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Rock Radio Should Steal From Ash Dykes’ Congo Basin Stunt

Keith Cunningham
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Rock Radio Should Steal From Ash Dykes’ Congo Basin Stunt

Have you heard of Ash Dykes? He crashed into my TikTok feed in August. Now I can’t escape him — and he’s in the Congo Basin.

Back in August, his popularity seemed lukewarm. As I write this in early October, TikTok has identified him as a No. 1 trending creator. Why?

He’s attempting something I’m calling a stunt. And RockTernative radio should pay attention.

700 Kilometers of Madness

What Ash is doing sounds crazy. He and his two-man crew are attempting 700-plus kilometers in inflatable kayaks on the Sangha River through the Congo Basin, one of the most dangerous stretches of water and land in the world.

Hippos, crocs, gorillas, forest elephants, snakes, parasites and malaria, huge tigerfish that are the OG piranhas, unbearable heat and humidity, no clean water, no McDonald’s, no urgent care and even Mami Wata, a supernatural spirit locals say you want no part of.

It’s madness.

Ash knows what he’s doing. He’s a five-time world-record holder who has taken on Mongolia, Madagascar, the Yangtze and more. His TikTok and YouTube content for this voyage has been world-class. This isn’t some random guy doing some random sh!t in a kayak.

I’m all in. I even got roped into a chat group about this goddamned Congo Basin trip. I’m emotionally invested. Will he make it? Will his crew? One stroke of bad luck or upsetting the wrong creature could tragically end it all in seconds.

The Part Radio Should Steal

But I’m also watching as a strategist. At a time when standing out has never been more challenging, a guy in an inflatable kayak has managed to do it.

Calling it a “stunt” isn’t meant to cheapen Ash’s work. It’s his passion, business and livelihood. For radio, stunts alone won’t make a brand or show great. But the right one can create attention no marketing budget can buy, if the right pieces are in place.

For starters, it can’t just be, “Look at me, look at what I’m doing.” There must be something in it for the listeners — participation, charity, curiosity or an emotional interest in the outcome.

And stunts don’t need to be death-defying — they can take place in the studio or at a client location instead of on a river full of killers. Radio stunts aren’t new, but they’re less common now, when we arguably need them more. Here’s one of my favorites from before I even got into radio.

103.5 The Fox/KRFX/Denver. 1990. The Broncos hit a losing streak. “G-Man,” the sports guy on The Lewis & Floorwax Show, pledged to live on a billboard until they won.

He ended up spending 33 snowy days and nights up there. National media arrived, crowds gathered daily, and money was raised for local homeless charities. It became Denver’s biggest story for a month — with major suspense every Sunday. Will the Broncos finally win? Can G-Man come down?

I’m not suggesting brands need to stick their morning host on a billboard or drop the promotions director into hippo water. The value here is demonstrating the power of creating something with interest and an ending no one knows.

No Hippos Required

Stunts can be simple, with little or no budget:

  • “We’re eating nothing but pork and beans until Weezer adds our city to their tour.”
  • “Producer Felix claims he can get backstage at the Foo Fighters show. He has no credentials. He has seven days, otherwise he walks 13 miles to the show and begs to get in.”
  • “Our boss says no one under 30 cares about Led Zeppelin. If we get 100+ under 30s to meet us Friday morning at XXX, the boss pays for a tribute show with ‘Black Dog.’”
  • “We heard you — we play RHCP and Linkin Park too much. Which one goes? You have one week to vote. One will be banished until 2027.” (Relax: It’ll make noise, and you can survive the holiday weeks without the five or six songs.)

From Interest to Anticipation

Many of radio’s attempts at creating buzz are just instructions: listen, text, enter, win. There’s room for that, but those feel like predictable business deals. A great stunt turns interest into anticipation. Listeners follow, maybe argue, and return later because the outcome is unresolved.

That’s what Ash Dykes has created. The dangers of the Congo Basin generated interest, but the real magic is what’s keeping people around and luring them back. The outcome. Will he make it?

Your brand doesn’t need to survive malaria or avoid becoming croc soup. But every so often, it should get out of the lazy river.

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.

Darien Southerland Built 101.1 The Pulse on Faith, Country, and Real Radio

David Hill
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Darien Southerland Built 101.1 The Pulse on Faith, Country, and Real Radio

Darien Southerland was a radio nerd long before he was a radio owner.

Born and raised in Smyrna, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta, he grew up seven miles from where Truist Park sits today. As a kid in the early ’80s, he was supposed to be doing homework. Instead, he was listening to Ludlow Porch at night.

His way into the business came sideways. Around age 25, Southerland was an insurance adjuster promoting Southern gospel concerts in Cobb County. He bought spots on WFTD 1080 AM in Marietta. Then he heard one on the air.

“It was so bad. I picked the phone up and I called them, and I said, ‘This is awful.’ And they said, ‘Well, can you do better?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I can.'”

He recut the spot. Then he filled in for an absent afternoon jock. Then the station asked if he wanted to sell. His first month on the street, he billed more than $12,000.

“Insurance adjusting taught me how to prospect if nothing else ever did,” he said.

Selling The Fish Without a Salary

Two weeks later, Alan Power called, recruiting him to voice a Salem Southern gospel station in Atlanta. When Salem got ready to launch 104.7 The Fish, Southerland wanted in.

But he was told he sounded too country for the Fish, so he pitched himself for sales. Everyone else they hired had major-market experience. He had none.

“I took a job without a salary, without a draw, without a retainer,” Southerland said. “Here’s how big a fool I was.”

On day one, he was told to write down 25 companies and 25 decision makers. He got off the air at 9 a.m. and was dialing by 11.

“I had no idea how to fill out a contract,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I’d sold $12,000 worth of advertising.”

He walked back in with checks and asked how to write up a contract. Thirty days later, he was on retainer. By the time he left in 2011, he was billing $1.4 million a year.

He was also doing NTR before it had a name — the Fish on McDonald’s tray liners, the Fish Birthday Bash at the North Georgia State Fair, and Fish talent on car dealer billboards.

The Agency Years

One of those dealers, Carriage Automotive Group, made him its agency of record around 2005. He still holds that role.

By 2011, shrinking commissions made the math obvious. “I’m making more money on the side managing Carriage Automotive Group than I am working with a radio station,” he said.

So he launched his own agency, adding more car dealers and colleges, including Liberty University.

By 2023, he could see AI reshaping the agency business. He and Carriage owner David Basha started hunting for a new venture together, including a pair of old dirt racetracks.

Then Randy Gravley, now president of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, called. He wanted to sell WLJA.

“That was like a drunk handing somebody a bottle of Jack Daniels,” Southerland said.

Building The Pulse

Southerland calls WLJA the biggest FM stick between Atlanta and Chattanooga. He knew the audience the moment he looked at it.

“Country music, Marjorie Taylor Greene, deer hunting, King James Bibles, and four-by-four pickup trucks. That’s my avatar,” he said. “Hardworking people that’ll respond. We can go up there and we can create real radio.”

Plenty of people told him it would never work. His pitch was simple: a country music version of K-LOVE, pulling a share point each from country, Christian, and pure entertainment.

He also leaned on advice from Moby, whom he later managed: if 80% of people like you, you win — and the other 20% will talk about you enough to become your best promoters.

He signed the deal in July 2024. The FCC approved it that December, and Carriage Radio took over in January 2025. The flip from Southern gospel and classic country to Christian country followed that March.

The timing helped. As Salem sold the Fish to K-LOVE parent EMF, Southerland hired midday host Kim Fitz and brought in production director and imaging voice Dan Ratcliffe for mornings. Griffin Adkins, the 21-year producer of the Fish’s Kevin & Taylor morning show, later joined Ratcliffe as co-host. Southerland took afternoons himself, alongside co-host Asa Jones.

“I hadn’t been on the air in 20 years,” he said.

The Message Is in the Music

The format is easier to hear than explain. Martina McBride’s “Blessed” rolls into Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe.” Thomas Rhett’s “Beer with Jesus” sits next to the Gaither Vocal Band, Crowder, and Steven Curtis Chapman.

“We’re going to encourage, edify, entertain, and inspire,” Southerland said. “The message is going to be in the music, not in the DJs.”

“If you don’t edify and entertain, inspire and encourage — and have an emotional connection — radio is not going to work,” he said. “You might as well be Spotify.”

Interestingly, the loudest pushback came from Southern gospel. His answer to those record labels was blunt.

“People don’t even know who you are,” he told them. “When we put Jeff and Sheri Easter or Jason Crabb up against George Strait, all of a sudden you become equal to George Strait.”

“If I was to bring you to the courthouse square up here in the mountains to sing, I may have 200 people show up for a free concert,” he said. “But if I brought Alan Jackson up here to sing his hymns album, the sheriff is calling me asking me what I’m going to do about bathrooms and security.”

Meanwhile, mainstream country keeps drifting his way, from Jelly Roll to a Grand Ole Opry that he says “might as well be a church singing.”

Back in the Streets

The Pulse positions itself the way WSM does in Nashville — a heritage-style brand people know well beyond its ratings footprint. Its line: “Where faith, country, and gospel unite.”

The station also lives on the road, with a jock out doing a live broadcast about three days a week. A wrapped 37-foot RV serves as its mobile studio, with more setups in Cartersville and Dalton.

Being out of radio during COVID, he says, helped him see the business clearly.

“COVID cost radio a bunch of bad ideas. People got lazy,” he said. “When I realized a 15-year-old didn’t even know what radio was anymore, that’s when I said we got to get out in the field.”

The Pulse also carries the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldogs, while his AM and two translators run sports talk.

The competition has noticed. Southerland says the Bull is coming up from Atlanta and US 101 is coming down from Chattanooga.

“I just keep laughing,” he said.

Why Nobody Else Is Doing It

Southerland doesn’t know of anyone else running the format full time. Some stations dabble in it part time. He believes the faith component makes it a format that has to be managed by people who live it.

He sees room to grow, too. Southerland thinks the format could be syndicated into markets with a classic country station or a No. 2 country player, taking shares from K-LOVE and the big country stations alike.

His influences tell you exactly how he got here: Ludlow Porch, Moby, Rhubarb Jones, Frank Reed, Chris Dimino, and Kevin & Taylor.

“Period,” he said. “That’s what we mean.”

If you grew up in Atlanta in that era, you know exactly what that sounds like. Now North Georgia does, too.

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.

How News/Talk Hosts Can Spot Bad Midterm Election Polls Before Election Day

Dr. Ed Cohen
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How News/Talk Hosts Can Spot Bad Midterm Election Polls Before Election Day

The upcoming midterms are generating a great deal of discussion, especially on news/talk stations. If you’re watching the polls, there’s an excellent collection of guidelines for opinion polls and surveys that you should check out. It’s published by ESOMAR and WAPOR, and you can find it here. The document is a bit over 20 pages long, and while it’s not the most exciting read, it’s important as we approach November 3.

ESOMAR is a global organization for research, insights, and analytics with members and companies in over 130 countries. WAPOR is the World Association for Public Opinion Research, and it declares itself “the world’s leading professional association advocating for the integrity of public opinion research worldwide.” I’m a former ESOMAR member and have attended their conferences over the years. These are not lightweight organizations.

Both parties and many voters look at publicly released polls to see if their favored candidates are leading or trailing in their states or districts. It’s important that we separate the wheat from the chaff, or in this case, separate legitimate, properly conducted surveys from crap work.

Why Polls Face Scrutiny

Much has been written (including here) about how polls have “missed” badly in the last few elections, especially at the presidential level.

Legitimate pollsters have implemented new procedures to adjust for non-response and other issues.

Further, the candidates and the parties have access to proprietary polling data and qualitative data (focus groups, etc.) that are not available to the public or press.

What the Guidelines Say

Let’s consider some of the guidelines. Under section 3.2, Honesty, a key point is to not misrepresent activities like political telemarketing or digital marketing as opinion research. This includes “push polling,” where negative campaigning is disguised as a political poll.

Part 6 of the guidelines covers “Methodological quality and transparency,” which can be summarized as “disclosure.” Among other things, here’s what ESOMAR and WAPOR say you should expect from pollsters:

  • Provide the technical details of the project. Results should be documented accurately, transparently, and objectively.
  • Disclose the timing of the fieldwork, the sample size, interviewer training, and the sampling method.
  • Take all necessary precautions to identify or remove fabricated or falsified data.
  • Note the rules used for data cleaning.

How Polling Is Conducted Today

Most polling in the US is done online, although some outfits may still use “mixed methodologies” (phone and online) to ensure better coverage of the population being measured. There are some probability-based online samples where participants are initially recruited to be in a panel so they can be surveyed later.

Some time ago, I wrote about a panel developed by the Pew Research Center.

It’s safe to say that most online political polling is not probability-based. These are convenience samples that have issues when projected to a population, for example, voters in a statewide election for US Senate.

What News/Talk Hosts Should Check

If you’re a news/talk host, producer, or otherwise involved and you’re planning to talk about polling data, the guidelines suggest that you check the research company’s website for the following:

  • Where did the company get the respondents? From a panel or multiple panels? Probability or non-probability based?
  • How were the respondents chosen? Quotas? Propensity? Another method?
  • What are the response or participation rates (the former for probability samples and the latter for panels)?
  • How were the respondents recruited?
  • What was the weighting process?

You don’t need to be a statistician or have one on call (and no, I’m also not a statistician). What you should look for are the potential red flags. First, can you find out how the poll was conducted? If not, either contact the research company or ignore the poll. If you can get the information suggested above, consider “face validity.”

For non-researchers, that’s known as the “smell test” (use “face validity” if you want to sound smart). Does the poll look like it was done with some level of standards, or were corners cut?

For example, was the sample screened for registered voters and intention to vote?

Bringing Polls to the Air

This shouldn’t take much time and, in fact, might add to the on-air conversation. The host can give real reasons why some of the polls about your market’s midterms are good or bogus, beyond “How can Candidate X be ahead?” or “You can’t believe any of the polls.” Discussing the background of polling on-air is probably a great way to destroy a quarter hour.

However, being able to say “this poll was well done, right or wrong” or “I don’t trust this poll” adds credibility. And remember, a poll is “a snapshot in time.” Some registered voters don’t end up voting. Others change their minds, even at the last second.

The last decade has been a tough one for political polls. The good companies have done their best yet have missed by a wide margin in some cases. Understanding how to evaluate polls and explain them quickly and simply to listeners will help.

Let’s meet again next week.

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.

Music Radio Is for Millennials: What One Hour in Traffic Reminded Me

Bethany Kent
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Music Radio Is for Millennials: What One Hour in Traffic Reminded Me

Last week, I hit unusual traffic for someone who lives in the smallest state. My 4:30pm ride home usually takes 35 to 40 minutes. This time, it took almost an hour. For context, you can drive I-95 North from Connecticut through all of Rhode Island and be in Massachusetts in about 40 minutes, so an hour felt LONG. We actually joke that any drive over 25 minutes requires you to “pack a lunch.”

I did my usual commute routine, perusing stations in Boston and Providence. I am a PD’s nightmare because I switch stations constantly, chasing local content or a song that makes me feel something.

The Playlist That Took Me Back

Last Tuesday, my 42-year-old elder millennial self, struck gold. First, DJ Pup Dawg was in the mix on iHeartRadio’s JAMN 94.5 Boston with Rihanna and Chris Brown’s “Birthday Cake”. Next, I flipped to their Beasley owned competitor Hot 96.9 who was playing “Mo Money Mo Problems”, and I was instantly back in the summer of 1997. Then I remembered we probably shouldn’t listen to Diddy these days, so I switched again.

Another iHeart station, NOW 93.3, a Hot AC in Providence had the Backstreet Boys’ “As Long As You Love Me.” As someone whose high school aspiration was to marry Nick Carter, that track grabbed me. Next was Providence Top 40 station 92 PRO FM playing Chris Brown’s “Run It.”

And finally, locally owned Mixx 99.3 was playing MIMS’ “This Is Why I’m Hot.” MIMS was the first artist to do a station visit during my first full-time Promotions Director job at Hot 106. If I remember correctly, a listener showed him her tattooed stomach. Right there in our conference room next to a table of pizza.

This series of music felt like I was in a millennial fever dream, sparking memories that spanned nearly 30 years. The next morning, I was on the road early headed to a work event. At 6:50am, Mix 104.1 Boston was playing “In Da Club” by 50 Cent. This was the moment it hit me that this wasn’t the radio playlist of years past. This is radio for my fellow MILLENNIALS! I wanted to shout it from the rooftops!

At this point I decided to roll the dice and try every format to see if they were also playing epic gold records. B101, an “oldies” station had Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Under the Bridge”, and 94 HJY, a Providence Rock station played “Sex and Candy” by Marcy Playground. The only format I never hit “Gold” on was Country but I chocked that up to the fact they still have good artist development for more new music than the other formats.

Who Millennials Are as Consumers

According to my Googles, millennials were born between 1981 and 1996, so that makes the demo 30 to 45 years old today. About 72 million Americans fit that range, and they sit smack in the middle of the coveted 25-54 demo.

They are not the college kids of old marketing lore. Millennials drove roughly $1.18 trillion in U.S. retail spending in 2024, nearly 29% of the total, while making up about 22% of the population. In addition, 55.4% owned a home in 2025, according to Redfin. These listeners buy houses, furniture, cars, and child care.

However, they are stretched thin. Euromonitor found 49% of millennials feel relentless pressure to finish tasks. As a result, they reward anything that saves time or delivers real joy. A familiar song in a traffic jam does both.

Four Ways to Market Better to Millennials

Lead with purposeful nostalgia. Build recurring features around specific years, like “Summer of ’97,” and connect them to sponsors.

Own the commute. Afternoon drive is prime time. Pitch sponsors that serve busy parents and homeowners, such as home services, pediatric care, and restaurants.

Protect local personality. I switch stations chasing local content. A jock who mentions my town or my local dive bar keeps me tuned in.

Create real-life moments. I’ve recently started working back in Rhode Island for the first time since my early 20’s. I’m not even working at a radio station, and I have still been approached several times in the past few months by listeners who remember events I produced when I worked here 15+ years ago. I’m proud to have made lifelong memories for so many people.

Why It Matters

Millennials will keep gaining ground. Projections show them overtaking Gen X as the top-spending generation globally by the mid-to-late 2030s. Radio already holds their attention in the car, and we already know their music. Now we have to market that strength with confidence.

On Tuesday, an hour in traffic did not feel wasted. It felt like radio doing exactly what it does best.

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.

Dan Miller Sits Out Detroit Lions Radio Broadcast Following Wife’s Death, Jason Benetti Fills in

Michael Krantz
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Dan Miller Sits Out Detroit Lions Radio Broadcast Following Wife’s Death, Jason Benetti Fills in

Cindy Miller, wife of longtime Lions play-by-play announcer Dan Miller, passed away on Saturday at age 63. Together, the couple shared four children and 33 years of marriage.

What We Know: As a result, 97.1 The Ticket, the Lions’ flagship station, turned to Detroit Tigers play-by-play voice Jason Benetti. Benetti stepped in for Miller alongside analyst Lomas Brown. Notably, Benetti handled Lions preseason television broadcasts in 2025 with analyst T.J. Lang. He then returned to that role in 2026. In addition, he has called national NFL games involving the Lions, including a Westwood One Thanksgiving radio matchup.

What They Said: “Our thoughts are with Dan right now, all weekend, and for the future, with the loss of his wife of 33 years, Cindy, a couple of days ago. Dan is one of the most remarkable people I have met in my time in Detroit. One of the most sincere human beings you can possibly dream of. A fantastic voice of the Lions for more than two decades.” – Jason Benetti

“Go call a win.” – Dan Miller via text to Benetti

“Not shocked that you got that text from Dan. He’s been going through a lot. Just the strength of him being the caregiver for Cindy, being a father to his kids, a grandfather to his grandkids….He’s helped me so much since I’ve been here nine years with him. It’s just been a blessing. All our hearts are with him today.” – Lomas Brown

“That was hard to hear what they went through. Dan is salt of the earth.” – Lions Coach Dan Campbell

After the Lions’ win over the Arizona Cardinals, Campbell also dedicated Sunday’s game ball to Miller.

What Remains Unclear: For now, it is unknown when Miller will return to his broadcast duties. Likewise, Benetti’s status for upcoming contests remains uncertain. Fortunately, the Lions have a bye next week. They then return on October 25th, hosting the Green Bay Packers.

What It Means: Ultimately, the Lions organization expressed deep condolences and respect for its longtime voice. That support came from everyone, from the players on the field to the team in the booth. Moreover, they emphasized that the franchise considers Miller family. Accordingly, the team will give him all the time and space he requires.

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.

Department of Justice Probes Major TV Networks For Suspending Trump Pool Coverage

Michael Krantz
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Department of Justice Probes Major TV Networks For Suspending Trump Pool Coverage

The Department of Justice is investigating NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, and Fox News for possible federal antitrust violations. The probe follows the networks’ temporary decision last month to withhold pooled White House coverage after the Trump administration barred CNN, MS Now and Politico journalists starting on Saturday, September 19th. Coverage resumed after a federal judge ordered the White House to restore access on September 24.

What We Know: CNN, MS NOW, and Politico sued the Trump administration. They argued the White House ban violated the First Amendment. A federal judge temporarily restored their access for 14 days starting September 24. The order originally ran through October 8th. The judge then extended it through Tuesday, October 13th while deciding whether to issue a longer-lasting preliminary injunction. The outlets still have access under the extended order, although the lawsuit continues.

What They Said: “Members of the television press pool have proudly boycotted covering White House events. Group boycotts among commercial competitors can violate the Sherman Act. The Antitrust Division is investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws.” – Justice Department spokesperson

“The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.” – Joint statement provided by the five major networks

What Remains Unclear: Network responses to the DOJ’s document requests and their formal legal positions are not yet public. It’s also unclear if the TV pool arrangement will change permanently or if the White House will impose further restrictions. Administrations from both parties have recognized the pool system for decades. Newsmax, One America News Network, C-SPAN and international outlets are also part of it.

What It Means: The ongoing battle between the President and the Press establishes legal benchmarks for how power is shared between the executive branch and the news media. The final results will likely influence how future administrations manage situations regarding access. It may also alter how news outlets combat the White House. The outcome could also determine whether long-standing joint coverage arrangements remain viable amid growing institutional distrust.

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The Pat McAfee Show Field Pass AltCast Coming To Super Bowl LXI

John Mamola
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The Pat McAfee Show Field Pass AltCast Coming To Super Bowl LXI

ESPN will air a Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show AltCast during Super Bowl LXI. Before that, the concept will debut on select Monday Night Football games this season.

What We Know: McAfee announced the news Friday on The Pat McAfee Show. The first NFL edition will air during Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football October 19. Meanwhile, Dan Orlovsky joins the crew for the NFL broadcasts, while AJ Hawk stays on for the Field Pass broadcasts with the College Football Playoff. Previously, the Field Pass aired across the last two College Football Playoffs, including an Alabama-Indiana Rose Bowl telecast that averaged 2.4 million viewers.

What They Said: (all quotes via the Pat McAfee Show):

Pat McAfee on the conversations the led to a Field Pass AltCast at the Super Bowl: “One thing led to another. I got a chance to chat with the Commissioner [Roger Goodell] a couple of different times. Got a chance to explain what we would try to do. How we would try to do it. There were some articles written about it potentially happening. We have breaking news. We will officially be doing a field pass for the Super Bowl this year.”

Pat McAfee announcing full plans of the Field Pass AltCast concept expanding to Monday Night Football: “We try our best to respect the game and showcase and display it in a fashion that might be a little bit more appetizing for a different group of people that are watching alongside the best play commentators on Earth. AJ Hawk will still be with us for the college one [College Football Playoff National Championship]. Dan Orlovsky, NFL quarterback, we’re picking up for the NFL field passes. [Also], select Monday Night Football games will also be happening. Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers is our first one. There will be others, and then [it] obviously culminates at the Super Bowl.”

Pat McAfee was hopeful the Field Pass AltCast concept would work for the NFL product: “There was a little bit of a pipe dream that if we have a little bit of success with this field pass with college, maybe with the relationship that ESPN has with the NFL, that we could do some field passes for NFL games, Monday night football games.”

What Remains Unclear: ESPN has not announced which other Monday Night Football games will get the treatment. Likewise, the network has not said which channel will carry the Super Bowl AltCast. Earlier this year, Front Office Sports reported the idea faced some rights hurdles. It remains unclear how those hurdles were cleared, though McAfee credited talks with Commissioner Roger Goodell.

What It Means: For ESPN, the move adds a different flavor to its first-ever Super Bowl telecast. Super Bowl LXI is set for February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Moreover, the concept now crosses into the NFL after proving itself in college football. Ultimately, McAfee, who also joined Monday Night Countdown this season, becomes even more central to ESPN’s NFL coverage.

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.

Fox & Friends Hosts Light Empire State Building During Fox News 30th Anniversary Celebration

Garrett Searight
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Fox & Friends Hosts Light Empire State Building During Fox News 30th Anniversary Celebration

Fox News marked its 30th anniversary with a patriotic celebration at the Empire State Building. The cast of Fox & Friends flipped the switch to illuminate the landmark in red, white, and blue.

What We Know: Fox News celebrated three decades on the air earlier this week, commemorating the milestone with a special moment in New York City. The Empire State Building invited the morning show’s hosts to change the building’s lighting to the three colors associated with the Fox News logo. The event gave the network’s personalities a chance to mark the anniversary at one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks. The celebration also recognized the leadership and staff who helped Fox News grow since its launch in 1996.

What They Said: “We are delighted that the Empire State Building would honor us with this.” -Steve Doocy

“We are so grateful to Fox News, to Rupert (Murdoch), and Lachlan (Murdoch), and Suzanne (Scott), and Jay Wallace, and everybody who works there.” –Ainsley Earhardt

“Fox continues to evolve, continues to get better, continues to respond to the audience. Every day we’re thankful.” -Brian Kilmeade

“It’s a dream come true to be here today. What Rupert Murdoch did 30 years ago was truly legendary.” -Lawrence Jones

What Remains Unclear: Fox News hasn’t indicated whether additional public events will mark the network’s 30th anniversary.

What It Means: The Empire State Building appearance offered Fox News a high-profile way to celebrate its three-decade run. Meanwhile, the Fox & Friends hosts used the occasion to recognize the network’s leadership, colleagues, and continued evolution in a changing media landscape.

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.

Dianna Russini Reportedly Hiring Crisis Publicist Ahead Of Potential Sports Media Return

John Mamola
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Dianna Russini Reportedly Hiring Crisis Publicist Ahead Of Potential Sports Media Return

Dianna Russini has hired veteran crisis publicist Melissa Nathan, according to a report by the New York Post. The former Athletic reporter is now preparing a return to work.

What We Know: Russini resigned from The Athletic in April amid controversy over her relationship with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Earlier that month, the New York Post published photos of the pair holding hands at an Arizona resort. The Athletic later ruled the undisclosed relationship violated newsroom standards, though it found no compromise in her reporting. Meanwhile, Nathan has handled crises for Johnny Depp, Logan Paul and Justin Baldoni.

What’s At Stake: For Russini, with the findings of The Athletic’s internal investigation now over, she’s reportedly having conversations about a return in sports media. With the report of hiring a veteran crisis publicist, that could be the next step in making that return. Either for an exclusive first interview, or for a launch of her own platform. It remains to be seen how Russini will address the allegations and investigation in her return to the media landscape.

What Remains Unclear: Russini’s next destination is still unknown. According to the Post, that isn’t due to a lack of interest. Additionally, Russini has not publicly addressed the ordeal.

What It Means: Clearly, Russini is positioning herself for a comeback. Still, the story keeps following her, as some have even blamed her for the Patriots’ slow start. By contrast, Vrabel publicly took accountability and left the Patriots during the 2026 NFL Draft to seek counseling. Ultimately, hiring a crisis specialist suggests Russini wants control of her narrative before choosing her next job.

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Katie Zacharia, Former Fox News and Newsmax Commentator, Named White House Press Secretary

Garrett Searight
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Katie Zacharia, Former Fox News and Newsmax Commentator, Named White House Press Secretary

President Donald Trump has selected Katie Zacharia as the next White House Press Secretary. The former Fox News and Newsmax guest brings media experience from both the private sector and federal government.

What We Know: Zacharia will succeed Karoline Leavitt, who left the position in August. She previously held media roles at Fox News and Newsmax before working at Trump’s Truth Social platform. She also served as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year. According to The New York Times, Trump has offered Zacharia the position, although the White House hadn’t officially commented on the appointment as of Friday, October 9th.

What’s at Stake: Zacharia will become one of the administration’s most visible communicators, regularly defending Trump’s policies and responding to questions from the White House press corps. Her experience in conservative media and government communications could help her navigate the role. However, the position also requires managing an often-contentious relationship between the president and journalists.

What Remains Unclear: It’s not yet known when Zacharia will officially assume the position or when she’ll hold her first press briefing. CNN contributor and Salem Radio Network host Scott Jennings had been widely rumored as a potential candidate. With Zacharia selected, Jennings appears likely to remain in his current media roles, although no formal announcement has addressed his future.

What It Means: Zacharia’s appointment continues Trump’s practice of choosing communicators with experience in conservative media and administration messaging. Her background at Fox News, Newsmax, Truth Social and DHS gives her experience across several platforms. Now, she’ll be responsible for communicating the administration’s agenda while handling questions from reporters covering the White House.

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