and our audience. Larry understands the responsibility that comes with stewarding a platform like Townhall, and I’m grateful for his willingness to step into this role. We’re excited to support his vision and lead Townhall.com’s coverage at a critical period in America.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

iHeartMedia Officially Ends Wisconsin-Based “The Game” Network

BSM Staff
-
1
iHeartMedia Officially Ends Wisconsin-Based “The Game” Network

iHeartMedia is shutting down its statewide “The Game” sports radio network in Wisconsin, following its October decision to flip Milwaukee’s 97.3 FM The Game station from sports to adult contemporary.

Since the decision in October, the company had continued providing a mix of live and syndicated sports programming for affiliates across the state, including its own Madison station, 1070 The Game. Other affiliates included Eau Claire’s 98.7 WBIZ as well as streaming content in Milwaukee via YouTube and social media.

However, several other stations had already migrated to Audacy’s Wisconsin Sports Network after The Game’s format change.

The network’s closure also brings significant shifts to local programming in Milwaukee. Morning hosts Bill Schmid and Armen Saryan will now team up with former afternoon host Drew Olson for a new show titled The Huddle, which will air weekdays from 5-8 a.m. on FOX Sports 920 in Milwaukee and 1070 The Game in Madison.

Outside of those hours, both stations will carry Fox Sports Radio’s national lineup.

iHeart’s decision ends the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. DND show, which featured Doug Russell, Nick Bruesewitz, and Dave Gasper. The trio hosted their last program on Friday. The move also concludes the afternoon program most recently hosted by Olson and Hunter Baumgardt, following the departure of Kevin “KB” Brandt.

iHeartMedia has not announced plans to revive The Game branding in the region. 97.3 The Game served as the radio flagship home for the Green Bay Packers. When the programming moves were made in October, Packers broadcasts moved to sister station 95.7 Big-FM.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Netflix Leads Streaming TV Viewership to Record High in December, Nielsen Data Shows

BNM Staff
-
0
Netflix Leads Streaming TV Viewership to Record High in December, Nielsen Data Shows

Streaming TV viewership has long outpaced broadcast and cable TV, but its advantage reached new heights in December 2025 thanks to Netflix, Nielsen figures show.

Netflix saw a 10% increase in overall viewership during the month of December. In total, it accounted for 9% of all television viewership during the window, according to The Gauge.

Christmas Day saw a huge increase in viewership for Netflix, as the streaming platform showed an NFL doubleheader featuring the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions. Following that NFL doubleheader, the streaming platform released the highly anticipated second volume of the series finale of Stranger Things.

In total, more than 55 billion minutes were spent watching streaming TV platforms on Christmas Day alone. Streaming TV viewership accounted for 47.5% of all TV viewing during December, a 3% increase compared to the previous month. On Christmas Day, that figure rose to 54%, the largest single-day share of TV ever recorded by streaming TV, according to Nielsen.

The previous high watermark for streaming TV was in July 2025, when it hit 47.3% of all TV viewing.

YouTube remained the top streaming platform for the month, reaching 12.7% of all TV viewership.

Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Video rose 12% month-over-month to hit 4.3%. That rise can be attributed to four Thursday Night Football broadcasts, as well as new episodes of the Fallout series.

Broadcast TV accounted for 21.4% of all TV viewership during the month, while Cable TV his 20.2%.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Netflix Amends Bid For Warner Bros. Discovery To All-Cash Transaction

BNM Staff
-
0
Netflix Amends Bid For Warner Bros. Discovery To All-Cash Transaction

Netflix has altered the financial structure of its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. in a move that reshapes an already complex bidding battle and raises the stakes for rival suitor Paramount.

The streaming giant announced Tuesday that it amended its winning bid to make the transaction an all-cash deal. The change removes the $4.50 per share in Netflix stock from the original offer. Under the revised terms, Netflix would pay $27.75 per share in cash for Warner Bros. Discovery Global would be spun off as a standalone public company.

The adjustment immediately intensifies pressure on Paramount and its CEO, David Ellison, who have argued that Paramount’s $30 per share all-cash bid for the combined Warner Bros. Discovery entity is clearly superior.

With Netflix now matching the all-cash structure, the debate has shifts squarely toward valuation, particularly the worth of Discovery as a separate company. Going forward, Discovery is expected to become the focal point of the bidding war.

In a proxy filing released Tuesday, Warner Bros. Discovery outlined how its board views the potential value of Discovery Global as a standalone entity. The filing presented several valuation scenarios, with Discovery shares ranging from a low of $1.33 to a high of $6.86 per share, depending on the analytical framework used.

According to the company, a selected public companies analysis suggested an implied equity value between $1.33 and $3.24 per share. The analysis was conducted on a whole-company basis. A sum-of-the-parts analysis pointed to a higher range. That range ran from $2.41 to $3.77 per share. The estimates were based on comparable companies, including Versant.

Warner Bros. Discovery also highlighted a transactions-based analysis, which reflected the potential for future acquisition interest and produced an implied range of $4.63 to $6.86 per share.

Paramount has strongly disputed those assumptions. In a filing earlier this month, the company argued that Discovery should effectively be valued at zero, or no more than $0.50 per share, when measured against Versant’s stock performance. Paramount continues to maintain that its $30 per share offer delivers greater certainty and a cleaner, faster regulatory path.

Warner Bros. Discovery acknowledged that earlier internal estimates had placed Discovery’s value between $0.42 and $2.09 per share at the time the Netflix deal was initially reached. The board said improved operating performance and more refined financial modeling led to the higher ranges disclosed this week.

The dispute has already moved into the courtroom. Ellison recently sued Warner Bros. Discovery seeking additional information about the proposed spin-off and its valuation methods, while also signaling a willingness to pursue a proxy fight. Tuesday’s filing confirmed that the company plans to hold a special shareholder meeting focused on the transaction, though a date has not been set.

If Paramount proceeds with a proxy battle, it will need to persuade shareholders to reject the Netflix-backed deal at that meeting. Meanwhile, executives at Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery insist the revised all-cash structure positions their agreement for a faster close, citing stronger-than-expected performance at Discovery as a key factor behind the changes.

Below are statements provided by David Zaslav, President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery as well as Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, Greg Peters, co-CEO of Netflix, and Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr., Chair of the Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors.

“Today’s revised merger agreement brings us even closer to combining two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world and with it even more people enjoying the entertainment they love to watch the most,” said David Zaslav, President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. “By coming together with Netflix, we will combine the stories Warner Bros. has told that have captured the world’s attention for more than a century and ensure audiences continue to enjoy them for generations to come.”

“The WBD Board continues to support and unanimously recommend our transaction, and we are confident that it will deliver the best outcome for stockholders, consumers, creators and the broader entertainment community,” said Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix. “Our revised all-cash agreement will enable an expedited timeline to a stockholder vote and provide greater financial certainty at $27.75 per share in cash, plus the value from the planned separation of Discovery Global. Together, Netflix and Warner Bros. will deliver broader choice and greater value to audiences worldwide, enhancing access to world-class television and film both at home and in theaters. The acquisition will also significantly expand U.S. production capacity and investment in original programming, driving job creation and long-term industry growth.”

“Over the last decade, when much of the entertainment industry has contracted, Netflix has grown and invested tremendously in the business of film and television in the U.S. and abroad. This transaction will further fuel that growth and investment,” said Greg Peters, co-CEO of Netflix. “By amending our agreement today, we are underscoring what we have believed all along: not only does our transaction provide superior stockholder value, it is also fundamentally pro-consumer, pro-innovation, pro-creator and pro-growth. Our revised all-cash agreement demonstrates our commitment to the transaction with Warner Bros. and provides WBD stockholders with an accelerated process and the financial certainty of cash consideration, while maintaining our commitment to a healthy balance sheet and our solid investment grade ratings. We will continue to work closely with WBD to successfully complete the transaction as we remain focused on our mission to entertain the world and, together, define the next century of storytelling.”

“Our amended agreement with Netflix is a testament to the Board’s unrelenting focus on representing and advancing our stockholders’ interests,” said Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr., Chair of the Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors. “By transitioning to all-cash consideration, we can now deliver the incredible value of our combination with Netflix at even greater levels of certainty, while providing our stockholders the opportunity to participate in management’s strategic plans to realize the value of Discovery Global’s iconic brands and global reach. We look forward to continuing to engage with our investors about the compelling benefits of the transaction as we progress toward our stockholder vote on an accelerated timeline.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

CNN to Hit Nearly $2 Billion in 2026 Revenue, Warner Bros. Discovery Projections Show

BNM Staff
-
0
CNN to Hit Nearly $2 Billion in 2026 Revenue, Warner Bros. Discovery Projections Show

Warner Bros. Discovery is breaking out the internal financial projections for CNN for the first time, and the news shows a slight dip in a robust revenue figure.

The network is forecasted to feature $1.8 billion in 2026 revenue, according to a filing related to Warner Bros. Discovery’s planned spinoff of Discovery Global.

Documents from a lawsuit filed last year reveal that CNN had revenue of $2.2 billion in 2021, which dropped to $1.8 billion in 2023.

The forecast released projections through 2030, with CNN’s revenue expected to rise to as high as $2.1 billion in 2029, while hovering between the $1.8 and $2 billion levels through that five-year stretch.

The projections highlight how important CNN would be to Discovery Global, should it be spun away from Warner Bros. Discovery. While CNN is projected to bring in $1.8 billion in 2026 revenue, the other cable entities from the company — which include the likes of TNT, TBS, HGTV, Food Network, and Discovery, among others — are slated to see a combined $9.9 billion in overall revenue during the year. That figure is forecasted to fall to as low as $7.9 billion by 2029.

Warner Bros. Discovery noted that the figures were “not prepared with a view to public disclosure.” However, it said it was providing the information because it had been presented to the Board of Directors and was an important piece of information to share.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

ESPN Announces Upcoming Docuseries on Nick Saban

BSM Staff
-
0
ESPN Announces Upcoming Docuseries on Nick Saban

ESPN is expanding its long-form documentary slate with a deep dive into one of the most influential figures in sports history. The network has partnered with Words + Pictures on Saban, a multi-part docuseries now in production that will chronicle the life, career, and far-reaching impact of legendary college football coach Nick Saban.

At the center of the project is Saban’s 17-season run at Alabama. He won six national championships and restored the Crimson Tide to college football’s most powerful position. However, the series stretches well beyond Tuscaloosa. It traces Saban’s journey through earlier stops at LSU and Michigan State. The series also examines his time in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. That context shows how his ideas, methods, and intensity evolved over time.

Directed by Russell Dinallo, the series is produced by Connor Schell, Libby Geist, Aaron Cohen, and Alexa Conway for Words + Pictures, alongside veteran ESPN storyteller Tom Rinaldi. Gabe Honig will serve as co-executive producer and showrunner. Together, the group is tasked with telling the full story of a coach whose dominance reshaped college football and whose leadership philosophy influenced generations of players and coaches.

Unlike previous profiles, Saban promises unprecedented access. The series draws from hundreds of hours of never-before-seen footage captured in locker rooms, practice fields, and internal program settings. Saban tightly controlled those environments throughout his career. Those scenes are paired with present-day interviews, including extensive conversations with Saban and his wife, Terry Saban. Her influence and leadership within Alabama’s program became legendary in their own right.

“With my coaching days behind me, Ms. Terry and I have been doing a lot of reflection and realized we were ready to tell our story,” Saban said in a statement. He added that the project allowed him to revisit every stage of his career while examining the process that drove his success, not just the results.

The docuseries also explores “The Process,” Saban’s disciplined, detail-oriented approach to leadership. That philosophy produced seven national championships, four Heisman Trophy winners, and a pipeline of NFL talent. It also changed how elite programs operate. Former players, assistant coaches, rivals, family members, and observers contribute more than 80 interviews. They offer perspective on both the public legend and the private man.

“There will never be another Nick Saban,” said Words + Pictures CEO Connor Schell. “He’s a football genius, a singular leader, and a true icon. He has shaped the modern game in ways that extend far beyond wins and losses.”

Featuring more than 30 hours of interviews with Saban himself, Saban positions ESPN to deliver one of its most comprehensive sports biographies to date. Premiere timing and episode rollout details will be announced at a later date.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich to Interview President Donald Trump on 1st Anniversary of Inauguration

BNM Staff
-
0
NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich to Interview President Donald Trump on 1st Anniversary of Inauguration

Tuesday marks the first anniversary of President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. NewsNation’s Katie Pavlich will sit down with him to discuss the milestone.

The interview will air at 10 PM ET during Katie Pavlich Tonight. The discussion with President Trump comes one day after the program debuted in the primetime window for NewsNation. Pavlich joined the NewsNation lineup in the timeslot previously occupied by Ashleigh Banfield, who departed the program to launch a true crime vertical for the network.

Pavlich will conduct the interview from the White House. It marks the second sit-down interview NewsNation has had with President Trump.

In her debut show, Pavilich — who joined NewsNation after previously working at Fox News — spoke glowingly of the first year of the second Trump administration.

“Tuesday marks the one-year anniversary of President Trump’s second term, and Katie Pavlich Tonight is headed to the White House tomorrow to interview the commander in chief as he reflects on the milestone,” said Pavlich. “Our exclusive sit-down will air this time tomorrow night right here on NewsNation. On paper, his accomplishments have been undeniable since being sworn in last January.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

1...396397398...2,773Page 397 of 2,773