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FOX Sports 1 Cuts Ties With Joy Taylor, Cancels Speak, Breakfast Ball and The Facility

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FOX Sports 1 Cuts Ties With Joy Taylor, Cancels Speak, Breakfast Ball and The Facility

Joy Taylor is out at FOX Sports as part of a significant shake-up that will see multiple programs, including FS1’s Speak, come to an end. According to a report from The Athletic, Taylor’s exit coincides with the cancellation of three underperforming studio shows: Speak, Breakfast Ball, and The Facility.

Sources told The Athletic that the shows failed to gain meaningful traction with audiences, which ultimately led to the decision to move in a different direction. Taylor, who had been with Fox Sports for nearly 10 years, co-hosted Speak alongside Keyshawn Johnson and Paul Pierce. Her contract expired and was not renewed.

This marks a dramatic shift in FS1’s daytime programming strategy. The canceled shows were all greenlit under the leadership of former top programming executive Charlie Dixon, who was ousted from the network earlier this year following serious misconduct allegations.

In one of two lawsuits against Dixon, a make-up artist claimed Taylor told her to “get over it” in reference to a reported incident of sexual battery. Taylor has denied the claim.

Breakfast Ball was hosted by Craig Carton, Mark Schlereth, and Danny Parkins. The show represented Carton’s second venture with the network after stepping away from WFAN’s afternoon drive two years ago.

Schlereth spoke to Barrett Media in late April about how Breakfast Ball was aiming for a different style of program that allows the audience a choice for sports on morning television.

“What we’re trying to present is an alternative. Something new, something fresh. Building a show and finding an audience it just takes time,” said Schlereth in late April. “I don’t feel pressure if we don’t make this happen, or if we don’t get a certain rating by this time. I just think of it more from the standpoint of let’s just keep getting together. Let’s just keep having fun, keep creating good content, and eventually my hope is that we find a large audience.”

While nothing official has been released from FOX Sports, there will be some speculation surrounding Carton’s next move, a return to WFAN appears to be a possibility.

Meanwhile, The Facility was a newer addition to FS1’s lineup, launching less than a year ago. The show featured a rotating panel of former NFL players, including Emmanuel Acho, Chase Daniel, James Jones, and LeSean McCoy.

FOX Sports has yet to issue an official comment on the changes, but The Herd with Colin Cowherd and First Things First featuring Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes will remain in their current time slots. FS1 is expected to fill the vacated hours with new programming in the coming months, though no announcements have been made about what shows may replace the outgoing lineup.

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.

Tucker Carlson: Dan Bongino Will Never Be Able to Go Back to His Podcast After Epstien Files Drama

BNM Staff
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Tucker Carlson: Dan Bongino Will Never Be Able to Go Back to His Podcast After Epstien Files Drama

Tucker Carlson says Dan Bongino may not be able to return to his podcast after the fallout from the Epstein Files controversy.

During a recent conversation on the Culture Apothecary podcast, Carlson painted a vivid picture of Bongino’s situation, calling it a “career wreck.”

He explained that Bongino had been thriving, running one of the country’s top podcasts, earning major revenue, and broadcasting from a new Florida studio.

Carlson said Bongino had been working with his wife and “having a great time” before he received the offer to become Deputy Director of the FBI. Despite the enormous pay cut and relocation to Washington D.C., Carlson said Bongino took the job out of love for Donald Trump and the United States.

However, the failure of the Trump administration to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, which many believe will expose child sex trafficking by some of the most prominent names in American and international society, has caused internal strife at the FBI and the Department of Justice.

Over the weekend, it was reported that Dan Bongino had threatened to resign if Attorney General Pam Bondi wasn’t fired for her failure to unveil the files.

Tucker Carlson argued that Bongino got “completely shafted” by giving up his popular podcast and nationally syndicated radio show to join the FBI, only to not be supported by those surrounding him.

“It kind of wrecks Dan’s career,” Carlson shared. “It’s going to be very hard for Dan to go back to his podcast audience and say, ‘I’m telling you the truth,’ when they all think that he’s covering up for Epstein.”

Carlson left a small door open, saying “Things may change,” but remained skeptical of Bongino’s ability to make a media comeback after just a high-profile situation.

Bongino has yet to respond publicly to any of the reporting surrounding his potential blowup with Bondi or threats of exiting the agency. He has also not addressed any of the Epstein-related allegations directly, other than to previously state that it was abundantly clear that the New York financier had died by suicide in 2019.

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.

97.9 FM WGBW Hosts John Maino and Jim Schmitt Depart

BNM Staff
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97.9 FM WGBW Hosts John Maino and Jim Schmitt Depart

After a two-year run, Maino and the Mayor has ended its time on 97.9 FM WGBW in Green Bay.

The Civic Media-owned morning show paired longtime Green Bay broadcaster John Maino with former Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt.

The decision to cancel the program came shortly after Station Manager Todd Michaels stepped down. Michaels also produced the show and is leaving radio to begin a new career outside of the broadcasting industry.

“Ultimately, the best laid business plans sometimes don’t accomplish what we believe it will,” a statement from the station read. “This is not only a mission, it’s also a business. We’ll take some of that weight off of Jim and John. They can only do what they do.”

Maino addressed the show’s cancellation online, saying the decision was made by Civic Media and came in light of Michaels’ departure.

Maino, a fixture in Northeast Wisconsin media, and Schmitt, who served as mayor for 16 years, offered a unique blend of local insight and entertainment during the show’s run.

There’s no word yet on what will fill the morning slot on 97.9 FM WGBW. Civic Media is expected to announce updated programming plans in the coming weeks.

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.

Rob Manfred: MLB Baseball Broadcasts Are in Too Many Places Right Now

BSM Staff
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Rob Manfred: MLB Baseball Broadcasts Are in Too Many Places Right Now

Last month, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said that he had hopes to resolve the league’s media rights package being abandoned by ESPN by the MLB All-Star Break. With his deadline arriving this week, Manfred still has not officially announced any new finalized details. However, there are reportedly multiple conversations with bidders ongoing.

Manfred was a guest of The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN Monday and clarified what the goal of the league is when approaching its media rights deals.

“We want to sell more games nationally. We think it’s good for our exposure, more broadcast exposure, big game exposure. We also believe that the buyers that are out there are going to be national buyers, particularly the streaming companies,” said Manfred. “Secondly, we need to streamline our offering. We need to get out of the blackout business.”

Additionally, the commissioner referenced when the league officially took over the broadcast rights of the San Diego Padres in 2023 as a sign of success and demand for MLB baseball. According to Manfred, within two weeks of taking over the rights of the San Diego club, over 20,000 subscriptions were purchased to watch Padres baseball.

Furthermore, Manfred continued to explain why his goal is to streamline the ease in offering MLB baseball to fans.

“We are too many places right now,” said Manfred. “We’ve experimented. Apple’s been a great experiment, but we do have a lot of fragmentation. We need to get into a more streamlined model, where a fan knows, ‘Friday, I want to see my game tonight.’ They go to a digital service; they know the game’s there. If it’s not there, it’s going to be one of a couple of national games, and it’s easy for the fans. That’s what it needs to look like.”

When Manfred was named commissioner of baseball in August of 2014, he said the model for baseball when it came to internet delivery was very forward-thinking. Today, however, he acknowledged that the model for distribution has changed, and baseball is adapting with the times.

“We thought we could drive everything to our platforms,” said Manfred. “We got this wrong. We’re just in the wrong place. We’re trying to drive everybody here. The right strategy is to make sure we are where the people are. You got to go, where people are going. And that shift has been a really good thing for us.”

Finally, it’s worth noting that MLB and ESPN mutually opted out of their national broadcast rights agreement this past February. Nevertheless, the two sides have reportedly begun discussions about a new rights deal, with an ESPN direct-to-consumer platform launching this fall.

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.

Veteran Host Sandra Miller Returns to 97.5 WONE Mornings

BMM Staff
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Veteran Host Sandra Miller Returns to 97.5 WONE Mornings

Sandra Miller is returning to 97.5 WONE Akron for mornings. This is the second tour of duty for Miller, who previously spent 22 years with the station.

Miller was co-host and part of Jeff Kinzbach’s “Kinzbach And Company” morning show. When Kinzbach retired in 2020, Miller was let go.

From there, she joined Classic Rock Y103 in Youngstown, where she hosted middays.

Miller replaces Matt Spatz and Amanda Casey, “Spatz & Amanda,” who exited last month. (BMM 7/2)

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.

Jonathan Adler Returns to Milwaukee Radio at 88Nine WYMS

BMM Staff
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Jonathan Adler Returns to Milwaukee Radio at 88Nine WYMS

Milwaukee market veteran Jonathan Adler is back on the air at AAA 88Nine WYMS, where he will also serve as Assistant Program Director while holding down 6 to 10 pm. Additionally, he will host the Saturday request show “Let’s Hear It” from 10 am to noon.

Radio Milwaukee is also bringing Maggie Corry aboard as the station’s deputy executive director. Corry was previously with the company from 2016 to 2022, leading membership and development.

“The additions of Jon and Maggie clearly strengthen our leadership team and will further drive our community-focused storytelling and programming,” said Jordan Lee, Radio Milwaukee executive director. “Even better, both Jon and Maggie are well-known and committed to Milwaukee, and the diverse and growing audience we serve through 88Nine and HYFIN.”

Adler spent the past 19 years in mornings crosstown at Alternative FM 102.1 until his departure this past March. (BMM 3/21).

 “Milwaukee is my home. My goal is to continue contributing to the local media landscape. And expand Radio Milwaukee’s influence in the community,” said Adler.

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 Content Platforms Are Eyeing Crypto Gambling

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Why Content Platforms Are Eyeing Crypto Gambling

Crypto gambling has become one of the hottest trends, and it is not only traditional casino players who care about it. Content platforms and particularly those that target streaming, live engagement, and digital communities are beginning to take note. And it is not difficult to understand why.

The crypto gambling market increased by 500 percent between the year 2019 and 2024, reaching 250 million dollars. At the same rate, it is projected to increase to $400 million by 2028. That is not a slow burn- that is a signal.

At the same time, the number of crypto bets being placed keeps climbing. Just a couple of years ago, crypto made up about 20% of all online gambling. Now, it’s nearly 30%. What used to be a niche activity is quickly becoming mainstream.

So why are content platforms suddenly so interested? It’s not just about the money. It’s about how crypto gambling fits into a bigger story around entertainment, community, and the way younger audiences consume content.

The Appeal: Fast, Global, and Cheaper to Run

One of the biggest reasons crypto gambling is thriving is because it’s simply easier to run than traditional online casinos.

Lower Costs

With crypto, there are no banks involved. That means fewer transaction fees and no dealing with cross-border payment headaches. Operators can run leaner and offer bigger bonuses without eating into their profits.

Speed and Access

Crypto deposits and withdrawals are almost instant. That’s a huge draw for players who don’t want to wait days for a payout. Crypto is built for fast, borderless transactions, players can access games and receive payouts quickly, even in places where traditional banking options are limited. Here, you can see how a crypto-first casino structures its gameplay, from poker tables to slot machines, all powered by digital currency and built around faster, more flexible access.

Privacy

Not everyone wants to attach their identity to a gambling account. Crypto offers a level of discretion that’s hard to match with traditional payment methods.

Fairness You Can Check

Blockchain makes it possible for users to verify that a game isn’t rigged. This “provably fair” model is a big win for trust, and trust keeps people coming back.

More Personalized

Because of the data tied to crypto wallets and user behavior, platforms can tailor rewards, offers, and game suggestions to each player. It’s not just about playing—it’s about feeling like the experience is made for you.

All of that makes crypto gambling an attractive partner for content platforms looking for fast-moving, scalable models.

Who’s Playing and Why That Matters

The typical crypto gambler isn’t the same as the average casino visitor from 10 years ago. The majority fall between the ages of 25 and 44. They grew up with the internet, trust digital tools, and want more from their experiences than just a chance to win money.

They’re also:

  • Comfortable with risk
  • Used to fast, mobile-first apps
  • Interested in emerging tech
  • Attracted to platforms that offer something new

Crypto gambling also opens doors for players in parts of the world where traditional banks or financial systems don’t serve them well. Places like Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and parts of Latin America have seen big user spikes.

And almost all of it happens on mobile.

Where Gambling Meets Entertainment

This is where things get interesting. Crypto gambling isn’t just growing because it’s convenient. It’s growing because it feels more like entertainment than old-school gambling.

Content platforms are watching this closely because the new version of online gambling looks a lot like what they’re already good at: building communities, hosting live events, and keeping users engaged.

Gamified Features That Keep Users Hooked

Platforms are adding game-like mechanics to keep people engaged:

  • Token-based rewards
  • Daily challenges and missions
  • Leaderboards
  • NFTs as prizes

It’s the same strategy that makes mobile games addictive, and it works just as well here. Gambling turns into something more social and goal-oriented. Players feel like they’re progressing, not just betting.

Built-In Communities

A lot of newer crypto casinos feel more like online hangouts than isolated gambling sites. Players can:

  • Chat with each other
  • Watch others play live
  • Compete in multiplayer tournaments
  • Share wins and strategies in real time

This kind of shared experience is exactly what younger players want. It also creates natural content—streams, clips, chat highlights—that keeps the platform buzzing.

All-in-One Messaging and Gaming

Some casinos have taken it a step further by operating entirely through messaging apps like Telegram. No separate app. No logging in through a browser. Just open a chat, play, and get your payout instantly.

It’s fast, easy, and fits perfectly into how people already use their phones.

Streaming and Influencers: The New Casino Hosts

Streaming has changed everything. Now, gambling isn’t something you do alone, it’s something you can watch others do live. And in the crypto gambling world, that’s a huge part of the draw.

Some platforms are built around this idea, using Twitch-style layouts where influencers host live gambling sessions. These aren’t just any influencers either. High-profile names and celebrities are getting involved.

Some top streamers host roulette nights for millions of viewers

Others do crypto giveaways or host Q&A sessions mid-game

Viewers can chat, react in real time, and even join in on certain games

Instead of a casino floor, the “venue” is a livestream, and the vibe is more like a concert than a gambling site.

Some Platforms that are Taking the Initiative

The following are some of the remarkable indications of how crypto gambling is frontiering new boundaries:

  • MetaWin – Conducts blockchain competitions in which prizes are ETH and NFTs on a blockchain with proofs on the chain.
  • Playgram – Plays on Telegram exclusively. No KYC, thousands of games and payout in an instant in crypto.
  • Stake (with Drake) – Collaborated with the rapper to conduct huge-participant livestream occasions with roulettes and astronomical awards.
  • Luck.io – Gives high revenues of up to half a million dollars a month to high influencers to broadcast and market their games.

This is not simply a gimmick; it is an illustration of how gambling is being sold as a content.

Why Content Platforms are Hot

But what about the platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Kick, or even newer and more specialized websites?

More Money Making Options

Additional revenue sources are through branded events, influencer deals, NFTs, token sales, and microtransactions.

Larger Younger Viewers

Crypto gambling attracts audiences that traditional gambling is not always able to capture, particularly the younger, tech-savvy users who are more difficult to market using traditional ways.

Longer Engagement

There are so many gamified features, social features that cause users to visit and not to leave at all. They hang around, talk, observe and visit.

Conclusion

Crypto gambling fits all the requirements of platforms that attempt to move beyond static content. It is quick, entertaining, social and highly interactive.

And best of all, it is expanding.

WIBX 950 Program Director Megan Stone Exits

BNM Staff
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WIBX 950 Program Director Megan Stone Exits

After just over two years serving as the Brand Manager at WIBX 950, Megan Stone has departed the Townsquare Utica news/talk station.

Stone joined the station in June 2023 after previously working at ABC News Radio as an entertainment producer and content coordinator. She also worked on the station’s morning show in addition to her role as Brand Manager.

In a post to social media, Stone shared that her position was eliminated as one of several budget cuts enacted by Townsquare.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I announce I was among the latest round of layoffs at Townsquare Media,” she wrote. “Many of us in radio understand our industry is ever-changing, and, sometimes we are not included in those changes. Despite this outcome, I am proud of everything I accomplished during my time at WIBX, a nearly 100-year-old news radio station.

“My time as WIBX’s Brand Manager was an exciting challenge that taught me numerous lessons about myself and my capabilities. I will miss the Mohawk Valley – especially all the friendships I made during my time here.”

In addition to her time at WIBX 950 and ABC News Radio, Megan Stone previously worked at stations in Bridgeport and Norwalk, Connecticut, as well as Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

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.

FOX Sports Promotes Allison Williams to NFL Sidelines Replacing Laura Okmin

BSM Staff
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FOX Sports Promotes Allison Williams to NFL Sidelines Replacing Laura Okmin

FOX Sports is adding a familiar face to its NFL coverage this fall. According to a report from Front Office Sports, veteran broadcaster Allison Williams has been promoted to a full-time sideline reporter role for FOX’s NFL coverage. Williams, who joined the network in 2022 after departing ESPN, will now take on one of the most high-profile assignments in sports broadcasting.

The move marks a significant step forward for Williams, who is already a staple on FOX’s college football coverage alongside play-by-play voice Jason Benetti and analyst Brock Huard. While she’s worked select NFL games in the past, the new role places her in a consistent position throughout the 2024 season.

Williams’ elevation comes as FOX adjusts its NFL sideline roster. According to the report, she will work with play-by-play announcer Kevin Kugler and analyst Daryl Johnston, replacing Laura Okmin, the third-longest-tenured sideline reporter in NFL history. Last month, Okmin announced she would be leaving the network after turning down a contract extension.

For nearly a quarter of a century, Okmin has been a fixture in FOX Sports’ coverage of the National Football League. Although she is stepping away from FOX Sports, her plan is to continue working in football, specifically by contributing to NFL postseason and Super Bowl coverage for Westwood One’s radio broadcasts.

She originally joined FOX Sports in 2002, serving as both a host and reporter for the network. In addition, she was a host for the company’s digital coverage of the 2012 and 2014 Olympic Games.

Williams began gaining national attention during her time at ESPN, where she covered college football and basketball across multiple platforms, including ABC and ESPN’s linear networks. However, in 2021, she left the company after choosing not to comply with its COVID-19 vaccine mandate. FOX welcomed Williams in 2022, and her work on the college football sidelines has been widely praised.

Williams’ ascension is another example of FOX investing in versatile and experienced talent as it looks to maintain its strong position in NFL broadcasting.

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.

ABC News to Launch New Daily News Show on Disney+

BNM Staff
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ABC News to Launch New Daily News Show on Disney+

ABC News has announced plans to launch a daily news program that will stream exclusively on Disney+.

What You Need to Know will debut on Monday, July 21st. New episodes will debut on the streaming platform at 6 AM ET each weekday. The program will be anchored by ABC News chief international correspondent James Longman and senior political correspondent Rachel Scott.

“We are proud to launch this innovative series with Rachel and James, who meet viewers where they are with essential news, context and analysis to help them better understand the world around us,” said ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic. “This new effort expands ABC News’ significant footprint on Disney+, allowing us to reach and connect with new and diverse audiences on the platform.”

The new program from ABC News joins other programming from the network made available on the Disney+ platform, including Good Morning America: First Look, Prime with Linsey Davis, and World News Tonight with David Muir, in addition to the ABC News Live streaming news channel.

“We are excited to embark on this journey with Disney+, a show that reimagines how you get your news,” said Longman and Scott in a joint statement. “What You Need to Know is built for the speed of the scrolling era, cutting through the noise by offering essential news in an easily digestible and accessible package wherever you are.”

Each new episode of What You Need to Know will be available on Disney+ for 24 hours.

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

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