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Ryan Seacrest’s Top Host Contest Is Radio’s Oldest Idea Reborn

Pete Mundo
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Ryan Seacrest’s Top Host Contest Is Radio’s Oldest Idea Reborn

As I was scrolling through my social media feed recently, I stumbled upon an ad featuring Ryan Seacrest.

The ad was promoting Seacrest’s “Top Host” competition, a search for aspiring hosts, podcasters, storytellers, and conversation starters. The winner receives $25,000, the opportunity to lead a six-episode podcast produced by iHeartRadio, and a guest appearance alongside Seacrest himself.

As I watched the ad, I laughed. Not because it was a bad idea. In fact, I love it. I laughed because it is just an old radio bit being recycled by the digital and podcasting space.

A Radio Contest I Remember Well

Much has been made lately about how Spotify, YouTube, and the podcast industry are increasingly adopting strategies radio has used for decades. The moment I saw Seacrest’s competition, I was taken back to the summer of 2010.

Fresh out of college, I entered WFAN‘s “Fantasy Phenom” contest in New York. The premise was simple: Aspiring sports talk hosts were given a chance to showcase their abilities in front of judges for an opportunity to host a weekend overnight show on one of the most legendary sports radio stations in America.

I still remember walking onto that stage to deliver my two-minute rant. As I recall, it was not good. In fact, I don’t even remember what the rant was about. What I do remember is that I didn’t advance.

Clearly, the judges weren’t blown away. But looking back, that’s not really the point.

The contest gave people like me an opportunity. It introduced aspiring broadcasters to the business. It created excitement. It uncovered talent like John Jastremski and Joe Giglio, two friends who have built tremendous careers in the business. And it reminded people that broadcasting wasn’t simply about speaking into a microphone. It was about connecting with an audience.

After that experience, I spent the next several years working on my craft in New York, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma before eventually freelancing at WFAN for five years. Funny how things come full circle in this business.

The Pitch Hasn’t Changed

What struck me about the Seacrest promotion wasn’t the prize money or even the podcast itself. It was the language.

“So if you make people laugh, can captivate an audience, and want to host your own show, this is for you.”

Sound familiar? That’s the same pitch radio has been making for generations.

The reality is that podcasting, streaming, and digital audio have created incredible new opportunities for content creators. That’s a good thing. There are far more paths into the business today than there were 20 years ago.

But I also wonder how many people who enter competitions like this aren’t even considering radio as a career. How many talented personalities are spending years trying to grow a podcast from seven listeners to 15 listeners without realizing their skill set might translate exceptionally well to radio?

Radio certainly isn’t what it was a generation ago. No reasonable person would argue otherwise. But there is still tremendous value in what the medium does best, and there are great careers to be built.

Radio’s Model Is Everywhere

Look at what’s happening around us. Spotify has invested heavily in personalities. Apple Music has embraced radio shows. Podcast companies are hosting live events and building communities around their biggest brands.

Even Seacrest’s competition follows a model radio operators have understood forever: Find compelling personalities, give them a platform and let audiences form relationships with them.

That’s radio.

Remembering the Basics

Sometimes our industry spends so much time worrying about what comes next that we forget to appreciate what we’ve always done well.

People don’t come back because of a microphone, an app or a streaming platform. They come back because of the person on the other end. That’s why the lesson here isn’t that radio needs to become podcasting. It’s that radio shouldn’t forget what made it successful in the first place.

At a time when our industry is racing to adapt to constantly changing technology, there is still value in the basics: finding talented people, developing their skills, giving them opportunities, and helping them build authentic relationships with audiences.

And every once in a while, it’s worth remembering that some of the industry’s newest ideas are really radio’s oldest ideas. And that’s not a bad place to start.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

How Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski Are Blazing Their Own Trails Together At FOX Sports

John Molori
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How Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski Are Blazing Their Own Trails Together At FOX Sports

The New England Patriots are hot right now. Well, let me qualify that. The New England Patriots football team is anything but hot. However, former New England Patriots are extremely hot in sports media. Speckled throughout the national football landscape are the likes of Teddy Bruschi, Randy Moss, Devin and Jason McCourty, and Tom Brady. Not to mention the numerous ex-Pats working in Boston and New England regional media. Two more former Patriots, Julian Edelman, a regular on FOX NFL Kickoff, and Rob Gronkowski, part of the NFL on FOX pregame team, have paired up for their own program. It’s simply called The Gronk and Jules Show.

The show airs on FS1, FOX Sports digital platforms, the NFL on FOX YouTube channel, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. The meat of the show lies in the personalities of Gronkowski and Edelman. They were not only two of the most prolific pass catchers in Patriots history, but also two of the more interesting personalities ever to grace Gillette Stadium.

That has translated well to television.

FOX promoted The Gronk and Jules Show as a program that would feature “unfiltered conversation.” Gronkowski and Edelman offer just that. The truth is, they have no choice. Neither host has a phony veneer or a stock TV attitude. They are who they are.

During their playing days, both Gronkowski and Edelman were viewed as the mischievous little brothers to the focused and serious Brady. Big brother is still helping his adopted siblings, as The Gronk and Jules Show is produced in conjunction with Shadow Lion, a creative studio founded by Brady.

Building Their Own Brand

Gronkowski and Edelman owe a lot to Brady in terms of their playing careers and statistics. But make no mistake: They are blazing their own trails in media.

If they handed out a most improved award for NFL pregame studio analysts, it would go to Gronkowski. The gregarious “Gronk” is still a work in progress, but so far this season, he is not just showing up, smiling, and doling out funny lines. He is actually providing insight as perhaps the best tight end in the history of the game.

Edelman seems to be a TV natural. His pleasant personality and penchant for humor work well with the FOX NFL Kickoff crew. Moreover, his Games with Names podcast continues to attract big-name guests from the sports and entertainment fields.

Edelman is a solid interviewer. In fact, in a recent solo edition of The Gronk and Jules Show, he offered a terrific long-form conversation with Bengals QB Joe Burrow. Edelman brings a relaxed, kid-next-door attitude to television. He is fun to watch and completely in his element.

The Gronk and Jules Show brings these two unique characters together. Every Monday, the duo looks at their “Six-Pack” of key games from the previous week’s schedule. Given that Gronkowski and Edelman are the hosts, it is surprising that they are not chugging an actual six-pack on the show.

This episode of The Gronk and Jules Show also featured producer/commentator Jack McCarthy, who brings trained broadcast professionalism to the proceedings. I like McCarthy’s passionate and upbeat introductions to each game. He gets the dialogue going, then sits back and lets the hosts do their thing.

While Gronkowski and Edelman bring star quality to the program, McCarthy is a necessary piece. He does a really nice job of bringing out their personalities while also demonstrating his own ability to talk ball.

Entertaining And Informative

Beneath their effusive personalities, Edelman and Gronkowski know the game of football and provide terrific X’s and O’s analysis. They also display the emotion that both showed as players. You could actually see the pain on both Gronkowski’s and Edelman’s faces as they talked about the Patriots’ 35-6 drubbing at the hands of the Jaguars last week. That’s what The Gronk and Jules Show is all about. Both men wear their football hearts on their respective sleeves.

After a cold open in which Edelman and Gronkowski bellow show headlines, viewers see black-and-white yearbook photos of the hosts, complete with a mustache drawn on Gronkowski and an eye patch on Edelman. This part of the open plays to the fact that both men are kids at heart and probably former class clowns.

The Gronk and Jules Show is more than just a football show. It is a personality show built around its hosts.

When FOX introduced the show in September, the network’s president and executive producer, Brad Zager, said, “Rob and Julian’s passion for football and natural chemistry from years of competing and winning at the highest level comes through to fans every time they are together. The Gronk and Jules Show is exactly the kind of premium, superstar athlete-driven, fun and informative content viewers have come to expect from FOX Sports.”

The three words that stand out from that quote are passion, chemistry, and fun.

That is how Gronkowski and Edelman played the game, and it is how The Gronk and Jules Show plays to viewers.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

How Five Words Sparked a Radio Programming Culture Shift

Kevin Callahan
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How Five Words Sparked a Radio Programming Culture Shift

I am fortunate to be physically inside a radio station every single week. That might sound like a simple detail. But in an era where many industry observers haven’t set foot inside a working broadcast studio in years, I view it as a distinct advantage.

For me, it is never about “I have to go to the office.” It is always “I get to be in the building.”

How else can you truly know how all the moving parts of a modern media company actually fit together? It is the only way to see what the business is really like today and understand operational challenges in a live environment. You cannot gauge the health of your operation by looking at a dashboard, joining a monthly video call, or only listening to the stream. Being on the ground is how you see what is broken in real time. It is how you check the pulse of your team and understand how people are doing, both professionally and personally. It gives you an unvarnished look at where you excel and where you fall short.

We are nowhere near the end zone. We make mistakes, we hit operational snags, and our daily execution is far from perfect. But being in the building allows you to stand shoulder to shoulder with a team committed to moving the ball forward every single day.

Five Words That Changed the Room

Every week, I lead a meeting with all of our Program Directors and Assistant Program Directors. It is a dedicated time to look at our performance, review our sound, and confront our operational hurdles head-on.

A few weeks ago, during a discussion about a frustrating hurdle we had been wrestling with, one of our PDs stepped up with a fresh update. He did not lead with excuses or a list of reasons why the problem was difficult.

Instead, he started his contribution with five simple words: “I found a way to…”

He walked the team through how he had tackled the issue, tested a new approach, and unlocked a solution. The specific issue itself was less important than the mindset behind those words. It was pure curiosity, initiative, and tenacity in action.

An Infectious Culture of Daily Progress

Fast-forward a couple of weeks. The shift in that room was incredible. Those five words had become completely infectious across our programming team.

One after another, leaders went around the table sharing their own breakthroughs:

  • “I found a way to automate this ratings analysis.”
  • “I found a way to combine data points for audience music data.”
  • “I found a way to more easily edit videos for Reels.”

Nobody was told to use that phrase. The desire to find a better way spread naturally. Every person in that room had spent the prior two weeks digging into their daily routines, identifying solutions, and discovering smarter ways to work. Best of all, they did not keep those breakthroughs to themselves. They shared them across the entire team so every station elevated together.

Moving Forward

Building enviable content and a great culture is not something you achieve with a memo. It happens one play at a time through relentless daily progress, positive energy, and real creative freedom. It also comes from learning through failure, making swift decisions, and embracing hands-on problem-solving.

This mindset does far more than just celebrate our accomplishments. It forces us to openly acknowledge the real hurdles our content team still needs to tackle. When you lay those challenges on the table without fear, you get all the sharpest brains in the building actively working on the exact same problems.

We are not striving for an unattainable illusion of perfection just for our own ego. We do it because every time we fix a broken process behind the scenes, clear out friction for our talent, or refine our workflow, we create a better experience for our audience when they turn on the radio or view our content.

When you share those breakthroughs openly, problem-solving stops being an isolated struggle and turns into a shared win. Suddenly, everyone is pulling on the same end of the rope. We still have plenty of ground to cover. But when your team relentlessly searches for a better way, you build a premier destination where the best creators in media truly want to win.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

How Small-Market Hustle Powered Audacy’s Binky Lee to Four Shows

Bethany Kent
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How Small-Market Hustle Powered Audacy’s Binky Lee to Four Shows

Binky Lee works four shows, on three formats, in two cities. Each week, she hosts afternoons on Q94 in Richmond and Z104 in Norfolk. In addition, she anchors middays on Mix 98.1 in Richmond and 101.3 2WD in Hampton/Norfolk. Still, the Audacy personality says she has never felt more settled in her radio career.

I met Lee a few years ago and was immediately impressed with not only her work ethic but also how much she feels like her true self both on-air and on social media. She is someone who values hustle, authenticity, and after being in the industry for almost 20 years, stability too.

Small-Market Roots Built a Hands-On Hustle

Lee’s career began in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where she interned for Clear Channel in 2006. She went on to spend 14 years with iHeartMedia across Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Milwaukee. Looking back, she credits that small-market start for her skills.

“I’m so thankful that my journey started in little ol’ Grand Forks, North Dakota,” Lee said. Small stations had small staffs. As a result, she learned to handle everything herself.

That training paid off quickly in Milwaukee. When NexGen acted up, one coworker immediately went looking for an engineer. Meanwhile, Lee solved the problem in a few seconds.

The benefits continue today. For example, Audacy’s production hub often praises her endorsement spots because they arrive edited and ready for air. “Knowing more than how to just crack a mic and hit a post will always work out in your favor,” she said.

A Family Connection and an MTV Dream

Radio runs in Lee’s family. Relatives in the business gave her early chances, such as recording spots when stations needed a kid’s voice. In fact, she recorded her first commercial at age six. She also helped behind the scenes at local events.

Her first dream job, however, was not radio. “Like the true millennial I am, I always dreamed of one day being an MTV VJ,” she said. Radio seemed like the closest thing. So she earned a Communications Degree at the University of North Dakota, interned at Clear Channel, and stayed. Then she worked her way up.

Progress for Women in Radio, With Room to Grow

Lee has watched the industry change since she started nearly 20 years ago. Overall, she loves seeing stations embrace women in all dayparts. She remembers when a woman in PM drive or nights was rare. Likewise, multiple women on the same station was a rare sight.

That bias never made sense to her, especially at stations that target women. She also points to an old programming belief. Some thought scheduling more than two female songs back-to-back would send listeners away. “Like who came up with that?” she asked.

Programming offices need more women too, she said. She once argued with a former PD who claimed her listeners did not care about the Met Gala. Her answer was direct. “I AM IN THE DEMO!” she told him.

Ultimately, Lee sees real progress. “The influence of women in the radio industry has come a long way, but there is definitely still room to grow,” she said.

Four Shows, Three Formats, Two Cities

Juggling multiple stations takes flexibility. Regardless of format, Lee keeps one rule constant: stay authentic. Her adult contemporary persona runs “a little more buttoned up and mature.” On Z104, however, she jokes more freely.

Geography matters too. Lee lives in Richmond, but Norfolk sits about two hours away on a good traffic day. Because of that, she spends time in the market, learns the culture, and meets listeners. Her biggest focus is staying hyper-local in both cities.

Honoring Kat Simons at Mix 98.1

Her Mix 98.1 role carries special weight. Lee joined the lineup after the death of Kat Simons, who hosted at the station for more than 25 years. Audacy approached Lee about the role, and she felt surprised and honored.

“At first it felt like a lot of pressure and big shoes to fill,” she said. However, the feeling changed. “Once I got into the swing of things, it really just felt right.”

Lee worked alongside Simons and calls her “truly one of the sweetest human beings to ever walk this Earth.” Today, Lee’s goal is simple. Every day, she tries to keep a smile on listeners’ faces, just as Kat did.

The Long Road to Virginia

Lee’s path included a few detours. She always planned to move to a larger market. Even so, she admits that applying for jobs sometimes felt like throwing darts at a map.

Milwaukee offered a big opportunity and what she calls “a huge leap of faith.” It also became a huge lesson learned, though she saved that story for another day. Afterward, she returned to North Dakota for a reset and worked part time at iHeart while she searched for her next full-time job.

Then COVID hit, and hiring slowed to a standstill. Once stations hired again, Lee was ready to go anywhere. That place turned out to be Audacy Virginia. This January, she will mark five years with the company.

Advice for the Next Generation

Lee’s advice for young women starts with networking. Follow personalities you admire on social media. Likewise, e-mail PDs for feedback, attend conferences, and join radio Facebook groups. “Most of us have been in your shoes at some point in our career and would be happy to help in any way we can,” she said.

She also urges patience. Social media makes it easy to compare timelines. However, Lee says every career unfolds differently. “Believe in your talent, and know that what’s meant for you WILL happen,” she said.

Her own story proves the point. “It took me almost 15 years to land at Audacy Virginia, and I finally feel like I’m truly thriving in my radio career,” she said. “Not everyone’s success happens overnight.”

What Comes Next

For years, Lee dreamed of working in a major market. Now her thinking has shifted. “I like feeling stable and not jumping from market to market trying to get ahead,” she said.

Of course, she would consider an offer from New York or Los Angeles. Even so, she can picture her career continuing in Virginia. She credits Audacy leaders Bennett Zier, Don London, and Mike Danger for believing in her and helping her grow.

Her ultimate dream is a national or syndicated “Binky Show.” Best of all, she would produce it from Virginia.

Why Personalities Still Matter

Lee also sees a bright future for on-air talent. Streaming options keep multiplying. Yet she believes listeners still turn to radio for personalities. “We should not take that lightly,” she said.

Radio hosts have an advantage, she added, because they reach audiences on-air and on social media. “We truly were the OG influencers,” she said. In a crowded field, her message is clear. “We have to continue to show up and show out.”

From Grand Forks to Richmond, Lee has proven that patience, hands-on skills, and authenticity pay off. Her next move may be a bigger stage. For now, she is thriving right where she is.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Scott Spezzano to Exit Mornings on 98.9 The Buzz

Garrett Searight
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Scott Spezzano to Exit Mornings on 98.9 The Buzz

Scott Spezzano will leave 98.9 The Buzz in Rochester after 50 years in radio. His final show is scheduled for Friday, December 18th.

What We Know: Spezzano has spent the past 26 years alongside co-host Sandy Waters, with the pair first working together in 1999. They spent 15 years hosting mornings at another Rochester station before moving to 98.9 The Buzz in 2014. Now, Spezzano plans to exit his current role after more than a decade at the station. His departure comes shortly after his 65th birthday on Saturday, December 5th. However, Spezzano stressed that he isn’t retiring from radio altogether.

What They Said: “Starting today, we have about 57 shows left together, and I want those 57 shows to be fun. What’s next? I have no idea. Not completely yet. Probably for the first time in my adult life, I’m actually ok saying that … I’m not disappearing. I’m just closing one really, really big chapter and figuring out what the next one looks like … I just wanted you to hear it from me.” -Scott Spezzano

What Remains Unclear: Spezzano hasn’t announced what he’ll do after leaving 98.9 The Buzz. Although he described his departure as the closing of a major chapter, he made clear that he doesn’t view it as the end of his radio career. For now, his plans beyond December remain unknown. It is also unclear who will replace him in the daypart. Sandy Waters will remain in her role.

What It Means: Spezzano’s exit will end a 26-year run alongside Waters that has included 12 years on 98.9 The Buzz. Meanwhile, the station will have to determine how it handles its morning programming after the longtime host’s departure. Spezzano and Waters will have roughly 57 shows remaining together before his scheduled final day.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

New Study Shows Consumers Are Switching Between Audio and Video Podcasts More Often

John Mamola
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New Study Shows Consumers Are Switching Between Audio and Video Podcasts More Often

Video podcasting is booming, but audio isn’t losing ground. A new SiriusXM Media and Edison Research study shows most fans simply do both.

What We Know: The study surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. monthly podcast consumers 13 and older in the second quarter. Overall, 90% listened to an audio-first podcast in the past month, while 89% consumed a video podcast. Meanwhile, 70% did both, compared to 10% who only listened and 20% who only watched. Additionally, 77% encounter clips on social media, and two in three say they later sought out a full episode. The data shows 72% of monthly podcast consumers have played a video podcast in the background or minimized the video during the past month.

What They Said: Edison VP Megan Lazovick: “People don’t identify as an audio podcast person or a video podcast person. They’re just podcast consumers, and they use whatever format is convenient to them, whatever works for the content or the moment that they’re in at the time.”

SiriusXM Media VP of Sales Research Melissa Paris: “There is really not one dominant front door to podcasting anymore. People might enter through audio, they might enter through video, or maybe somewhere in between.”

What Remains Unclear: However, the study offers a snapshot rather than a trend line. As a result, it doesn’t show how fast video is growing compared to audio. Furthermore, starting points are nearly split: 40% began with audio, while 39% started by watching video. Another 21% began with a video playing in the background, blurring the line even further.

What It Means: For broadcasters, the takeaway is clear: audio still owns the car, where 68% of consumers choose to listen. Moreover, 72% have recently backgrounded or minimized a video podcast, effectively turning it into audio. Ad recall also sits at 75% for both formats, and attention levels remain close. Ultimately, the data suggests creators should offer both formats and let audiences choose.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Walt Disney Company CCO Dana Walden Addresses Recent Round Of Layoffs

John Mamola
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Walt Disney Company CCO Dana Walden Addresses Recent Round Of Layoffs

The Walt Disney Company has cut another 300 jobs, this time in its HR and tech divisions. Meanwhile, Disney Entertainment CCO Dana Walden says technology is forcing the business to evolve.

What We Know: Disney has now laid off more than 10,000 employees since streaming cuts began in 2022. Earlier in 2026, the company eliminated roughly 1,000 marketing roles. Later, cuts hit ESPN, National Geographic, and Pixar, despite the $1 billion-plus run of Toy Story 5. Additionally, AI automation has trimmed HR staffing industry-wide, with Bloomberg reporting an 18% drop in HR jobs since ChatGPT launched. Walden was asked about the challenges facing the company at a Bloomberg event this week.

What They Said: (All quotes via Bloomberg):

Dana Walden on the recent round of layoffs with The Walt Disney Company: “It is extremely painful. We’ve exited colleagues who I’ve worked with for most of my career, it is in many ways a harsh reality. But I’m really grateful to [CEO Josh D’Amaro] and to Sonia Coleman, our head of HR. This past round was a voluntary retirement program, which was extremely generous, and gave a number of our long tenured executives agency and the opportunity to make their own decisions around whether the timing was right to leave or to stay, knowing that this evolution it will never stop.”

Dana Walden on her advice for Warner Bros. Discovery executives departing after the Paramount merger: “I would recommend that you approach these processes with compassion and try to do the best by your colleagues who are not going to have a long-term job at your company. Help them to find new jobs. Be great resources. Be of counsel. Set up programs to help them. You know, connect with other businesses. Casey [Bloys, HBO chief and expected Paramount-Warner streaming head] is a compassionate and empathetic person, so I think that’ll come very easy to him.”

What Remains Unclear: Walden didn’t say whether more cuts are coming within Disney’s own ranks. It’s also unclear how much AI directly drove the latest HR reduction. Notably, Walden described the latest round mixed with a voluntary retirement program. Still, she expects layoffs to continue across Hollywood.

What It Means: Ultimately, Disney’s cuts preview what’s next for the industry. The Paramount-Warner Bros. merger could trigger the next wave later this month. After all, CEO David Ellison has promised $6 billion in efficiencies from the $111 billion deal. For media workers, including those in sports, that means more turbulence ahead as the calendar counts down towards a new year.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Clay Travis Explains His Vision for New Sport & State Endeavor

Garrett Searight
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Clay Travis Explains His Vision for New Sport & State Endeavor

Clay Travis is building Sport & State around live content and direct audience connections. The approach echoes his strategy at OutKick before he sold the company to FOX Corp. in 2021.

What We Know: Travis launched Sport & State earlier this year after his contract with FOX Corp. lapsed. He previously built OutKick around sports, culture, opinion, and audience engagement before selling the company to FOX Corp. in 2021. Now, Travis wants Sport & State to emphasize live reactions, original content, and a focused approach to news and information. His comments came during an interview with Ben Shapiro for his Titans on Tomorrow series. Travis described the company’s strategy as one designed to stand out as artificial intelligence reshapes digital media.

What They Said: “As I was deciding on a new company, the people you partner with are hugely important. We wanted to build a great live company predicated on real, as-it-is-happening-now moments. I think in an AI age, sports is going to matter more than it ever has before. I don’t think we’re going to watch robots play basketball. Live reactions to sports, pop culture, and everything else were the foundation here. I also think everybody’s drinking out of a fire hose of content. We don’t want to have a hundred articles on the page. I have the theory that people want to come in the morning and at night, and they just want to know, ‘Clay, tell us what matters. We trust you to make sense of the world.’

“That’s what I would say is the acorn that hopefully we will turn into a large tree in the years ahead. Live, direct connection through the sports gambling world and original content that is difficult to replicate in an AI age, where I think we’re all going to be inundated with slop, is the thesis under which the company was built.” -Clay Travis

What Remains Unclear: Travis hasn’t detailed the full scope of Sport & State’s future programming, staffing, or business model. Additionally, the company hasn’t established whether it will mirror OutKick’s eventual scale or expand in a different direction.

What It Means: Travis’ comments show that Sport & State will prioritize immediacy and personality rather than producing large volumes of generic content. Meanwhile, his focus on original material reflects the broader challenge media companies face as AI-generated content becomes more common.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Netflix Signs Rebecca Lowe As Lead Host For FIFA Women’s World Cup Coverage

John Mamola
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Netflix Signs Rebecca Lowe As Lead Host For FIFA Women’s World Cup Coverage

Netflix has named Rebecca Lowe lead host of its 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup coverage. Meanwhile, her NBC Sports Premier League role will continue without interruption.

What We Know: Lowe hosts NBC Sports’ Premier League coverage, a role she has held since 2013. Additionally, she fronted FOX Sports’ men’s World Cup coverage this summer alongside Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. She also brings Women’s World Cup experience, having served as number two host to Bob Ley for ESPN in 2011. Furthermore, Netflix owns exclusive U.S. and Canadian rights to the 2027 and 2031 tournaments.

What’s At Stake: With Netflix owning the rights to the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cup, it’s imperative for the platform to present a high quality product as they hope to earn the rights to the 2030 Men’s World Cup. Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria recently stated that Netflix would like to be in the running for both the 2030 and 2034 rights for the Men’s World Cup.

What Remains Unclear: Netflix’s full studio lineup remains unsettled. Reported talks with Megan Rapinoe still need to advance, and the streamer continues speaking with other candidates.

What It Means: For Netflix, Lowe brings a proven big-event voice to its Women’s World Cup debut. Notably, the 2027 tournament will stream exclusively in the U.S. and Canada, a first for the event. It also marks the first Women’s World Cup staged in South America, with Brazil hosting. Ultimately, landing Lowe signals how seriously Netflix wants to make a major splash next summer.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Bill Simmons “Surprised” By Michael Wilbon’s Saying PTI Continues With Frank Isola If Tony Kornheiser Retires

John Mamola
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Bill Simmons “Surprised” By Michael Wilbon’s Saying PTI Continues With Frank Isola If Tony Kornheiser Retires

Michael Wilbon’s recent comments about the future of Pardon the Interruption stunned Bill Simmons. Wilbon said he would do the show with Frank Isola if Tony Kornheiser retired.

What We Know: Simmons addressed the topic on a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast. Specifically, he took issue with Wilbon naming Isola as a potential partner after Kornheiser. Simmons felt Wilbon should have committed to Kornheiser for as long as he wants to work. Additionally, Simmons noted that PTI aired an hour-long episode a few weeks ago which he enjoyed, a format Kornheiser has long resisted.

What They Said: (All quotes via The Bill Simmons Podcast):

Bill Simmons was stunned that Michael Wilbon said he’d continue hosting Pardon the Interruption without Tony Kornheiser: “I didn’t like when [Michael] Wilbon gave the answer about if Tony [Kornheiser] retired. When he said [he] would do it [Pardon the Interruption] with Frank Isola. I was really surprised he said that. The correct answer would have been it’s my show with Tony. I want to do the show with Tony for as long as he wants to do it. I’m not going to think about what’s happening after. It was weird that he had somebody warming up at the bullpen. I was really, really surprised by that.”

Bill Simmons says Tony Kornheiser has been teasing retirement forever: “Tony’s [Kornheiser] been retiring for 12 years. [We’re] almost at the end of 2026. I’m so old. Nobody wants to look at me. I just don’t see him [retiring], and the ratings are fine.”

Bill Simmons says he wouldn’t mind Pardon the Interruption moving to an hour long program: “They had an hour long show [Pardon the Interruption] maybe like three, four weeks ago. Which Tony [Kornheiser] has resisted forever. He feels like that would be the death of the show, the moment it went for an hour. Wasn’t not interesting. They made the little five good minutes interviews were longer, and they figured out a way to string [it] along. You basically have to do 42 to 43 minutes of content instead of 22. But I wasn’t against it.”

What Remains Unclear: However, Kornheiser’s timeline on the program remains a mystery. Simmons, for his part, doesn’t see him stepping away anytime soon. It’s also unclear whether Wilbon’s Isola comment reflects any real planning by ESPN. Likewise, nobody knows if the hour-long format could return regularly.

What It Means: Ultimately, Simmons’ reaction shows how closely the Wilbon-Kornheiser partnership remains tied to PTI‘s identity. After nearly 25 years, the pairing is the heart of the show. Consequently, any succession talk draws scrutiny from peers and fans alike. For now, though, Simmons insists the ratings are fine and sees no reason to rush a change.

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