Home Blog Page 435

Why KIRO Newsradio 97.3’s Gee Scott Believes Conversation Always Beats the Hot Take

Ranked #16 in a mid-sized market by Barrett Media, Gee Scott, host of Gee and Ursula — the midday show on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 — was shocked and humbled to hear the news.

“It feels great to be recognized for anyone when you go to work,” Scott told Barrett Media. “I think everyone loves some type of appreciation and acknowledgment. So I’m humbled and grateful to hear the news.”

High accolades aren’t changing any of Scott’s future plans. Two years ago, he told Barrett he wouldn’t leave the Seattle area, and now more than ever, he believes local is what is most important to focus on. “When you start talking about local, that’s what truly matters,” Scott professed. “So when you’re thinking about why there isn’t a stoplight in your neighborhood — and it would be better for safety reasons if they had the stoplight — well, the national news and the federal government don’t take care of those things.”

He added, “So you’re talking about school budgets — that’s a local thing. Basically, 95% of things that really impact us are things that happen on the local level. And so I think it is important to be a part of the conversations centered around local media.”

But with this in mind, Scott recognizes there is a much larger responsibility than when he began in the sports media realm 12 years ago. “When you start getting to news and you start having topics, you realize that in sports, hot take is awesome. Right? In news, hot takes — you have to be more careful about that because words have power.”

Using this power carefully, Scott’s show does have one major issue on the minds of Seattleites: affordability. “I believe that UBI — I definitely believe it’s possible and I definitely believe that that is the answer to things. I know me, look, for 15 years of my adult life, I was financially poor. I was broke. I was poor.”

His passion resonates with many of his listeners. “Some people just say, well, all you got to do is work hard. Well, I was working hard too, and I just couldn’t catch a break until I did. And when I did catch a break, my life changed, right? And so then I was able to make money and then I was able to get other jobs and do all these different things.”

Scott added, “So now I make great money today. And guess what? For some reason, I don’t have the problems that I did years ago. So it’s not like I had to read an economic book to teach me these things. I know this firsthand. I know how much money fixed my life.”

This is why Scott is more reluctant to offer his hot take with the news and instead offers something far better. “When you’re talking about the homelessness crisis and drug crisis and you’re talking about a global pandemic and you’re talking about housing affordability, these conversations really matter. It’s not really about the hot take. It’s more about the conversation that gets facilitated and how can this conversation help push things along?”

Meaning a good show for him has three things:

“First, did the show inform? Great — got you the information, told you about it.

Second, did we have an opinion about that conversation? And in that opinion, what type of sources did we have and what type of experience did we have to help people better understand the conversation at hand?

Third — and this is probably the most important part — can you make it a way for all of the information that they got, all of the examples that they got, did the show entertain?”

The morning drive host noted entertainment is the most important because shows “got to be loose and fun and you almost want to bring a conversation that you’re having with your loved ones — whether it’s a family get-together or a happy hour — and you got to be able to do that same thing with a radio show. So when someone’s listening to it, they might hear something that they don’t agree with. They don’t agree with the opinion that’s being given. Great, awesome, right?”

Gee Scott appreciates the callers he and Ursula get that don’t agree with him because, “Think about that for a second. I mean, we’re at a time where you can spend your time anywhere. You can get on YouTube, you can get on Spotify, you can get on IG. There are so many places you can go so that you can hear people that you agree a thousand percent with.”

Later reasoning, “But what does it mean for you to be someone who just listens to somebody that you don’t agree with? Those are potentially change-makers in the world. Someone who’s willing to step outside of their bubble. So it means the world to me when that happens. I love it when people get on there and they don’t agree with me.”

Gee Scott struggled with imposter syndrome for a long time, and for young people who are struggling with this, he found his greatest strength is what he once thought was his biggest weakness. “My weakness that I thought I had is I never went to school for this stuff. I never trained for this stuff. I didn’t really have an understanding of this stuff. And I think that that weakness that I thought was a weakness was actually my greatest strength because I don’t sound like other people.”

“The good Lord only made one of you. There’s 8 billion people on the planet. Only you — there’s only one you. To the youngster that had that imposter syndrome, stop trying to be like all the other people.” He went on to declare, “There’s two things that you can do to literally stay on top. One, be yourself. Two, work hard. That doesn’t change. If you can just focus on those two things, you win.”

But it is easier said than done. Gee Scott believes this is because, “It is harder for us to be ourselves than we want to admit because we’re trying to go along and get along. We try to do things a lot of times. We spend a lot of time trying to make people happy.”

Scott added, “Right now, lately, is probably the best time in my job I’ve ever had because I’m being myself. I’m authentic.”

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.

The Social Media Struggle News/Talk Radio Hosts Must Learn to Live With

0

Dan O’Donnell of 1130 WISN found himself in hot water this week after recent comments on social media sparked backlash. That’s not exactly a rare occurrence in 2026.

It feels like every month, another host is apologizing, clarifying, or doubling down on something posted in the heat of the moment.

For many in news/talk radio, there’s this nagging belief that you have to be “on” 24/7, 365. If you’re not firing off takes on social media, someone else is. And if someone else is louder, angrier, or more outrageous, they’ll win the algorithm.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth, especially on X: if you’re not ragebaiting or being controversial, your stuff probably isn’t getting seen. Thoughtful nuance rarely goes viral. Measured responses don’t generate quote tweets. The machine rewards outrage, point-blank. That reality creates a dangerous incentive structure for hosts whose job already requires them to walk a rhetorical tightrope for three or four hours a day.

It’s easy to understand the pressure. You build a brand on strong opinions. Your audience expects you to have a take. Silence can feel like weakness. There are often posts that go viral pointing out who has or hasn’t spoken out on a topic yet.

But there’s a massive difference between delivering a prepared monologue on 1130 WISN and firing off a tweet in 45 seconds because you’re afraid of missing the moment.

Many hosts convince themselves that if they don’t weigh in instantly, they’ll be forgotten. They think listeners will assume they’re ducking the issue. They worry a competitor will “win” the topic online. To be frank, I’ve always viewed that thought process as more to do with a host’s ego than reality.

I love my wife. I adore her. She is god’s gift to planet earth, and I’m so incredibly blessed to have her in my life. And yet, there are times when I think, “God, I wish she’d shut up.” Do you think your news/talk radio audience has the same feelings toward you and your show? Do you think they love and appreciate you so much that they’re hanging on your every word…or thumb taps on your phone?

I’m here to tell you, and this might be a sobering truth for some of you, that they’re not. They aren’t as obsessed with you as you are with yourself. And that’s probably a good thing.

You don’t have to have a comment on everything on social media. Some thoughts can wait for the show. A few might be better left unsaid altogether. The platform doesn’t dictate your value. Your preparation and execution do.

Speed isn’t the same thing as quality. Most hosts aren’t at their best when they’re reacting on the fly to breaking news with limited facts. Your strongest work usually comes after you’ve read the details and thought through the counterarguments. That takes time. It doesn’t fit neatly into a character limit.

There’s also a professional reality to consider. Radio already demands precision. One poorly worded sentence on air can spiral quickly. Now layer in social media, where tone is hard to read, and context is easy to strip away. You’re essentially adding a second live mic that never turns off.

That’s where trouble starts. Not because hosts are inherently reckless, but because constant output increases the odds of error. If you share every opinion, on every topic, on every platform, eventually you’ll say something dumb. It’s not a matter of if. It’s when.

None of this means you should abandon social media. It can be a powerful promotional tool. It’s a useful tool in a variety of ways. Used strategically, it strengthens your brand. Used impulsively, however, it can weaken it.

The problem is the feeling that you must participate in every trending debate. That you’re obligated to post through every breaking story. That the timeline is a competition you can’t afford to lose. It’s not. Your real competition is the quality of your own show.

Being loud doesn’t carry the same weight as being thoughtful. Listeners remember insight and the way you tell a story. Not who had the most outlandish take. And if they do remember who had the most outlandish take, it isn’t for good reasons.

There’s already a tightrope you’re walking for hours at a time on the air. You’re balancing humor, facts, opinion, entertainment, and emotion. You’re threading needles with sponsors, management, and audience expectations. You don’t need to splice that tightrope by adding a consistent dose of impulsive posting, too.

Dan O’Donnell won’t be the last host to learn this lesson the hard way. I believe him when he says he’s sincerely sorry. But the cycle will continue because the pressure is real. It’s also manageable, though. Take a breath. Draft the monologue. Save some of the fire for the microphone.

You’re allowed to log off.

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.

David Ross Returning To ESPN As MLB Analyst

0

David Ross is headed back to the broadcast booth. After spending the past several seasons in the dugout, most recently as manager of the Chicago Cubs, Ross confirmed he will return to ESPN this year as an MLB game analyst. Ross rejoins a network he says has long felt like home and one that helped shape the second chapter of his baseball life.

Speaking about the opportunity during the network’s broadcast of Team USA taking on San Francisco, Ross made it clear that the move excites him not only professionally but personally, especially because of the relationships that await him when he steps back into Bristol’s orbit.

“I’m so fired up,” Ross said. “Especially being able to work with you [Jon Sciambi]. Long relationship. You’re like the Tom Brady, and maybe I’m like Gronk. That’s how it works.”

The former World Series champion catcher built a reputation as one of baseball’s most respected clubhouse leaders. He leaned into the camaraderie that defined his previous stint with the network. More importantly, Ross stressed how meaningful ESPN remains to him. He said that as he transitions back into media after managing on Chicago’s North Side.

“I’m so pumped to be back,” he said. “The ESPN family has been special to me, and I can’t wait to watch some more baseball, be more involved. Especially an environment like this. It’s special.”

Ross previously worked as a studio analyst for ESPN following his retirement as a player in 2016, quickly emerging as a natural on television thanks to his blend of insight, humor and authenticity, qualities that later helped him land the Cubs’ managerial job despite limited coaching experience. He currently is serving as the bullpen coach for Team USA as they participate in the World Baseball Classic beginning next week.

With his return to broadcasting, Ross reenters an evolving baseball media landscape. Networks continue competing for premium game inventory. Audiences also demand sharper analysis from voices who recently lived the game at its highest levels.

For ESPN, adding Ross back into the fold strengthens a roster that has leaned heavily on former players capable of translating modern clubhouse culture and strategy to viewers who crave deeper context beyond surface-level commentary.

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.

Mike Valenti: Costs of Watching Sports Is Making It Challenging To Care All Season

0

As Major League Baseball approaches Opening Day, Detroit finds itself at the center of a broader industry shift that continues to redefine how fans access their favorite teams. 97.1 The Ticket’s Mike Valenti pointed to the new Ilitch Sports + Entertainment product called Detroit SportsNet as an example as the new television and streaming home for the Detroit Tigers this season and the Detroit Red Wings beginning in 2026-27.

The move arrives amid continuing instability in the regional sports network model, a structure that once provided predictable local access through cable bundles but has since fractured under cord-cutting trends and bankruptcy proceedings that forced leagues such as MLB to assume distribution responsibilities in several markets.

During Tuesday’s edition of The Valenti Show with Rico on 97.1 The Ticket, Mike Valenti questioned whether the industry’s response to those challenges has prioritized revenue stability over consumer simplicity, arguing that the modern fan now faces a maze of platforms that complicates what used to be routine.

“Leagues. Teams. What they’ve asked or kind of demanded of fans. Think about what you have to do to watch all your sports,” Valenti said. “Every time you think you’re just going to watch the games, the league or teams are there with their hand out. It used to be, ‘Hey, you come to our house, we’re going to charge you to watch our product.’ Now, it is so many channels, so many platforms.”

Detroit SportsNet will function as both a traditional linear channel and a direct-to-consumer streaming service priced at $19.99 per month or $189.99 annually, offering in-market access without requiring a full cable subscription, while carriage agreements with providers remain under negotiation ahead of the season.

Valenti acknowledged that technology has made content more accessible in theory, yet he described the process of locating specific games across streaming services and apps as increasingly frustrating for average viewers.

“You got to have more TV channels, more streaming,” he said. “Just finding games is an annoyance. No, it’s not I’m helpless and I have to hit my life alert button. You’re looking for something in your fridge that you know is there. It’s just you can’t find it. That’s me currently with sports. I’m just like F-it. I don’t care. I’ll just watch what’s available to me.”

His larger concern centers on cost fatigue. Leagues continue expanding digital offerings while maintaining premium pricing. The strain is especially clear in sports with lengthy regular seasons. Those seasons require sustained engagement over several months.

“For a lot of people, 162 baseball games or 82 hockey games, wake me up for the playoffs,” Valenti said. “The average fan is not sitting there living and dying with this team on a Wednesday night in May. They’re not. So the $20 a month, I’m not shocked if some people go, I’m all set.”

Detroit SportsNet represents an attempt to consolidate local rights under one umbrella and provide year-round stability in a shifting marketplace, yet Valenti’s commentary underscores a larger question facing professional sports: as distribution models evolve, will convenience and affordability keep pace with innovation, or will regular-season engagement continue to erode as fans weigh cost against commitment.

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.

1130 WISN Host Dan O’Donnell Apologizes Following Controversial Social Media Post

7

1130 WISN afternoon host Dan O’Donnell has apologized for a social media post that drew significant backlash over the weekend.

Following U.S. military action in Iran, O’Donnell made a post on X stating that the next target of military action should be Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN).

“Now take out the Supreme Leader of Minnesota,” O’Donnell’s post said. “We will be greeted as liberators.”

He followed up that post with an AI-generated photo of the former Vice Presidential candidate wearing a black turban, similar to that of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

O’Donnell received widespread backlash following the publication of the posts. He later deleted them.

On Tuesday, Dan O’Donnell took to social media to apologize for the comments.

“Hey everyone, I want to take a moment to offer my sincerest apologies for a post I made about Minnesota’s Governor that, quite frankly, I am deeply ashamed of,” the 1130 WISN host wrote. “It was irresponsible and completely inappropriate and I have since taken it down. It served only to deepen divisions at a time when unity and basic human decency are most needed. My primary responsibility as a broadcaster, a father, and a person is to always comport myself professionally, appropriately, and compassionately, and I failed to do that. Again, I am truly, deeply, unequivocally sorry.”

Dan O’Donnell hosted his afternoon show on Monday as normal. He was not on the air on Tuesday afternoon.

It isn’t the first time a 1130 WISN host has said something about Walz that has put them in hot water. During the 2024 Democratic National Convention, the station’s morning host, Jay Weber, criticized Walz’s special needs son, calling him “a blubbering bitch boy” for crying while his father was introduced as Kamala Harris’ running mate. Weber later apologized and was off the air for two weeks before returning to the daypart.

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.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr: Paramount Skydance Purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery ‘Should Get Through Pretty Quickly’

0

After Paramount Skydance was named the winning bidder for Warner Bros. Discovery, questions about regulatory approval abounded. FCC Chair Brendan Carr says worries shouldn’t persist.

While speaking CNBC‘s Arjun Karpal at the Mobile World Congress in Spain on Tuesday, Carr said he believed that the deal wouldn’t face much scrutiny from regulators and would likely be approved quickly.

“If there’s any FCC role at all, it’ll be a pretty minimal role. And I think this is a good deal, and I think it should get through pretty quickly,” Carr said.

Brendan Carr added that there were “a lot of concerns” from the Commission about the proposed deal between Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix.

“That particular combination raised a lot of competition concerns,” he said, adding that the deal “would have a very difficult path” to approval.

He shared that the deal between Paramount and WBD is “a lot cleaner, does not raise at all the same types of concerns.

“I think there’s some real consumer benefits that can emerge from it,” he concluded.

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.

Bob Costas Hints at Possible Additional NBA on NBC Throwback Broadcasts Coming

0

Bob Costas did more than reminisce about NBC’s basketball glory days during a Tuesday morning radio stop in Philadelphia, as the Hall of Fame broadcaster openly suggested the network’s NBA throwback presentation could return in the future with an even broader reunion of familiar faces.

Appearing on 94WIP Morning Show with Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie, Costas acknowledged that several cornerstone figures from the original run of NBA on NBC were unable to participate in Tuesday night’s special broadcast featuring the San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he left little doubt that the door remains open for a sequel.

“For a variety of circumstances, Marv Albert is not, Ahmad Rashad is not, and Dr. J [Julius Erving] is not. They all wanted to be part of it,” Costas said. “And we may do this again down the road, include them and others.”

That comment marked the clearest indication yet that NBC Sports views the Coast 2 Coast Tuesday concept as more than a one-off celebration. While the network has positioned the broadcast as a nostalgic tribute to its 1990-2002 NBA era, Costas’ remarks suggest executives could revisit the format if audience response warrants it.

Even without every major figure in attendance, Costas emphasized that the production intends to honor the full scope of contributors who shaped one of sports television’s most celebrated runs.

“We’re not saying it’s everybody who deserves a nod. They’ll all get a nod during the course of the broadcast, we’ll acknowledge them,” he explained. “There’ll be flashbacks and photos and little video vignettes that’ll try to get a nod to everybody who was part of one of the great eras in the history of sports. Really, that whole run that we were lucky enough to be part of was unforgettable.”

NBC’s original NBA coverage helped define appointment viewing in the 1990s, pairing marquee matchups with the iconic Roundball Rock theme and a presentation style that elevated regular-season games into national events. Tuesday’s telecast, which features Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs visiting the 76ers, incorporates vintage graphics elements and archival touches while maintaining modern production standards.

Costas also addressed how much the craft of calling games has evolved since his first stint with NBC. This will be Costas first time on the call for an NBA game in 24 years. Although analytics and presentation tools have expanded significantly, he argued that the foundational principles remain intact.

“I think that classic sports broadcasting with some changes, you have to be more aware of the analytics now. There’s certain differences in presentation, but the core of it is still the same,” Costas said. “You know what Mike ]Tirico] did at the end of the Olympics and after the hockey game, that’s what I did at the Olympics. That’s how I would have done it, with little variations, because all of us are different in our sensibilities and our approach, but essentially the same.”

If Tuesday night’s blend of nostalgia and modern star power strikes the right chord, NBC may find that its past continues to provide a compelling blueprint for future special-event broadcasts.

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.

Sean Hannity: Tucker Carlson No Longer ‘The Person That I Knew’ When He Was at Fox News

0

Tucker Carlson has become a frequent target of criticism from conservative media members in recent months. You can now add Sean Hannity to that list.

Carlson has publicly clashed with the likes of Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin, as well as with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee in recent months. That coverage, along with his high-profile interview with Nick Fuentes, has drawn the ire of many in conservative media.

Sean Hannity, however, had remained largely mum on the topic. While appearing on The Katie Miller Podcast, Hannity said he has no relationship with Tucker Carlson any longer, according to Axios, which received an advanced screener of the episode.

“I don’t ever talk to him, ever,” Hannity said. “I wish him well. I’ve read a lot of what he says. I just completely disagree with it. And it’s not the person that I knew when he was at Fox.”

Hannity was then asked if he believes conservative media members have spent too much time arguing publicly recently. He said he does, but said there’s a reason he hasn’t joined the infighting.

“I’ve stayed out of it, if you’ve noticed,” Hannity said. “That’s by design. To me, the big fight in this country is against the radical left. And [if] they all want to kill each other, have at it.”

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.

NAB Announces 2026 Crystal Radio Award Winners

0

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced the winners of the 39th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards.

The 10 winners were bestowed the honor recognizing “radio stations for their exceptional year-round commitment to community service.”

They were selected from a list of 50 finalists announced earlier this year.

The finalists and winners were announced at the 2026 NAB State Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. before more than 500 broadcasters from around the nation.

2026 NAB Crystal Radio Award winners:

  • KBHP-FM, Bemidji, Minn.
  • KGLK-FM, Houston, Texas
  • KNDE-FM, College Station, Texas
  • KXKT-FM, Omaha, Neb.
  • WCCO-AM, Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minn.
  • WEEI-FM, Boston, Mass.
  • WHJX-FM, Jacksonville, Fla.
  • WIYY-FM, Baltimore, Md.
  • WOKV-FM, Jacksonville, Fla.
  • WSB-AM, Atlanta, Ga.

Winners were chosen by a panel of judges representing the broadcast industry, community service organizations, and public relations firms.

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.

TNT Sports Extend Jimmy Rollins, Jeff Francoeur With Multi-Year Deals

0

TNT Sports is doubling down on familiar faces ahead of another Major League Baseball season, announcing multi-year contract extensions with studio analyst Jimmy Rollins and game analyst Jeff Francoeur as the network continues to shape its long-term baseball strategy around continuity, credibility and personality-driven coverage.

Rollins, who joined the company in 2016, remains a central figure on MLB studio coverage across TBS. The 2007 National League MVP and 2008 World Series champion brings more than name recognition to the desk. Pairing his experience as a three-time All-Star and Gold Glove shortstop with a conversational style that blends tactical breakdowns and clubhouse perspective in a way that resonates with both traditionalists and younger fans discovering the sport through postseason broadcasts.

Francoeur will continue in a prominent role as a game analyst on MLB Tuesday telecasts and throughout the postseason. A Georgia native drafted by the Atlanta Braves, he debuted in 2005 and quickly became one of the sport’s most recognizable young players. He earned the nickname “The Natural” after a breakout start landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated. After a 12-year major league career, he transitioned into broadcasting. He developed a reputation for energetic delivery and player-focused insight. His analysis emphasizes preparation, approach, and in-game adjustments.

Alongside Pedro Martinez and Curtis Granderson, Rollins has helped anchor TBS’ studio programming with a balance of analysis and chemistry, while hosts Lauren Shehadi and Adam Lefkoe steer discussions that often pivot from advanced metrics to player development and in-game strategy without losing accessibility.

Working alongside play-by-play voices Brian Anderson and Alex Faust, plus analyst Ron Darling, Francoeur has become a steady presence in the booth. He offers perspective shaped by experience as both a top prospect and a veteran. His career included roster battles, playoff races, and clubhouse dynamics. TNT Sports believes that authenticity translates on air, especially during high-leverage October moments. Those broadcasts draw expanded audiences and more casual viewers.

The network’s 2026 regular season coverage begins March 31 with an MLB Tuesday on TBS matchup featuring recent home run champions, as the Seattle Mariners host the New York Yankees in a prime-time showcase designed to launch another year of national broadcasts.

That early spotlight game underscores the broader strategy of pairing marquee talent on the field with established voices in the studio and booth.

When the calendar turns to October, TNT Sports will close its 53rd year of baseball coverage. The network will air exclusive telecasts of the American League Division Series and American League Championship Series. The broadcasts reinforce its long-standing relationship with the league. They also position Rollins and Francoeur as integral pieces of its postseason presentation for years to come.

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.