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FOX, CBS, NBC Sports See Increased Viewership for NFL Wild Card Weekend

BSM Staff
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FOX, CBS, NBC Sports See Increased Viewership for NFL Wild Card Weekend

NFL Wild Card Weekend delivered strong ratings across all three broadcast networks, highlighted by FOX Sports’ Sunday presentation of the San Francisco 49ers’ victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, which became the most-watched telecast of the weekend.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the game averaged 41 million viewers, peaking at 47.76 million from 7:30 to 7:45 p.m. ET. The figure represents a 14% increase over last year’s FOX NFC Wild Card matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. The game also ranks as FOX’s most-watched Wild Card telecast since 2015 and the most-watched NFL Wild Card game on any network since 2022.

FOX’s Saturday afternoon matchup, featuring the Los Angeles Rams’ win over the Carolina Panthers, also drew significant attention. The game averaged 28 million viewers, peaking at just over 36 million, marking the best Saturday Wild Card telecast on any network since 2011. The Saturday broadcast was up 7% from last year’s comparable Chargers-Texans game, which averaged 26 million viewers.

CBS Sports followed with its early Sunday AFC Wild Card game, where the Buffalo Bills topped the Jacksonville Jaguars. The telecast averaged 32.71 million viewers, peaking at more than 41 million. The network noted that this marked the most-watched early-window AFC Wild Card game in CBS history and a 5% increase from last year’s comparable matchup.

NBC Sports closed out the weekend with its Sunday Night Football broadcast, featuring the New England Patriots victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. The game averaged 28.9 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, making it the most-watched Sunday Night Football telecast since Super Bowl LIX, according to NBC.

Overall, the numbers reflect a strong weekend for NFL viewing, with all three networks reporting growth or maintaining high levels of engagement compared to previous years. The data underscores the NFL’s continued dominance in broadcast television ratings, particularly during the postseason, where marquee matchups draw audiences well into the tens of millions.

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Prime Video Shatters Streaming Records With Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers Playoff Matchup

BSM Staff
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Prime Video Shatters Streaming Records With Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers Playoff Matchup

Prime Video shattered streaming records Saturday with its presentation of the Chicago Bears victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Wild Card Playoff, drawing 31.61 million viewers and marking the most-watched game in the platform’s history, according to Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel measurement.

The figure surpasses the previous streaming high set last Christmas Day, when the Detroit Lions hosted the Minnesota Vikings to a 27.52 million-viewer audience. Compared with last season’s Saturday Wild Card matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, which averaged 22.07 million viewers on Prime Video, this year’s Packers-Bears game represents a 43% increase in viewership.

The game also reached a peak audience of 34.16 million viewers between 9:15 and 9:29 p.m. ET, establishing a new all-time streaming high for the service. Amazon’s internal data confirmed that the game drew the largest number of concurrent viewers ever and set a record for single-day global viewership on Prime Video.

“We could not have asked for a better game on Saturday,” said Jay Marine, head of Prime Video U.S., Global Sports, and Advertising. “Surpassing 31 million viewers and setting an all-time streaming record illustrates our remarkable growth in a relatively short amount of time. We’re thankful for all the fans who tuned in and will continue innovating on their behalf.”

In addition to the game, Prime Video’s NFL Wild Card coverage included a pregame show that averaged 3.05 million viewers, up 50% from last year’s equivalent broadcast ahead of the Steelers-Ravens game. The postgame Nightcap show also delivered record numbers, averaging 4.96 million viewers, a 40% increase over the previous season.

Saturday’s game ranks as the most-watched Saturday Wild Card contest presented in afternoon or prime time since 2020. The Packers-Bears matchup joins other high-performing NFL broadcasts on Prime Video, including last season’s Steelers-Ravens game and the Broncos-Chiefs Christmas Day matchup, which averaged 21.06 million viewers.

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ESPN Chicago Marc Silverman Takes Aim at Chicago Bulls Broadcaster Chuck Swirsky

BSM Staff
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ESPN Chicago Marc Silverman Takes Aim at Chicago Bulls Broadcaster Chuck Swirsky

Chicago sports media personalities are no strangers to passionate opinions, but Marc Silverman’s comments Monday on ESPN Chicago’s Waddle & Silvy took the conversation in a sharply personal direction.

During the program, Silverman addressed Chicago Bulls radio network play-by-play announcer Chuck Swirsky following recent attention Swirsky received for his criticism of Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson swearing in a victorious locker room speech. What began as a discussion rooted in fandom quickly shifted into a broader critique of Swirsky’s reputation within Chicago media circles, according to Silverman.

Silverman did not mince words when describing his past interactions with Swirsky, alleging a pattern of behavior he believes contradicts Swirsky’s public persona. “He [Swirsky] is a guy that will shake your hand and stab you in the back. He is one of the worst people out there,” said Silverman.

Silverman says following Dan McNeil’s departure from ESPN Chicago in 2009, Swrisky called station management suggesting that they also remove McNeil’s co-hosts of The Afternoon Saloon.

“Swirsky was the first guy to call the bosses telling them to get rid of Jurko [John Jurkovic] and Harry [Teinowitz]. No one will do a better job at that show than me,” explained Silverman. “When we used to put Bill Wennington on and he used to complain to about us to our bosses. That we were putting Wennington on, who was a former NBA champion, over him.”

Silverman emphasized that his criticism was not rooted in professional jealousy or casual disagreement. Instead, he framed it as a matter of personal values and professional respect.

“I finally had enough,” Silverman said, explaining that he had encountered Swirsky regularly at Bulls games and believed those interactions were not genuine. “What a rat. What a bad person.”

He noted that maintaining relationships within the industry matters deeply to him, which is why he said his comments carry weight.

“There are not many people in this business that I don’t like,” Silverman said on the show. “That is one of the worst guys. My wife told me, do not address this. Do not bring this up. He doesn’t deserve your time. I don’t know how to fight without that way. This is one bad, bad, bad person.”

He explained that ignoring behavior he considers unethical runs counter to how he approaches both his career and personal life. Silverman also addressed Swirsky’s long-standing image in Chicago, suggesting that his public reputation as a positive and well-liked figure does not align with Silverman’s experiences.

According to Silverman, that disconnect is what makes the situation particularly troubling.

“Chuck Swirsky has stirred it up in this town,” Silverman said. “But acting like he’s a good person for years. Those, in my opinion, are the worst people in the world.”

Neither the Chicago Bulls nor Swirsky have publicly responded to Silverman’s comments.

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Mike Tomlin Departs Pittsburgh Steelers as Sports Media Rumors Swirl Online

BSM Staff
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Mike Tomlin Departs Pittsburgh Steelers as Sports Media Rumors Swirl Online

Mike Tomlin’s nearly two-decade run on the Pittsburgh Steelers sideline has come to an end. The Steelers announced Tuesday that Tomlin has stepped down as head coach, closing a 19-year tenure that featured consistency rarely seen in professional sports.

The organization described Tomlin’s resume as something that “will likely never be duplicated,” citing his streak without a losing season. Tomlin, who had two years remaining on his contract, informed players of his decision Tuesday during a team meeting at the Steelers’ facility.

The announcement came one day after Pittsburgh’s season ended with a 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans.

“During our meeting today, Coach Tomlin informed me that he has decided to step down as our Head Coach,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. “Obviously, I am extremely grateful to Mike for all the hard work, dedication and success we have shared over the last 19 years.”

At 53, Tomlin exits Pittsburgh having built a resume defined by stability and sustained competitiveness. He finishes his Steelers career without a single losing season, a feat unmatched among modern NFL coaches with similar longevity. Earlier this season, Tomlin earned his 200th career victory and tied franchise icon Chuck Noll for ninth on the NFL’s all-time list for regular-season wins.

Tomlin signed a contract extension in 2024 that could have kept him in Pittsburgh through the 2027 season. The deal included a club option that had not yet reached its decision date. Because he stepped away while still under contract, the Steelers will retain his coaching rights if Tomlin returns to an NFL sideline before the deal expires.

That speculation has led many online to suggest Tomlin may trade his coaching whistle for a comfortable seat on network television. As questions swirl about his immediate future, sports media personalities and pundits weighed in on what his next steps could be.

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Maggie Gray Teases Next Chapter of ‘Maggie & Perloff’ Coming Soon

BSM Staff
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Maggie Gray Teases Next Chapter of ‘Maggie & Perloff’ Coming Soon

Maggie Gray, formerly of the Infinity Sports Network, hinted at the next step for her Maggie and Perloff show alongside Andrew Perloff, leaving fans eager for details about the duo’s future.

Gray and Perloff’s run on Infinity Sports concluded last month, marking the final broadcast of the show’s current iteration. The duo was not kept as part of the Westwood One Sports network following the merger of Infinity Sports Network and the BetMGM Network.

As for her Gray’s next stop, she addressed the timing of a formal announcement about the show’s next steps during an appearance on Damon Amendolara’s YouTube channel. “Soon. Very soon, in a form you’re familiar with,” said Gray.

The departure of Gray and Perloff is part of a broader reshuffling after Audacy and Cumulus Media merged Infinity Sports and BetMGM into Westwood One Sports. Nearly all Infinity Sports personalities, including Zach Gelb, Bill Reiter, and Bart Winkler, exited the network’s lineup. When pressed on why Gray couldn’t reveal the details of the next steps, she leaned on her industry experience as reason why.

“Here’s why I can’t say anything. I’m not trying to be coy. I appreciate if people actually want to hear what we have to say. That’s amazing. I’ve been now in this business long enough. I know until the T’s are crossed and the I’s are dotted, you really can’t say it,” she said.

When pressed about a timeline, Gray remained optimistic. “I’m feeling good about it. It will happen very soon, like we’re talking about a matter of days, weeks, not months. We’re Josh Allen at the goal line right now, but anything could happen,” she said.

Several members of the Infinity Sports Network and BetMGM Network who were not retained have already announced projects. Some working for other networks, while others continuing their content independently. For now, fans are left to anticipate the official announcement, which Gray promises is imminent, signaling a new chapter for Maggie and Perloff beyond Infinity Sports.

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Craig Carton: NFL on Fox Analyst Greg Olsen Was Almost a WFAN Host

BSM Staff
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Craig Carton: NFL on Fox Analyst Greg Olsen Was Almost a WFAN Host

NFL on FOX analyst Greg Olsen was once considered a strong candidate to host on WFAN, according to former station co-host Craig Carton. The behind-the-scenes story dates back to 2016 or 2017, when Carton and Boomer Esiason were anchoring the station’s morning show.

Carton said Olsen, then a tight end with the Carolina Panthers, appeared on the program as a guest. “I thought he was terrific,” Carton recalled on The Craig Carton Show with Chris McMonigle.

“We were all like, man, that Greg Olsen’s gonna be great. Greg Olsen’s got a future in the media. He might be a great sports talk show host,” said Carton.

According to Carton, the station had even planned for Olsen to temporarily fill in for Esiason during a week when Carton would also be on air. He said the idea was to have Olsen ready in case Esiason decided to leave WFAN permanently.

“If the big fella ever said, ‘You know what, I’m done,’ I had a replacement for him,” Carton explained.

Olsen’s short-term hosting stint, however, never materialized. Carton recounted that Olsen had to cancel due to a personal matter involving his brother.

“He called me and said, ‘I can’t come to New York. I’ve got to take care of the situation with my brother.’ We agreed to a rain check. The rain check never happened,” Carton said.

The story highlights Olsen’s early recognition as a media talent, well before he became a familiar face on FOX’s NFL broadcasts. Carton said the potential move to radio showcased Olsen’s versatility and on-air presence. “I knew this guy was going to be great,” he said.

Whether Olsen would have made the cut at WFAN will never be realized. The former NFL tight end has worked for FOX Sports two-time Sports Emmy Award broadcaster, having been with the company since 2021 in a booth analyst role.

A Wayne, New Jersey native, Olsen would have been a solid candidate for a role with WFAN which relies on homegrown attitude, knowledge and personality.

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Kaylee Hartung Added To NBC Sports’ Broadcast Of Super Bowl LX

BSM Staff
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Kaylee Hartung Added To NBC Sports’ Broadcast Of Super Bowl LX

Kaylee Hartung will make her Super Bowl sideline reporting debut when NBC broadcasts the NFL’s championship game on February 8. According to a report by the Associated Press, Hartung joins veteran sideline reporter Melissa Stark for the game, marking only the second time NBC has deployed a two-reporter setup for Super Bowl coverage.

This weekend, Hartung will cover the Chicago Bears’ sideline during NBC’s broadcast of Sunday’s divisional round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. This will be her fifth NFL playoff assignment with the network, continuing a rapid rise within NBC’s football coverage.

Hartung’s role extends beyond the gridiron. She will report from the aerials and moguls freestyle skiing competitions at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, a testament to her versatility as a sports journalist.

Since 2022, Hartung has served as a sideline reporter for Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football and has been a correspondent for NBC’s “TODAY” show, giving her a range of experience across both live sports and general reporting. Her transition to the Super Bowl sidelines represents a significant milestone in a career already marked by high-profile assignments.

NBC’s decision to assign two sideline reporters for the Super Bowl mirrors a broader trend in sports broadcasting to provide richer, more detailed coverage from multiple perspectives. Hartung has drawn praise for her reporting style, which combines clear, concise updates with engaging, human-interest storytelling. Her work on Thursday Night Football demonstrated an ability to navigate high-pressure live environments while providing context that enhances the viewer experience.

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WTOP Adds John Wordock as New Business Reporter

BNM Staff
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WTOP Adds John Wordock as New Business Reporter

WTOP has announced it is appointing John Wordock to its team of reporters, where he’ll serve as a business reporter for the station.

The move marks a return to the Washington, D.C., all-news brand for Wordock. He had previously been heard in the early 2000s on WTOP as Managing Editor of MarketWatch Radio.

As part of his duties with the station, John Wordock will deliver business reports at :10 and :40 past each hour. He’ll also help produce digital content for the brand.

“WTOP is setting the pace for the radio industry in our digital world,” Wordock said. “It’s a leader both in Washington and in the country. I look forward to joining its award-winning newsroom and evolving business reporting in the age of social video, YouTube, podcasts, and whatever comes next.”

“Evolution is more important than ever in the news industry. We need to meet our consumers where they are and bring them the stories they need in the formats they want,” added WTOP News Director of News and Programming Julia Ziegler. “John brings a wealth of multi-platform experience and business expertise to WTOP, and we can’t wait for news consumers in the DMV to be reintroduced to him.”

John Wordock will begin his tenure at WTOP on Monday, January 26th.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Dana Loesch: Tucker Carlson Has Told Me Verbatim He Won’t Come On My Show

BNM Staff
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Dana Loesch: Tucker Carlson Has Told Me Verbatim He Won’t Come On My Show

Tucker Carlson is one of the most in-demand figures in conservative media. But Dana Loesch says there’s one show he won’t appear on: hers. And it isn’t because she doesn’t want him.

During The Dana Show, Loesch took issue with a recent encapsulation from Tucker Carlson, who compared the death of Minnesota resident Renee Good at the hands of ICE to the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

She argued that Carlson was completely misguided in his stance that the two were similar. She then questioned why he’s made a shift in his perspective in recent months, before then revealing that she won’t have the opportunity to question him on her program.

“What happened to Tucker? I would talk to him about it, but he won’t come on my show,” Loesch said. “He’s told me that verbatim. He will not come on because, I guess, it’s because I’m not an Islamist apologist, and I won’t ask softball questions. And I won’t laugh or chuckle and go along with everything. It’s unfortunate.”

Dana Loesch continued by saying that she believes it is hypocritical for Tucker Carlson to demand that people reach out to him to speak privately if they have an issue with him, without him returning their outreach.

“I got to tell you, I get really tired of people who tell everybody else, ‘Well, if you have a problem, call me. If you have a problem, message me.’ And then when you do, they don’t answer because they know that they’re going to have to defend their position,” she said. “These people are cowards. It’s absolute cowardice. Don’t let it masquerade as anything other than exactly what I said that it was because it’s what it is: cowardice.”

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Netflix WWE Viewership for ‘Monday Night Raw’ in 2025 at Over 340 Million Views

BSM Staff
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Netflix WWE Viewership for ‘Monday Night Raw’ in 2025 at Over 340 Million Views

WWE is celebrating its first year on Netflix, a partnership that has not only brought the world’s top wrestling content to streaming audiences but also shattered viewing records across the globe.

Since debuting on January 6, 2025, WWE programming—including RAW and a slate of Premium Live Events—has racked up 525 million hours watched by Netflix members worldwide. RAW alone accounted for nearly 340 million hours, while Premium Live Events drew 185 million hours of viewing, even in markets outside the United States.

Over the past year, RAW has maintained a near-constant presence in the Global English TV Top 10, appearing 47 out of 52 weeks. The weekly series has averaged more than 3 million views per show and achieved Top 10 status in 34 countries, including the United States (51 weeks), Bolivia (49 weeks), Canada (48 weeks), the United Kingdom (40 weeks) and Mexico (38 weeks).

Other WWE franchises have similarly found international success. Events such as WrestleMania, Elimination Chamber, Money in the Bank, Night of Champions and the Royal Rumble reached the Top 10 in 42 countries. Notably, the Royal Rumble earned this recognition despite not being available for streaming in the United States.

In August, Netflix expanded WWE’s content library with WWE: Unreal, a behind-the-scenes docuseries taking fans into the league’s writers’ room and providing unfiltered access to their favorite Superstars. The series appeared in the Global Top 10 and reached the Top 10 in eight countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Ireland, and New Zealand. Season 2 is set to premiere January 20.

WWE’s presence on Netflix has also boosted its social media footprint. Posts across Netflix-owned platforms have generated over 5.8 billion impressions from roughly 8,000 posts. One of the most successful posts featured FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal reacting to a Randy Orton RKO, drawing more than 50 million impressions on Facebook. Content from WWE: Unreal and nostalgic clips, including John Cena’s entrances and Randy Orton highlights, have similarly captured tens of millions of interactions.

As of January 6, 2026, WWE’s social media following across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube exceeds 6.2 million, delivering more than 4.4 billion total impressions.

The first year of WWE on Netflix demonstrates not only the enduring appeal of the league’s live action and archival content but also its ability to engage fans globally across streaming and social media platforms.

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