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ESPN, FOX One Early Subscriber Data Shows Strength In Early Days Of Launch

BSM Staff
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ESPN, FOX One Early Subscriber Data Shows Strength In Early Days Of Launch

While ESPN and Fox Corp are not publicly sharing first-party data of their subscriber base with the general public, third-party data provider Antenna’s latest data suggests ESPN and FOX One are maintaining steady momentum as both networks settle into the streaming marketplace.

Following their joint August 21 launches, the platforms have now completed their first full month, with sign-up activity signaling ongoing audience curiosity and engagement.

According to Antenna, ESPN drew an estimated 2.1 million sign-ups through September 30, while FOX One brought in 1.1 million over the same period. Those figures exclude existing Disney subscribers who transitioned from other plans or users who activated access through multichannel video programming distributor partnerships.

Weekend viewing remains a clear driver for both services, with Antenna noting consistent spikes in sign-ups around major sporting events. FOX One experienced its most significant surge on September 14, coinciding with the highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.

For ESPN, consumer interest appears to be leaning toward its premium tier. Antenna’s data shows roughly 57% of subscribers opted for ESPN Unlimited — the network’s flagship offering that provides full access to live games, studio programming, and on-demand content. The remaining 43% subscribed to ESPN Select, the rebranded version of ESPN+.

Bundles are also playing a crucial role in ESPN’s early success. Antenna reports that two out of every three ESPN sign-ups between August 21 and September 30 came through package deals with Disney+ and Hulu. Those bundles are available in both ad-supported and ad-free tiers, giving subscribers more flexibility while strengthening Disney’s overall streaming ecosystem.

Both networks have not detailed exact subscriber numbers for their respective services. ESPN parent company Disney has stated there won’t be any such disclosures as it said earlier this year. The company plans to stop reporting streaming subscription totals as part of quarterly earnings reports. That decision follows a similar shift made by Netflix. 

Antenna’s full-month snapshot provides early evidence that sports fans are willing to follow familiar brands like ESPN and FOX into new digital spaces.

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.

Tony Pike Returns To ESPN 1530 Weeks After Being Laid Off By iHeartMedia

BSM Staff
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Tony Pike Returns To ESPN 1530 Weeks After Being Laid Off By iHeartMedia

Tony Pike is back on the Cincinnati airwaves. The former University of Cincinnati quarterback and future Bearcats Hall of Famer has returned to host Cincy 360 on ESPN 1530 today just weeks after being laid off by iHeartMedia.

Pike made the announcement on X, sharing that his popular midday program would return to its familiar noon to 3 p.m. slot. He will also rejoin his colleague Mo Egger for the afternoon drive show from 3 to 6 p.m. according to a report by the Cincinnati Enquirer.

“Tony is back and all is right with the world,” Egger told The Enquirer following the announcement.

The move marks a quick turnaround for Pike, who had become one of Cincinnati’s most recognizable local sports voices before being caught up in iHeartMedia’s company-wide reductions earlier this month. During his appearance with Egger on Monday, Pike opened up about the experience from being laid off till today.

“It felt different last week,” said Pike. “You think for so many years, my Mondays during football season have been this, and then they weren’t. I didn’t know what to do about it. And thankfully, I’m back here.”

Pike shared his thanks to everyone who reached out after news of his departure had surfaced, and was thankful to make a return to ESPN 1530.

“If there was any good that could have came out of what happened, it was getting a little bit of the gratification that at least what I had been trying to do was working,” said Pike. “People have enjoyed listening, and now that they can continue to enjoy listening.”

Pike admitted he leaned on his family following his departure from the station, and was thankful for their support during that time.

“I’ll shout out to my dad. We went to my parents house and kind of just had a pizza night, and we’re just kind of hanging around, and pizza gets delivered,” said Pike of the night following being laid off from the station. “I was in a rough spot for a few days, and as the pizza guys leaving, my dad yells at him, says, Hey, sir, we’re all sitting right. So you guys hiring? So there was a point I thought about maybe reinventing the pizza delivery game.”

On October 8, Pike posted on X that his position had been eliminated, ending his daily hosting duties on ESPN 1530, as well as his regular appearances on Egger’s show and his work with Bengals pregame coverage on 700 WLW.

“It’s not something I ever hoped to say, but my current time with iHeart has come to an end,” Pike wrote in the post. “I’m deeply thankful for the opportunity they gave me and for all the experiences that came with it.”

Even during his brief hiatus, Pike remained connected to the Cincinnati sports scene. He continued to serve as the color analyst for UC football broadcasts, operating as an independent contractor. His on-air chemistry and deep ties to Bearcats athletics have made him a staple in the city’s sports media landscape.

Pike’s return was welcomed on air and online by ESPN 1530 talent and listeners. His show, Cincy 360, offers a mix of local sports talk, listener interaction, and Bengals, Reds, and Bearcats coverage — all presented with the familiarity of a hometown voice.

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Paramount Skydance to Begin Round of Layoffs Next Week

BNM Staff
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Paramount Skydance to Begin Round of Layoffs Next Week

After FCC approval for the merger of Paramount Global and Skydance came through, it became likely that layoffs would take place. We now know more about what the future looks like for some employees.

With the company’s third quarter earnings call scheduled for Monday, November 10th, layoffs are now expected to take place beginning on Monday, October 27th, multiple reports confirm.

Previously, new president of the company, Jeff Shell, said that it would act swiftly in its job cuts, adding that they would be enacted ahead of the company’s earnings call.

“We do not want to be a company that has layoffs every quarter,” Shell said in August hours after the deal between Paramount and Skydance was approved. “So, it’s going to be painful. It’s always hard, but we don’t want to be a company that every quarter is laying people off.”

A reported $2 billion in savings is the goal from the newly merged conglomerate, a report from Variety suggests. The total number of jobs expected to be slashed is near 2,000.

In federal filings in 2024, Paramount shared it had just under 19,000 employees. The company underwent a round of layoffs ahead of the merger with Skydance in June, with 3.5% of its global staff being cut in the wave of reductions. Skydance, ahead of the merger, reported it had more than 500 employees.

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.

Stephen A. Smith Reveals He Felt “Set up” When Lebron James Confronted Him at a Lakers Game

BSM Staff
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Stephen A. Smith Reveals He Felt “Set up” When Lebron James Confronted Him at a Lakers Game

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is pulling back the curtain on what he says really happened when LeBron James confronted him courtside during a Los Angeles Lakers game earlier this year — and he’s not mincing words about how the moment was captured. On a recent episode of 7PM In Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony, the veteran commentator revisited the viral March 2025 interaction that occurred just hours after his ESPN contract extension was announced.

Smith said the circumstances surrounding the confrontation — and how it appeared on camera — didn’t sit right with him.

“The day that he rolled up on me courtside, it was the day my contract was announced that I had stayed with ESPN,” Smith said. “Go back and look at the camera angle… This is 2025, we got technology everywhere. TNT is a nationally televised game. How is it we got one angle, and the only angle you see was of him and his face, but you see the back of my peanut head?”

The longtime First Take host said the interaction caught him off guard but didn’t escalate beyond words. Still, he admitted that he felt the exchange may have been orchestrated.

“Damn right I did,” Smith said when asked if he felt set up. “That’s how I feel. But no big deal, no problem, because I go on the air the next day and I’m like, that’s a dad reacting to his son.”

Smith added that he found the single camera perspective suspicious, considering the number of media outlets and production teams typically capturing footage during nationally televised NBA broadcasts.

“There’s no way that you’re in an arena, you’re LeBron James, and the only angle that somebody sees is a straight up shot of you getting in my face,” Smith continued. “They see no reaction. They see nothing. And that’s an accident?”

The outspoken ESPN personality also made it clear that his relationship with the Lakers star is strained and has been for quite some time.

“I don’t like his ass, not a little bit,” Smith said. “This dates back more than a decade. I’m not gonna go into detail at the stuff this man has tried to do to me. You do not understand the lengths this man would go to… If it were up to him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s some low, low stuff.”

Smith’s comments add another chapter to the complex relationship between the two media powerhouses. Both have shared mutual respect publicly in the past, but their professional friction has surfaced at various moments over the years.

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.

The Joe Rogan Experience Remains Top Show in Edison Research Podcast Ranker During 2025’s 3rd Quarter

BNM Staff
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The Joe Rogan Experience Remains Top Show in Edison Research Podcast Ranker During 2025’s 3rd Quarter

Edison Research has released its podcast rankings for the third quarter, and The Joe Rogan Experience has retained the top position on the chart.

In fact, the entire top four positions on the chart remained unchanged. Following the podcast from Joe Rogan were Crime Junkie, The Daily, and Call Her Daddy.

The first changes in the rankings came as SmartLess moved past This Past Weekend with Theo Von for fifth place.

Other shows in the top ten included New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce (7th), Dateline NBC (8th), Morbid (9th), and Stuff You Should Know (10th).

The MeidasTouch Podcast entered the top 20 for the first time, ranking 14th on the list. That follows the program besting The Joe Rogan Experience on the YouTube podcast charts during the quarter. However, Edison Research notes that the YouTube charts are based on watch time, not reach.

Other moves on the list include a large jump for The Charlie Kirk Show. That program saw a 32-position quarter-over-quarter increase following the murder of Kirk in September. It finished the third quarter in 17th place.

Other notable finishes include The Tucker Carlson Show in 18th, followed by The Megyn Kelly Show in 19th, The Ben Shapiro Show in 21st, Candace Owens finishing 28th, and The Ramsey Show with Dave Ramsey earning 29th overall.

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Former KSL NewsRadio Reporter Paul Nelson Dies

BNM Staff
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Former KSL NewsRadio Reporter Paul Nelson Dies

Paul Nelson, who spent nearly two decades as a reporter at KSL NewsRadio in Salt Lake City, has died after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Nelson joined KSL NewsRadio in 2004 after spending five years at a smaller market station in Utah and at ABC4 in Sal Lake City.

When joining the Bonneville International station, he covered a variety of avenues for the outlet, including crime, politics, and national disasters. He spent 18 years at the station before departing in 2022 to join the communications department of MLS franchise Real Salt Lake.

“As a reporter, Paul was fearless,” said Vice President of KSL Podcasts Sheryl Worsley, who served as News Director during Nelson’s tenure. “He would talk to anyone about anything – no story was too challenging, no assignment too difficult. He approached every task with the same willingness that made him such a valued member of our team. He was also an incredible storyteller, both in his reporting and in person, and he never hesitated to help a colleague in need.”

Paul Nelson was 51.

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Audacy Officially Launches Wisconsin Sports Radio Network With 105.7 The Fan Serving as Flagship Station

BSM Staff
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Audacy Officially Launches Wisconsin Sports Radio Network With 105.7 The Fan Serving as Flagship Station

Audacy has officially launched the Wisconsin Sports Radio Network, a statewide platform designed to centralize sports coverage and connect fans across Wisconsin. The network will bring together the state’s most prominent sports voices and markets under one umbrella, with programming produced and distributed by Audacy.

105.7 The Fan in Milwaukee will serve as the network’s flagship station, anchoring a lineup that debuted last month to strong listener response.

The network’s initial affiliates include several Midwest Communications stations: WNFL in Green Bay (101.9 FM / 1440 AM), which is expanding coverage in Northeast Wisconsin with a new 50,000-watt simulcast on 99.7 FM; Wausau’s 93.9 The Game, serving Central Wisconsin; and 710 The Game in Superior, Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota, covering Northwestern Wisconsin and the Twin Ports region.

“The Wisconsin Sports Radio Network brings our state’s passion for sports under one roof,” said Jason Bjorson, senior vice president and market manager for Audacy Wisconsin. “With The Fan leading the charge and these powerhouse affiliates joining forces, fans from Green Bay to Duluth can now experience the best local sports conversation anywhere in Wisconsin.”

Programming across the network features a mix of local sports talk, expert analysis, and commentary from well-known Wisconsin personalities.

The lineup kicks off each morning at 6 a.m. CT with Inside Wisconsin Sports, hosted by Trevor Thomas and Josh Albrecht. From 9 a.m. to noon, fans can tune in to Nine2Noon with Kuhn, featuring former NFL player John Kuhn, Ramie Makhlouf, and Brandon Sneide.

Afternoon programming includes The Mason Crosby Show from noon to 2 p.m., hosted by Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby alongside Mitch “Thunder” Nelles and Tommy Wortz. Wisconsin Sports Daily follows from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with Steve “Sparky” Fifer and Charlie Uczen leading fans through the latest sports headlines and commentary. The day wraps up with Wisconsin Sports Wrap Up from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., hosted by Wortz.

By consolidating major Wisconsin sports outlets and talent into a single network, Audacy aims to strengthen local coverage while providing a more cohesive experience for sports fans across the state. Listeners in both urban centers and smaller markets will now have access to a shared platform featuring familiar voices and a consistent slate of programming.

The Wisconsin Sports Radio Network represents a significant expansion for Audacy in the Midwest, aligning with broader trends of consolidating regional content while maintaining local flavor and expertise.

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.

Danny Ocean Returns to Sheet Happens as Director of Affiliate Relations

BMM Staff
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Danny Ocean Returns to Sheet Happens as Director of Affiliate Relations

Former 93.5 WSBG Program Director Danny Ocean has announced his next move after departing the station earlier this month. He’s returning to Sheet Happens.

At Sheet Happens, he’ll lead affiliate relations with the prep service. The move marks a return to the company for Ocean, who worked with Sheet Happens from 2012 to 2017.

“The opportunity to return to Sheet Happens Prep was simply too good to pass up especially with the new services we will be launching soon,” Danny Ocean stated. “We previously had a very successful five-year run together. I look forward to working with Jeff Andrews, Steve Harmon and the amazing staff at Sheet Happens Prep.“

“I could not be more excited to have Danny back home at Sheet Happens Prep,” added Managing Partner Jeff Andrews. “He’s one of the best and brightest in the business and I am confident that he will once again help us elevate our services to new heights.”

Danny Ocean remains based in Philadelphia. He begins his duties as the Director of Affiliate Relations for Sheet Happens today.

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.

Fox Business Network Adds Darren Botelho As D.C.-Based Correspondent

BNM Staff
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Fox Business Network Adds Darren Botelho As D.C.-Based Correspondent

Fox Business Network has announced it is adding Darren Botelho as a Washington, D.C.-based correspondent.

Most recently, Botelho served as a weekend evening anchor and reporter at NBC Boston. During his tenure there, he spent extensive time covering the Karen Read trial, as well as the federal funding story between the Trump administration and Harvard University.

Prior to joining NBC10 in Boston, Darren Botelho worked at ABC6 in Providence, as well as spending time in the communications department for Nasdaq.

At his new network home, Botelho will be tasked with reporting on government affairs as it relates to the financial markets and sector. He’ll report on the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, as well as focus on cryptocurrency for the network.

Botelho will begin his duties with Fox Business Network today.

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.

NBC Sports Teases Michael Jordan Feature During Opening Night Coverage

BSM Staff
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NBC Sports Teases Michael Jordan Feature During Opening Night Coverage

NBC gave fans a glimpse of its highly anticipated NBA coverage on Sunday night, teasing the long-awaited return of The NBA on NBC with an appearance from basketball legend Michael Jordan. During Sunday Night Football, the network aired footage of host Mike Tirico sitting down with Jordan, previewing a new segment titled MJ: Insights to Excellence that will debut as part of NBC’s NBA coverage this season this coming Tuesday.

The segment showed Tirico and Jordan in conversation, hinting at the tone and format of what viewers can expect once the NBA returns to the network. Tirico later confirmed that Jordan would play a visible role in NBC’s coverage moving forward.

“Part of our coverage, our special contributor, Michael Jordan,” Tirico said. “We’ll have the first of our visits with MJ coming up during our coverage of the double-header.”

According to NBC, halftime coverage of the Rockets–Thunder game on Tuesday night will include the first installment of MJ: Insights to Excellence, featuring portions of Tirico’s interview with Jordan. The series will continue throughout the NBA season, giving viewers insight from one of the game’s greatest minds.

Jordan’s involvement marks a significant addition to NBC’s presentation as the network officially returns to airing NBA games for the first time since 2002.

The network, which broadcast NBA games from 1990 to 2002. Signed an 11-year agreement with the NBA to return to broadcasting games beginning next season. While Jordan’s specific duties have not been formally announced by the network. The teaser gives a glimpse in how the network will be utilizing the basketball hall of famer. This will be Jordan’s first venture into broadcast media following the conclusion of his historic basketball career.

Under the agreement, NBC will air up to 100 national regular-season games annually across its broadcast and streaming platforms, including Peacock and USA Network. The programming slate will feature exclusive Monday night games on Peacock. Tuesday doubleheaders shared between NBC and Peacock, and the debut of Sunday Night Basketball in 2026. A primetime showcase intended to mirror the success of Sunday Night Football.

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