Xperi is announcing an expansion and upgrade of its DTS AutoStage portal to better serve radio broadcast companies.
As part of the expansion, radio stations can now access highly detailed audience listening data, broken down by time of day, market, rank, and geographic area—both within their core markets and in surrounding regions. The reporting tools provide hourly listening trends, geographic heat maps, and information on the number of vehicles included in the listening sample, which is updated daily.
Data can be analyzed across various timeframes, including by day, week, month, or quarter, and even hour-by-hour for specific dates. Available metrics include time spent listening, share, tuning occasions, and cumulative audience.
Joe D’Angelo, Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy and Partnerships at Xperi, calls this a game-changer for both the company and broadcasters.
“This new version of the DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal signals an inflection point in radio broadcasters’ ability to obtain precise listening measurements at scale and with specificity,” D’Angelo shared. “The portal’s breadth of insights, delivered within 24 hours from millions of vehicles, means broadcasters can measure audience shifts as they happen, and where most consumers are listening — in their cars. This means more relevant programming for audiences.”
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ESPN, the sports media powerhouse owned by The Walt Disney Company, is one step closer to acquiring the NFL Network and several other NFL-controlled media assets. According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the league’s owners approved the acquisition during a vote at Wednesday’s fall league meetings.
According to a release in August. The deal includes the linear RedZone Channel and NFL Fantasy, with the NFL receiving a 10% equity stake in ESPN in exchange.
In addition to that acquisition. The NFL and ESPN entered a separate non-binding agreement granting ESPN licensing rights to select NFL content and intellectual property. Which will be used across NFL Network and other related platforms.
The goal of the partnership aims to reshape the way professional football is delivered and consumed. Combining ESPN’s extensive media reach with the NFL’s globally recognized brand.
“This is an opportunity for football fans to get more football in more places,” said NFL executive Hans Schroeder to Rapoport. “It’s going to be a real win for football fans.”
No financial terms have been released beyond the equity exchange. Both parties continue to stress that the agreements are non-binding, leaving room for further negotiations and regulatory review and approval from congress.
Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has offered fans unprecedented access to the sport. From debuting Thursday Night Football and televising the NFL Scouting Combine to creating original programming and breaking news coverage.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro emphasized the potential for digital expansion and fan engagement in August.
“By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we’re creating a premier destination for football fans. Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game — anytime, anywhere,” said Pitaro in August. “This deal helps fuel ESPN’s digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.”
If completed, the acquisition would mark one of the most substantial collaborations in the history of American sports media. Highlighting the ongoing evolution of fan engagement, content distribution, and the digital future of football broadcasting.
“This is an opportunity for football fans to get more football in more places. … It’s going to be a real win for football fans.”
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A new survey shows that only 26% of news consumers trust information produced by artificial intelligence.
The research, conducted by OnMessage Inc. and discussed during The Future of News: AI, New Revenues and Risks, and the Policy Response panel at the NAB Show New York on Wednesday, examined public attitudes toward AI’s role in journalism and its impact on local news.
According to the data, 68% of respondents said AI-generated information is not trustworthy. The findings also show that 76% are concerned about AI stealing or reproducing journalism and local news stories, with 51% saying they are very concerned.
In addition, 77% of participants support Congress passing a law to make it illegal for AI to reproduce journalism or local news stories published online without permission or compensation. The survey also found that 72% believe the federal government should establish regulations on AI to protect consumers.
“This data reflects a real and growing concern among Americans that AI could erode the integrity of journalism and undermine the trusted connection between broadcasters and the communities we serve,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “Scraping broadcasters’ content without permission or compensation strips away context and threatens the credibility of local news.
“This conversation at NAB Show New York is just the beginning of a critical national dialogue to ensure new technologies support, rather than exploit, trusted local journalism, as well as the necessity of a level playing field for broadcasters to fairly negotiate the terms of use with AI platforms,” LeGeyt concluded.
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FOX Sports’ America’s Game of the Week featuring the Dallas Cowboys’ 44-22 victory over the Washington Commanders drew an average audience of 25,630,000 viewers, making it the most-watched telecast of the week across all networks.
The broadcast, which showcased one of the NFL’s most rivaled matchups, solidified FOX Sports’ flagship program as the #1 show on television.
Season-to-date, America’s Game of the Week is averaging 26,158,000 viewers, representing a 2% increase over last year’s season-to-date average of 25,650,000.
The Cowboys-Commanders matchup underscored the continued dominance of FOX Sports’ NFL coverage, as the network has been off to its strongest start in nearly a decade. The NFL on FOX is averaging 19,646,000 viewers season-to-date, marking a 4% increase over last year’s average of 18,948,000 and its best opening pace since 2014.
By comparison, CBS Sports also scored the most-watched week seven single header on any network since 2015 with an average viewership of 17.841 million viewers, up 31% against the comparable window from last year. The NFL on CBS has racked up its best viewership in a decade with over 18.662 million viewers through week seven, which shows a 4% rise against last year.
The season-long growth reflects a combination of strong on-field matchups, strategic scheduling, and expansive coverage that emphasizes both live-action storytelling and fan engagement. While overall linear TV ratings have fluctuated in recent years, marquee NFL games remain reliable draws, with “America’s Game of the Week” serving as a centerpiece.
With the NFL season in full swing, FOX Sports and CBS Sports appear well-positioned to maintain its momentum.
On Sunday, @NFLONFOX averaged 25,630,000 viewers for America's Game of the Week featuring the @DallasCowboys dominant win over the @Commanders.
AGOTW was the most-watched telecast of the week on any network and remains the #1 program in all of television. pic.twitter.com/YFrlQGFokf
“NFL ON CBS” scores the most-watched Week 7 singleheader on any network in 10 years with 17.841 million viewers, up +31% vs. last year 📈🏈 pic.twitter.com/7ueBERfGRl
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Pablo Torre discussed on 98.5 The Sports Hub how his recent video provides a window into the control Jordon Hudson wields over New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and how that dynamic echoes in North Carolina football.
Torre released the video last week featuring former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the latest episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out. The video itself showed production meetings between Belichick, Jordon Hudson, and other staff members. They were discussing graphic design and other items of a production called Coach, which was an Underdog Fantasy production shot at NFL Films’ studios. NFL Films denied releasing the video to Torre.
“This video is the thing that explains the CBS interview,” Torre said referencing Belichick’s interview on CBS Sunday Morning earlier this year which drew much criticism of his relationship with Hudson. “So CBS, by the way, had, I am told, CBS Sunday Morning, had more than a half hour of footage that they could have released about Jordan Hudson that is not entirely dissimilar from what I released.”
Torre’s video, which touches on the intricate workings of Belichick’s inner circle, comes amid ongoing discussion about the cancelled Hulu documentary series involving the coach. Torre emphasized Hudson’s authority in shaping the project.
“This Hulu docu-series, which was announced, Jordan Hudson was the person who signed off on the paperwork,” Torre explained. “You can go file record requests and see that it’s Jordan Hudson signing off on that because she’s the Chief Operating Officer of this whole media enterprise with Belichick. What happens there is that the team is so horrible that they don’t want to do the docu-series episodically anymore. So the deal is dead. That was the deal that Jordan Hudson had engineered because she didn’t want to do Hard Knocks with NFL Films.”
Torre went on to day the video that he released last week shows “an honest portrayal” of what it’s like to be in a room where Belichick and Hudson are collaborating together. He further explored the interplay between Belichick, Hudson, and former NFL executive and current North Carolina general manager Michael Lombardi. Drawing parallels between the Patriots’ organizational structure and North Carolina football.
“I think there is Bill Belichick with two angels, so to speak, on his shoulders, and he has chosen two people who uniquely and desperately need him to be employed,” Torre said. “There are some deficiencies that needed to be compensated for by others around the building. The Patriots provided that, to the tune of the greatest run in modern football. Removed from that, left to his own devices, and these two angels on his shoulder, you get North Carolina football.”
Torre’s remarks highlight the complex dynamics of control, influence, and legacy that surround one of football’s most enigmatic figures. Underscoring the ripple effects Hudson’s authority may have on both media portrayals and the field itself.
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CBS News Radio is on the move, as it is moving its distribution partnership to Audacy’s Infinity Networks.
With the move, CBS News Radio will now be heard on more than 1,200 stations nationwide. The addition of CBS News Radio puts 700 more stations as affiliates with Infinity Networks.
“This is a major step forward for Infinity Networks and for our partners across the industry,” said Audacy Chief Revenue Officer Bob Philips. “By bringing together a respected brand like CBS News Radio under the Infinity Networks umbrella, we’re creating a scalable platform that enhances the reach and impact of great local and national content for our advertising partners.
“Joining the Infinity Networks family enhances the distribution of CBS News Radio’s world-class journalism and high-quality entertainment programming nationwide,” said the network’s Manager of Affiliate Services Amy Bolton. “This partnership also helps our affiliates expand their programming options through wider access to content in the Infinity Networks family.”
Infinity Networks was created earlier this year by Audacy. The addition of the radio news service to its distribution platform marks the first step outside of the country format, as it previously only distributed the Katie & Company and Rob & Holly country radio shows.
Previously, CBS News Radio was distributed by Skyview Networks. It began its relationship with Skyview Networks in 2018 and renewed that partnership in 2023.
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There’s a new News Director at KKOB in Albuquerque, as Zoltan Csanyi-Salcedo has joined the Cumulus Media news/talk station.
Csanyi-Salcedo joins KKOB after spending decades working in local television. Most recently, he worked as News Director of KRGV-TV (ABC5) in the Rio Grande Valley. Previous stops in his career include Albuquerque, El Paso, and Dallas, among others.
In his new role, Zoltan Csanyi-Salcedo will oversee the 96.3 FM/770 AM KKOB newsroom, the news content strategy, and talent development of those working for and with the brand.
“KKOB has always been a trusted voice for New Mexico, and my mission is to strengthen that trust every day,” said Csanyi-Salcedo. “This newsroom will focus on local truth first — fast, fair, and useful information that helps our audience make sense of what’s happening in their communities.”
“Zoltan is exactly the kind of newsroom leader Albuquerque needs right now — grounded, relentless, and passionate about storytelling that matters,” said Cumulus Albuquerque Operations Manager and Program Director Aaron ‘Buck’ Burnett. “He’s built winning, trusted newsrooms in every market he’s touched, and we’re thrilled to have him guiding KKOB’s next chapter.”
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Amazon and the National Football League announced that Prime Video will stream the November 28 Black Friday Football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears to a global audience, marking the first NFL event to be presented worldwide on the platform. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET.
The game will be available in more than 240 countries and territories. No subscription or Prime membership will be required, signaling a major expansion of the NFL’s international footprint. Additional language options, including Spanish, French, and Portuguese, will be available for viewers outside the United States. Advanced features familiar to U.S. audiences. These include Rapid Recap, High Definition-HDR video, and Next Gen Stats powered by AWS, will also be accessible in select international markets.
“We are thrilled to expand our relationship with the NFL and present Black Friday Football to the millions of fans we serve around the world,” said Jay Marine, Head of Prime Video U.S., Global Sports. “Black Friday is becoming one of the best sports holidays of the year, and this can’t-miss game between the Super Bowl Champion Eagles and the surging Bears, in one of the most-charged stadium atmospheres in sports, stands at the center of a huge day for all of us at Amazon.”
Hans Schroeder, executive vice president of media distribution for the NFL, echoed the excitement. “Expanding the availability of our games to NFL fans around the world is a key priority for us. We are thrilled that the Black Friday game will be available through Amazon in over 240 countries and territories,” Schroeder said.
Prime Video’s Black Friday coverage begins early with the PGA TOUR’s “The Skins Game” at 9:00 a.m. ET, featuring Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, and Keegan Bradley at Panther National in South Florida.
Pregame coverage for the Eagles-Bears matchup will start at 1:30 p.m. ET from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Following the game, live postgame coverage will lead into NBA on Prime, which kicks off a doubleheader at 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the Milwaukee Bucks face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Followed by the Dallas Mavericks taking on the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
Overall, Prime Video will present more than 15 hours of live sports programming on Black Friday. Offering fans a marathon of football, basketball, and golf content. In addition, the game will be accessible on mobile devices in the U.S. through an NFL+ subscription, and internationally via NFL Game Pass on DAZN for paid subscribers.
With the global debut of Black Friday Football. Amazon and the NFL are positioning the holiday weekend as a must-watch sports event, blending live-action coverage with innovative technology and expansive international access.
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Ryen Russillo, the longtime sports media personality, has officially joined Barstool Sports, signaling the next chapter in a career that has already spanned ESPN, The Ringer, and Spotify. Despite the move, Russillo said fans should expect little change in his content, with the same podcast format and voice they have come to know.
Speaking on Pardon My Take, Russillo addressed the challenges he faced with his previous podcast distribution, particularly issues around Spotify feeds.
“The feed issue is a big reason,” he said. “When you go to market and luckily you guys never really have to because you’re so powerful. When you start walking into these meetings and it’s like, ‘Where’s your feed?’ and I don’t have my feed, it’s massive. It’s a massive, massive difference. So luckily this time around, any new place I was talking to was like, ‘Okay, we can figure out a way to get you your feed after a certain amount of time.’”
Russillo revealed the details earlier this month on his current platform. Noting that the upcoming show will feature a new podcast feed and YouTube channel, encouraging listeners to subscribe ahead of the debut.
“The new podcast starts November 3. We need you to subscribe to this new feed. None of that stuff is coming with me,” Russillo said earlier this month referencing his podcast will remain property of Spotify. Emphasizing that fans will need to make the switch to follow the show’s next iteration.
The new venture will see longtime collaborators Steve Ceruti and Kyle Crichton joining Russillo as part of the transition. Both have worked closely with him in past roles. Helping shape the tone, production, and chemistry that have defined Russillo’s work since his days with ESPN and The Ringer.
Ceruti is a senior podcast manager at The Ringer. He was previously involved in The Bill Simmons Podcast and was a co-host of The Ringer Soccer Show. Crichton also previously produced The Bill Simmons Podcast and is Simmons’ nephew.
Russillo also reflected on social media’s reaction to his move. He noted that online responses have mirrored those he received during previous career transitions.
“The last week has been a bit of a reminder,” he said, “When I left ESPN and went to The Ringer and then Spotify, it was like the second I started putting out content, here we go, now that he’s not at ESPN anymore. I’m literally the exact same person. And so it was a nice little reminder seven years later that it’s happening all over again. Like you say one nice thing about Sabrina Carpenter and it’s like, ‘Oh, he fits in perfect with Portoy.’ Weirdo.”
Despite the attention surrounding his move, Russillo emphasized continuity in his podcasting approach.
“To me, it’s the exact same show. It’s three days a week. We may change up some of the release times a little bit, because maybe some of those later Friday ones that were coming out kind of late—especially if it’s hitting the East Coast at 5:00 in the afternoon on a Friday—isn’t the optimum time to drop new stuff. But yeah, probably a little bit more active on a couple other things. But I don’t—I mean, I’ve been doing this a long time. I don’t know. If anything, it’d be exhausting to try to be somebody different.”
The move to Barstool Sports comes at a time when Russillo has cultivated a loyal audience that spans multiple platforms. The decision to join Barstool, a media company known for blending sports coverage with pop culture commentary, allows him to maintain creative control while potentially reaching new listeners.
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FCC Chair Brendan Carr has been unafraid of ruffling feathers since assuming the position with the commission. He’s now turning his attention to the licenses held by broadcasters.
It isn’t the first time that Carr has spoken about broadcast licenses. Late last year, he argued that the “status quo” surrounding “legacy media” needs to change.
In an interview with Media Research Center President David Bozell, Carr said that he remains open to revoking licenses from broadcasters.
“I’ve said from the get-go: Broadcast licenses are not sacred cows. If you think there’s nothing you can do to lose a license, then it’s not a license. That’s called a property right. And that’s something very fundamentally different,” Carr said.
“And so, I’m very open to the idea that there’s broadcasters out there that may very well end up losing their licenses. Now, of course, there’s a whole process that has to be run there that people don’t really focus on.”
Carr added that it’s his belief that leading the FCC means he has a duty to “reinvigorate the public interest standard.”
“Licensed broadcast television is fundamentally different from any other form of communication, whether it’s a cable channel, a podcast, or a soapbox on the street. None of those are licensed by the FCC, and therefore, what we want there is the most wide-open and robust debate possible,” continued Carr.
“When it comes to licensed broadcast TV, they have an FCC license, which means they have a public interest obligation. They’ve been given a monopoly on the airwaves by the federal government, and in exchange for that, they need to serve the needs of their local communities.”
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