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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Believes ESPN Partnership Will Elevate Fan Experience

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Believes ESPN Partnership Will Elevate Fan Experience

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell believes the league’s new media partnership with ESPN will redefine how fans consume football content — without compromising what they already love. Following the news of the NFL acquiring a 10% stake in ESPN, Goodell joined ESPN’s Hannah Storm for an exclusive one-on-one interview.

Goodell called the evolving relationship between the NFL and ESPN a win for consumers, citing enhanced synergy between the NFL Network, RedZone, and other content under one umbrella.

“I’m most excited for our fans,” Goodell said. “We truly believe this is going to be an unbelievable experience for our fans— ESPN, the NFL Network and other content being able to come together. You’re so great at understanding what the fan wants. You’re so great at the production side of this. This will be combined on larger platforms. The NFL Network is always as well as some of our other important assets. I think this is just going to make the experience for our fans even better as we evolve this relationship.”

The announcement follows a landmark non-binding agreement in which ESPN is expected to acquire NFL Network, RedZone, and additional media assets from the NFL in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN. Despite the seismic media shift, Goodell was quick to reassure viewers that the beloved NFL RedZone will remain unchanged.

“That’ll actually stay the same. It’ll continue to be produced right here in this building [NFL Network Studios in LA]. It will be the NFL RedZone. I don’t think fans will see any difference to that,” Goodell explained.

However, ESPN’s acquisition of the RedZone name opens the door for creative expansion — potentially introducing RedZone-style programming to college football or other sports.

“ESPN purchased the RedZone Name, and they will be able to utilize that for other sports,” Goodell said. “I think that could be an exciting thing for our fans, also. To see a RedZone maybe in college football or other sports.”

Goodell also highlighted the enduring growth of the NFL Draft, calling it “one of the biggest sporting events in all sports,” thanks in part to ESPN’s long-term commitment. He praised the network’s role in elevating the event to primetime and giving viewers a deeper connection to incoming players through storytelling on ABC and other Disney platforms.

“You found other ways to make the draft more enticing,” he said. “That one moment when I get to be a part of that young man finding out which team he’s going to. Being there as a part of that start to his NFL career. It’s a great moment.”

Asked why the league continues to grow in popularity, Goodell credited the game’s structure and spirit.

“It always starts with the game. I’m a huge fan of the game. Always have been. I think the game has so many elements to it that I think relate to people,” Goodell said. “Every year, we have teams that go from last to first. We have teams that make the playoffs that didn’t make the playoffs the year before. That kind of competition, I think it grips the fans.”

Looking ahead, Goodell pointed to international growth and the rise of flag football as reasons for optimism.

“We have seven games globally this year. We’re starting in Brazil in just a few weeks,” Goodell said. “I’ve seen more kids playing our game, both tackle and flag, and particularly young women playing flag. I can’t tell you how excited I am about that.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Chris Allinger, Longtime 103.7 WQNY Ithaca Host Retiring

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Chris Allinger, Longtime 103.7 WQNY Ithaca Host Retiring

Longtime 103.7 Q Country WQNY Ithaca morning host Chris Allinger is retiring. His final show will air Friday, August 29. Allinger first spoke of a future retirement last March without setting a date. (BMM 3/25)

Allinger has been a fixture on the station for decades. He anchored mornings and became one of the most recognizable voices in the Ithaca market. In addition to hosting, he’s been active in the community and has held various roles within the station and local media.

He is retiring alongside his wife, Brigid.

Starting Monday, September 1, The Bobby Bones Show will take over mornings. Bones, who already airs on the station with his Country Top 30 Countdown on weekends.

“We are all happy for Chris and his wife Brigid, who are both retiring at the same time, and excited to have great morning radio continue with Bobby Bones,” said Cayuga Media Group President and General Manager Chet Osadchey.

“He brings the highest level of Country music, entertainment, and excitement to radio, and it will be a great success on 103.7 Q Country in Ithaca.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

David Samson Questions if NFL Stake in ESPN Will Affect Coverage

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David Samson Questions if NFL Stake in ESPN Will Affect Coverage

In the wake of the NFL acquiring a 10% equity stake in ESPN as part of a multi-layered partnership with the network, former MLB executive David Samson is sounding the alarm on what the deal could mean for the future of NFL media rights—and for how the league is covered by its new broadcast partner.

Speaking on his show Nothing Personal with David Samson, the former Marlins executive didn’t hold back when analyzing the implications of the landmark agreement, which still requires regulatory approval. Samson framed the move as one of the most significant business shakeups in sports in decades, warning it could blur the lines between journalism and business interests.

“Do you think ESPN is going to spend hours of programming each day criticizing the NFL, bringing Jerry Jones to task?” Samson asked rhetorically. “You talk about a conflict of interest—Why do you think Bob Iger had to talk about it yesterday?”

Samson argued the NFL’s partial ownership could influence ESPN’s editorial tone, depth of coverage, and even decisions around investigative journalism. Referencing prominent ESPN reporter Don Van Natta and Meadowlark Media contributor Pablo Torre, Samson suggested journalists known for deep reporting on league controversies might now face pushback or a chilling effect.

“If you’re Don [Van Natta], you don’t think you’re looking around and saying, ‘There used to be a relationship that concerned me, but at least it wasn’t in writing. Now there’s a relationship that is solidified pending regulatory approval,’” Samson said on how Van Natta may see this agreement. “There is no way that I will have the ability to do the investigative work that I do.”

The NFL’s media power is also growing on another front. Samson noted that the league is bringing four new games to market—reportedly fetching up to $70 million apiece from Netflix—which could bring in upwards of $250 million in fresh revenue. That, combined with upcoming renewals of its existing media rights deals, puts the NFL in a position of unmatched leverage.

Even with ESPN now a partial NFL property, Samson said the league could, in theory, walk away when current broadcast contracts expire. However, he predicted that’s unlikely.

“The NFL is going to have to re-up with ESPN because they are now partners,” he said. “But will ESPN get a different rate? Or will the NFL still charge them like they would Apple or Netflix where they don’t have an equity stake? That’s how business works.”

From a business standpoint, Samson sees the deal as a potential antitrust flashpoint, warning it could restrict competition and diminish consumer benefit.

“The government has stopped deals that smell like this before,” Samson said. “Do they have the guts to stop this agreement—or the pettiness to stop this agreement? It’s one of the greatest business wait and sees that we’ve seen in sports in the last quarter century.”

Whether regulators intervene or not, Samson said one thing is certain: the relationship between ESPN and the NFL has now moved “from unofficial to official,” and the impact will be felt across coverage, tone, and the business of sports media.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Triton Digital Elevates Sharon Taylor to Chief Revenue Officer

BNM Staff
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Triton Digital Elevates Sharon Taylor to Chief Revenue Officer

Triton Digital has announced that Sharon Taylor has been promoted to Chief Revenue Officer, effective immediately.

Taylor, who joined Triton Digital in 2017, will report directly to President and CEO John Rosso.

In her new role, Taylor will be responsible for overseeing global teams spanning sales, customer success, ad operations, demand generation, and technical account management. She is tasked with leading global revenue growth efforts, including client acquisition and support for publishers using Triton Digital’s advertising and content technology solutions.

Prior to this promotion, Taylor served as Executive Vice President, Podcast and Content Delivery. In that role, she was credited with expanding Triton’s presence in programmatic audio and podcast advertising. Before joining the company, she was CEO of Omny Studio, which grew into a major enterprise podcast platform under her leadership and was eventually acquired by Triton Digital.

John Rosso noted that Taylor’s promotion reflects her leadership and results. “Her track record in scaling audio technology platforms and her deep understanding of the evolving digital landscape will be invaluable,” Rosso said.

“I’m honored to step into the CRO role at such a pivotal moment for the audio industry,” Taylor said. “Triton’s platform empowers publishers and advertisers globally, and I look forward to spearheading initiatives that unlock new growth opportunities.”

Triton Digital operates as a provider of digital audio infrastructure for broadcasters, podcasters, and online audio publishers worldwide.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

News Media Reacts to Report Howard Stern, SiriusXM Unlikely to Come to Contract Extension

BNM Staff
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News Media Reacts to Report Howard Stern, SiriusXM Unlikely to Come to Contract Extension

A report from British tabloid The Sun claims that Howard Stern and SiriusXM are not likely to agree to a contract extension before his current deal concludes later this year, leading to his exit from the company.

“Sirius and Stern are never going to meet on the money he is going to want. It’s no longer worth the investment,” a source told The Sun about the contract negotiations between the two.

Howard Stern joined the company in 2006 after a 20-year run at WXRK in New York, where his show was nationally syndicated with more than 60 affiliates. His star has only risen since joining the satellite broadcaster, leading to his appearance as a judge on the NBC reality show America’s Got Talent for three seasons, in addition to authoring several books.

Stern’s contract is slated to expire later this fall. The current five-year deal pays him a reported $100 million per year. Sources at The Sun claim that while the satellite radio brand is planning to offer him a new deal, it does not expect Stern to accept the offered terms.

As the report surfaced, many in the news media reacted to the news. Some argued that it was a long time coming, noting that Stern’s work schedule wasn’t in line with his high-figure salary. Others argued that Stern is a shell of his former self and has fallen from his perch as “The King of All Media.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Hulu To Be Phased Out as Disney Integrates Service Into Disney+

BSM Staff
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Hulu To Be Phased Out as Disney Integrates Service Into Disney+

In a sweeping move that reshapes its digital media strategy, The Walt Disney Company announced that it will fully integrate Hulu into Disney+ by 2026, creating a unified streaming platform aimed at delivering broader entertainment options and operational efficiencies.

The announcement comes on the heels of Disney finalizing its acquisition of Comcast’s remaining one-third stake in Hulu this past June.

“Today we are announcing a major step forward in strengthening our streaming offering by fully integrating Hulu into Disney+,” CEO Bob Iger and CFO Hugh Johnston said during the company’s quarterly earnings call. “This will create an impressive package of entertainment, pairing the highest-caliber brands and franchises, great general entertainment, family programming, news and industry-leading live sports content in a single app.”

The forthcoming app, built on a single technology platform, is expected to deliver a more seamless user experience, reduce subscriber churn, and provide new advertising and bundling opportunities. Disney executives highlighted that the integration will also produce cost synergies, opening the door for reinvestment into the company’s content and tech infrastructure.

“By creating a truly differentiated streaming offering, we will be providing subscribers tremendous choice, convenience, quality, and enhanced personalization,” the executives noted. “This will enhance our ability to continue to grow profitability and margins in our entertainment streaming business through expected higher engagement, lower churn, and advertising revenue potential, as well as operational efficiencies.”

Internationally, Hulu will take on a more prominent role. Beginning in the fall of 2025, Hulu will replace the Star tile as the general entertainment brand on Disney+ in global markets. At the same time, enhancements to the Disney+ app—including a more personalized homepage and other tech upgrades—are expected to roll out in the coming months according to Iger.

In a separate but related development, Hulu’s live TV subscribers will eventually be transitioned to Fubo, through a proposed joint venture that will be majority-owned by Disney.

The integration marks a significant evolution for Disney’s streaming division, which has steadily moved toward a consolidated content strategy. Earlier this year, the company began incorporating full Hulu content into the Disney+ app in the U.S., aiming to convert single-service users into bundle subscribers.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

WWE CCO Paul Levesque Says Partnership With ESPN a Perfect Marriage

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WWE CCO Paul Levesque Says Partnership With ESPN a Perfect Marriage

ESPN and WWE, two dominant forces in the sports and entertainment worlds, officially announced a new multi-year partnership Wednesday morning that will bring WWE’s biggest premium live events—including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and the Royal Rumble—to ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming platform starting in 2026.

Paul Levesque, better known to wrestling fans as ‘Triple H’ and now WWE’s Chief Content Officer, joined Get Up for a live interview shortly after the deal was made public, calling the move “incredible” and the “perfect marriage” between two global brands.

“For what we consider the worldwide leader in sports entertainment to be with the worldwide leader in sports, there’s no bigger opportunity for us than this right now,” Levesque said. “And on top of that, to be in the Disney family—we’re thrilled and can’t wait to get rolling.”

The deal comes as ESPN prepares to launch its direct-to-consumer streaming service on August 21. This agreement will bring WWE’s signature shows to the platform, signaling a major content expansion as ESPN continues evolving in a changing media landscape. While the full scope of the WWE content has yet to be revealed, Levesque hinted at elevated production and spectacle for longtime fans.

“Nick [Kahn] and I have been thinking about this for a long time. It is the right home for it,” said Levesque. “It’s something we’ve been trying to work through for a long time. Jimmy Pitaro [ESPN Chairman] made it happen.”

The announcement followed a massive SummerSlam weekend at MetLife Stadium, which hosted back-to-back nights of action in front of over 113,000 fans. Levesque called it a “massively successful event” that represented WWE’s current momentum and cultural relevance.

“When we get together, events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble are going to be bigger than ever,” he said. “They’re going to be more of a spectacle than they’ve ever been before. We’re going to light the world on fire.”

Levesque also teased the return of Brock Lesnar, calling him a generational figure who “does whatever the hell he wants,” and didn’t rule out future crossovers with ESPN personalities—joking that former NFL linebacker Bart Scott might have a shot in the WWE ring.

With WWE’s developmental pipeline strong and mainstream popularity surging, the partnership with ESPN is the latest sign that professional wrestling continues to evolve into a major player in the broader sports media ecosystem.

“We see the ecosystem—NFL, NBA—and we’re right there,” Levesque said. “People just want to be entertained, and we feel like we do that better than anybody else.”

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Metallica Gets Own 24/7 SiriusXM Channel, Maximum Metallica

BMM Staff
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Metallica Gets Own 24/7 SiriusXM Channel, Maximum Metallica

SiriusXM is turning up the volume on its rock offerings with the launch of Maximum Metallica. A new, full-time channel dedicated exclusively to the iconic heavy metal band.

Lars Ulrich broke the news live on The Howard Stern Show this morning. Announcing that the channel will officially debut Friday, August 29, on Channel 42 and the SiriusXM app.

“The Most Metallica Anywhere” is how SiriusXM is branding the new offering, promising a nonstop mix of the band’s hits, deep cuts, rare recordings, exclusive interviews, and fan-favorite live performances.

The channel will also feature behind-the-scenes stories and personal commentary from the band members themselves.

To celebrate the launch, Metallica will perform a rare intimate show at Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, NY, on Thursday, August 28. The venue, which holds just a few hundred people, is a sharp contrast to the stadiums the band has been packing on its M72 World Tour. Select SiriusXM subscribers will attend the invite-only event.

The concert will premiere on Maximum Metallica Monday, September 1, at noon ET, and will be rebroadcast throughout the week. It will also air on Howard 101, Stern’s SiriusXM channel, on Friday, September 5, at 7:00 pm ET and PT.

SiriusXM says the new channel will be available to all listeners, including non-subscribers, in SiriusXM-equipped vehicles through September.

Metallica joins a list of artists who’ve played the Talkhouse for SiriusXM, including Coldplay, Dave Matthews, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Brandi Carlile, Mumford & Sons, and The Killers.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

Nielsen, Edison Research Pair for New Podcast Advertising Planning Tool

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Nielsen, Edison Research Pair for New Podcast Advertising Planning Tool

Nielsen and Edison Research have unveiled a strategic partnership aimed at streamlining how advertisers plan and compare cross-platform media campaigns.

The companies will launch Nielsen Podcast Fusion powered by Edison Research, a tool that integrates podcast consumption data with Nielsen Media Impact.

The platform will enable advertising agencies and marketers to evaluate podcasts alongside traditional channels like TV, radio, digital, and social media.

By unifying podcast metrics with Nielsen Media Impact’s proprietary planning tools, the offering gives marketers a complete view of audience behavior across media.

“We know that young people are consuming podcasts as a huge part of their media diet,” said Nielsen Audio Managing Director Rich Tunkel. “Nielsen continues to be at the forefront of media measurement so that advertisers can create their plans with confidence. This new collaboration further extends that confidence to audio and podcasts.”

The move addresses a longstanding challenge in media planning: integrating emerging formats like podcasts into broader cross-media campaign strategies.

“Nielsen Media Impact is a critical tool for cross-platform media planning, and we are excited to bring our best-in-class podcast measurement data to this ecosystem,” added Edison Research Senior Vice President Melissa Kiesche. “Our strategic partnership will help advertisers better understand the power of podcasting and its role in the broader media landscape.”

NPR and Ocean Media are already listed as early adopters.

“Integrating podcast data with Nielsen Media Impact marks a pivotal step in how the industry approaches cross-media planning,” said NPR Audience Insights Director Susan Leland. “With podcasts now a key player in the advertising ecosystem, this collaboration will empower advertisers to harness detailed insights and optimize their campaigns effectively across all major media types.”

“For our clients, seamless podcast planning alongside other audio and video channels is vital,” added Ocean Media Associate Director of Planning & Insights Marcela Wilfong. “The integration of podcast metrics into NMI makes this a reality, allowing us to evaluate and develop more intelligent, cross-platform media strategies for our brands. We see this as a pivotal advancement.”

Nielsen said subscribers will be able to filter by podcast networks and genres to refine their media plans more effectively. The company added that advertisers must have “sophisticated tools and data to effectively plan” across all formats in today’s fragmented media landscape.

In the findings from The Podcast Consumer 2025, data from Edison Research shows that overall time spent listening to podcasts has grown a whopping 355% since 2015.

The addition of podcast metrics from Edison Research comes on the heels of news that podcast listening has increased dramatically in the last decade.

In 2015, the company shared that roughly 170 million hours per week were spent listening to podcasts. That figure grew to 770 million hours per week, or an increase of 603 million hours per week over the past decade. Only 46 million users labeled themselves as monthly podcast consumers in 2015. In 2025, that number has increased to 115 million.

Furthermore, in 2015, only 27 million Americans called themselves weekly podcast consumers. In 2025, that figure has risen to 115 million, according to Edison Research.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

CMA to Announce 2025 Award Nominees on September 8

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CMA to Announce 2025 Award Nominees on September 8

The Country Music Association (CMA) has set Monday, September 8, as the date for announcing nominees for The 59th Annual CMA Awards and this year’s CMA Broadcast Awards finalists. The announcement will stream live on CMA’s official Facebook and YouTube channels.

This marks an annual key moment in Country music, as the nominations highlight standout performers, radio talent, and industry leaders who’ve made a measurable impact over the past year.

Voting for the second ballot in the CMA Awards process is now underway. CMA Professional members have until Monday, August 18, at 6 p.m. CT to finalize their selections. This phase helps determine the final nominees in all 12 categories, maintaining the peer-voting tradition.

The 59th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville on ABC Wednesday, November 19, with a next-day stream on Hulu. The show will once again bring together top artists, emerging talent, and radio professionals for one of the format’s most-watched events of the year.

Tickets for the live event go on sale Friday, September 5, at 10 a.m. CT here.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

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