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Red Seat Ventures Acquires Supercast Subscription Platform

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Red Seat Ventures Acquires Supercast Subscription Platform

Red Seat Ventures continues to expand its footprint in the creator economy after announcing the acquisition of Supercast, a subscription platform built specifically for podcast creators. Red Seat Ventures operates as a division of Fox Corporation’s Tubi Media Group, and the deal further strengthens its strategy of offering creators multiple revenue paths under one umbrella.

The acquisition brings Supercast into Red Seat Ventures’ growing portfolio of creator-focused digital services while allowing the company to continue operating independently. Supercast Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jason Sew Hoy will remain in charge, maintaining day-to-day leadership as the platform scales with new backing and resources.

“From the very first conversation with Chris Balfe at Red Seat Ventures and Paul Cheesbrough at Tubi Media Group, it was clear that we shared the same worldview: that creators can own their audience, control their brand and build significant, sustainable media businesses on their own terms,” said Jason Sew Hoy, Supercast Founder and CEO. “We’re excited to accelerate investment in the Supercast platform and bring even more opportunities to our creators and partners by leveraging the power of Red Seat Ventures, Tubi Media Group and FOX.”

Founded in 2019, Supercast has positioned itself as a key player in podcast subscriptions by helping creators generate recurring, creator-owned revenue. The platform supports a wide range of podcasters, from independent hosts to larger networks, while offering tools for exclusive audio and video content, premium memberships, and community engagement. According to the company, Supercast’s top 10 podcasters generate more than $26 million annually in subscription revenue, underscoring the growing appetite for direct-to-fan media models.

For Red Seat Ventures, the move represents a strategic effort to unify podcast advertising and subscription monetization under one partner. The company already works closely with creator-led brands across audio, video, and digital media, and the addition of Supercast allows it to address two of the most important revenue streams in podcasting without forcing creators to juggle multiple vendors.

“Jason and his team share our mission of empowering influential voices by offering meaningful opportunities to monetize their content and expand audience reach,” said Chris Balfe, Founder and CEO of Red Seat Ventures. “The rapid growth of direct-to-fan subscriptions has proven the value of recurring creator revenue, and this acquisition accelerates our strategy to provide a one-stop shop that helps creators grow their audience and monetize across channels.”

The deal also fits into a broader expansion strategy for Red Seat Ventures, which continues to add creator-led and digital-first businesses to its portfolio. Together, Red Seat Ventures and Supercast plan to explore additional opportunities across sponsorships, live events, merchandise, and video distribution, while maintaining a focus on creator independence and direct audience relationships.

With Red Seat Ventures’ backing, Supercast plans to increase investment in product development, expand its creator ecosystem, and grow its internal team.

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.

Apple News Biased Against Conservative Media, New MRC Study Suggests

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Apple News Biased Against Conservative Media, New MRC Study Suggests

A new Media Research Center (MRC) study argues that Apple News is biased against conservative media sources, making it more difficult for users to receive that information.

MRC President David Bozell shared that the implications of the situation are greater than just a simple media bias. He pointed to admissions by Apple News that its methods for collecting news aren’t based on neutral algorithms.

“Apple publicly acknowledged that its curation system is human-driven,” Bozell said during an interview with 105.9 WMAL afternoon host Derek Hunter. “There’s a lot of editorial decision making going on at Apple, certainly a lot more than some of the others.”

According to the MRC study, of the top 620 stories featured by the app during January, none came from conservative media outlets.

The MRC study labeled outlets like The Washington Post, The Associated Press, NBC News, The Guardian, The New York Times, Apple, NPR, Politico, USA Today, and Bloomberg News as “left-leaning outlets”, while arguing that The Wall Street Journal and Reuters were “center outlets.” Those labels were applied utilizing the AllSides media bias ratings.

Bozell argued that the bias in the Apple News app is detrimental to the greater news consumer.

“They’re just going to pop on Apple and see what’s happening,” he said. “And it’s always negative against the President and this administration.”

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Mike Salk: MLB Should Have Been Promoted After the Super Bowl Broadcast on NBC Sports

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Mike Salk: MLB Should Have Been Promoted After the Super Bowl Broadcast on NBC Sports

Seattle Sports host Mike Salk believes Major League Baseball missed a high-profile promotional opportunity during the Super Bowl, criticizing the league for failing to advertise its new broadcast relationship with NBC Sports on the biggest television stage of the year.

During Tuesday’s episode of Brock and Salk on Seattle Sports, Salk questioned why MLB did not capitalize on the conclusion of the Super Bowl to spotlight Sunday Night Baseball, which will air on NBC as part of the network’s newly acquired MLB package.

“Major League Baseball swung and missed Sunday night at the Super Bowl,” Salk said. “Why were there no promos, no nothing during and especially after the Super Bowl for the Sunday Night Baseball on NBC? What are we doing?”

The criticism centered on timing and visibility, two factors that Salk argued should matter deeply to a league often searching for ways to broaden its reach. The Super Bowl routinely draws more than 100 million viewers, including casual sports fans who may not actively ponder about baseball coverage in February.

For Salk, the absence of any MLB messaging during or immediately following the broadcast represented a failure to connect the end of football season with the traditional ramp-up to baseball.

NBC’s Super Bowl broadcast marked the network’s first opportunity to showcase its upcoming baseball coverage since finalizing its deal with MLB. However, viewers saw no promotional bridge from football’s finale to baseball’s approach, even as spring training nears and the sport prepares to reenter the national conversation.

“Baseball should have 1,000% had a commercial airing the second the Super Bowl ended, saying we got next,” Salk said.

Salk suggested that MLB should have treated the moment as symbolic, reinforcing the idea that baseball naturally follows football on the American sports calendar. In his view, a simple, assertive message would have helped reset attention toward the sport.

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NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt, Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy Testify at Senate Commerce Committee Hearing on Media Ownership Laws

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NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt, Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy Testify at Senate Commerce Committee Hearing on Media Ownership Laws

A Senate Commerce Committee hearing on media ownership laws was held today, featuring NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt speaking in support of changes to the cap, while Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy offered the opposing view.

Neither witness has been shy in their view about the potential for the FCC to change ownership caps. Currently, a limit of one ownership group being able to reach 39% of total U.S. households is in place, while a waiver has been granted to Nexstar Media Group to overstep that limit.

However, Nexstar Media Group is awaiting government approval to complete an acquisition of TEGNA, which would enable the company to reach 80% of total U.S. households.

NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt spoke at the hearing, stating that it’s imperative that the regulations be updated to allow broadcasters the ability to compete with Big Tech.

“Without modernizing these ownership rules, local television news – the last bastion of truly local journalism in many communities – will suffer the same fate as thousands of local newspapers,” said LeGeyt. “Outdated ownership rules also limit broadcasters’ ability to provide viewers access to marquee sports and entertainment. Instead of subscribing to a new streaming service every time they want to watch a game, viewers overwhelmingly prefer to watch sports on broadcast TV.

“However, keeping broadcasters artificially small makes it harder to compete for increasingly expensive sports rights against our unregulated streaming rivals,” LeGeyt continued. “Broadcasting’s share of viewership is already less than half our streaming competitors. This decline will continue as premium sports content further migrates behind streaming paywalls.”

LeGeyt concluded by stating that “localism is a vital, but expensive, American value.”

“Competitively hobbled TV stations lacking sufficient resources will not provide quality local journalism, emergency information, valued sports and programming that your communities depend upon,” he shared.

Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy offered the opposite side of the coin. He stated that it’s clear, from his standpoint, that the move is a negative one for consumers and the broadcast industry.

“The television industry’s messaging has become extreme — claiming consolidation somehow saves local news by cutting it, branding critics as radicals, and insisting that allowing two or three companies to own most stations is ‘deregulation’ and ‘competition,'” said Ruddy. “We know that after Nexstar merged with Tribune, profits surged while employment dropped from 16,193 employees to 12,142 – a 25% decrease – in
just one year. In 14 markets, Nexstar now operates two highly rated stations but has combined their local newsrooms to cut costs.

“In its proposed merger with Tegna, Nexstar projects more than $300 million in immediate cost savings, including $135 million from increased retrans fees and $165 million from local station savings — typically that’s achieved through newsroom consolidation,” continued Ruddy. “I am a common-sense conservative and a believer in free markets. But when the government grants a limited number of licenses in every market that marketplace is a closed one. That’s why the public has a right — and a duty — to ensure those licenses serve the public interest.”

The Newsmax CEO concluded his statements by sharing his opinion that the FCC does not have the legal authority to change any ownership caps, arguing that only Congress can alter any of the standards.

“Congress should insist that any decisions on consolidation or cap waivers be voted on by the full Commission, not quietly approved at the bureau level,” Ruddy said. “Let me be absolutely clear: the television industry is far too valuable to be handed over to a small number of conglomerates that are unaccountable to the public. Congress set the cap. Only Congress should change it — after careful review. Newsmax stands ready to participate constructively in that process.”

The statements from Chris Ruddy and Curtis LeGeyt come on the heels of President Donald Trump reversing his stance on the topic. After previously arguing against ownership limits being expanded, he shared that he now supports the move, urging regulators over the weekend to allow the acquisition by Nexstar Media Group as quickly as possible.

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Los Angeles Angels Announce DTC Option With Reported Interest in Launching Own Network

BSM Staff
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Los Angeles Angels Announce DTC Option With Reported Interest in Launching Own Network

With the start of the Major League Baseball regular season now less than seven weeks away, the Los Angeles Angels have moved quickly to secure a short-term media solution, partnering with MLB to offer in-market, direct-to-consumer streaming through the league’s digital platform while keeping other distribution options on the table.

According to a Sports Business Journal report, MLB will offer in-market streaming for 20 teams this season, including the Angels. However, the Angels differ from the other participating clubs. Their game broadcasts will not be produced by MLB. They also will not be distributed through a league-operated regional sports network.

Instead, the Angels said details regarding cable and satellite availability will be announced at a later date, leaving their full distribution plan unresolved as Opening Day approaches.

According to the report, the Angels elected to opt into MLB Media earlier this week largely due to time constraints. Because the club co-owns FanDuel Sports Network West alongside Main Street Sports Group, the Angels have explored the possibility of buying out Main Street’s stake in order to launch a team-controlled network.

That process, however, remains complex and unresolved, prompting the organization to pursue a digital-first option to ensure uninterrupted access for fans when the season begins.

SBJ reported that the Angels requested additional time from MLB to evaluate their long-term television strategy. However, a tightening calendar influenced the decision to move forward with streaming through the MLB App. That approach provides immediate stability for the team. It does not rule out launching a linear network this season or in future years.

For the upcoming season, Angels fans can purchase streaming access for $99.99 annually or $19.99 per month. Subscriptions are expected to become available later this month. The pricing mirrors packages offered by other teams in MLB’s in-market streaming initiative. The league continues to position that model as a cornerstone of its evolving media strategy.

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Salem Media Names Dave Cuddihy as General Sales Manager in Pittsburgh

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Salem Media Names Dave Cuddihy as General Sales Manager in Pittsburgh

Salem Media Pittsburgh has announced the appointment of Dave Cuddihy to new positions.

Meanwhile, Dave Cuddihy joins as the General Sales Manager for Salem’s Pittsburgh radio stations and digital efforts. He previously worked as the Publisher of the Latrobe Bulletin and Ligonier Echo.

“Pittsburgh has always been about relationships, work ethic, and trust,” Cuddihy said. “I’m proud to be from this area and to work with local businesses as a neighbor who understands how success is built here. One factor that stood out to me in joining the team at Salem Media is that our stations and complete digital portfolio allow us to reach deeply engaged Christian and conservative audiences while delivering modern marketing solutions that drive real, measurable results for our partners.”

Cuddihy joins the Pittsburgh office following the appointment of Jason Mosher as the new Regional General Manager for the market. Earlier this month, it was announced he’ll now oversee the Pittsburgh market, in addition to the Atlanta market. Mosher is based in the Atlanta office for the company. He’s worked with Salem Media for the past six years and was previously working as the Regional Sales Director for Atlanta, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.

“We are committed to growth in Pittsburgh,” Mosher said. “In the near future, we are looking to bring on additional media strategists to build out the local team.”

“We are excited to combine Jason’s leadership track record at Salem with Dave’s deep market knowledge of Pittsburgh,” said President of Broadcast Media Allen Power. “They are focused on growing our sales team in the market with a commitment to providing outcome-based solutions for advertisers.”

Salem Media operates 101.5 WORD-FM, AM 1250 The Answer, and 730 AM WPIT in the market.

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Audacy Partners With Sonos For Exclusive Sales, Distribution of Streaming Inventory

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Audacy Partners With Sonos For Exclusive Sales, Distribution of Streaming Inventory

Audacy and Sonos have entered a new strategic partnership designed to expand the reach and monetization of premium audio content, further reinforcing both companies’ commitment to scaling high-quality listening experiences across platforms and devices.

As part of the agreement, Audacy will serve as the exclusive U.S. sales and distribution representative for Sonos Radio’s streaming inventory. The arrangement positions Audacy to apply its national sales infrastructure, digital technology, and audio expertise to accelerate advertising growth for Sonos Radio while creating new opportunities for marketers seeking access to highly engaged listeners.

“Sonos is a pioneer in audio and a natural partner for Audacy as we continually look to expand our reach and leverage our industry-leading sales capabilities,” said Michael Biemolt, President of Digital Sales at Audacy. “Sonos Radio has built an exceptional listening environment with a loyal, high-value audience, and by leveraging our scale, technology, and sales expertise, we’ll help elevate their streaming business.”

The partnership reflects a shared belief between Audacy and Sonos that audio consumption continues to evolve beyond traditional environments, requiring scalable solutions that meet audiences wherever and however they choose to listen. By combining Audacy’s advertising capabilities with Sonos’s curated listening ecosystem, both companies aim to strengthen long-term value for listeners, brands, and distribution partners.

In addition to sales representation, Sonos Radio’s lineup of more than 100 stations will now be distributed across Audacy’s digital platforms, significantly expanding access to Sonos Radio’s music programming, artist-led channels, and mood-based listening formats. Listeners will be able to discover Sonos Radio stations through the Audacy app and website, where the content will appear alongside Audacy’s owned-and-operated brands.

Beyond Audacy’s direct-to-consumer platforms, the agreement also extends distribution of Sonos Radio stations to third-party environments including Google Home, Alexa, and Apple Music. Audacy’s full portfolio of broadcast radio stations has been available on Sonos devices since 2020, making the expanded relationship a natural progression rather than a first-time collaboration.

From Sonos’s perspective, the partnership aligns with a broader focus on building a listening ecosystem that deepens engagement over time. Jack Rutledge, Director of Product Management for Sonos Radio, said pairing curated audio experiences with Audacy’s scale creates sustainable opportunities for brands to connect with listeners who are actively choosing premium audio environments.

Sonos Radio will also join the Audacy Digital Audience Network, gaining access to advanced ad-decisioning tools, programmatic connectivity, and infrastructure designed to improve sell-through rates and premium CPM performance. Those capabilities are powered by Audacy’s AmperWave platform, which hosts and monetizes more than 2,300 digital audio stations and supports over 15 premium inventory partners.

The Sonos agreement continues Audacy’s recent momentum in forming strategic alliances with high-performing audio and media brands. In recent months, the company has announced collaborations with iHeartMedia, TuneIn, Jomboy Media, and MOGL, each aimed at expanding distribution, enhancing content offerings, and modernizing advertiser engagement. Adding Sonos Radio to that growing roster further solidifies Audacy’s push to build a broad, premium audio ecosystem across content formats and platforms.

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Fox News Creating New Daily News Report For Local Stations Helmed By Bill Melugin

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Fox News Creating New Daily News Report For Local Stations Helmed By Bill Melugin

Fox News has announced it is launching a new daily news brief for local FOX television stations, anchored by Bill Melugin.

Beginning on Monday, February 23rd, the Fox News Report will be a 90-second news feature hosted by Melugin. It will largely focus on national and global headlines, including breaking news in the news, political, sports, and entertainment arenas.

The feature is scheduled to air at 5:58 PM ET on FOX-owned-and-operated local stations. Those stations include nine of the top 10 markets, as stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Houston, Atlanta, D.C., and San Francisco will broadcast the report.

The new reports will be made available to all FOX affiliates throughout the nation, and won’t be limited to the 29 owned and operated stations.

Bill Melugin joined Fox News in 2021 as a Los Angeles-based correspondent. Late last year, he was promoted to the role of Washington-based Correspondent, with a focus on Capitol Hill.

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UFC 326 To Air On CBS During Two Hour Window Of Coverage

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UFC 326 To Air On CBS During Two Hour Window Of Coverage

Paramount+ and the CBS Television Network are set to make history next month as the companies partner with the UFC to bring a live numbered event to broadcast television for the first time. UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 will air Saturday, March 7, from T-Mobile Arena, with Paramount+ serving as the primary distribution platform and CBS presenting a primetime simulcast window.

The event represents a major milestone for both the UFC and Paramount as they continue to expand mixed martial arts beyond traditional pay-per-view and cable destinations.

Paramount+ will stream every bout from UFC 326 in the United States and Latin America, reinforcing its role as the exclusive streaming home of the promotion. Coverage begins with the prelims at 7 p.m. ET on the platform, while CBS will simulcast the final hour of the prelims from 8–9 p.m. ET. The main card follows at 9 p.m. ET, with CBS carrying the opening hour from 9–10 p.m. ET before the remainder of the fights return exclusively to Paramount+.

The decision to place UFC action on the CBS broadcast network signals a broader effort to reach casual sports fans who may not regularly seek out MMA programming. For CBS, the event marks its first-ever live UFC broadcast, positioning the network alongside Paramount+ as a central hub for the sport moving forward.

In addition to the live event, CBS will debut a new one-hour special titled THIS IS UFC on Friday, February 20, airing from 8–9 p.m. ET/PT. The program will also stream live and on demand on Paramount+, depending on subscription tier.

The documentary-style special traces the organization’s rise from an underground attraction to a global sports and entertainment powerhouse.

Hosted by UFC reporter Megan Olivi and Survivor winner Dee Valladares, the show features conversations with fighters, rising stars, and UFC President and CEO Dana White. The special also highlights the early success of UFC programming on Paramount+, while offering a forward-looking perspective on the sport’s continued growth.

Both initiatives fall under the first year of a seven-year media rights agreement between Paramount and TKO Group. The deal makes Paramount+ the exclusive home for all UFC events in the U.S. and Latin America, including 13 numbered events and 30 Fight Nights annually. Select numbered events will also receive broadcast exposure on CBS throughout the year.

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ESPN Unveils MLB.tv Plans for Upcoming 2026 Season

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ESPN Unveils MLB.tv Plans for Upcoming 2026 Season

Major League Baseball’s direct-to-consumer product officially entered a new phase Tuesday as ESPN launched MLB.tv inside its ecosystem. The network introduced a new pricing and distribution structure aimed at steering fans toward ESPN Unlimited. At the same time, MLB.tv will continue to be offered as a standalone option.

The rollout introduces tiered pricing based on whether customers already subscribe to ESPN Unlimited, the network’s branded direct-to-consumer product. Fans who are not ESPN Unlimited subscribers can purchase the full-season, out-of-market MLB.tv package for $149.99. That option includes a complimentary one-month trial of ESPN Unlimited, which renews at $29.99 per month unless canceled.

Importantly, ESPN does not require customers to maintain an ESPN Unlimited subscription after the initial purchase. Fans will still retain full access to MLB.tv for the entire season.

Subscribers to ESPN Unlimited, or those who receive the service through a participating pay-TV package, receive a discounted MLB.tv rate. Those users can access the full-season out-of-market package for $134.99, reflecting a 10% reduction.

The network has confirmed to SBJ that upcoming ESPN Unlimited integrations on Comcast and YouTube TV will qualify customers for the lower price point for the MLB.tv product. A monthly MLB.tv option is also available at $29.99 and includes eligibility for a free month of ESPN Unlimited.

From a product standpoint, the network is positioning MLB.tv as a more immersive experience inside its app environment. Fans will have access to multiview capabilities and enhanced statistics. Additional features include key plays, fantasy tools, and betting information. Viewers will also be able to choose between home or away broadcasts. Those features align with ESPN’s broader strategy to centralize live viewing, data and interactivity under one digital roof.

At the start of the regular season, U.S.-based subscribers accessing MLB.tv through ESPN or directly from MLB will have expanded access. They will be able to watch out-of-market games. Subscribers will also receive MLB Big Inning and MLB Network content. That programming will be available across ESPN and MLB digital platforms.

However, in-market streaming remains a longer-term play. MLB’s individual-team, in-market streaming packages are scheduled to debut on MLB platforms later this year before expanding to ESPN platforms in 2027.

The launch is tied to ESPN’s restructured national media agreement with MLB, a three-year deal valued at approximately $550 million annually. Under the agreement, the network will carry 30 national games per season, largely on weekdays during the summer, across its linear networks and direct-to-consumer offerings. ESPN Unlimited subscribers will also receive access to an out-of-market game of the day, adding another exclusive incentive to the service.

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