Once in a while, this column veers into realms that rarely appear in radio trade press publications, but if you read through, you may find a nugget that helps in your day-to-day professional life.
This time, the topic is “attention” or, in 2025, the lack thereof. My spark was a recent commentary in The Economist, one of my favorite publications. The Finance and Economics section has a column named “Free Exchange,” and the magazine (they refer to themselves as a “newspaper”) does not use bylines, but the column has a dedicated author.
The September 13 column was headlined “Can You Make It To The End of This Column?” and discussed “attention” as an economic good, much like capital and labor. The author cited the writings of a number of economists, including a couple of Nobel Prize winners. Taking time from your busy schedule to consider the thoughts of noted economists was probably something you didn’t think about when you started work this morning, but attention is something every radio station vies for each and every minute.
Two economists from Carnegie Mellon University and MIT (while neither school is known for their athletics, both have student-run FM stations!) defined “attention” as “the selective allocation of a scarce, rivalrous mental resource to an information processing task.” Putting that into English means that your listeners (or potential listeners) have only a limited amount of attention, and it can go pretty much anywhere at pretty much any time.
The Free Exchange commentary began with a discussion of “brainrot.” This is what most social media does to your brain, and I’ll bet we’ve all experienced it. Scrolling through Facebook or TikTok for an extended period of time is an obvious example. The stuff we’re seeing is not all that interesting, but it’s not dull enough to put the phone down and move on to something more rewarding. As noted in the article, “It also offers a way to waste hours of your life.”
How do we deal with “brainrot” and the theft of our attention? First, let’s understand the landscape. The definition of “attention” offered above uses the word “scarce,” a favorite term of economists. Much FCC regulation, as noted in earlier columns, is based on the notion of “scarcity” because we can only have so many broadcast radio and television operations before the spectrum would have nothing but noise and static.
The FCC was set up by the Communications Act of 1934, subsequently updated by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. By 1996, I was way ahead of the tech curve with my 1200 baud modem. Social media? That was well into the future. Yet, the FCC continues to operate in a world of scarcity because of spectrum limitations. It’s an outdated way of approaching the attention problem.
You can see that same thought process in President Trump’s pronouncements about the major broadcast networks and his interest in revoking the licenses they hold. If the major networks and their affiliates disappeared tomorrow, the entities would move online, where most of the viewing is headed.
But I digress, which is part of the attention problem. We 2025 humans don’t focus well, and while it’s easy to blame social media or other options on our smartphones — and that may be true — it is the reality.
How do we create more attention to our programming? Remember, attention doesn’t just help our programming but our advertisers as well. Some decades ago, I was the operations manager of an “easy listening” station back when that format, also known as “beautiful music,” was viable. The game was something like TikTok. The flow, including the spots, was designed to lull you into listening longer. Nothing on-air would ever jump out, which meant the occasional argument with a car dealer or another advertiser who wanted to “stand out.”
The Economist writer could offer only simple suggestions: social norms such as how libraries are kept quiet so users can read in peace, potential regulation, and finally, “putting your phone far, far away.” Good luck with that last one!
While economists argue over how to define and value attention, our problem is standing out enough to create attention for our medium and doing it with very limited budgets, if any. The good news is that our industry has never lost its creativity, but we need to act on it. We have to be better than brainrot.
Let’s meet again next week.
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ABC’s handling of the Jimmy Kimmel situation shows exactly how the media business operates in 2025. When the FCC cracked down on Kimmel after his comments aimed at the Trump administration, it looked like the network had no choice but to pull him off the air. But after a week of backlash, pressure from viewers, and an undeniable ratings spike, ABC put Kimmel back in his usual spot.
That decision wasn’t made in a vacuum. It was a calculation, rooted less in morality and more in the realities of the attention economy.
We now live in an attention economy. Outrage, controversy, notoriety, and infamy have become as valuable as quality, creativity, and talent. In fact, sometimes they’re more valuable. If attention is the true currency, you’re almost forced to lean into it.
ABC leaned in, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! saw its largest audience ever because of the controversy. That doesn’t happen because people want to hear safe late-night jokes about TikTok trends or the weather. It happens because people want to see the fireworks.
That lesson won’t be lost on other media outlets. CNN and MSNBC have long sparred with the Trump administration, but they now have more incentive than ever to almost purposely run afoul of it. The White House denounces a host, cable news books panels about it, social media erupts, and suddenly an otherwise average Tuesday night becomes a potential ratings bonanza. It’s the kind of cycle that only strengthens the belief that all press is good press, and bad press — in many cases — is better than no press at all.
ABC may want you to think reinstating Kimmel was simply “the right thing to do.” That’s only part of the story. Viewers had made it clear in the days after his suspension that they were willing to punish Disney, ABC’s parent company, in a way that executives couldn’t ignore.
Plenty of users shared screenshots of canceled Disney+ and Hulu accounts, stating outright that the company had folded under pressure from the FCC and President Trump. Losing streaming subscribers is losing recurring revenue. In 2025, no company can afford to give up recurring revenue just to stay on the administration’s good side, even if that company hopes the same administration will rubber-stamp a deal between ESPN and NFL Network worth hundreds of millions..
So ABC made the smart business call. They didn’t just put Jimmy Kimmel back on air. They made him a symbol of standing up to political pressure, even if their first instinct was to cave to it. And while it may seem cynical, the network will reap the benefits of both sides. They can position themselves as champions of free expression while quietly celebrating the ratings windfall that the controversy always seems to deliver.
The broader lesson here is that no outlet is immune from the gravitational pull of attention. In an era where everything is measured — ratings, clicks, shares, subscriptions — what matters most isn’t whether people agree with you. What matters is whether they’re watching, reacting, and amplifying your message. That’s why so many hosts and personalities don’t shy away from controversy. They almost need it to stay relevant.
There’s a danger in all of this, of course. When every decision is filtered through the lens of attention, journalism risks becoming performance. News becomes less about what happened and more about how loudly you can shout it. Entertainment becomes less about quality storytelling and more about who you can offend. But in the end, it’s hard to argue with the incentives.
ABC and Jimmy Kimmel didn’t set out to spark a national conversation about the FCC, Trump, or censorship. Yet that’s exactly what happened. And because the attention economy rewards controversy, everyone involved walked away with more than they had before. ABC got record ratings, Kimmel got vindication, and the public got another example of how blurred the lines have become.
In journalism, you never want to be the story. But the norms, rules, laws, and usual decorum always seem to be in a state of flux, with the lines constantly being blurred. Ultimately, you have to do what you have to do. And if pissing off the President in hopes that it creates a Streisand Effect is how you have to draw eyeballs in 2025, don’t you have an obligation to do so?
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The rules for promoting crypto have tightened quickly. Lawmakers worry about hype outrunning risk. Platforms are wary of scams and opaque claims. Editors and marketers now face a patchwork of standards that treat a tweet, a podcast, and a billboard very differently. At the same time, audiences get more of their financial cues from short videos and creators, which raises the bar for clear disclosure. If you work in news, lifestyle, or entertainment media, you do not need to be a financial regulator. However, you do need to know what counts as a financial promotion, when a disclosure is required, and which claims cross the line. This guide explains core concepts, shows how regulators think about crypto ads, and offers practical steps that keep your campaigns compliant without losing your voice.
Lifestyle Contexts and the Gaming Crossover
Crypto messaging often appears in lifestyle and entertainment content. That blend needs extra care because audiences may not expect investment messages in those spaces. To keep trust, use plain language, avoid promises of profit, and mark the moment when content becomes promotional. Many readers also ask how crypto shows up in online play, so it helps to acknowledge the terrain once and move on.
For instance, using a crypto casino, you will often see that leading platforms carry thousands of titles, process near-instant payouts across several coins, and run generous promotions such as welcome bundles, free spins, and cashback. If you ever touch that topic in editorial or sponsored content, apply the same clarity, balance, and risk cues that you would use for any other financial message, because the audience’s expectations do not change simply because the setting feels casual.
What Regulators Mean by Advertising Crypto
Advertising is broader than a banner ad. Many authorities use the term financial promotion to cover any communication that invites or induces someone to invest or to use a regulated service. In practice, that means a sponsored post, a creator’s call to action, an email with a sign-up button, or a podcast read can all count. Typical expectations include being fair, clear, and not misleading, carrying prominent risk warnings, and avoiding incentives that nudge impulsive action. Some regimes also require positive friction, such as client categorisation, an appropriateness check, or a short cooling-off period before a user can transact. The core idea is simple: if a message can quickly lead to a purchase, it attracts higher duties of care.
Disclosures and Influencers: What Must Be Said, and How
Endorsements live and die on disclosure. If money, product, or any other benefit changes hands, that is a material connection, and it must be visible. Disclosures should fit the format: on-screen in video, in-caption for posts, and clear in audio reads. A platform’s built-in label may help, but it is rarely enough by itself. Brands share the burden here. They should brief creators on the wording, check drafts, and keep records of final posts.
Enforcement examples show the stakes. A celebrity touts a token without stating they were paid and faces a costly settlement. A creator promises a coin will multiply in value and drops an affiliate link with no risk warning. In both cases, regulators look for the basics: name the relationship, avoid promises of profit, and put the risk where people will see it.
Think of disclosure like food labeling. People do not need a chemistry degree, but they do need allergens in big type. In crypto, the allergen is volatility and the limits of protection. Rules vary by country, but the safest working pattern is to design your copy for the strictest market you target, then localise rather than patching gaps later.
Formats and Examples That Show the Line
Short-form video moves fast, which means key facts get lost. If a clip hints at gains or invites sign-ups, the risk warning and the disclosure should be on screen long enough to read and should be repeated in the caption. Think lower-third text and a clear opening sentence, not a blink-and-you-miss-it card at the end.
Podcast reads trade on host trust. Mark the transition into ad copy, state the sponsor, and include a plain-English risk. It is the radio moment of “now, a word from our sponsor,” so listeners know exactly what they are hearing.
Out-of-home ads work at a glance. Warnings must be legible at a distance and claims pared back. Treat it like a highway sign: few words, big text, no fine print.
Email and push notifications sit one tap from a transaction, so they often look like direct offers. Where rules require friction, build it in before a user can complete a purchase.
Two quick examples show the difference. A hypey creator post says, “This token will increase 10x this year, tap to buy,” and drops a referral link with no disclosure or warning. That is high risk under most rulebooks. A cautious explainer labels a sponsored segment, states core risks in simple language, avoids profit promises, and links to full terms where appropriate. Think of it as fitting seatbelts to your content: they do not slow you down much, but they protect the audience and your brand.
Practical Steps for Editors and Marketers
Treat every crypto message like a financial ad first and a lifestyle story second. Keep claims balanced and verifiable, and put the risk where eyes land. State any material connection in everyday language your audience would use. Strip out banned incentives in markets that prohibit them. Train creators, writers, and ad-ops teams on local expectations, then review copy and placements before they go live. When a campaign crosses borders, set a strict baseline and adapt per market instead of rebuilding from scratch. Keep an approvals trail and screenshots of the final creative so you can show your work if questions arise.
Regulators are not trying to write your copy. They are asking you to tell the whole story, clearly, so people can decide with their eyes open. If you treat that as part of your craft, your crypto campaigns can be both compliant and compelling.
Conclusion
In the end, this isn’t about cooling creativity. It’s about earning trust. If you treat every crypto mention like a financial message first, use plain words, show the risks where people can actually see them, and say who’s paying, you’re already most of the way there. Build a clear baseline, train your creators, keep receipts, and adjust per market instead of winging it. Do that, and your campaigns will feel confident, compliant, and, most importantly, honest with the audience you want to keep.
In today’s digital world, being on search engine results pages (SERPs) is like having a prime location on the busiest street in the world. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the one strategy that will make sure your business not only exists online but also gets found by customers who are actively looking for your goods or services. It is the process of making your website better so that it ranks higher in search engines like Google. This leads to more traffic, more credibility, and, most importantly, long-term revenue growth. A strong SEO strategy is the key to long-term success for any business that wants to do better than its competitors.
Building Trust and Authority for Long-Term Benefits
Being on the first page of Google, especially in the top three spots, is like getting an endorsement online. People trust the websites that Google thinks are important enough to rank highly without even thinking about it. The first big benefit of investing in SEO is that people trust you.
SEO isn’t just about using the right words; it’s also about making a website that works well, loads quickly, and is safe for users. Google gives sites that are safe (HTTPS), load quickly, and are easy to use on mobile devices more points. When you put money into these technical SEO parts, you make the site better for both search engine crawlers and people who visit it. A site that is well-optimized will have a lower bounce rate and more time spent on your content, which tells Google that your brand is trustworthy and relevant.
When a business promises to provide this level of technical and content quality, it gains more authority. For example, the consultants at SeoLogist, Toronto SEO company, know that successful strategies often depend on getting high-quality, relevant backlinks and showing that you really know your stuff, have a lot of experience, and are trustworthy (E-E-A-T) in your field. This organic authority becomes a stable, long-lasting asset that keeps bringing in qualified traffic long after the initial investment.
The Better Return on Investment from Organic Traffic
SEO is a great investment because it gives you a much better return on investment (ROI) than other types of advertising, like pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns. Paid ads bring in traffic right away, but the flow stops as soon as the budget runs out. On the other hand, SEO creates an inbound marketing engine that brings in free, ongoing traffic.
Organic leads are more valuable because they are based on a specific goal. A person who types “best financial advisor for small businesses” into a search engine is a much better lead than someone who just clicked on a random display ad. SEO directly drives sales by bringing in this high-intent traffic.
The best way to show how powerful this strategy is to look at real-world results. This is why businesses that are thinking about how much to spend on marketing should look at SEO case-studies. These studies show real-world changes, like companies going from Page 4 to Page 1, getting hundreds of percent more organic traffic, and greatly increasing conversion rates (often showing conversion rates that are much higher than those of outbound channels). This data shows that spending money on high-quality content, targeted keywords, and technical optimization leads to a steady stream of income that grows over time.
Getting Ahead of the Competition and Staying Ahead of the Game
SEO makes the playing field level, so small and medium businesses can compete with big companies on quality and relevance, not just price. A focused company can outrank a bigger competitor that doesn’t pay attention to its organic presence by consistently creating high-value content and keeping its technical health in good shape.
Also, SEO is very important for making sure your business will be around in the future. Search engine algorithms are always changing to include new technologies like AI and generative search. Your company will be able to adapt easily to these changes if you have a solid SEO foundation that focuses on E-E-A-T and technical excellence. Not paying attention to SEO is more than just a missed chance; it’s a risk that lets your competitors control the online conversation, making your business invisible to modern customers.
Building a successful online presence requires more than just quality content and an attractive website design. For startups and growing businesses navigating the competitive digital landscape, establishing domain authority through strategic link building has become essential for sustained organic growth. While many companies attempt to manage this process internally, the complexity and time investment often prove overwhelming for teams already stretched thin across multiple business priorities.
Professional link building services offer a strategic solution, combining industry expertise with established relationships to secure high-quality backlinks that drive meaningful results. For emerging businesses seeking to accelerate their SEO performance, partnering with a specialized agency can provide the foundation necessary for long-term digital success.
Top Link Building Companies for Startups and Growing Businesses
A top-notch link building agency, Backlinkers, provides scalable, transparent, and effective backlink solutions globally, helping clients outrank their competitors with data-driven strategies that have increased traffic threefold with just seven backlinks built monthly. Their approach combines proprietary analytical tools with manual outreach to establish sustainable partnerships with high-authority publishers.
The agency’s strength lies in their comprehensive vetting process and commitment to long-term results. They analyze over 20 relevant metrics to select link building prospects, ensuring that every placement supports broader SEO objectives rather than just adding to link count. Their proprietary tools enable precise competitor analysis and strategic positioning that gives clients measurable advantages in search rankings.
Backlinkers provides warranty support for backlinks throughout the entire cooperation period and clearly outlines guarantees in their contracts, demonstrating confidence in their quality standards. This approach particularly benefits startups that need predictable results and transparent pricing structures as they scale their digital marketing efforts.
Their service portfolio includes outreach link building, linkable asset creation, link insertion services, and comprehensive link audits. This breadth enables customized campaigns tailored to specific business needs and industry requirements, making them particularly effective for companies in competitive niches.
Editorial.Link — Premium Editorial Placements
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Editorial.Link specializes in securing editorial backlinks for hundreds of brands through bespoke campaigns that focus on earning placements on trusted publishers. Their approach emphasizes building genuine relationships with editors and content creators to secure naturally integrated mentions within high-quality editorial content.
The agency’s strength lies in their publisher network and understanding of editorial processes. They work directly with publications to create content that serves reader interests while incorporating client mentions in contextually appropriate ways. This methodology typically results in links with strong referral traffic potential and lasting value.
Editorial.Link’s service model includes link replacement guarantees and detailed quality vetting processes. They focus primarily on placements with domain ratings between 50-80, ensuring that clients receive links from established, authoritative sources within their target markets.
Stellar SEO — Technical Excellence and Industry Specialization
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Stellar SEO is known for their custom backlink building and link outreach work, with an approach that allows clients to have as much or as little involvement as their teams desire. They have specialized in link outreach since 2012 and excel at securing links using various tactics tailored to specific industry requirements.
Their technical capabilities extend beyond basic outreach to include complex manual strategies, content promotion campaigns, and passive link acquisition techniques. This comprehensive approach particularly benefits clients in technical industries or highly regulated sectors where standard outreach methods may be less effective.
The agency offers both full-service campaigns and pay-per-link options, providing flexibility for businesses with varying budget constraints and involvement preferences. Their track record includes success in competitive industries like legal services, SaaS, and highly regulated markets where quality standards are particularly demanding.
Skale — Integrated Marketing for SaaS Companies
Photo Credit: Skale
Skale operates as a link building company that works primarily with SaaS and technology brands, combining link building, content strategy, and digital PR to create high-authority links and mentions. Their integrated approach addresses the unique challenges facing technology companies in establishing thought leadership and market credibility.
The agency’s strength lies in understanding the SaaS customer journey and creating content assets that serve multiple marketing purposes. Their campaigns typically include strategic content development and targeted outreach that positions clients as industry experts while building valuable backlink profiles.
Skale’s approach particularly benefits companies that need to establish credibility with technical audiences and industry analysts. Their deep understanding of technology markets enables them to identify opportunities and create campaigns that resonate with decision-makers in technical buying processes.
uSERP — Enterprise-Level Solutions
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uSERP operates as a full-service link building agency, helping clients like monday.com, Robinhood, ActiveCampaign, and Freshworks increase organic rankings, traffic, and revenue. Their enterprise focus and proven track record with high-profile clients demonstrate their capability to handle complex, high-stakes campaigns.
The agency’s methodology emphasizes scalable processes and sophisticated targeting that can accommodate the needs of rapidly growing companies. Their client portfolio includes numerous unicorn startups and established technology companies, indicating their ability to deliver results at various stages of business growth.
uSERP’s service model includes comprehensive competitor analysis, strategic planning, and ongoing optimization that adapts to changing market conditions and algorithm updates. This approach particularly benefits companies with aggressive growth targets and competitive market positions.
dofollow.com — B2B SaaS Specialization
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dofollow.com specializes in helping B2B SaaS and tech companies secure backlinks on industry-relevant publications through editorial content and targeted outreach, emphasizing niche-specific knowledge and existing media relationships. Their focused approach enables deep expertise in SaaS marketing challenges and opportunities.
The agency’s strength lies in their understanding of B2B buying cycles and the content formats that resonate with technical decision-makers. They typically focus on placements within industry-specific publications, developer communities, and business software review platforms that directly influence target customer research processes.
Their approach results in links that not only improve search rankings but also support lead generation and customer education initiatives.
Budget Considerations and ROI Expectations
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Link building investments typically range from several hundred to several thousand dollars monthly, depending on campaign scope, target quality, and competitive landscape. Startups should expect to invest at least $1,000-2,500 monthly for meaningful results, while more competitive industries may require significantly higher budgets.
ROI measurement should encompass both direct SEO benefits and broader business impact. Quality link building campaigns typically show initial ranking improvements within 3-6 months, with compound benefits developing over 12-18 months as domain authority builds and content assets mature.
Budget allocation should prioritize quality over quantity, focusing on securing fewer high-value placements rather than numerous low-quality links. This approach provides better long-term value and reduces the risk of penalties from algorithm updates that target manipulative link schemes.
Future Trends and Strategic Considerations
The link building landscape continues evolving as search engines refine their algorithms and content consumption patterns change. Successful companies are increasingly focusing on building genuine relationships and creating valuable content assets rather than relying on transactional outreach approaches.
Emerging trends include increased emphasis on expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness signals, growing importance of brand mentions without links, and sophisticated analysis of user engagement metrics beyond traditional ranking factors. Companies that align their strategies with these trends will build more resilient and effective link profiles.
The most successful link building strategies integrate seamlessly with broader content marketing and digital PR initiatives, creating synergies that amplify overall marketing effectiveness. This integrated approach requires careful coordination between SEO, content, and PR teams but delivers superior results for companies committed to long-term growth.
Choosing the right link building partner can accelerate growth significantly for startups and scaling businesses. However, they should be ready to invest in sustainable SEO strategies that compound over time rather than seeking immediate but temporary ranking improvements.
After more than a week off the company’s network affiliates, Jimmy Kimmel Live! is slated to return to Nexstar Media Group-owned ABC stations on Friday night.
In a statement released on Friday afternoon, the local television ownership giant revealed it will stop preempting the program, and will allow the program to air in its 11:35 PM ET timeslot.
“We have had discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company and appreciate their constructive approach to addressing our concerns,” a statement from Nexstar reads. “As a local broadcaster, Nexstar remains committed to protecting the First Amendment while producing and airing local and national news that is fact-based and unbiased and, above all, broadcasting content that is in the best interest of the communities we serve. We stand apart from cable television, monolithic streaming services, and national networks in our commitment – and obligation – to be stewards of the public airwaves and to protect and reflect the specific sensibilities of our communities.
“To be clear, our commitment to those principles has guided our decisions throughout this process, independent of any external influence from government agencies or individuals,” the statement concluded.
The decision from Nexstar mimics that of Sinclair Broadcast Group, which also reinstated the program on Friday. In that announcement, Sinclair stated that it did not feel pressured by any government entity to come to the decision it did in either preempting or returning the show.
“Our decision to preempt this program was independent of any government interaction or influence,” the Sinclair statement shared. “Free speech providues broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content of their local stations. While we understand that not everyone will agree with our decisions about programming, it is simply inconsistent to champion free speech while demanding that broadcasters air specific content.”
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Former Nebraska Cornhusker Matt Vrzal, a former offensive lineman and regular voice on Omaha sports radio, has died. He was 51. Vrzal was a walk on with the Cornhuskers in 1992, redshirting his first year before working his way into a role on two national championship teams.
He saw limited action during the 1994 title run, but in 1995 he became a steady contributor, appearing in all 12 games for one of the most dominant teams in college football history.
After his playing days, Vrzal built a career as both an entrepreneur and a coach. He owned several businesses in Lincoln before moving to Omaha, where he most recently operated Piezon’s Pizzeria. He also spent time as an assistant football coach at Omaha Skutt Catholic School and a regular on local sports radio and sports podcasts such as 1620 The Zone, and Hurrdat Sports.
Vrzal was remembered on 1620 The Zone this morning during the Gary & Matt show.
“This one will take a long time to figure out why. We’re all having trouble with this one,” said host Gary Sharp on 1620 The Zone. “Matty was one of a kind. He was one of one. There’s not enough word to describe Vrzal. He was genuine, sincere, loyal. He had a personality that would drive some crazy.”
His perspective as a former player combined with his candid, conversational style made him a respected and relatable voice for Husker fans.
“We lost our dear friend Matt Vrzal yesterday,” said Ravi Lulla, host of Hurrdat Sports Radio. “He was always kinder and better to me than he had to be, and had no reason to be. That’s pretty unusual in people. There was literally nothing that I could offer him but friendship, and occasionally buy pizza from him. Beneath his tough exterior, he was always kind and incredibly good to me. I’m not unique, that’s how he treated people.”
A Grand Island native, Vrzal was a standout prep lineman. He earned all-state honors from both the Lincoln Journal Star and the Omaha World-Herald, while also receiving honorable mention All-America recognition from USA Today. He graduated in the top 10 percent of his class.
In his senior season at Nebraska in 1996, Vrzal played behind Aaron Taylor and Josh Heskew, helping the Huskers finish 11-2 with an Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. He also earned recognition off the field, landing on the Phillips 66 Academic Honor Roll in 1995 and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Fall Semester Honor Roll in 1996.
The news of his passing has rippled through both the Nebraska football community and the Omaha media landscape. Former teammates, colleagues, and listeners have shared tributes highlighting his sense of humor, sharp insights, and deep love for the Huskers.
The Nebraska Football family is deeply saddened by the passing of former Husker, Matt Vrzal.
From walk-on to national champion, Vrz embodied what it means to be a Nebraskan and will leave a lasting impact on teammates, kids, and communities across the state. pic.twitter.com/hAUSDZi7dX
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Mike Greenberg believes the formula behind ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike helped the show stand apart from its sports talk contemporaries — and, in his view, withstand the test of time. Reflecting on his 18-year run alongside Mike Golic on an episode of Stugotz and Company. Greenberg said the duo’s decision to stay away from the increasingly popular “hot take” style of sports talk radio was both natural and intentional.
While some critics dismissed them for not being edgy enough, he argued that approach is what ultimately gave the program staying power.
“I think most sports talk show hosts became popular by being very hot take oriented,” Greenberg said. “The thing that people would criticize Mike and me the most for. Which was not being hot takey enough, not being hard enough on people, all that stuff — I think ages well. After a while, the other stuff kind of becomes white noise.”
Instead, the two hosts leaned into humor, relatability, and a tone that resonated with a wide audience. Greenberg noted that during their era, much of sports talk radio leaned heavily into “guy talk,” often built around bravado and edgy commentary. Mike & Mike deliberately moved in another direction.
“Sports talk in those days was very guy talk, right? It was a lot of chicks and all that kind of stuff,” Greenberg said. “Mike and I didn’t make a concerted decision we weren’t going to be that. It’s just not who we were. We were married guys with kids and all that kind of stuff. And I think that also ages well in the scheme of things.”
That authenticity, he added, helped Mike & Mike appeal to listeners beyond the traditional core of young male sports fans. The family-friendly tone not only created a comfortable space for sports conversation. But also positioned the show as a reliable daily habit for millions.
While Mike & Mike officially ended in 2017, its influence can still be seen across the sports media landscape. Programs today often attempt to balance debate with personality-driven content, an approach that Greenberg believes he and Golic established long before the industry began shifting in that direction.
“Not too many people do 18 years,” Greenberg said.
Greenberg now hosts Get Up and Sunday NFL Countdown on ESPN television, but the legacy of Mike & Mike continues to be a reference point when evaluating successful national sports talk shows. In an era where shock value can fade quickly, he argues, consistency and authenticity can build something lasting.
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Digitalization has improved accessibility for multiple industries, including entertainment and media. Consumers no longer have to buy physical tapes to watch movies or play games. With only one device, people can purchase almost anything and enjoy various types of entertainment.
This huge shift in accessibility changes how consumers interact with entertainment and media. It has become a demand that the industry must follow to stay relevant. Thus, they follow the evolving consumer behaviors as they continue to seek entertainment.
The gaming industry is always crowded with players, but accessibility changes how developers can offer products. What started as a kid-focused entertainment has shifted to cater to all kinds of preferences and audiences.
Even the simplest of games, like casino games, now adjust their offerings to ensure more people can participate. Casino games used to be seen as a luxurious entertainment, but now, many $20 minimum deposit casinos can easily be found. This is only one example of how accessibility has grown in the industry over the years.
In video games, as accessibility invites more players to engage, developers started thinking about how they can make more people enjoy what they offer. Settings now go beyond volume control. Many offers subtitles or customizable controller settings that players are comfortable using. Some games even offer brightness control.
Mainstream developers feel the need to step up when it comes to accessibility. They wanted to become more accommodating. This can be for those with visual impairment, anxiety disorder, motor control issues, and others.
The industry has seen massive growth over the last couple of decades. More players with disabilities are joining the gaming community due to these changes.
Localization is also a part of what developers need to consider. Many games now come with language customization. They allow players to choose which language they’d like to hear for the voicing and subtitles.
These changes don’t cater only to players with disabilities. They also ensure players can enjoy the game regardless of their circumstances. Maybe some players are entering the games after staring at a computer for a long while; the customizable brightness will be handy. If the player is in recovery after injuring their hand, the controller mapping will help them adjust.
Social media might have started as a way for people to connect to others without having to be physically in the same room. However, social media has now also become a place where people can do business. People can create content to be an influencer, and much more. Slowly, social media became the preferred platform for consumers to find entertainment.
On one side, accessibility makes social media easy to use for all kinds of audiences. Whether the audience has any form of impairment, these platforms ensure there’s a feature they can use to digest the content.
This is why social media platforms also give users the option to build inclusive content. Users can include captions for viewers who are hard of hearing or deaf. Therefore, the content creator can deliver the message to any type of viewer. Meanwhile, the audience can enjoy the content regardless of who the creator is.
Some social media platforms also provide an auto-translation for content. They’re still limited, as complex sentences or technical terms are still often mistranslated. Still, it’s a new feature that users can utilize to give more accessibility to their content.
Another feature that social media platforms feel the need to provide is the ability to give easy access to posted links. Some platforms are still lacking in this area. Yet, it’s definitely a demand from users as they’re used to increasing accessibility in this digital era.
Streaming platforms were a big shift in the entertainment industry and media. With technology opening the path for accessibility, the entertainment industries realize that they need to utilize technologies to better cater to their audience while expanding their target market.
Streaming platforms were the result, but they didn’t exist solely for enhancing distribution. It changes how creators can have control over their creations to give the audience meaningful content.
The existence of streaming platforms fosters a more dynamic and connected ecosystem. The live feature has slowly become a powerful force in the industry, changing how people enjoy events. Now, live streaming is a feature used by multiple industries, from sports to music concerts.
However, they didn’t stop at just providing better content. Multiple streaming platforms offer personalization to give better recommendations for their audience. It’s easier for users to find content suitable for their taste based on the content they regularly enjoy.
Some other platforms, like Spotify, also enhance how creators and musicians profit from their creations. They implement and improve their subscription or ad-supported models. These changes ensure the platform and artists can maximize revenue.
Creators will be equipped with tools that can help them monitor their revenue. For example, most platforms offer real-time analysis and audience insights. There are also direct communication channels that can help artists improve fan engagement. Combined, these platforms have evolved to be the perfect way for artists to run a business.
After more than a week off the company’s network affiliates, Jimmy Kimmel Live! is slated to return to Sinclair-owned ABC stations on Friday night.
In a statement released on Friday afternoon, the local television ownership giant revealed it will stop preempting the program, and will allow the program to air in its 11:35 PM ET timeslot.
“Our objective throughout this process has been to ensure that programming remains accurate and engaging for the widest possible audience,” the statement reads. “We take seriously our responsibility as local broadcasters to provide programming that serves the interests of our communities, while also honoring our obligations to air national network programming.”
Later, Sinclair revealed that it has asked Disney and ABC to make significant changes to the way it operates.
“In our ongoing and constructive discussions with ABC, Sinclair proposed measures to strengthen accountability, viewer feedback, and community dialogue, including a network-wide independent ombudsman,” the statement said. “These proposals were suggested as collaborative efforts between the ABC affiliates and the ABC network.
“While ABC and Disney have not yet adopted these measures, and Sinclair respects their right to make those decisions under our network affiliate agreements, we believe such measures could strengthen trust and accountability.”
Sinclair shared last week that it planned to preempt the show in favor of news programming in the wake of controversy surrounding statements made by Jimmy Kimmel in the wake of the murder of Charlie Kirk. ABC later put Kimmel’s program on hiatus before returning the program earlier this week.
Sinclair was not the only local station ownership group to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Nexstar Media Group made similar commitments to not air the program on its ABC stations.
In the midst of its decision to preempt the show, questions about government interference — namely from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr — arose. Sinclair, however, says the statements from Carr or any other official did not factor into it’s decision to preempt the late-night show.
“Our decision to preempt this program was independent of any government interaction or influence. Free speech providues broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content of their local stations. While we understand that not everyone will agree with our decisions about programming, it is simply inconsistent to champion free speech while demanding that broadcasters air specific content.”
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