Bryan “B-Dub” Washington is picking up afternoons at 98.7 The Bull KUPL Portland with a local version of “B-Dub Radio.”
The show will air weekdays from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.
“B-Dub” said, “I got my start in Country radio at KUPL back in 2010, so stepping back into the studio at 98.7 The Bull live, local, and loud every afternoon truly feels like coming home. We’ve been looking for the right flagship, and Portland isn’t just where it all started; it’s where we’re planting the flag and building the future. I’m excited to elevate the content on all levels with this opportunity.”
Alpha Media EVP/Content Phil Becker commented, “B-Dub is one of Country radio’s premiere talents. This move represents exactly what today’s strongest brands are built on. Creativity, connection, and community. Having him live every afternoon is a major win for The Bull and a smart example of how local and national content can complement each other when you’re willing to rethink the traditional model.”
98.7 The Bull also announced this week the addition of Jamie Tanchyk to middays. (BMM 7/22)
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Ozzy Osbourne, one of the most iconic rock performers of all time, has passed away at the age of 76.
His passing comes less than three weeks after Black Sabbath reunited for his retirement performance. It marked the band’s first performance together since 2005.
Osbourne’s family released this statement.
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
No cause of death was listed, although Osbourne had been suffering the effects of Parkinson’s.
95.5 KLOS Los Angeles Afternoon host Nik Carter told Barrett Media.
“One of my favorite pictures is Ozzy almost taking my eye out with a trophy. He was pretending to strangle me. I got called by two news channels trying to put this loss into context. There really is no context.”
“This is a guy who had multiple second acts from Sabbath in the 70s through his 80s superstardom. To the ’90s and early ’00s, where he became the bumbling reality TV show dad. Almost a new version of the Addams Family. He just became warm and cuddly.”
“It’s an incalculable loss for me.”
Photo Courtesy Nik Carter
Rock Radio reacted to his passing on social media.
NPR Editor-in-Chief and acting Chief Content Officer Edith Chapin has announced plans to step away from the public radio network later this year.
The announcement of her departure comes days after Congress voted to remove more than $1 billion in federal funding designated for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, which would have been sent to NPR and PBS.
In a memo to staffers, Chapin said that it was her decision to exit the outlet, and was not related to the elimination of funding. She said she told CEO Katherine Maher more than two weeks ago about her decision.
“I have had two big executive jobs for two years, and I want to take a break. I want to make sure my performance is always top-notch for the company,” Chapin said.
Edith Chapin originally joined NPR in 2012, after previously working at CNN as chief international editor. In 2023, then CEO John Lansing elevated her to interim Chief Content Officer, continuing to hold that title today. When offered the position on a full-time basis, Chapin declined, stating that someone better suited for the needs of the network should be hired.
“It’s not a good time to do it, but it’s never a good time,” Chapin told NPR’s David Folkenflik of her decision to leave. “I needed to pick a date and share my decision.”
She added that she expects to stay with the organization until either September or October.
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iHeartMedia Pittsburgh and the Steelers Audio Network announced a major shift in their game day broadcast lineup Tuesday, as former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion Max Starks will take over as the network’s new color commentator.
Starks replaces former offensive lineman turned radio broadcaster Craig Wolfley, who passed away at the age of 66 earlier this year after he took over the Steelers radio analyst chair on the radio broadcasts beginning in 2022.
Starks, who has served as a sideline analyst for the Steelers Radio Network since 2021, will now join veteran play-by-play voice Rob King in the broadcast booth for the 2025 season. The move gives listeners a familiar voice in a new role, continuing the organization’s tradition of pairing expert football analysis with trusted game coverage.
“Max brings a championship mindset, deep football knowledge, and an authentic connection with Steelers Nation,” said iHeartMedia Pittsburgh Market President Bobbie Loesch. “His transition from the sideline to the booth is a natural progression, and we’re confident that fans will love the insight and energy he brings to every broadcast.”
The broadcasting shuffle keeps Missi Matthews on the sidelines, where she’ll continue to deliver in-depth reporting throughout game day broadcasts.
In addition to their game day responsibilities, Starks and King will co-host In The Locker Room, Presented by Neighborhood Ford Store. The show airs weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon during the season on Steelers Nation Radio and FOX Sports Pittsburgh (970 AM).
Starks expressed gratitude for the opportunity and respect for those who previously held the position.
“I am honored to move from the sidelines into the booth for our game day broadcasts,” said Starks. “There is a long and proud history that I look forward to continuing. I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for the men who preceded me, and I hope to bring the same level of excitement and insight that Steelers fans have come to expect.”
The Steelers Audio Network continues to expand its footprint, offering game day coverage and original programming across multiple platforms. In addition to 102.5 WDVE and Fox Sports Pittsburgh, fans can access content via the Steelers mobile app, iHeartRadio, Steelers Nation Radio, and both the team and station websites.
As iHeartMedia continues to dominate the Pittsburgh market with its multi-platform reach, this latest move underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing the listener experience while staying true to the city’s football roots.
With a former Super Bowl champion now joining the booth full-time, the broadcast team adds a voice that not only knows what it takes to win in Pittsburgh—but also knows how to bring that story to life on the air.
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Fox News continually finishes as the most-watched cable network, and has recently topped broadcast networks in the ratings. But data from Pew Research shows just how trusted the brand is among self-identified Republicans.
56% of Republicans and “Republican-leaning independents” said they trust Fox News, according to Pew Research. Meanwhile, 21% of those identifying similarly said that they distrust the network.
Other outlets and programs barely reached half as much support as Fox News did from those respondents. For instance, 31% said they trust The Joe Rogan Experience, while broadcast networks like ABC News (26%), NBC News (25%), and CBS News (23%) saw small support. Overall, no outlet other than Fox News received more than 33% support from Republicans when asked about trust levels in media.
A majority of self-identified Republicans — 57% — said they regularly get news from Fox, which is far higher than other sources.
On the flip side, those who labeled themselves as Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents distrusted Fox News more than any other outlet. 64% said they did not trust the network, which more than tripled the 19% who said they did trust it. Liberal Democrats were far more likely to say they distrusted the network at 78%, while 54% of conservative or moderate Democrats responded similarly.
Those same respondents were more likely to trust Joe Rogan (40%) than Republicans. Meanwhile, Democrats surveyed were more likely to trust Breitbart News (26%), the New York Post (25%), and Newsmax (23%) than they were to trust Fox News.
Despite the distrust, 18% of Democrats said they regularly watch Fox News. That figure is identical to The Washington Post.
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Borrell Associates has revised its revenue forecasts for a variety of media, including AM/FM Radio, and the picture looks especially bright in several areas.
During a Tuesday webinar, the company shared that it was adjusting projections for Out of Home, streaming video/over-the-top streaming, and streaming audio/podcasting by several hundred million dollars in some cases, while upping the forecast by billions in others.
In the Out of Home advertising category, Borrell Associates adjusted its forecast from being between $5.5 to $6 billion between 2025 and 2028 to rising to $6.5 billion by 2029.
Meanwhile, the streaming video and OTT will now see nearly $35 billion in 2029, up from the just under $30 billion projected by 2028. The 2025 project was scheduled for just under $25 billion, which has now been raised to more roughly $27 billion.
Streaming audio/podcasting saw a sharp increase in its forecasting. The previous projections from Borrell Associates showed that the industry would see a rising revenue increase from $1.3 billion in 2025 to over $1.5 billion in 2028.
The new projection shows that figure rising from $1.3 billion in 2025 to just under $2 billion in 2029.
AM/FM radio was the only medium that was projected to see a revenue decrease. That decrease, however, has been revised to be less steep than originally believed.
While the medium was originally expected to see $6.5 billion in total advertising in 2025, which rivals the lows it saw in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the drop-off in later years has decreased. Originally forecast to drop to $6 billion by 2028, the new projections show that the revenue is leveling out and remaining at roughly $6.5 billion through 2029.
In 2025, the new projections show $7 billion in revenue for the AM/FM Radio industry.
Corey Elliott, the Executive Vice President of Local Market Intelligence at Borrell Associates, shared that the forecast for radio has changed because of the work being done by the medium’s sellers and sales leaders.
“It’s still declining, but at a slower rate,” Elliott said. “We believe that’s because radio is doing a good job bundling digital and radio sales with community-focused advertisers. That’s the reason radio isn’t falling off a cliff. They’re working hard out there — God bless them.”
Another interesting data point shared by Borrell Associates was that many marketers question how they have applied their advertising budget.
41% shared that they believe they are “spending an appropriate amount” with their marketing budge, while 59% responded they are unsure. 30% estimated that they were “probably understanding”, with an addition 14% stating they were “probably overspending”, with 15% responding by saying they didn’t know whether they were overspending, underspending, or spending the correct amount.
Local Advertisers also believed that search engine marketing provided the most effective advertising platform. 51% called it either very or extremely effective, while 48% said social media met the same threshold. Streaming video/OTT was at 44%, while Cable TV and Broadcast TV each rested at 35%, respectively. AM/FM Radio was last in the rankings, with only 34% saying they felt the medium was a very or extremely effective use of their advertising budgets.
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ESPN, ABC, and Disney+ delivered viewership numbers that saw declines from the previous year, but still finished respectable for their coverage of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend. The network group saw large audiences for both Friday night’s Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest and Saturday’s main event — the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game.
Friday night’s broadcast of the WNBA Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest on ESPN averaged 1.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched edition of those events in league history. The number represents an 89% increase over last year’s telecast, a staggering year-over-year jump that signals momentum for the league and its media partners. The programming was the most-viewed program across all television in primetime among adults 18-34 as well as persons under 35.
Saturday night’s WNBA All-Star Game averaged 2.2 million viewers across ABC, ESPN+, and Disney+, according to Nielsen data. That figure marks a 158% increase compared to the 2023 game and earned the title of the most-watched program across all of television that night.
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark did not participate in the All-Star Game this year due to injury, which impacted the viewership for the contest. The 2025 viewership was down 36% from last year’s game in which Clark and her All-Star teammates played the US Women’s Olympic team. Last year’s game drew 3.4 million as far as viewership, but the 2025 showcase still becomes the second most-watched WNBA All-Star Game of all time, trailing only the last year’s contest.
It should be noted that the 2023 All-Star Game drew 850,000 viewers, but Clark was still playing at the University of Iowa. The 2025 contest is only the second in WNBA history to draw more than 2 million viewers.
These numbers continue a trend of year-over-year growth for the WNBA and highlight the importance of multi-platform distribution. Additionally, the upward trajectory aligns with a larger movement around women’s sports. Increased investment, broader accessibility, and a commitment to storytelling have all helped to boost visibility for the WNBA in particular.
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Local news outlets face mounting challenges in maintaining financial sustainability amid the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Subscription-based models and adaptive payment platforms have emerged as crucial solutions to these challenges. By embracing flexible payment options, these outlets are tapping into new revenue streams and enhancing user engagement.
The digital era has brought myriad challenges for local news outlets, primarily revolving around financial sustainability. With traditional advertising revenue dwindling and readers increasingly opting for free online content, local media must rethink its revenue strategies. Innovation is essential as these outlets strive to maintain their role as vital sources of information in their communities. One such innovation is adopting subscription-based models, which offer a more predictable income stream while fostering a deeper connection with readers.
Transition to adaptive payment platforms
The shift towards adaptive payment platforms represents a significant development in how local news outlets monetize their content. These platforms are designed to provide a seamless user experience, allowing readers to subscribe or purchase content using various payment methods easily. This adaptability enhances user convenience and opens up new avenues for monetization. By integrating diverse payment options, news outlets can cater to a broader audience with varying preferences and financial capabilities.
Adaptive payment platforms enable microtransactions, allowing readers to pay for individual articles or sections rather than committing to full subscriptions. This flexibility can attract occasional readers who long-term subscription commitments might deter. It also empowers users to support journalism that directly resonates with their interests, fostering a more personalized and engaging reader experience.
Furthermore, these adaptive platforms often incorporate sophisticated analytics tools that help news outlets better understand reader behavior and preferences. Publishers can make data-driven decisions about their content strategy and pricing models by tracking engagement metrics, payment patterns, and content consumption habits. This intelligence enables them to optimize their offerings, improve retention rates and identify opportunities for revenue growth through targeted content development and personalized subscription packages.
Benefits of offering flexible payment solutions
Offering diverse payment options, including the ability to buy BTC and make payments with it, enables local news outlets to expand their reach and appeal to a wider audience base. Flexible payment solutions remove barriers for potential subscribers who may have specific preferences or restrictions regarding how they wish to pay for content.
This flexibility extends beyond just accommodating different currencies; it also involves adapting pricing structures based on user behavior and preferences. Dynamic pricing models allow publishers to adjust costs according to demand or reader engagement levels, optimizing revenue potential without alienating price-sensitive consumers.
Ultimately, providing multiple payment methods fosters inclusivity by ensuring that all prospective subscribers have access regardless of their preferred financial tools or geographic location. As global connectivity increases through digital platforms, this inclusive approach proves financially and socially beneficial, strengthening bonds between journalists and audiences worldwide!
Subscription-based models
Subscription-based models have become increasingly vital for sustaining local news outlets in the current digital landscape. These models provide a steady revenue stream that supports journalistic endeavors while reducing reliance on volatile advertising markets. For readers, subscriptions offer access to exclusive content and insights often unavailable through free channels.
The success of subscription-based models hinges on the value proposition offered to subscribers. Local news outlets must ensure that their content remains relevant, timely and engaging to justify the subscription cost. This often involves investing in high-quality journalism and offering unique perspectives that differentiate them from larger national publications.
Moreover, offering tiered subscription plans can cater to different audience segments, from casual readers seeking general news updates to avid consumers looking for in-depth analyses and investigative reporting. By tailoring subscription options, local news outlets can maximize their reach and revenue potential while fostering stronger community ties.
In conclusion, as the digital age continues to reshape the media landscape, local news outlets must adapt to survive. By transitioning to adaptive payment platforms, offering flexible payment solutions and embracing subscription-based models, they can secure their place in the industry. These innovative strategies not only enhance the user experience but also provide a sustainable revenue stream, ensuring that quality journalism thrives in the digital era. While the challenges are significant, the opportunities for growth and engagement are equally promising, making this an exciting time for local news organizations.
Former NFL tight end and FOX Sports NFL analyst Greg Olsen isn’t pretending the arrival of Tom Brady didn’t shake up his role at the network—but he’s not bitter about it either. Appearing on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, Olsen addressed what it’s been like moving to FOX’s second broadcast team after spending two years on the network’s top crew alongside play-by-play voice Kevin Burkhardt.
“It’s not something that I’ve shied away from, and I’m happy to talk about it,” Olsen said. “I’ve always wanted to be good at whatever I do. I’m going to do everything in my power to be as good. I’m never going to be the best, I don’t have to be the best at it, but I don’t know how else to do it.”
Olsen, who joined FOX full-time after retiring from the NFL in 2021, was quickly elevated to the lead broadcast booth following the departure of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to ESPN in 2022. That promotion gave him the chance to call Super Bowl LVII, a rare opportunity for a second-year analyst. However, Olsen knew from the beginning that Brady’s presence loomed large.
“We [Burkhardt and Olsen] knew going into that, Tom already had signed a futures deal in essence to be determined whenever he was done playing. He had a deal on the table before I got elevated from the two crew with Kevin to the one crew,” Olsen said. “I knew going in I was going to call the ‘A’ crew for a year and past that was to be determined. It ended up being two years, so I got to call the Super Bowl year and one additional year, and then Tom [Brady] came.”
Brady, who signed a reported 10-year, $375 million deal with FOX Sports in 2022, officially stepped into the lead analyst role this past season. That decision pushed Olsen to the secondary team, now alongside play-by-play voice Joe Davis and sideline reporter Pam Oliver.
Despite the reshuffling, Olsen says his relationship with Brady has only improved since they became coworkers. “Tom and I’s relationship, both professionally and personally, is really good,” Olsen said.
Olsen emphasized that his personal goals in broadcasting remain unchanged, regardless of who sits in the No. 1 seat.
“My ascension individually doesn’t have to come at the expense of him,” Olsen said. “If he has a long career in this industry, so can I.”
As for what comes next, Olsen is focused on excelling in his new role while continuing to grow in the business.
“I love broadcasting. I love talking football. I love presenting the game in a fun way,” he said. “I hope to do this for the next 20 years—what that looks like, no one knows.”
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As the ACC Football Kickoff event got underway Tuesday in Charlotte, ACC Networkrolled out a wave of programming announcements for the 2025 season, headlined by the addition of national championship-winning coach Jimbo Fisher to its studio analyst team.
Fisher, who led Florida State to a national title in 2013 and won three straight ACC Championships from 2012 to 2014, will now bring his coaching acumen to television. He joins the ACC Huddle cast alongside host Taylor Tannebaum, former Clemson standout Eric Mac Lain, and Virginia Tech legend Eddie Royal. Former FSU quarterback EJ Manuel will shift to a new ESPN studio role this fall but will continue contributing across ACCN platforms.
“Jimbo’s insight and championship perspective will add a powerful dynamic to ACC Huddle,” an ESPN executive said in a statement. “We’re excited to welcome him to the team.”
The move marks Fisher’s first foray into studio work since stepping away from the sidelines. Fisher, 59, was most recently the head coach at Texas A&M. He served the position from 2018 until 2023.
“I’m looking forward to joining ACC Network and the Huddle team this season,” Fisher said in a statement. “I’ve always had tremendous respect for this conference, and I’m looking forward to breaking down the action each week with such a talented group.”
In addition to Fisher’s hire, ACCN confirmed that ACC Huddle will go on the road each week this fall, broadcasting live from the site of the ACC’s top game. The show, which airs Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET, will now be a visible on-campus presence at the conference’s biggest matchups and will be open for public viewing at each stop.
The first three ACC Huddle locations were also unveiled including week one as Clemson hosts LSU on August 30. Week two will see the program travel for Duke hosting Illinois, with week three focused on Georgia Tech hosting Clemson in Atlanta.
Studio coverage from ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn. will continue with Kelsey Riggs Cuff, Mark Richt, and Tom Luginbill anchoring halftime reports, game wraps, and a new edition of ACC Network Final Score, recapping the day’s action with highlights, interviews and analysis.
Additionally, ACCN will launch a new twice-weekly football studio show later this summer. Hosted by EJ Manuel and former Georgia Tech captain Roddy Jones, the ACC Network Football Podcast will air at 5 p.m. ET and will feature deep dives into teams, players and top storylines. The show will also be available on the ESPN App and podcast platforms.
Further details on ACC Network’s complete fall studio lineup are expected in the coming weeks from ESPN.
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