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ESPN Announces ‘The Year of the Super Bowl’ Campaign

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ESPN is officially turning the page toward its first Super Bowl broadcast with an expansive, yearlong initiative designed to build momentum across television, streaming, digital, live events and theme parks ahead of February 2027.

The network on Wednesday unveiled “The Year of the Super Bowl,” a 12-month, multi-platform celebration created in collaboration with the National Football League and backed by the full resources of The Walt Disney Company. The campaign will culminate with ESPN and ABC televising Super Bowl LXI on Feb. 14, 2027, marking the first time ESPN produces the NFL’s championship game.

The effort launched immediately following Super Bowl LX with a coordinated event titled The Handoff, spanning SoFi Stadium and Disneyland Park. During a symbolic on-air moment, longtime ESPN personality Chris Berman ceremonially passed coverage responsibilities to Scott Van Pelt, visually connecting the close of one Super Bowl to the beginning of another. Van Pelt anchored SportsCenter from SoFi Stadium, which will host Super Bowl LXI, before ESPN programming shifted to Disneyland Park the following day.

Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN chairman, described the initiative as a companywide undertaking that blends storytelling, technology and fan engagement while leveraging Disney’s global reach.

“With the full strength of The Walt Disney Company and in collaboration with the NFL, ESPN has embarked on a year-long Super Bowl celebration,” said Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN Chairman. “Across our platforms, screens, and parks, we’ll build momentum throughout the year toward Super Bowl LXI — a monumental event for sports fans everywhere and for ESPN.”

At the core of the strategy sits an ambitious content plan titled 61 Super Bowl Stories, which will unfold across ESPN platforms throughout the year. A weekly series, I Scored a Touchdown, will spotlight players who reached the end zone in the Super Bowl, offering short-form features designed for television and digital distribution.

The first installment featured David Tyree, whose touchdown in Super Bowl XLII preceded his iconic helmet catch for the New York Giants.

In addition, ESPN launched a new weekly video podcast, The Biggest Game, hosted by Jeremy Schaap, revisiting defining moments from six decades of Super Bowl history. The premiere episode featured Berman, who has covered 44 consecutive Super Bowls, and new episodes will roll out around the NFL Draft and beyond.

The campaign also extends beyond sports programming. ESPN and Disney debuted We’re Going, a marketing spot that reimagines the long-running I’m Going to Disney World tradition by assembling more than 60 Disney characters and personalities en route to Super Bowl LXI.

The ad will air across ESPN and Disney platforms, reinforcing the cross-company scope of the initiative.

Meanwhile, Disney Advertising plans to introduce premium, cross-platform opportunities tied to the yearlong celebration, offering brands integrated access across ESPN, ABC and Disney properties.

Together, the coordinated storytelling, marketing activations and live-event integrations signal ESPN’s intent to treat Super Bowl LXI not as a single broadcast window, but as a multiyear cultural moment unfolding in real time.

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.

Brandon Tierney Warns Sports Talk Personalities About Taking Political Stances on Air, Online

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As the volume of political discourse in sports media continues to rise stemming from Super Bowl LX, former WFAN host Brandon Tierney is drawing a firm line about where he believes that conversation should end.

During a recent episode of his YouTube program, BT Unleashed, the longtime sports radio host delivered a blunt message to commentators who routinely blend partisan viewpoints into their analysis. He argues that many in the industry have overestimated both their influence and their audience’s appetite for political takes.

“You’re not nearly as important as you think you are,” Tierney said. “Nobody gives a s**t about what you think about politically. They really don’t. I know that you think that they do. They don’t. So get over yourself, because the days of people caring what you think about politics, if you’re a sports guy, they are quickly coming to an end.”

Tierney framed his comments not as a rejection of civic engagement, but as a warning about professional boundaries in a media environment already saturated with opinion-driven programming. He suggested that sports fans typically turn to games, analysis and personality-driven discussion as a break from the daily churn of political conflict, and that repeatedly steering conversations toward ideology risks undermining that relationship.

Moreover, he criticized content creators who intentionally weave political commentary into sports coverage in pursuit of social media traction, describing that strategy as short-sighted and corrosive to long-term credibility.

“If you think that I’m going to waste my time, or I’m going to waste your time shoving this stuff every which way sideways. Just to get a few more followers or buy some social media equity. Get lost,” said Tierney. “You couldn’t pay me to play that game. That game is played out, that game is weak.”

In Tierney’s view, the incentives of the digital age have encouraged some broadcasters to chase engagement metrics at the expense of trust. Especially when the short-term spike in clicks can create downstream consequences for personal brands and station identities.

“There’s repercussions,” he said. “It might not be immediate, but downstream. That’s coming back to roost. I can’t tell you how disenchanted I am and how disgusted I’ve become with so many reckless opinions and the infighting. It is a joke, absolute joke.”

While sports and politics inevitably intersect at times, particularly when leagues or athletes address social issues, Tierney contended that commentators should approach those moments with discipline rather than reflex. He argued that the role of a sports host centers on insight, perspective and entertainment, not ideological combat.

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Craig Carton: “Let’s Play The Smallest Violin For Mike Tirico” Of NBC Sports

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Craig Carton is pushing back on the growing chorus praising Mike Tirico for what many in sports media have framed as a remarkable broadcasting feat. On Tuesday’s episode of The Craig Carton Show on SportsGrid, Carton openly mocked the narrative that Tirico’s quick pivot from calling Super Bowl LX to hosting NBC’s Winter Olympics coverage amounted to something heroic.

He argued that the coverage surrounding the assignment has drifted into exaggeration.

“Oh my gosh. How does Mike do it? What a warrior, what a great guy,” Carton said sarcastically.

Tirico handled play-by-play duties for the Super Bowl before transitioning almost immediately into his role as primetime host for NBC’s Olympic coverage in Italy, a move that NBC Sports promoted as a showcase of its top broadcaster’s range and endurance across two global tentpole events.

“That plane that he flew on stopped into New York to gas up. That’s a bombardier express. I’ve been on a bombardier. I took a bombardier to Vegas once. That thing is nicer than my house. Let’s play the smallest violin in America. For my guy, Mike Tirico,” said Carton.

Mike Tirico has become the network’s central voice across major properties, from Sunday Night Football to the Olympics, and his visibility during one of the busiest stretches on NBC’s calendar naturally drew attention from industry observers and viewers alike. NBC Sports positioned Tirico as the connective thread between the NFL’s championship stage and the Winter Games, reinforcing its strategy of building brand consistency through familiar on-air talent.

Carton, however, ridiculed the tone of admiration that followed.

“He got 15 million dollars this year to announce a football game. Get on a private jet, get on another private jet and go to Italy for a month. Don’t say it’s heroic, it’s not,” Carton added.

While Tirico’s schedule required coordination and travel across continents, Carton argued that such demands come with the territory at the highest levels of network sports television, particularly for talent entrusted with marquee events.

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.

Political Talk and News Podcast Listeners Evenly Split Down Party Lines, Sounds Profitable Data Shows

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The political talk and news podcast genres are some of the largest formats in the space. But the political affiliation split among those listeners may surprise you.

According to data collected by Sounds Profitable, there’s an almost perfect split among those who are monthly consumers of political talk and news podcast episodes.

36% of political talk listeners identify as conservatives, while 34% are liberal, and 29% are moderates.

Sounds Profitable Partner Tom Webster noted that the data flies in the face of the perception of the genre as a whole.

“For all the hand-wringing about echo chambers and the assumption that political podcast audiences are just people yelling into ideologically sorted voids, the actual data suggests something far more mundane: people across the political spectrum are interested in political content,” said Webster.

The split along political affiliation lines is similar in straight news podcast listening, as well. 32% of monthly news podcasts identify as liberal. That exact same figure — 32% — label themselves as conservatives, while 34% say they are moderates.

“If you were designing a genre from scratch to perfectly mirror the podcast audience, you couldn’t do much better than News,” Webster concluded.

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Glenn Beck: Turning Point USA Halftime Show Proves You Can Pull People to Digital Platforms at Biggest Moments

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The Turning Point USA All-American Halftime Show brought in several million viewers on Sunday evening. Glenn Beck says it’s a positive sign for the future of not only counterprogramming but for digital avenues, too.

During The Glenn Beck Program, the host argued that the NFL was viewed as bulletproof during its Super Bowl halftime show in the past. But the Turning Point USA show — which featured Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett — shows that that isn’t true, Beck believes.

“What happened Sunday was a proof of concept,” said Beck. “You can’t necessarily pull people from the NFL because it’s unique. It’s offering something you can’t get anywhere else. So people are addicted to it, and they will not leave it, no matter how many times they violate principles. They’ll never leave it.

“You’re not going to be able to do it unless you offer a better product that people want,” Beck continued. “So it’s not going to happen. However, you can work on a halftime show.”

Beck added that the moment is similar to when he left Fox News to launch his own digital platform.

“This is like Blaze 2011. What Sunday proved is you can pull people off of that network and put them online and negate that. I mean, it’s a huge, huge success. YouTube said this may be the largest live audience they’ve ever had.”

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.

NBA Allowing Exclusive Access To Content Creators For All Star Weekend

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The National Basketball Association announced that more than 200 global digital creators will descend on Los Angeles for NBA All-Star 2026, representing the largest coordinated creator presence in league event history and underscoring the NBA’s continued push to meet fans where they increasingly consume content.

League officials said the participating creators collectively reach more than one billion followers worldwide and will integrate into live broadcasts, in-arena programming, on-court competitions and fan activations throughout All-Star weekend. Rather than serving solely as observers, many will assume active roles that blur the line between traditional media, entertainment and competition.

“The NBA has a long history of collaborating with talented creators who share our commitment to bringing the excitement of our games and events to fans around the world,” said Bob Carney, the NBA’s Senior Vice President of Social and Digital Content. He added that the league intends to position creators as participants across virtually every tentpole moment while expanding the event’s reach across platforms and demographics.

For the first time, NBA Crossover will introduce a dedicated Creator Court, a fan-facing hub designed to connect digital personalities with attendees in a physical setting. The space will launch with the PlayStation NBA Creator Cup on Thursday, featuring a 3-on-3 tournament that includes prominent basketball influencers and entertainers.

The competition will stream live on the NBA’s YouTube and Facebook channels as well as the NBA App, which the league is promoting as a central destination for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive creator-driven segments.

In addition, the Celebrity 3-Point Contest will take place at NBA Crossover on Friday, bringing together current players, media personalities and crossover entertainers in an interactive setting.

Leading basketball creator Jesser will serve as a 360-degree ambassador throughout the weekend, producing immersive content from the Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers and host venue for All-Star 2026. His schedule includes interactive arena challenges, livestream commentary during the Creator Cup and a merchandise pop-up for his Bucketsquad brand.

Creators will also embed directly into marquee events. Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews will coach in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, while personalities from Dude Perfect and other digital brands will compete. Fan voting through the NBA App will determine select creator roles during All-Star Saturday, which airs on NBC and Peacock, further intertwining audience participation with broadcast presentation.

Beyond structured competitions, the league has arranged rehearsal access, red carpet coverage and platform-specific integrations across X, Snapchat and Threads, effectively turning All-Star weekend into a multi-layered content ecosystem.

As the NBA continues to evolve its media strategy, the unprecedented creator footprint at All-Star 2026 signals a broader commitment to influencer-driven storytelling, positioning digital voices not as supplemental coverage but as central amplifiers of the league’s global showcase.

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.

NHL Reportedly Attempting To Accelerate Rights Renewal Discussions With ESPN, TNT Sports

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The NHL may not be up against an immediate media rights deadline, but Commissioner Gary Bettman appears unwilling to wait around while the NFL potentially reshapes the marketplace.

According to John Ourand of Puck, Bettman has approached both ESPN and TNT Sports about potentially accelerating discussions on the league’s next U.S. media rights agreements. However, the networks reportedly are not eager to move forward until they gain clarity on what the NFL will demand in its next round of negotiations.

With the NFL widely expected to reopen negotiations ahead of schedule this year, other properties are weighing whether striking deals sooner rather than later could preserve leverage before rights fees climb even higher.

The NHL’s current U.S. agreements with ESPN and TNT Sports run through the 2027-28 season. On paper, that timeline offers runway. In practice, uncertainty surrounding the NFL’s next ask creates pressure for leagues to secure commitments before network balance sheets tighten.

ESPN has aggressively fortified its lineup, committing billions to new rights and renewals across multiple properties since reacquiring NHL rights in 2021. TNT Sports has since rebuilt portions of its live portfolio after losing the NBA by adding the French Open, NASCAR and sublicensed College Football Playoff games.

Those spending patterns complicate the NHL’s positioning. If the NFL commands a significant increase as many expect, capital allocation decisions for secondary properties could shift quickly which could affect the NHL.

Internationally, the NHL signed a 12-year extension with Rogers Communications in Canada, though that agreement does not begin until the 2026-27 season. Still, the NHL’s urgency reflects broader industry dynamics. Media rights negotiations no longer occur in isolation. Each league’s strategy increasingly hinges on how others move, particularly when the NFL — the industry’s dominant force — prepares to reenter the marketplace.

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.

Stephen A. Smith: Critics Want Me Canceled Over Bad Bunny Super Bowl LX Commentary

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Stephen A. Smith is once again confronting critics who have called for professional consequences following his commentary about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime performance. This time using his SiriusXM platform to draw a sharp distinction between his independently owned content and his role at ESPN.

During Tuesday’s episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show on SiriusXM, Smith addressed the growing online backlash tied to his remark that it “would have been nice” if some of Bad Bunny’s halftime songs had been performed in English. While the comment sparked heated reaction across social media, Smith argued that opponents have intentionally mischaracterized his position in an effort to jeopardize his standing at ESPN.

“Because I said that, they got me all over the place with pictures pairing me with right-wingers talking about ‘I was against Bad Bunny,’” Smith said. “I was not against Bad Bunny… I honor my contracts. I’m not going away. I say stuff on my political channel or my YouTube channel. Why are folks calling ESPN? I didn’t say it on their airwaves.”

Smith emphasized that the commentary in question did not occur on ESPN programming, noting that he owns both his SiriusXM shows and his YouTube channel. According to Smith, critics deliberately invoke his ESPN affiliation to create pressure where none contractually exists.

“They [ESPN] have nothing to do with what I’m saying. I own this show. I own both my shows, and I own my own YouTube channel,” he said. “Why you constantly bringing up my day job? ‘Stephen A. of ESPN.’ Because you want to get me canceled. Why don’t you bring up about me on SiriusXM? Because you know there’s no way in hell Scott Greenstein or SiriusXM is going to cancel me.”

The controversy stems from broader cultural conversations surrounding representation and language on one of the largest entertainment stages in American television. Bad Bunny’s halftime show drew praise for celebrating Latin music and global influence, while also prompting debate among viewers who questioned whether the NFL’s championship game carries different audience expectations.

For Smith, however, the issue extends beyond the performance itself and into what he views as a troubling media climate.

“We live in a society where people are sitting up there looking at it, and it’s like, ‘Yo, if you disagree with somebody, that’s a reason to go scorched earth on them,’ as if they committed a crime,” Smith said. “That’s what these soft-ass, irrelevant, nonproductive people try to do.”

He concluded his remarks with a defiant tone, making clear that criticism will not alter his approach. As one of sports media’s most visible personalities, Smith continues to operate across multiple platforms, each with distinct ownership structures and editorial control.

“It’s not appropriate to say on SiriusXM, I’m gonna say it anyway, they [critics] can kiss my ass,” said Smith.

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.

Barrett Media’s Top 20 Major Market News/Talk Radio Morning Shows of 2025

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Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2025 for News/Talk Radio is presented by JJ Surma Voiceovers. Be sure to check out JJ’s work and learn how he can elevate your brand by clicking here.

Day two of our news/talk series recognizes the Top 20 Major Market morning shows of 2025. To learn of future results, visit our website, newsletters, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram. The full schedule of upcoming releases is listed down below the images. After the Top 20 series ends in March, I will record a video discussing the entire process. That video will be posted on the Barrett Media YouTube page. Be sure to subscribe so you’re notified once the video goes live.

As you review these results, please remember that they represent the collective feedback shared by our industry voters. Barrett Media does not vote in this process. Our role is to assemble the group, collect the votes, and present the information.

Important Information

#1 – These results are based on 2025’s performance. 2026 changes have no effect on the voting.

#2 – We ask our voters to supply photos and logos to avoid headaches. Some comply, but most don’t. It forces us to spend a lot of time digging for images to highlight everyone. For that reason, there are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. Thanks in advance for understanding.

#3 – Our executive panel consists of forty (40) program directors and corporate executives from radio’s top broadcasting companies. They include Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Cox Media Group, Townsquare Media, Hubbard Radio, Bonneville, Radio One, Nexstar Media, Zimmer Communications, Connoisseur Media, Salem Radio Network, Premiere Networks, Fox News Radio, and a number of independently owned and operated outlets. Our voting group is large because we want feedback from all areas of the country. We also try to make sure the results don’t favor any one company.

#4 – The criteria for our voters included the ear test, originality, multi-platform impact, ratings success, clearance (national shows) and industry buzz. Keep in mind, our voters live in different cities, work for different companies, have different tastes, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.

#5 – A total of 42 shows appeared on ballots submitted for voting consideration in the Major Market News/Talk Radio Morning Shows category.

And the Winner Is…

For the first time since this series began, we have a new number 1. The voters have selected Sid & Friends starring Sid Rosenberg of 77WABC in New York City as the Top Major Market News/Talk Radio Morning Show of 2025. Congrats to Sid and the entire 77WABC team on the well earned recognition.

I want to thank Dylan Barrett for creating the artwork, and each voter who participated in the process. Now without further delay, here are Barrett Media’s Top 20 Major Market News/Talk Radio Morning Shows of 2025.

Additional Notes:

  • Sid & Friends won a close contest, holding off WINS Morning Drive by twelve (12) points. Sid and former winner Bill Handel tied for the most first-place votes in the category with six (6).
  • Spots 21-25 belonged to Kayal & Company, Conservative Circus w/ James Harris, Dan Proft, Morning News w/ Bret & Veronica, and Arizona’s Morning News.
  • The closest contest was for 20th place where we had our first tie of the series. Joe Piscopo of AM 970 The Answer and WCCO’s Vineeta Sawkar finished with the same vote total thus sharing the final spot.
  • Of the 42 shows to appear on submitted ballots, nine (9) received at least one 1st place vote.

BM Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:

  • Thursday February 12 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Midday Shows of 2025
  • Friday February 13 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Afternoon Shows of 2025
  • Monday February 16 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Program Directors of 2024
  • Tuesday February 17 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Stations of 2025
  • Wednesday February 18 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market News Media Digital Shows of 2025

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.

Barrett Media’s Top 20 Mid Market News/Talk Radio Morning Shows of 2025

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Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2025 for News/Talk Radio is presented by JJ Surma Voiceovers. JJ is an avid supporter of the news/talk format. Be sure to check out his work and learn how he can elevate your brand by clicking here.

Day two of our news/talk series recognizes the Top 20 Mid Market morning shows of 2025. To learn of future results, visit our website, newsletters, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram. The full schedule of upcoming releases is listed down below the images. After the Top 20 series ends in March, I will record a video discussing the entire process. That video will be posted on the Barrett Media YouTube page. Be sure to subscribe so you’re notified once the video goes live.

As you review these results, please remember that they represent the collective feedback shared by our industry voters. Barrett Media does not vote in this process. Our role is to assemble the group, collect the votes, and present the information.

Important Information

#1 – These results are based on 2025’s performance. 2026 changes have no effect on the voting.

#2 – We ask our voters to supply photos and logos to avoid headaches. Some comply, but most don’t. It forces us to spend a lot of time digging for images to highlight everyone. For that reason, there are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. Thanks in advance for understanding.

#3 – Our executive panel consists of forty (40) program directors and corporate executives from radio’s top broadcasting companies. They include Audacy, iHeart, Cumulus, Cox Media Group, Townsquare Media, Hubbard Radio, Bonneville, Radio One, Nexstar Media, Zimmer Communications, Connoisseur Media, Salem Radio Network, Premiere Networks, Fox News Radio, and a number of independently owned and operated outlets. Our voting group is large because we want feedback from all areas of the country. We also try to make sure the results don’t favor any one company.

#4 – The criteria for our voters included the ear test, originality, multi-platform impact, ratings success, clearance (national shows) and industry buzz. Keep in mind, our voters live in different cities, work for different companies, have different tastes, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.

#5 – A total of 77 shows appeared on ballots submitted for voting consideration in the Mid Market News/Talk Radio Morning Shows category.

And the Winner Is…

Tony Katz and the Morning News on WIBC in Indianapolis. This is the second year running that Tony has claimed the top prize in the category. Congrats to Tony, David Wood, and the entire 93.1 WIBC team on the well deserved recognition.

I want to thank Dylan Barrett for creating the artwork, and each voter who participated in the process. Now without further delay, here are Barrett Media’s Top 20 Mid Market News/Talk Radio Morning Shows of 2025.

Additional Notes:

  • Tony Katz held a steady twenty six (26) point advantage over Pete Mundo to notch the category win. Katz also scored the most first-place votes among morning shows with five (5).
  • Spots 21-25 were occupied by A New Morning Show with Susan & Brian, Wisconsin’s Morning News, Utah’s Morning News, Portland’s Morning News, and WWL’s First News with Tommy Tucker.
  • The closest battle was for 7th place. Total Information AM‘s one (1) point lead helped the St. Louis show hold off WBAL’s C4 and Bryan Nehman.
  • Of the 77 shows to appear on submitted ballots, eight (8) received at least one 1st place vote.

BM Top 20 of 2025 Remaining Schedule:

  • Thursday February 12 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Midday Shows of 2025
  • Friday February 13 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Afternoon Shows of 2025
  • Monday February 16 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Program Directors of 2024
  • Tuesday February 17 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market N/T Radio Stations of 2025
  • Wednesday February 18 = BM Top 20 Major/Mid Market News Media Digital Shows of 2025

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.