FOX Corp. has announced its quarterly earnings and the report is a positive one for the brand overall.
In total, the company secured $3.29 billion in total revenue during 2025’s second quarter. That figure well surpassed analysts’ forecasts of $3.11 billion for the quarter. Also, the company’s earnings per share of $1.57 outpaced the $1.01 projected heading into the three-month sector.
Advertising revenue grew by 7% at FOX Corp. during the quarter. Just over $1 billion in advertising was secured by the company, which pointed to its streaming service Tubi, high ratings on Fox News, and a better pricing model as reasons for the uptick.
The Cable Network Programming division also outpaced expected results, with revenue growing to $1.53 billion. That figure represents a 7% year-over-year increase. Advertising grew 15% in that category, while carriage fees growing 2%, enough to offset the losses of a declining subscriber base.
The television division at FOX saw a 6% revenue increase compared to the same timeframe in 2024. $1.71 billion was secured during the quarter, with the company pointing to the free-to-use Tubi streaming platform as a major driver of that growth.
“We remain confident that our focused strategy, leadership position in key verticals and strong balance sheet will continue to deliver value to all shareholders,” CEO Lachlan Murdoch said.
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.
Some time last year, I wrote a column suggesting that perhaps it was time to loosen the FCC laws on the use of profanity in broadcasting, especially when those on YouTube can say whatever they’d like.
It wasn’t that I particularly wanted to hear more F-bombs and the like, but maybe that war has been lost.
Last week, a short piece by Jay Peters in The Verge entitled “YouTube tells creators they can drop more F-bombs” caught my eye. Under my personal heading of “I Really Don’t Know Much About How YouTube Works, But I Know Everyone Uses It,” apparently, YouTube had a rule that if you used a “strong profanity” such as “f—” in the first seven seconds of a video, you would not receive full monetization. Instead, the creator would receive “limited ad revenue.”
This changes an earlier policy that limited ad revenue if profanity was used in the first 8–15 seconds of a video. The policy was previously changed in March 2023, allowing profanity as of eight seconds into the video.
The reasoning was simple: some advertisers might not want their spots to bump up against a stream of four-letter (or longer) curse words. The latest change was based on advertisers having the ability to target content to their desired level of profanity.
Apparently, some advertisers don’t mind having ads bump up against a stream of “strong” profanity compared to YouTube-defined “moderate profanity” such as “a–hole” or “b—-.”
In case you think YouTube has thrown in the motherf—ing towel completely on profanity, you may not receive full monetization if you put profanity in titles or thumbnails. Also, using too much profanity could harm your revenue. As Conor Kavanagh, YouTube’s head of monetization policy experience (a marvelous title), was quoted in the article, “You have to pick and choose your f—s carefully.”
Meanwhile, broadcasters still operate with FCC rules. Here’s the latest from the FCC’s website:
Deciding what’s obscene, indecent or profane
Each type of content has a distinct definition:
Obscene content does not have protection by the First Amendment. For content to be ruled obscene, it must meet a three-pronged test established by the Supreme Court: It must appeal to an average person’s prurient interest; depict or describe sexual conduct in a “patently offensive” way; and, taken as a whole, lack serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.
Indecent content portrays sexual or excretory organs or activities in a way that is patently offensive but does not meet the three-prong test for obscenity.
Profane content includes “grossly offensive” language that is considered a public nuisance.
F-bombs fall under the “profane content” category. And yes, there is a “safe harbor” between 10 PM and 6 AM local time in which some indecent content (not profane) may be aired under the belief that children will not be listening or watching, consistent with the definition of “indecent” above. Another FCC document from 2022 refers to 18 U.S.C. Section 1464, which states:
“[W]hoever utters any obscene, indecent, or profane language by means of radio communication shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.”
Same goes for cable under 18 U.S.C. Section 1468(a) and 47 U.S.C. Section 559. While I’ve never heard of it happening, channeling your inner George Carlin on the air could put you in the slammer.
Meanwhile, a YouTube “creator” (I’m using quotes because profanity has been with us for millennia, so dropping F-bombs is not exactly creative) can say whatever and be paid.
Two thoughts here:
First, the world has changed, and if kids can access YouTube on their phones with ease — not to mention porn sites, although that access is being tightened — why are we worried about broadcast? If the laws changed tomorrow, how many radio programmers would go for it? Would someone syndicate an unleashed Howard Stern? And think about news and sports talk hosts who no doubt hold back some of their language. There will always be a market for “clean” entertainment, but a “no-holds-barred” sports talk show on broadcast radio would probably have a following.
Next, the federal law above uses the words “by means of radio communication.” Last I knew, your cell phone operates using “radio communication.” And radio is used by ISPs as well. No, it’s not AM, FM, or DARS band, but it’s radio—although the title of Section 1464 is “Broadcasting obscene language.” The Code of Federal Regulations Title 47 Chapter 1 Subchapter D Part 97 defines “broadcasting” as “Transmissions intended for reception by the general public, either direct or relayed.”
Therefore, if someone wanted to file suit against YouTube or a creator under 18 U.S.C. Section 1464, would they have an argument? The content is “intended for reception by the general public,” even if it’s not exactly aimed at the “general public.” The lawyers and policy experts can think about that one, but wouldn’t the court case be an interesting one if a federal court accepted it?
I’m not a prude and have used more than my fair share of four-letter words, as well as some multi-syllable versions, but I dislike double standards. Radio, television, and cable operate under one set of rules, while online services operate under their own, far more lax, self-imposed rules.
While I don’t see the NAB Board instructing the organization to push for smut on broadcast any time soon—nor do I think Congress will ever rescind the laws noted here—it’s an interesting thought. In the meantime, if your talent is producing content for YouTube, dropping an F-bomb in the first second or two won’t hurt your revenue.
The WWE is an entertainment company. It’s the world’s largest entertainment brand in its own industry. Professional wrestling has never been bigger or more profitable than today because of the business model, reach, and impact that the WWE has built over the last half-century.
This weekend, the WWE put on its first-ever two-night SummerSlam event: twelve total matches over two nights in a near-sold-out MetLife Stadium. Between the body slams and theatrics, the result was a massive win for the WWE. Big business matched with headlines that captured the sports world. Jason Barrett said it best in his column on Monday—professional wrestling is now a part of mainstream sports media.
Through all the memories made this weekend, one stuck out over them all: the return of Brock Lesnar, and the end of WWE holding post-event media scrums. In the age of Unreal, where kayfabe is real life, why are so many irate over a scripted and planned-out press conference?
For those not in the loop, let me set the scene.
Why Is It Important To Know Brock Lesnar’s History
Brock Lesnar is a WWE superstar and a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. He’s been on (and off) the WWE roster since his debut in 2002. Lesnar has not appeared on WWE programming since 2023, when he lost to Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam that year. The reason why wasn’t necessarily in the storyline.
In January 2024, a former WWE employee named Janel Grant sued WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, alleging the wrestling company’s founder took part in sex trafficking and put her through sexual acts that were done with “extreme cruelty and degradation.”
Lesnar is mentioned in the lawsuit as someone McMahon offered sexual encounters to with Grant. Hence why Brock has been missing in action, and McMahon is no longer part of the WWE.
With that background and Grant’s lawsuit still in the court system, it was odd to see Lesnar’s appearance at this weekend’s SummerSlam. The Grant case wasn’t resolved, and Brock’s name had not been reportedly cleared of any wrongdoing.
What’s even more odd is the WWE decided not to hold a post-event press conference that they have done following every premium live event for at least the last two years.
Was this just a matter of timing? Was this planned all along?
This left many on social media puzzled, confused, and very upset. Why would the WWE decide to change course now—especially with a return of this magnitude to the public eye?
Monday, a spokesperson for Janel Grant said this was the WWE attempting to sweep Lesnar’s alleged conduct “under the rug.”
As a frequent viewer of the WWE product, did I find the timing of this decision to be questionable? Yes, I did.
Press Conference or Scene Setter?
However, the post-show press conferences were not designed for hard-hitting questions from real journalists. They were filled with headlines celebrating the success of the event: record attendance, record gate, record social media interactions, etc.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s job is to celebrate the highlights as the content creator that he is. His job is to pivot into storyline without revealing the secret sauce—to provide a ruse while noting the accomplishments of his staff and roster of superstars.
There was one time when Levesque was asked about the allegations in the Grant lawsuit, and he declined to answer, instead choosing to focus on the event and its positives.
Why would last night have been any different?
The WWE is not one to shy away from controversy. They create it for effect.
The WWE is also not shy about speaking with media. They are extremely active, with wrestlers being provided for traditional and non-traditional sports and media outlets all the time. You can’t go a day without seeing something WWE-related on your social media feed or YouTube.
As an entertainment company, you get to choose how you entertain your audience. If the press conferences didn’t provide any additional entertainment from the media who attended, why keep it?
I watched many of those press conferences. There wasn’t much besides attempts to dive into the reasoning of the storyline and favorite foods from the cities that hosted the premium live events.
Are You Not Entertained?
The WWE had to clear Lesnar’s return from Levesque to those higher on the payroll than him. The WWE doesn’t execute anything without proper vetting and preparation. They don’t work day-to-day, as WWE: Unreal has exposed. The WWE works months in advance.
To think the WWE didn’t expect the controversy over ending the press conferences is laughable.
Will Brock Lesnar’s return hurt the business of the WWE? The company is already selling shirts that say “The Beast is Back.”
There has already been outrage over the decision to not share the reason for Lesnar’s return, but at its core, the WWE is an entertainment company. Brock Lesnar is an entertainer who works for the WWE. Brock Lesnar takes orders on the creative story that he’s involved in.
The WWE doesn’t have to tell you why. They just hope you enjoy the story, because it now has your attention. If Seth Rollins faking a knee injury for a month wasn’t evidence enough that sports media can be played like a fiddle, maybe Brock Lesnar’s return to the WWE is just the next fool’s gold for sports media to label Unreal.
It all could just be part of the script.
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.
Sports radio at its core is community connecting through the love of sports. Where broadcasters take listeners on a journey, sharing as a vessel to share their voice on their favorite teams. Few broadcasters can consider themselves a voice for the sport. Then again, few broadcasters present their program like Paul Finebaum on ESPN and the SEC Network.
“This is not something that I thought I would be doing out of college. It’s something that literally happened somewhat accidentally,” said Finebaum. “I take the role as the host very seriously.”
From his roots as an award-winning columnist and investigative reporter, Paul Finebaum has transformed his career from paper to the microphone. For over 30 years, Finebaum has been a leading voice of college football and the Southeastern Conference. Legions of fans found connection through community every time Finebaum opens his mic hosting his program the only way he knows how.
“Unfortunately, radio is often very cookie-cutter. I don’t think I could get a job today if I was looking for one at a radio station,” explained Finebaum. “Most people just don’t get it at first glance. I’m not as loud as the perception. I don’t make as much noise. I don’t offer as many opinions. I just start the show. A lot of people think the first thing, let’s just go to the calls. That’s not really it. I want the people listening to be most comfortable.”
Challenging College Football’s Biggest Stars
Finebaum provides his listeners with honest commentary with no fear of judgment. He’s a believer in his formula for success while keeping an eye on what his peers are doing around him. Finebaum is known as “the voice of the SEC,” which he considers a blessing. Achieving success while utilizing his journalism background to provide an honest assessment of the conference and the sport.
“You can’t make it personal,” Finebaum spoke of how he approaches his critiques. “Coming from the newspaper industry and being a practicing journalist for many years. That’s not something you do. You let your work speak for you. I’ve always tried to do that.”
With the responsibility of the platform he has, Finebaum admits that there are some instances where he receives responses from schools, coaches or players. He even jokes about a response he received from Hall of Fame wrestler Ric Flair, which Finebaum did not respond back out of fear. Finebaum has learned over the years how to avoid responding. Leaning on the wisdom of fellow ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso.
“When you’re wrong, say little,” noted Finebaum’s recollection of Corso’s words. “When you’re right, say less.”
Finebaum has been a mainstay at ESPN for over a decade. He joined the company in 2013 and helped launch the SEC Network in 2014 as one of its main talents. Over the time Finebaum has called ESPN home, he has seen much change in how the network has showcased the sport of college football.
Lee Corso’s College Football Legacy
On August 30, ESPN will be going through another change as Lee Corso will be retiring from his post on College GameDay after nearly 40 years on the network. Finebaum worked alongside Corso and the GameDay crew for one season in 2013 and reflected on Corso’s impact on the sport of college football.
“Lee Corso is maybe the single most impactful person in the history of the medium in relation to college football,” said Finebaum. “He just took a different approach. He gave thoughtful analysis, but he showed the underside of why we love college football. It’s the craziness of it. It’s the fans.”
When news broke of Corso’s retirement, there was much fanfare and respect shown to the former coach turned broadcaster for his impact on the game of college football. There also was a share of criticism for the network allowing Corso to continue being a part of the program as he continued to age, while taking a less on-camera role.
“I can’t tell you how many times in my career I’ve sat around with my friends asking, ‘Why is that guy still doing this?’” said Finebaum, not specifically referencing Corso. “Now here I am, I’m asking myself the question, why am I still doing it? It’s a fair question. I ask friends of mine all the time. Am I okay? You want somebody to tell you.”
Finebaum notes that he feels Corso has done a phenomenal job embracing not just who he is, but what he is. He feels that’s why fans love him more now than before and have grown to love fellow College GameDay co-host Kirk Herbstreit for “taking care of him [Corso] like a son would take care of a father.”
In regard to the final College GameDay episode for Corso, Finebaum hopes the program has all the feels.
“Screw the rundown, make it about Corso,” said Finebaum. “I want to see the love from the fans. I want to see his family. I want that show to end at 11:59:59, and I want to be sitting there in my living room with tears running down my eyes thanking Lee Corso.”
Finebaum on Making an Interview Impactful
Finebaum is preparing for another season of coverage on ESPN and the SEC Network as college football is ever so near. He will continue his weekly appearances on the ESPN weekday programs, all while continuing to host The Paul Finebaum Show daily on the SEC Network and ESPN Radio.
Finebaum launched the Paul Finebaum Radio Network in 2001, and for nearly a quarter-century has provided listeners commentary with depth and interviews that have impact. His style in speaking with his guests is simple: listen and keep your mouth shut.
“I learned early on the worst thing in the world is when somebody said something dramatic and you go, ‘Oh my goodness.’ You don’t want the person on the witness stand who is drowning to realize what they just said. So, you just keep a poker face, and that’s what I do,” explained Finebaum.
With his background in radio and adapting to television over the years, the radio program is simulcast daily on SEC Network. Finebaum finds that most interviews on television don’t go as well or look as good as they should.
“If you’re prepared, you don’t need to read your questions. Too often, and I see this in television, the interviewer is so focused on what he or she is looking at or looking down for the next question that they don’t listen to the answer,” critiqued Finebaum. “I do every interview with no notes. I’m just listening, and I’ll deviate because I’m trying to make the subject comfortable. I want the subject to be the star.”
Knowing What Your Audience Wants Is Paramount
Finebaum has been hosting his daily radio program on ESPN Radio and the SEC Network since the launch of the network in 2014. It has become a daily staple for audiences who enjoy content surrounding Saturdays at the stadium.
Last week, ESPN Radio added Rich Eisen to their weekday lineup beginning in September. Finebaum says he’s “never” been asked about being a part of the weekday lineup and its hundreds of affiliates.
“There was a time when Nick Khan [Finebaum’s former agent] brought it up and he said we have to get you on ESPN Radio. Then one time he came and told me, I don’t think it’s such a good idea, you’re better off in your own space,” Finebaum explained.
Finebaum said he’s always been told by “radio honchos” that his program is too regional for the fit of what ESPN Radio provides.
“The problem with being on that format was, do I really want to talk about Dak Prescott, Aaron Rodgers, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant? As opposed to talking to my callers about things that they love? No, I don’t,” said Finebaum. “ESPN Radio is a great forum, and I’ll leave it to the people that run it to manage it. They don’t need my advice.”
Finebaum on the Future of the Sports Radio Format
Recently, some talents on ESPN have arranged agreements. Branch out to other platforms or gaining more freedoms to create platforms of their own. Finebaum remains satisfied with his role and radio program—albeit he is not hopeful for the future of sports radio.
“Sadly, I think it’s declining just like the numbers indicate. I think it’s like a lot of other things. Once you get to a point, I don’t think you can reverse it,” said Finebaum. “Young people don’t even know there’s a radio in the car or at home. I’m fascinated by the podcasting world, but I think that’s far more relevant than radio. Radio will always have a point. I just hope the people that run radio will continue to embrace talent that matters and not try to be so micromanaging.”
Finebaum referenced the COVID-19 pandemic as a turning point in his career. He never missed hosting his radio program despite the challenges of producing it remotely. Finebaum admitted he was starting to burn out heading into 2020. A forced period of reflection led Finebaum to look inward at the importance of what he was establishing and delivering for his audience.
“I love radio,” noted Finebaum. “My favorite things I’ve ever done were writing and being on radio. Television is fantastic. It’s on everywhere, but radio is so personal. There’s nothing quite like in the afternoon, visualizing as you’re talking or making a point. Whether it’s a rant, phone call, interview, or something else. You’re thinking about that man or woman on the interstate driving home, listening to you with no other distractions other than trying to stay on the road.”
Now at 70 years old, Finebaum is looking ahead to another round of Saturdays in the fall. The goal? Serving the consumer as the vessel to bring a sense of community through the love and passion of college football. With tomorrow never promised, Finebaum says he feels incredibly blessed to be able to continue his work in a way that matters more now than ever before.
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.
Why is it that Adult Contemporary programmers are satisfied with being in the background? Even the brightest consulting peers still preach that the AC station should be like a utility – turn on the switch and leave it.
Our disadvantages are clear – listeners can’t build a playlist like Spotify or shuffle the hour like YouTube’s algorithm.
Here are a handful of examples of products that own the obvious that they share with competitors in their marketing efforts:
Banking
While streaming a show on Hulu over the weekend, the fresh Capital One spot touted “Free Checking” as part of their service. “Free Checking” is a nice brand attribute, but “Free Checking” is also obviously offered at nearly every bank or credit union in the country. Capital One concludes the commercial with “No Overdraft Fees” – a feature also offered by competitors. Marketing the obvious stands out.
Money Management
Nearly everyone has seen at one time or another the spot for Fischer Investments using actual Fischer Investment Advisors. The copy reads, “We’re fiduciaries” and “We do better when you do better.” This is true for all large money management firms. Investment advisors of all types are fiduciaries and do better when the portfolio grows. Fischer Investments is simply pointing it out as a marketing point.
Auto Dealers
A locally owned Subaru has its entire family – including small children – in front of cars in its showroom while the father proclaims, “We never charge a dealer or doc fee, and they never will.” A third example of an obvious service is that if a dealer DOES charge you for this service, it’s mostly negotiable during the transition—a marketing point for this Subaru dealer.
Contractors proclaim, “Free Estimates” (zero reputable contractors charge for an estimate), tire stores offering “Free Balancing for Life” (every tire provider offers this service) and even Jimmy John’s offers “Free Smells.” Well – you get it.
Here’s the point.
As AC brands, we stay humble in our presentation without crowing loudly or beating our collective chests with self-promotion.
There is a way to point out the unique service we provide without hubris.
Here are a few examples for radio:
Free Service
Radio is free everywhere. In mid-Missouri, Zimmer Communications brilliantly puts this line in their imaging. “A FREE SERVICE of Zimmer Communications.” Emerging and established audio competition charge a premium for advanced services, as most free price point choices are saddled with limitations. Satellite, with the exception of the occasional weekday, charges nearly $25 a month for its premium service. Champion radio’s free option.
Portable
Radio can go anywhere if you have a ‘true radio.’ Every city in the top 250 U.S. markets has radio station service. While there remain significant cell and Wi-Fi holes in America. Digital offerings struggle to reach remote vacation beaches, valleys in the western states, and certain buildings without reliable internet service. Promote radio’s portability.
Exclusivity
If you were brave enough to build a Secret Weapon Category in your Music Matrix, as we urged in this piece last fall. Point out that the Secret Weapon title is unique to your brand. Example – “Here’s a Song Only Heard On (station – title – artist)”. Post-promote the title and build music promos to enhance the image. Examples for AC Radio include Balance – “Breaking Away”, Swing Out Sister – “Breakout” and Berlin’s “No More Words.” Own radio’s exclusivity.
Choice
Your listener has made a deliberate move to choose your brand. Take credit for that choice. Most of our AC products reference midday or at-work listening as the main choice. Morning shows are second, followed by specialty at-night or weekend programming. Promote that choice with regularity. Example – “Your Choice for Daily At-Work Music” or “The (market) First Choice for Music Midmorning, at Lunchtime and Early Afternoons.” Advertise radio’s choice.
Cross Promotion
Here’s a category where AC Radio gets beaten by Satellite. SiriusXM hourly promotes another channel of their vast menu, either through recorded promos or with the air talent. Identify the unique selling proposition of your cluster mates and discuss it in relation to your brand. In the car, listeners will change their station for a myriad of reasons. Give listeners a reason to stay in your cluster. Our clients often cross-promote professional, college or high school sports on other cluster stations. Same with large-scale events. Or simply tell them where to find Rock or Alternative in your cluster. Pitch radio’s cross-promotion.
The audio world is crowded, noisy and exploding. Adult Contemporary radio doesn’t need to shout to be heard. Promoting obvious uniqueness without arrogance will sit well with your listener.
AC Radio’s strength is the authenticity of air talent and the consistency that the listener knows to expect. And a deep connection through format longevity. Focusing on the listener first with promotion projects loyalty through substance – not flash.
Self-promotion executed with sincerity resonates with the AC listener more than hype ever could.
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.
Helping talent connect with an audience is, in my opinion, the most critical role a program director needs to perform in order to win!
Yes, getting the music dialed in is still the basis of the Programming Pyramid, but maybe that pyramid needs to have the bottom block labeled MUSIC & TALENT and have one less layer?
In our fragmented media world, personality and connection are the secret sauce that sets radio apart from streaming services. Coaching talent to build real, lasting listener relationships starts with authenticity, clarity of purpose, and intentional storytelling.
Well-crafted bits, recurring segments, listener interaction, social integration, and authenticity are what keep listeners coming back day after day. If a listener misses the music, they can stream it on demand. But if they miss a funny, heartfelt, or timely moment from their favorite show, they feel left out of the conversation.
The Hot AC Opportunity
Yes, developing a content-driven morning show is not only the future for Hot AC, but it is becoming essential for long-term relevance and audience growth. Operators and programmers should also consider approaching PM Drive shows the same way.
In a media environment flooded with streaming services and podcasts, Hot AC stations can no longer compete solely on the basis of the right music. A compelling, personality-led morning show, rooted in original, relatable, and local content, is a powerful differentiator.
Content-rich shows are brand builders. They create moments that can be clipped, shared, and monetized across digital platforms. Stations can drive podcast spin-offs, video content, and social media engagement from what happens live in the morning.
This multi-platform approach not only reaches new audiences but also attracts advertisers seeking more immersive opportunities. The key is balancing structure and spontaneity. Hot AC listeners value consistency, but they also crave personality and surprise. A well-coached, creative team that understands its target demo can deliver lifestyle-driven content without going into shock jock territory.
Coaching That Builds Connection
So, you’ve identified your players. How do you get them to where you want them? Well, coach, put on your hat and whistle (be careful how many times you blow that thing!)
First, emphasize the importance of authenticity. Listeners are quick to spot a phony. Encourage them to show who they are, flaws, quirks, passions, and all. The most engaging hosts sound like a real person sitting in the car next to the listener. They don’t perform atthe audience, they relate to the audience. The key is helping talent identify what makes them unique and develop ways to share those things naturally on air.
Next, stress the power of knowing your audience. Everyone has heard that you are not talking to a crowd but talking to one person. You, the Programmer/Coach, need to help them develop a “target listener”—a composite of the ideal audience member. What are they into? What stresses them out? What makes them laugh?
If you have the studio space, allowing your morning or afternoon teams to decorate that space that makes it feel more like their clubhouse and not just the studio for all. Even if you do not have that kind of studio space, encourage them to bring a few personal pictures in daily that can achieve the same results. Then, coach the talent to speak directly to that one person every time they open the mic. When the audience feels like the host is talking just to them, connection happens.
Focus on Storytelling, Brevity, and Interaction
Another powerful coaching tool is storytelling. Stories are how we relate to each other and how we remember information. Teach talent to share personal stories with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The goal is to be emotionally resonant and relatable.
Stories don’t have to be epic. A quick anecdote about a frustrating morning commute, a funny moment with a pet, or an awkward encounter at the grocery store can do more to build a connection than a long rant or monologue.
Also, teach brevity with impact. Listeners are distracted. Encourage talent to lead with the “what’s in it for me” element early in a break. Hook the listener with a strong open line, get to the point quickly, and deliver with energy. Long-winded setups lose listeners.
Challenge talent to self-edit. Record their breaks and coach them on trimming unnecessary words. Don’t forget, connection isn’t just about talking; it’s also about reacting, adapting, and feeding off audience input. Encourage talent to invite calls, texts, or social media messages and respond meaningfully on air.
Show Up, Stay Consistent, Keep Growing
When listeners feel heard, they become loyal. Use that feedback to fuel future content and conversations. Lastly, drive home the importance of consistency and presence. A host who shows up with the same energy, tone, and attitude builds trust every day.
Listeners come to rely on familiar voices, so coach your talent to be consistently “them.” That doesn’t mean being repetitive; it means being reliably relatable. When a host feels like a daily companion, the emotional connection deepens.
Regular airchecks are vital. When you have “team” shows, you should meet daily with them for any critical updates, even if that is just a quick five-minute conversation, and then at least once per week have a formal session to review an aircheck.
Focus on growth, not criticism. Highlight what’s working before addressing what needs improvement. I always felt it was better to approach these sessions, giving talent just one or two key improvements you are looking for them to accomplish. Coaching talent to connect means coaching them to be real, intentional, and listener-focused.
Great radio isn’t just heard, it’s felt!
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.
Morning Show Boot Camp 37 kicks off Thursday in Austin. As part of our Countdown to Morning Show Boot Camp series, we spoke with event founder Don Anthony yesterday, who described it as “created by talent for talent.”
Today, we’re exploring the perspectives of some attendees to understand what they’re expecting and hoping to gain from this year’s gathering.
First-Time Attendee Ready to Connect and Learn
Mark “Hawkeye” Louis, co-host of Hawkeye in the Morning on New Country 96.3 in Dallas/Fort Worth, will be attending in person for the first time.
“I attended virtually during the pandemic. During their stop in Dallas in 2023, I signed up but got COVID,” said Hawkeye. “I am excited to finally get to go in person and am looking forward to sharing programming ideas. We don’t often get a chance to listen to other shows, and I’m excited to see how others execute.”
A Creative Reset for Content Leaders
For Throwback Brands CEO Tony Lorino, the event serves as a valuable reset.
“Morning Show Boot Camp is a great ‘reset’ for me on the content creator side each year. I always bring a list of questions about how people are doing what they’re doing, and what they’re finding success with, so I can get some feedback on some of the concepts I’m trying to implement with our shows,” said Lorino. “This is one of the great conferences where the ‘we all learn from each other’ mantra is in full effect — so I encourage people to take that route.”
Tony Lorino Throwback Brands
Uniting All Corners of the Radio Industry
Rob Mack, Operations Manager at Bryan Broadcasting, appreciates that the event brings together radio professionals across experience levels and market sizes.
“I love conferences like this as it brings together folks of all talent levels and market sizes. You’ve got people with 30 years of major market morning experience, sharing the air with people looking for their first shot on a morning show somewhere,” Mack explained. “While the name of the event is ‘Morning Show Boot Camp,’ there’s absolutely value in this for anyone in the radio industry. Whether you do mornings, middays, afternoons, programming, etc.”
Rob Mack Bryan Broadcasting
Scholarship Opportunity Opens Doors
This year, Lorino is also celebrating a new addition to the event.
“I’m also excited to welcome our Throwback Scholarship winner, Tonya Haze from NRG Media in Central Wisconsin, to this year’s event. Chris Cruise of Throwback 2K championed the idea of giving an all-expense-paid trip to the Morning Show Boot Camp conference to someone who hadn’t attended it before, and we received an overwhelming response. To see Tonya have that opportunity to learn and grow — and see other first-timers attend, learn, and grow — is something I’m excited about.”
Overcoming Fear and Embracing Camaraderie
Like most radio gatherings, camaraderie is a major draw. Lorino encourages attendees to make the most of it by engaging with others.
“The most important thing is to throw ‘fear’ out the window when it comes to approaching people,” says Lorino. “Most of the people in our business, and especially those at Morning Show Boot Camp, want to interact and engage with others, and share their knowledge to help you succeed. If there’s someone whose content you’ve seen online, or whose name you’ve heard of, walk up and say ‘HI!’”
Anthony echoed that sentiment.
“We always tell people the biggest event at our camp is around the bars at night. Not because of drinking, but because of the conversations,” he said. “They usually chase our groups out of the bars, because they’ll spend hours just talking shop.”
Tips for Getting the Most from the Experience
Mack also offered practical advice for those attending.
“A few things…take notes! You will forget things. You want to retain as many things as possible that you learn so you can implement them on your radio station when you get back,” he said.
“Also, introduce yourself. If you see someone not talking to anyone, invite them into a conversation, or strike up a conversation with them. Talk to people who are in the positions you aspire to be in. Talk to the newbies who are attending their first conference. This is a wonderful networking opportunity for all levels of our industry.”
And lastly, Rob has a tip with a smile.
“My co-workers will laugh reading this…bring a water bottle. Lots of talking, you’ll be thirsty quickly. I’m known to ALWAYS have a water bottle next to me, 24/7…so of course I’d say that.”
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By all accounts, NBC News made a bold move in handing over the reins of NBC Nightly News to Tom Llamas. Replacing Lester Holt — who has long been regarded as one of the most trusted figures in American journalism — is no small task.
In fact, it’s the kind of decision that could have rocked the foundation of a flagship newscast. We’ve seen it happen already this year, as Norah O’Donnell departed CBS Evening News and the ratings continually sank for months on end.
To begin the year, CBS News averaged 5.2 million viewers in the nightly newscast ratings. They slumped to as low as 3.6 million — coincidentally Holt’s final week at NBC Nightly News — and approached that yearly low again during the week of July 21st.
And yet, NBC News should be nothing short of encouraged by what’s happened since the transition: essentially, nothing. No real viewer exodus, no gigantic ratings erosion, and no identity crisis. Tom Llamas hasn’t just filled Lester Holt’s shoes — he’s made the network’s leadership look incredibly smart for trusting him with the job.
To understand why this matters, you have to appreciate the position Holt held. For years, he wasn’t just the face of NBC Nightly News. He was a symbol. He represented the calm, consistency, and credible news anchor that viewers covet.
While network news may not carry the cultural clout it once did, the anchor desk at 30 Rock still holds weight, particularly among viewers looking for a trusted voice to make sense of the day’s chaos. Holt was that voice. When polls came out listing the most trusted names in television news, his name was consistently at the top. So, any change — no matter how carefully orchestrated — came with the risk of alienating a deeply loyal audience.
That’s what makes Llamas’ early tenure so impressive. Not because he’s reinvented the newscast or brought in some flashy new approach, but because the audience hasn’t blinked. He’s steady. He’s polished. He understands the rhythms of network news, and perhaps most importantly, he seems to understand that NBC Nightly News doesn’t need to be reimagined; it just needs to be respected. The formula still works. Llamas is simply proving that he’s capable of executing it.
Transitions like this rarely happen without some form of disruption. Audiences are creatures of habit. They grow accustomed to certain voices, certain styles, and certain cadences. Comfort is as important as content in these spaces. It’s easy to lose that with even the most subtle shift in tone. But what NBC News has done is manage this handoff in a way that doesn’t feel jarring. Llamas slides in with a natural presence. He doesn’t mimic Holt, nor does he attempt to drastically differentiate himself. He delivers the news—clearly, confidently, and credibly. And right now, that’s enough.
There’s a broader lesson here for network executives, too. Often, the instinct is to overcorrect when a legacy figure departs. Networks get anxious. They look to inject youth, style, or some form of disruptive energy into their programming, fearing that continuity equals stagnation. NBC News didn’t go down that road. It didn’t even make much of a spectacle out of the transition. It made a smart, measured choice — and then it let Llamas do his job. That patience is paying off.
Some might argue that it’s too early to claim success. I can understand that point of view, truthfully. But the very absence of chaos speaks volumes. In today’s media environment, where every anchor change is scrutinized and second-guessed, silence is often the best indicator of success. The fact that NBC Nightly News is still holding firm in its role as a dependable evening newscast — albeit in second place behind ABC World News Tonight with David Muir — suggests that viewers have accepted, and perhaps even embraced, Llamas in the role.
Logically, if there were going to be turmoil and ratings issues, they’d happen immediately after the transition and not months or even years later, correct?
It also helps that Llamas isn’t a stranger to the audience. His work on weekends and as a correspondent has given him a leg up in the familiarity department. That familiarity, paired with the newsroom’s consistent tone and presentation, has made for a transition that feels more like evolution than disruption.
Of course, this is still Lester Holt’s legacy in many ways. The credibility he built didn’t vanish when he stepped aside. It lingers in the DNA of the newscast. But that’s also what makes Llamas’ early success notable. He hasn’t just benefited from the structure Holt helped build, he’s shown he can sustain it.
NBC News now finds itself in an enviable position. It has proven that it can hand off its most iconic brand that prominently featured its best news asset without the kind of fallout that’s plagued other networks during similar transitions. It has a host in Tom Llamas who appears committed to the core values of the broadcast, rather than chasing viral moments or theatrical delivery. And it has an audience that, if not openly applauding the change, at the very least hasn’t rejected it.
For a network navigating a rapidly changing media landscape, that’s a win. In fact, it’s more than a win—it’s a validation of institutional trust. Because if viewers were really tuning in just for Lester Holt, they would have left. They didn’t. They’re still there. And that means they were tuning in for NBC Nightly News—for the brand, the reporting, and the standards that define it.
Tom Llamas is proving he can be the next steward of that tradition. And that’s something NBC News should feel extremely good about.
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In these sleepy days of August, it is time to review news writing for your radio station. This includes news, sports, traffic, and weather reports. Considering that colleges teach news writing from a print, TV, or public radio bias, that approach doesn’t work for your radio presentation. It is all about storytelling.
It also needs to be short and quick. Your news stories must avoid irrelevant information. Sports reports have the same issue, and many examples I hear are filled with the same problems as news. Traffic reports sometimes focus too much on wrecks. Weather reports sometimes ignore the real reason why they exist in the age of dozens, if not hundreds, of weather apps. Why should radio stations still broadcast these reports?
Your news talk station must be a trusted voice in your community for news. Your listeners likely have a very low opinion of TV stations and newspapers. While your radio station’s news must be fair and down the middle, you must bring facts often ignored by local media. Fox News has built its news brand around a couple of concepts: fair and balanced. This does not include the opinion shows on the network. But, if you notice, opinions differing from the editorial bent of the network are often offered. Fox News frequently criticizes President Trump in their news. It doesn’t seem to hurt Fox News at all.
In fact, it makes them more credible. MSNBC and CNN infrequently criticized the Obama and Biden administrations. I don’t care how much you like any president—mistakes are always made. There are so many moving parts to any administration that some things don’t go well. Be factual. No matter what. Once a news department loses the trust of listeners, readers, and viewers, it is tough to earn that trust back. So, your news department must tell the truth. Facts matter, and even if there is blowback, ultimately your news department will be proven correct.
Our universities are turning out journalism graduates who have professors from print and television. The radio instruction that is taught is focused on public radio. Every j-school graduate that I have hired needs to be reprogrammed. There are many journalism schools that teach about social media, which can be quite helpful for any radio news department.
So, here are the brief instructions that I give to my news people: No story longer than three lines. Biggest details first. Governmental processes are the least important facts—don’t lead with governmental actions like, “There is a meeting tonight,” or, “Police arrested someone.” We don’t need to know about how much bail is. Story rotation is a fallacy. Biggest stories first. Your audience is likely completely different from 30 minutes ago. Lead with the biggest stories. If you have small stories, rotate those after the big stories. Pay attention to telling a story—yes, in three lines.
Sports reports are frequently just scores and previews of the next games. The scores are really not that important. The chronic gamblers in your audience already know whether they won or lost bets on the Twins/White Sox game last night. Sports is a quick summary of what is going on. My community focuses on Mizzou, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the St. Louis Cardinals. There is a very limited appeal to prep sports unless it is a state tournament.
Traffic reports are important for one big reason—they prove that people at the radio station are focused on what is going on in their community. Depending on your community, if there is a big tractor-trailer wreck on the drive home, it is the biggest story of the day. I have instructed local shows to focus completely on a big wreck in morning or afternoon drive if there is a main artery clogged by the accident. Even if the traffic is smooth, that’s great news. Talk about the positives.
Weather reports—yes, you can get the weather on demand at any time through Alexa or on your phone. But weather reports prove that you are focused on the community. Your station may have a weather partner in Accuweather, a local TV station, or another service. I heard a smaller weather service spend time on the light breeze from the southwest at 5–10 miles per hour. Yeah, the only time people are interested in wind velocity is when it’s a 60 mph gust.
In the old news/talk field, news, sports, weather, and traffic are cume builders that fuel the time spent listening machine from talk shows. A robust information infrastructure is essential to our mission. When it comes to news, sports, weather, and traffic, it is sometimes difficult to rationalize the return on investment. I argue that the information expenses are some of the most important dollars in your budget. Any news/talk radio station is expected to have the biggest stories of the moment. It is like the music station in your building ignoring the biggest hits. News/talk stations’ hits are the biggest things happening in the community.
Figure out ways to accentuate these service elements. If you are the program director, work with your station’s market manager, sales manager, and sales team to make sure that money is attached to every report. Mr. or Ms. PD, if your information team is making money, they will never be cut. What is the minimum ROI for any item on your station? Is it five times the cost? I don’t know, but you probably have the information. Make sure that your information team cannot be cut when bean counters are trying to save money.
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Forex trading is arguably more accessible than it has ever been, but this accessibility can sometimes be problematic for people who find it hard to gain a footing in the ecosystem. The rise of online retail trading has led to the creation and growth of trading forums, communities, and ecosystems. These communities may sometimes be based on location, currency pairs, liquidity, or risk tolerance. Sometimes they form organically or are the brainchild of a popular figure or organization in the space.
Pros of Trading Communities
There are opportunities and possibilities affiliated with online forex trading communities. Many traders got their big break through spaces where people shared tips, advice, and relevant resources with members. If you can find a great collective as a rookie trader, it can help set your brokerage career up for success. Alternatively, a great way to ensure you continue growing while aiding the development of upcoming professionals is by cultivating a community of people who trust each other and share relevant knowledge and tips. You can do a lot as a lone broker, but you achieve much more when you help others develop alongside you.
Loyalty
Imagine creating a tight-knit online space for forex professionals who need an extra source of income. At first, it only consists of a handful of people who most likely know each other and are at different stages of their journey. These people begin helping each other grow while also developing new and better market strategies. Traders are more likely to stick together and continue providing help if they started off together. When you create a tight-knit community that provides value and grows slowly, you’ll be surprised by how loyal members will be to each other and you.
Retention
People stick around when they receive measurable value from groups and communities. Most professionals who launch online spaces often complain about retention. Unfortunately, many fail to identify where the major problem stems from – people not getting enough value to justify the costs. When members constantly get access to resources, analysis, and investment advice, they’ll be more likely to pay for access and continue renewing when necessary. Retention is a function of loyalty, and it is earned through service, value, and growth.
Growth
How do you grow your forex collective from a space where you and people share ideas to somewhere people from around the globe are eager to access? Some professionals and “influencers” in the space elect to run ads or offer perks to join, but the more successful communities focus on value. This motivates loyalty, and loyalty drives high retention. When people are gaining considerable value, they’ll tell others about it, prompting interest in joining your space. The best type of advertisement is the one you do not need to pay for, and those that occur independently and organically.
Potential Cons of Trading Communities
Forex trading’s growth over the last few years brought about an unwanted and unfortunate reality in the space: people taking advantage of the naivety and desperation of rookie traders. The number of spaces and groups run by people with limited knowledge and experience in the space is astounding. Some “traders” are only interested in building a following so they can monetize their follower base, often to the detriment of members. Some foreign exchange grifters start out with the right intentions, but get corrupted by wealth along the way – some sums are too massive to turn down.
Pushing Bad Products and Services to Members
The finance ecosystem is filled with services and businesses that are more interested in taking money from as many people as possible instead of offering value. Some of these companies look at online trading ecosystems as a way to push questionable products and offerings. Group administrators and leaders sometimes choose to work with such entities because of the financial perks. There are too many examples of such nefarious actions from people who are supposed to have the best interests of members at heart.
Limited Knowledge
The algorithms of the different social media platforms work in mysterious ways. Every now and then, someone new bursts onto the forex scene, and we see them everywhere. These people ride the wave to build follower bases before the general public notices that they know next to nothing. Creators like this often target newbies in the space or convince outsiders to consider retail foreign exchange as a side hustle. It can be painful to watch creators that offer great value barely get “love” from social media algorithms, while those that can go viral get all the attention.
The Future of Forex Trading
The last few years have brought about a shift in the way people consider online trading and finance communities. Traders are demanding more value and accountability from the people who present themselves as leaders within the space. If you’re planning to run a forex trading ecosystem, you must be ready to deliver value and go the extra mile.
