Jesse Watters, Jessica Tarlov, and The Five have been joined at the hip for years now. The dynamic is familiar, loud, and deliberately uncomfortable. It is also wildly successful. That context matters when parsing Watters’ recent comments about how he treats his liberal co-host.
Watters recently acknowledged what most viewers already know. “I do come off condescending, and I’m working on that,” he said. He also cited advice from Brit Hume, noting that he was told to interrupt Jessica Tarlov less because audiences need to hear the other side. Watters added that he has been trying to be more polite.
That all sounds reasonable on the surface. It is also completely unnecessary.
The entire appeal of The Five is rooted in tension. The show is not a polite seminar. It is a daily food fight with ideological guardrails. Every cast member has a role, and Tarlov’s role is clear. She is the resident liberal foil. There’s no doubt that she is the punching bag. She knows it, accepts it, and executes it well.
Importantly, that punching bag punches back. Often. Tarlov is sharp, prepared, and rarely intimidated. She needles Watters as much as he needles her. That back-and-forth is not a flaw in the show. It is the engine. Remove the edge, and you remove the electricity.
Viewers do not tune into The Five for balance in the traditional sense. They tune in for controlled chaos, sparks, and arguments that feel unscripted, even when they are predictable. Jesse Watters leaning into confrontation is not a bug. It is a feature.
There is also the matter of results. The Five is almost always the most-watched show in cable news. Night after night, it beats programs that try much harder to sound reasonable. Success at that level is not accidental. It is the product of chemistry, consistency, and characters staying in their lanes.
Messing with that formula is risky. Audiences are creatures of habit. They like knowing what they are going to get. Watters playing nicer might earn praise from critics, but it would cost the show its bite. Cable news history is littered with examples of executives fixing things that were not broken.
Whether Watters is a “bad person” is an entirely separate debate. That is a cultural conversation, not a programming one. Television is not a morality contest. It is a performance medium. Watters is performing a role that resonates with millions of viewers who know exactly why they are watching.
It is hard to imagine a meaningful portion of the audience saying, “I love The Five, but I stopped watching because they were too mean to that girl I completely disagree with.” That viewer does not exist in large numbers. If anything, the rough edges are the draw.
Watters does not need to change for the content’s sake. He needs to keep doing what helped make The Five dominant in the first place. The tension works. The roles work. The ratings confirm it. Polishing away the friction might make some people feel better, but it would make the show worse.
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The NFL is down to its final four. The NFC and AFC will crown their conference champions this Sunday. The season has delivered memorable moments, dramatic comebacks, and stunning performances few could have predicted. Along the way, the league has posted gains in viewership across networks and streaming platforms. Now, it’s preparing to celebrate the Super Bowl’s 60th anniversary in less than three weeks on NBC Sports.
The Super Bowl has served as a beacon of American pop culture for decades. Football’s pageantry blends seamlessly with advertising, spectacle, and pop culture, all capped by the annual halftime show. Different audiences tune in for different reasons. As a result, the Super Bowl has set viewership records in each of the past five years.
Yet every January, the same debate resurfaces. Sports pundits spend days speculating about which matchup the NFL wants. Would the league prefer the Denver Broncos or the New England Patriots? Does the NFL need the nation’s second-largest market in Los Angeles, or would a Seattle Seahawks appearance in Santa Clara be just as compelling? No matter the answer, the conclusion remains unchanged. The NFL does not experience meaningful viewership swings based on the teams involved. So why does the discussion even exist?
Among the four major professional sports, football stands alone. Matchups do not drive its championship viewership. There is no seven-game series and no international wrinkle to complicate interest. In the United States, football rules the sports landscape with an iron grip.
The teams involved do not matter.
That statement cannot be applied to the NBA, MLB, or NHL. The evidence lives in the numbers.
Last summer, the NBA Finals reignited the familiar debate about small-market matchups. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers became the least-watched Finals since 2007, excluding the pandemic-affected seasons of 2020 and 2021. The quality of play did not save the ratings.
While the NFL’s final four this season do not come from small markets, no one would panic if Green Bay or Buffalo reached the Super Bowl. History says the audience would still show up.
The NHL faces a similar challenge. Last year’s Stanley Cup Final between Florida and Edmonton produced the lowest American viewership since Tampa Bay defeated Montreal in 2021. The series averaged 2.5 million viewers, a 40 percent decline from the previous year. That came despite a compelling narrative featuring the Panthers chasing consecutive titles and Connor McDavid, one of the greatest players of his generation.
Most NFL preseason games outperform the average Stanley Cup Final broadcast.
Baseball offered the lone bright spot. The World Series featuring the Dodgers and Blue Jays averaged 15.7 million viewers on FOX Sports. The numbers benefited from Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel, which boosted measurement across multiple sports. Even with that adjustment, one question remains unavoidable.
Would the audience have been that large without the Dodgers? Historical trends suggest otherwise. The World Series eclipsed an average of 12 million viewers only once in the four editions preceding 2024.
In the NBA, MLB, and NHL, markets matter. Teams matter. In the NFL, they do not.
That separation did not happen by accident. The NFL engineered it. Scarcity, urgency, national windows, and straightforward storytelling turned every game into an event rather than content. Football trained its audience to show up regardless of logos, stars, or geography.
The NBA, MLB, and NHL are not short on star power or narratives. Their problem is dilution. Overexposure and endless inventory have conditioned fans to believe they can tune in later. Football eliminated that mindset years ago.
Which raises the uncomfortable question. What can the NBA, MLB, and NHL do to make their championship series matter to the casual fan? Is there anything?
Until those leagues transform their finals into can’t-miss events rather than optional viewing, the teams involved will continue to drive interest. Markets will continue to influence outcomes.
Each league faces the same core issues. They lack urgency and struggle with presentation. They wrestle with identity when their biggest moments arrive.
Until those leagues stop hoping the right teams will rescue their championship stages and start designing those stages to be unmissable no matter who appears, the gap between football and everyone else will continue to widen.
The viewing experience must match the moment’s hype. That is where the NFL continues to excel. The event itself, not the participants, drives the machine.
Is there a matchup the NFL prefers among its final four? No. The question does not deserve airtime this week. Save the column inches, radio segments, and television debates. Do not flood timelines or chase engagement.
Until the NBA, MLB, and NHL stop searching for the “right” teams and start engineering championships that feel unavoidable, the conversation will never change.
Football will keep winning. The rest will keep wondering why.
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Artificial intelligence is here—and here to stay. A.I. is on the verge of detonating radio’s traditional playbook and rebuilding it rapidly. A.I.-voiced personalities sound indistinguishable from legacy talent, while automated production tools write, voice, and in certain situations, mix a segment in seconds.
What once took a loaded studio and a full day of work can now be compiled with a single prompt, and that reality is forcing all audio to face the proverbial music. Adapt or become obsolete.
The speed at which artificial intelligence is plowing into our industry alarms even the most seasoned radio veterans. In the short time from the holidays to now, long-time audio creation professionals have turned to A.I. for innovative content creation.
The first to catch the eye and go “all in” was Contemporary Christian content creator David Sams. His background includes producing Hollywood-based television shows. His pivot lies in his audio-video portal, Keep The Faith Ministries, outside Nashville.
The Impact of Celeste Faith
A significant amount of content on the organization’s online portal is A.I.-generated. Sams experiments with the technology for several seasons. One piece of branding launched in late 2025 produced both praise and controversy for Sams—an entirely A.I.-designed Contemporary Christian artist named Celeste Faith.
Not only is the Celeste Faith model artificial-intelligence-generated—so is the song Joy. David Sams’s digital press describes Celeste as “the world’s first widely released biracial AI artist in contemporary Christian music,” while claiming she is far beyond being just “code.”
Sams positions Celeste Faith as both a “creative and spiritual presence,” suggesting she can minister to Christian audiences even though she is not human. Reactions to the new digital branding project have been mixed, ranging from Christian artists to Christian programmers.
Positive feedback reflects an affinity for the brand and awe of the technology. Several comments describe the song and video as “fun” and “ahead of the curve.” Others call it a “new frontier” and proclaim the use of the technology “brilliant.”
On the negative side, Christian industry voices have criticized the idea of A.I. musicians on spiritual grounds. They’ve expressed concerns that A.I. “has no Holy Spirit” and cannot genuinely minister through music. Christian radio veterans question why a talented content creator like David Sams would promote digitally developed artists. This while others applaud the industry’s negative reactions to the new brand.
Christian radio programmers have stated they will not air A.I.-generated music, arguing it undermines listener trust and authenticity. Despite social buzz, traditional platforms show little support for A.I. artists like Celeste Faith.
Glenn A.I.
Earlier this month, Glenn Beck rolled out his own version of A.I. content—“Glenn A.I., fully produced by Glenn Beck’s proprietary A.I.”
His initial digital podcast was not off-brand. Tt presents coverage of U.S. military interventions but generated by a custom A.I. model rather than Beck’s real voice.
Simultaneously, Beck unveiled his historical-based A.I., The Torch, tied to a new foundation he launched to preserve and teach American history using his vast archive of founding documents. The inaugural audio featured a digital conversation with George Washington.
Beck is one of the first high-profile personalities to use A.I. to generate a complete episode for his brand, moving beyond digital editing to actual content creation for his podcast.
What rubs conventional thinking about Beck’s brand is that he frequently warns about A.I. risks. Beck has said the technology is a threat to society, values, and perhaps freedom. He has described A.I. developments as a kind of “quiet detonation” that could change how humans live and think.
Beck’s dual stance on A.I.—critiquing it externally while embracing it internally—creates a clear dichotomy in how he justifies A.I.-generated content under the Blaze Media brand.
His Blaze fan base has applauded the move. They view it as innovative and educational when tied to his archive of American founding material rather than broad, generic A.I. Supporters appreciate the opportunity to access historical content in an interactive format.
Negative press, however, centers on mockery of the A.I. George Washington interview, calling it bizarre and lacking journalistic credibility with a gimmicky feel. Media analysts are questioning whether A.I.-generated commentary should be clearly labeled. No matter if it alters audience expectations for podcast hosts.
We felt it was important to include the voices of long-time, successful radio experts on the use of A.I. in their station clusters. Here are two of them.
A.I. Advancements With Jeff McCarthy
Jeff McCarthy is a more-than-40-year veteran of the industry and the long-time Vice President of Programming for Duke Wright’s Midwest Communications. From the company’s world-class headquarters in Green Bay, McCarthy oversees more than 80 stations across the Midwest and is a long-time radio friend.
Known for his collaborative culture, creativity-first mentality, and leadership development, McCarthy has been the rock guiding programming strategy and talent development. More than just a programming vice president, he would rather be in a studio creating new format imaging than wearing a suit poring over numbers.
It would be easy for Midwest Communications to scale A.I. for its brands.
*Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.*
Kevin Robinson – What are your overall thoughts about AI usage in radio?
Jeff McCarthy – AI is an amazing tool and it is not going away. If used properly, it can be extremely useful in radio if we use it for the right reasons.
Kevin Robinson – Have you used any AI platform in your stations and if so—how?
Jeff McCarthy – We encourage our talents to experiment with the AI platforms. We’re not locked into any one service. We want to learn the similarities and differences. I read a quote stating, “You won’t be replaced by AI, you’ll be replaced by the talent who knows how to use AI.” Embrace the experimentation.
Our usage is primarily in social media, commercial audio, and overall writing. How we use AI continues to evolve as we learn.
Kevin Robinson – How do you ensure authenticity and audience trust when AI is part of the content-creation process?
Jeff McCarthy – We live in a world where it has become increasingly difficult to know the truth. Trust is a critical component with the consumer. Once you lose that trust, it is extremely difficult to regain it. We have used AI in collaboration with human creativity on commercials and some social media.
However, if AI-generated air talent becomes a reality, there should be full transparency. Don’t be surprised if regulations are put in place as the technology advances. This would require disclosure of any AI usage.
Kevin Robinson – Do you believe AI will ultimately strengthen or weaken legacy broadcasting skills?
Jeff McCarthy – It will do both. If used properly, it will most definitely strengthen brands. Those who allow human creativity to work alongside AI as a tool will have a tremendous advantage.
However, if the goal is to replace local human talent with computerized disc jockeys, it will take us down a dangerous road. The constant is human creativity and participation. Using AI while still serving the local community with personalities will ultimately make broadcasting stronger.
Kevin Robinson – What other adaptions have you seen utilizing A.I.?
Jeff McCarthy – I have seen countless technical advancements over the years. Change is constant. If you do not learn to embrace it and use it to your advantage, you will be left behind. Records became CDs, turntables disappeared, and digital audio replaced CDs, yet we survived.
Play with it, experiment with it, and learn how AI can help you—not replace you.
Adapting with A.I. by John Spencer
John Spencer is a longtime Illinois Valley broadcaster and somewhat of a unicorn in the industry. After leading programming for his three radio brands for over a decade, John and his partners purchased the cluster in 2019.
He now serves as president, owner, and general manager of Starved Rock Media. John owns and operates market-leading stations in LaSalle-Peru—WLPO (AM/FM), WAJK, and WLWF. He joined the group three decades ago as a morning show host and production expert, eventually working his way into programming leadership and the 2019 station purchase from La Salle County Broadcasting.
Under his leadership, the group continues to super-serve listeners across north-central Illinois, and staff tenure spans decades. With limited resources in a small market, it would be easy for John to deploy A.I. across his cluster. We asked him the same questions.
Kevin Robinson – What are you overall thoughts about AI usage in radio?
John Spencer – AI is here, and it’s growing. If you’re not using it, you’re falling behind.
Kevin Robinson – Have you used any AI platform in your stations?
John Spencer – We’ve used ChatGPT and other AI platforms to write and strengthen ad copy and proposals. Also we’ve used it to create and refine graphics and images, plus research best practices and spark ideas.
Kevin Robinson – How do you ensure authenticity and audience trust when AI is part of the content-creation process?
John Spencer – Our people are using AI. Nothing is used on air or online without human intervention and verification. We are not using it to replace people. We are using it to be more efficient and better at everything we do.
Kevin Robinson – Do you believe AI will ultimately strengthen or weaken legacy broadcasting skills—and why?
John Spencer – Legacy broadcasting, at its best, is local storytelling and connection. Like so many tools we’ve adopted over time, AI is another powerful resource we should use responsibly to improve what we do.
David Sams, Glenn Beck, Jeff McCarthy, and John Spencer are all in the A.I. business. It will not be long until we all are.
iHeartRadio Chief Programming Officer and President Tom Poleman is on record positioning his nearly 900 stations as mostly A.I.-free in an October 2025 Barrett Media article.
However, artificial intelligence continues to pressure our business. How we use it responsibly and creatively remains the question. The future will be guided by algorithms, but it will also be driven by talent—programming, on-air, and creative professionals—who know how to merge innovation with personality.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries.Sign upfor our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
There are three basic ingredients for a news/talk or sports talk radio host. Every topic must display these aspects to be successful.
The first is opinion: most people think that they are really opinionated. Perhaps they are, but rare is the human who will lay out that opinion in public discourse.
The second is the news story. Most hosts are buried in the details. The details support the opinion, but this information is the least important part of hosting a show.
The third is observation. The host’s personal connection, stories, and feelings are key to a great show.
If I were quizzed on how to order this three-legged stool of importance, the most important element is the host’s connection to the story. A strong, clear opinion is second, and the actual news story is the shortest munchkin.
Here is why observations are so important. They create a bond with the listener. If I hear one universal weakness on talk radio shows, it is the lack of connection explaining why a story matters to the host. I was listening to a nationally syndicated host who recently read an article written by someone else. This creates zero intimacy.
If you are in a romantic relationship with someone, you do not explain the details of your affection in a generic, fact-based presentation. You tell your beloved that moments of intimacy, from cleaning the kitchen together to sharing quiet time, fill your heart with a joy that no other person could provide. You bare your heart to that special person about how you feel in that romantic relationship.
Think of your connection with your audience. How do you feel about them? How can you share your passion with them? Your passion point is that observation, that feeling. Are you frightened to share these feelings? If you are unable or unwilling to share your feelings, you will never reach the intimacy that your audience craves and demands. The listeners are there for you. It really is that simple. If you are unable to share these personal details, you will never have complete dedication.
Talk radio is the theater of the mind. Are you creating word pictures? The more color you share on a subject, the more of a cosmic relationship you will inspire. Your job as a radio host is beyond ratings and revenue. The endgame is to become an indispensable part of your listeners’ lives. Your listeners are having tough days. They may have an angry spouse, a creepy kid, a crappy job, or just a bad day. You are their refuge. These amazing people chose you. There are thousands of other places they can go. It is not a limited number of radio stations.
I have a connected car. I can listen to anything I wish. There are no limits. Being memorable is key. Tell a story with vivid details. Mention the woman with the perfume that made everyone in the room choke. Remember that time you had a job interview with a man with the terrible toupee? I actually had an interview with a very nice man with a horrible toupee. I could not keep my eyes off it. And I so wanted to ask the man if he thought that astroturf on his skull was not noticeable. Sadly, I am a polite man and did not go there. Now, if this were a person I knew, I would troll him forever. That is the reason I do not have many friends.
When was the last time you talked about the scent of leather, cheap beer, weed, and sweat while recounting a story about attending that Motley Crue tribute band concert? Speaking of that subject, have you ever been to a club to see musicians copy a famous band? I haven’t, because I kind of think it is cheating. I have some friends who love doing that. Wouldn’t you rather see musicians who write and perform their own music? I find it more honest. Paying to see a tribute band is like watching nothing but remakes of the Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez classic, “Gigli.” Considering Hollywood’s addiction to remaking old movies, this is coming.
A news/talk or sports talk host without an opinion will fail. A host who does not know the details of a story will be exposed for not being prepared. These are essential parts of the process of a radio show.
I once had to move on from a talk radio host who had zero opinions on anything. He was moved over to the news/talk station that I ran and had been in the position for a few years. The ratings were terrible. He did not have an opinion on anything except Broadway plays and Debbie Gibson. I was very interested in the hybrid vehicle he was driving, so I asked him how he liked it. He could not explain anything about his car. He told me it was ok. I asked about gas mileage when it was cold. He replied that he did not know. I never asked him about his wife and children. He probably would have been noncommittal about them as well.
Your show is like an audiobook. You are creating the places, ideas, and fun that are necessary for your audience to care about what you are discussing.
When was the last time you read a book that only had details and no story around them? The TV show Law and Order proves the point. Why do they not arrest the murderer in the first five minutes?
Give reasons to keep listening. Storytelling is part of a listener-focused experience.
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As KTAR News 92.3 FM’s afternoon drive program reaches its two-year anniversary this week, the milestone offers more than a convenient marker on a calendar. It provides a chance to step back and examine how Larry Gaydos and Bruce St. James have shaped their show into something that feels deeply connected to the Phoenix community it serves.
In a landscape, the duo has carved out a role that goes beyond conversation, positioning their program as a megaphone for listeners and a platform for issues that matter across the Valley.
When the pairing was announced, familiarity existed, but certainty did not. Gaydos and St. James had spent time together working in the same building, but never side by side for three hours each afternoon. Chemistry, always the unpredictable variable in partnered radio, was the biggest question mark.
“When we got together, we certainly knew each other,” St. James admitted. “We worked together in the same building for decades, but never did a show together. One of the things anybody who’s done a show with a partner knows is the importance of chemistry.”
That chemistry, as it turns out, came together faster than expected. St. James describes a balance that feels natural rather than forced.
“Gaydos and I have genuine chemistry,” Bruce St. James said. “I’d like to think I have some skills in things where they’re not his strong points, and vice versa,” he said. “It took a little bit of time to figure out what’s in each person’s wheelhouse, but it’s not a matter of stepping on anybody’s toes. It’s much easier than I thought it was going to be.”
Because the two already understood each other’s personalities, the show avoided the awkward, feeling-out phase that can stall new partnerships.
“There was a lot less apprehension than walking cold into a room with somebody you don’t know,” St. James explained. “We started with a base of understanding each other, and that really helps. We didn’t have to start from zero. And we hit the ground running.”
From the beginning, the focus wasn’t on chasing hot takes or leaning into non-stop political combat. Instead, Larry Gaydos and Bruce St. James made a deliberate choice to sound different.
“The challenge for us, and for talk radio in general, is that you want to sound unique,” St. James said. “You want to do something that other people aren’t doing.”
That philosophy led them to steer away from being political all the time and toward topics that resonate on a more personal, local level.
“We know the audience has interests and things they like outside of that,” he added. “We got a lot better at choosing topics and developing those topics and really finding things that touch the audience, that the audience cares about.”
Over time, that approach helped the show evolve from a discussion forum into something closer to a community hub.
One phrase, repeated often on the program, encapsulates that evolution: “not on our watch.” For St. James, it represents a responsibility that comes with the microphone.
“When there are injustices, when there are things that are going wrong in the community, we like to think we’re standing up for the little people,” he said. “We’re standing up for people that can’t stand up for themselves and trying to hold politicians, organizations, or individuals accountable. That makes me feel like more than a radio show.”
The most powerful example of that mission came from a case that landed in the show’s lap about a year and a half ago. A teenage boy had been beaten to death at a high school party, and many in the community believed law enforcement was dragging its feet.
“We had parents, students, and members of the community coming to us saying there’s video of this, and nobody seems to be doing anything about it,” St. James recalled. “We took a lot of that and ran with it.”
The show pressed city officials and police, asking why the community seemed to know more than those tasked with investigating the crime. “If everybody else knows who did this, how is it a surprise to you guys?” St. James said of the KTAR News 92.3 FM afternoon show’s questions to law enforcement and city officials. “It was an injustice, and no one seemed to care.”
As coverage expanded, other local media and television partners joined in, amplifying the pressure. What followed was accountability.
“This year, we had seven people charged with murder, and they’re going to be facing justice,” St. James said. “That’s all we ask. There are eyewitnesses, video, and all kinds of things pointing to who did this, and we think it will be a good thing when they’re held to account.”
For St. James, the significance wasn’t about credit. It was about impact.
“That’s the best part of it,” he said. “We interviewed community members, family members, eyewitnesses, and city officials. We even had the governor trying to explain how this happens in our backyard. It gets back to that idea of ‘not on our watch.’”
The deeper investigation revealed an unofficial group of teenagers involved in numerous assaults and robberies, behavior that had gone unchecked for years. “Sadly, because nobody ever held them accountable, it ended up killing a teenage kid,” St. James said. “Just horrible.”
“I don’t want to sound self-serving, but I think we made a difference in our community,” Bruce St. James later added, reflecting on the impact the show and station have had. “It mattered that people weren’t just going to look the other way. Preston Lord’s life mattered, and we weren’t going to let it become a back-page story.”
Two years into working together, that sense of purpose defines the Gaydos and St. James show as much as ratings or routine.
“I like speaking up for the community,” St. James said. “I want to make sure we stand for something. We stand for a better Arizona and a better community.”
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As anticipation builds for Monday night’s College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium, former NFL punter and media personality Pat McAfee expressed concern that the game could face delays due to the scheduled arrival of former President Donald Trump.
Speaking with Nick Saban and his on air staff duringThe Pat McAfee Show on Monday live from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, McAfee highlighted logistical challenges tied to high-profile attendees. While Saban exited his weekly interview on the show, McAfee, who also works along Saban on College GameDay, mentioned that the program later may have to fill time for a potential delay.
“Might have to fill tonight. Just something to think about,” McAfee said to Saban as he departed the McAfee Show stag. “We have might have to fill tonight. You see how long it took to get in here [Hard Rock Stadium]? The U.S. Open was the last time the president was at an event with a lot of people. That was delayed, what, an hour?” He added, “There’s a chance that happens tonight.”
McAfee’s concern stems from the increased security measures accompanying Trump’s appearance. TMZ Sportsreported that local, state, and federal agencies have added personnel to manage crowds and ensure safety at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Miami Gardens Police Department confirmed the heightened security, advising fans to arrive earlier than usual.
Trump’s presence at sporting events is not new. Earlier this year, he attended a Washington Commanders game against the Dallas Cowboys and performed the coin toss at the Army–Navy game. He has also appeared at major golf events including the U.S. Open and Ryder Cup. His ties to Miami extend beyond the football field: his granddaughter, Kai, recently signed with the University of Miami women’s golf team as part of the Class of 2026.
As kickoff approaches this evening, McAfee along with organizers and viewers will be watching closely. With added security measures in place and fans advised to arrive early, the championship promises to deliver not only a thrilling contest on the field but also a reminder of the logistical complexities that accompany the presence of former presidents at major public events.
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The National Religious Broadcasters have shared their opposition to the FCC removing ownership limits for local broadcasters, joining a list of those who have already shared objections.
The objections come as Nexstar Media Group attempts to acquire TEGNA, which would make the company accessible to more than 80% of households. The proposed merger between Nexstar Media Group and TEGNA would put the company well over the allowable limit of reaching 39% of all U.S. households. If the deal is closed, Nexstar Media Group would have 265 TV stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, it would feature outlets in 132 of the country’s 210 markets.
In a filing with the FCC, the National Religious Broadcasters shared that the association, made up of more than 1,100 Christian broadcasters, has a myriad of objections to the potential lifting of the current limits that leave a single company from surpassing more than 39% of U.S. TV households.
“The removal of the Cap would allow for massive television consolidation at the national level, further undermining the Commission’s mission to support competition, diversity of viewpoints, and localism,” the association said. “NRB opposes any changes to the Cap. Any changes to the Cap should be undertaken by Congress, which legislated the current 39%, after a careful review process.”
Furthermore, the National Religious Broadcasters have argued a similar point that Newsmax and others have pointed to, stating that the FCC doesn’t have the authority to unilaterally remove the cap, noting that it would take an act of Congress.
“NRB respectfully urges the Commission to reaffirm and clearly articulate ownership standards that continue to prevent undue consolidation at the local level. Such consolidation risks undermining localism, diminishing viewpoint diversity, and weakening the ability of independently owned and mission-driven stations to serve their communities with responsive, community-focused programming.”
The NRB also asserts that consolidation would create a near monopoly for local broadcast companies that would make the marketplace uncompetitive for both advertisers and religious broadcasters.
The filing from the National Religious Broadcasters comes after the NAB argued that those opposed to the cap being lifted have relied on “mischaracterized data and legal arguments that ignore today’s competitive landscape.”
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MediaCo is continuing to build momentum around its new morning lineup on HOT 97. Kazeem Famuyide announced via social media he will co-host alongside The Kid Mero, adding another influential New York voice to the station’s flagship daypart.
The announcement was punctuated by a personal post from Famuyide that underscored both his roots and the cultural weight of the opportunity.
“I’ve listened to HOT 97 my entire life. I was born here. Raised here. Raised by Hip-Hop,” Famuyide wrote. “The opportunity to wake up the greatest city in the world on the most legendary station in music is not lost on me. I’ve waited my entire life for this. I’m ready. Let’s get it.”
According to Famuyide, he will join The Kid Mero on HOT 97 Mornings with Mero beginning tomorrow.
While MediaCo has not officially announced Famuyide’s role, The Kid Mero confirmed the news sharing Famuyide’s post as the new morning host via social media.
Known widely as “Kazeem,” Famuyide has developed a strong following through his work across digital media, podcasts, and television, where his commentary frequently bridges sports, music, and broader social conversations.
His addition alongside The Kid Mero signals a strategic shift toward morning radio that mirrors the pace and tone of online culture, while still delivering appointment listening.
The Kid Mero, a Bronx native, New York Times best-selling author, and Writers Guild Award winner, currently hosts Victory Light with The Kid Mero and co-hosts 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony. Together, Mero and Famuyide represent a pairing rooted in shared experiences, humor, and an unfiltered approach that aligns with HOT 97’s legacy.
I’ve listened to @HOT97 my entire life. I was born here. Raised here. Raised by Hip-Hop. The opportunity to wake up the greatest city in the world on the most legendary station in music is not lost on me. I’ve waited my entire life for this. I’m ready. Let’s get it.
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The Buffalo Bills are now among the NFL teams seeking a new head coach after parting ways with Sean McDermott following nine seasons at the helm. The announcement came Monday morning shortly after the Bills fell to the Denver Broncos in overtime during the divisional round of the playoffs.
The news itself broke during live programming on ESPN and NFL Network as they were both recapping the divisional round of the postseason. With the news breaking in real time, both ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport showcased working the news in real time.
As Get Up was finalizing a conversation on if Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud should have been benched in their loss against the New England Patriots, Schefter’s chair on set was empty.
Instead host Mike Greenberg was the one to deliver the headline, with Schefter returning to the set with additional information and insight.
As for the NFL Network and their morning program Good Morning Football, Rapoport declined to answer a question from co-host Kyle Brandt regarding the process of Bo Nix’s injury on Saturday.
NFL Network moved away from Rapoport to shift to discussions about the emotions following the Bills loss to the Broncos after another postseason exit. Rapoport returned minutes later with the news, which led to continuing discussion of McDermott’s firing.
Live TV can take you in a lot of directions. Sometimes, news breaks in real time. Here is how the news that the #Bills fired coach Sean McDermott ended up on @GMFB. pic.twitter.com/wRLQIBmWVp
McDermott’s departure brings the total number of teams with upcoming coaching vacancies to 10. Nine of those openings result from firings, while Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin opted to step down last week. Meanwhile, the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons have already filled their positions, naming John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski, respectively.
“Sean has done an admirable job of leading our football team for the past nine seasons,” Bills owner Terry Pegula said in a statement. “But I feel we are in need of a new structure within our leadership to give this organization the best opportunity to take our team to the next level.”
McDermott transformed the Bills into a consistent playoff contender. During his tenure, Buffalo reached the postseason eight times and claimed five AFC East titles. However, the team was unable to advance to the Super Bowl under his guidance. Before McDermott’s arrival, the Bills had not reached the playoffs since the 1999 season.
As the Bills embark on this next chapter, fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see which direction the organization takes in pursuit of its first championship appearance in decades.
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There have been changes at CBS Evening News under the direction of Bari Weiss. It doesn’t appear as if Jim Acosta is a fan.
During an appearance on the I’ve Had It podcast with Jennifer Welch, Acosta took the network to task for the way it has operated under new anchor Tony Dokoupil.
“Just the other day, the anchor of the CBS Evening News ended his newscast by saying, ‘We salute you, Marco Rubio,'” Acosta said. “I mean, not only was Walter Cronkite spinning in his grave, I was hoping he would come back from the great beyond to choke the living (expletive) out of (Dokoupil).”
The former CNN anchor continued by arguing that he’s not heaping praise on himself as much as believes those in journalism and the news media should operate under a similar premise that he did: to challenge authority and have a relentless pursuit of the truth.
“I’m not saying that I’m exceptional or anything like that, but it’s exceptional that something like that can happen in this (expletive) world,” he said. “When I saw CBS doing that, I said, ‘What the (expletive) is going on with these people?…What we should be having in this country is a free press that can hold the (expletive) President the United States accountable without everybody worried whether they’re going to lose their (expletive) job. That’s you can’t have a situation like that in this country.”
Jim Acosta concluded by saying that he believes the conduct from television news outlets are why independent creators and podcasts are thriving. “The American people can sniff this out,” he concluded.
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