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Damon Amendolara on the End of the Infinity Sports Network: “It’s Demoralizing”

BSM Staff
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Damon Amendolara on the End of the Infinity Sports Network: “It’s Demoralizing”

SiriusXM host Damon Amendolara expressed deep disappointment over the closure of the Infinity Sports Network, where he spent more than a decade of his career. The network, formerly named CBS Sports Radio, had been a fixture in national sports radio for years.

“It is gutting. It’s demoralizing. I spent 11 years of my career at CBS Sports Radio, and did some of the work I’m most proud of in my life with those guys,” Amendolara said, reflecting on his long tenure with the network.

Amendolara, who helped shape the network’s morning lineup during his tenure at CBS Sports Radio, highlighted the high level of national exposure and creative freedom the role afforded him.

“It’s really kind of surreal, those four or five years of morning radio on CBS Sports Radio. I open up against any sports radio show at a national level that has ever done it. I think we had done radio to a level that matches anybody’s execution. It was dynamic, it was eccentric, it was fun,” he said.

The Infinity Sports Network, which evolved from CBS Sports Radio, built a reputation for bold programming and personalities. Amendolara credited that period as some of the most creatively fulfilling of his career.

“I did some of the work I’m most proud of in my life with those guys,” he said, acknowledging both the camaraderie and professional achievement that defined his time at the network.

Earlier this year, Audacy and Cumulus announced the formation of the new Westwood One Sports Network. The announcement served as an extenssion a partnership between Westwood One and Audacy that first began with the launch of CBS Sports Radio in 2012.

Westwood One has handled sales and distribution for the network since its launch. Under this new partnership, Westwood One will handle programming and distribution for most of the syndicated sports lineup. Audacy will continue producing popular BetMGM Network programs moving to the new network. BetMGM will remain a presenting partner and the exclusive sportsbook partner for those programs.

While the closure of the network came as a disappointment, Amendolara noted that it was not entirely unexpected.

“It was predictable. I did sense that there were signs that it wasn’t going to be very long,” he said, hinting at internal shifts that signaled the network’s eventual shutdown.

For Amendolara, the end of the Infinity Sports Network is a professional milestone with both pride and disappointment. It serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of media platforms, even those that achieve national recognition.

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.

Philadelphia Flyers Suspend Radio Play-By-Play Announcer for Inappropriate Comment

BSM Staff
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Philadelphia Flyers Suspend Radio Play-By-Play Announcer for Inappropriate Comment

Philadelphia Flyers play-by-play announcer Tim Saunders has been suspended for two games after making an inappropriate on-air comment during a recent radio broadcast, the team announced.

The incident occurred late in the third period of a Flyers game, when Saunders appeared to believe the team had gone into a television timeout. Assuming the broadcast had shifted to a commercial break, Saunders hummed briefly to fill dead air before making a flippant remark (WARNING: CLIP IS NSFW) to a colleague.

Unbeknownst to Saunders, the microphone was still live, and color commentator Todd Fedoruk quickly realized listeners could hear the exchange. Saunders reportedly laughed it off, assuming Fedoruk was joking.

The Flyers, in a statement, said the organization and their broadcast partner, 97.5 The Fanatic, had issued the suspension and expressed apologies to anyone affected by the comments. The statement did not explicitly name Saunders, but the suspension applies to him.

“This action reflects our commitment to maintaining professionalism and respect in all aspects of our broadcast,” the team said.

Saunders, a longtime voice of the Flyers, has been a fixture in Philadelphia sports media for decades, making the incident all the more notable. The Flyers did not provide further details about the specific content of the comment but stressed that the suspension was intended to uphold standards for both the broadcast team and the organization. The two-game suspension is effective immediately.

Saunders has not issued a public statement. The team and Saunders have not officially stated if they will resume normal broadcast operations following the completion of the suspension.

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.

Bart Winkler: Listeners Were Ignored in Decision To End Infinity Sports Network

BSM Staff
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Bart Winkler: Listeners Were Ignored in Decision To End Infinity Sports Network

Infinity Sports Network host Bart Winkler aired his final episode of The Bart Winkler Show this week, marking the end of his tenure with the network and the closure of the network itself. Winkler used the moment to share candid reflections on the decision and the impact on both staff and listeners.

“I am bitter. I don’t like that. This is going down. I don’t like that I have to do this. I don’t like how it went down,” Winkler said, recounting a meeting earlier this year that left many employees blindsided.

“Couple of months ago, there was a meeting where it was hastily thrown together. And I know behind the scenes things are tough, but it was hastily thrown together. People jumped in the meeting, and we were told it’s ending where there’s three shows coming over. We don’t know everything else that’s going to happen, but there could be opportunities for you guys. So there was still some optimism that maybe things would work out. We knew we wouldn’t all get off the island, but some of us would, well, pretty much everybody in that meeting is stranded on the island now of unemployment,” revealed Winkler.

Earlier this year, Audacy and Cumulus announced the formation of the new Westwood One Sports Network. The announcement served as an extenssion a partnership between Westwood One and Audacy that first began with the launch of CBS Sports Radio in 2012.

Westwood One has handled sales and distribution for the network since its launch. Under this new partnership, Westwood One will handle programming and distribution for most of the syndicated sports lineup. Audacy will continue producing popular BetMGM Network programs moving to the new network. BetMGM will remain a presenting partner and the exclusive sportsbook partner for those programs.

With the Infinity Sports Network and BetMGM Network merging, there was some room for current staff/hosts to join the new network. However, a large portion of those two networks are not an announced part of the new Westwood One Sports Network.

Regarding Winkler, he expressed his frustration which extended beyond the staff to the network’s audience. “What I’m bitter about the most is that I don’t think you guys [listeners] were thought of at all, at all. The listeners of the Infinity Sports Network were an afterthought, not even a thought. You got afterthought means you were at least a thought. I don’t think you were a thought at all in this process,” he said.

Despite the disappointment, Winkler acknowledged the broader challenges facing radio and media executives.

“Radio is not dying, but it will die if the people in charge of radio continue to make decisions about, how can we do this the most cheap, and how can we do this the most quote, unquote, effective,” he said. “What is going to replace us? I’m not entirely sure, and I do sincerely wish them the best.”

Still, Winkler remains puzzled by the decision to shutter the Infinity Sports Network entirely during his final program on the network.

“I still don’t understand why the need for a new network like this is a complete new network. It is just going away. It is a new title belt. The lineage is over. It is a new era in radio, one where CBS Sports Radio and the Infinity Sports Network are dead. So I do not understand why this happening, and for that, I am bitter, and will be for a long time.”

Winkler’s final broadcast served as both a farewell and a pointed critique of the network’s management decisions, reflecting a mix of frustration, disappointment, and lingering questions. As Infinity Sports Network concludes its run, Winkler’s candid remarks underscore the challenges facing digital sports radio networks and the personal toll of sudden closures on those who built them.

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.

Charlamagne Tha God Inks Contract Extension with iHeartMedia

BMM Staff
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Charlamagne Tha God Inks Contract Extension with iHeartMedia

Charlamagne Tha God isn’t going anywhere. He’s signed an extension to remain with iHeartMedia.

As part of the extension, Charlamagne will remain alongside co-hosts DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, and Loren LoRosa on The Breakfast Club, heard from 6-10 AM ET. The show celebrated 15 years on the air earlier this month.

“When it comes to iHeartMedia, gratitude will always be my attitude. They’ve created space for me to grow not just as talent, but as an executive and true partner through The Black Effect Podcast Network,” said Charlamagne Tha God. “To say that I’m thankful is an understatement. iHeart is the biggest and best audio company on the planet and audio is the foundation on which the whole media conglomerate will be built. Podcasting, live events, TV/film and documentaries, the sky is the limit for where we are going; and radio will always be at the core of it. Here’s to a new era of growth, impact, and prosperity.”

“Charlamagne has been a transformative voice in audio, redefining what it means to create content that sparks dialogue and drives cultural change,” said iHeartMedia President and COO Rich Bressler. “Through The Breakfast Club and his growing podcast network, he’s amplified diverse voices, tackled tough conversations, and built platforms that continue to resonate with audiences nationwide. His influence has helped shape the future of audio and we’re energized by what lies ahead and appreciate his ongoing trust in iHeart.”

Charlamagne Tha God and The Breakfast Club were inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2020. The weekend show — Weekends with The Breakfast Club — will also remain in production as a Top 20 countdown as part of the extension.

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.

HOT 97’s Funkmaster Flex: I’m Doing Mornings Beginning in 2029

BMM Staff
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HOT 97’s Funkmaster Flex: I’m Doing Mornings Beginning in 2029

With the departure of Ebro in the Morning on HOT 97, the question remains of who will replace the long-running show in the daypart. Funkmaster Flex is saying it will be him, but not for another three years.

In a series of posts on social media, the HOT 97 host — who filled in on mornings this week following the departure of Ebro Darden, Peter Rosenberg, and Laura Stylez — shared that he’ll be taking over the daypart in 2029.

“We received a great response on me filling in (at) 6 AM this week! I accepted the morning show position for 2029!” Funkmaster Flex wrote. “2029 I will no longer be on at 5 PM!”

He continued by sharing that a new morning show is “2/3 completed.”

One more 1/3 and the listers (sic) will have a new morning show! More details on the way!”

He followed up by stating that he’s not part of the incoming morning show, but that he has agreed to be the next morning show host in 2029.

It has been a year of change for both HOT 97 and Funkmaster Flex. Earlier this year, Flex moved up in the lineup, beginning his show at 5 PM rather than 7 PM. HOT 97 also made changes to its lineup that led to the departure of DJ Enuff and TT Torrez.

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.

CBS News Sees 1.9 Million Viewers For Erika Kirk Town Hall with Bari Weiss

BNM Staff
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CBS News Sees 1.9 Million Viewers For Erika Kirk Town Hall with Bari Weiss

CBS News’ town hall with Erika Kirk, led by Bari Weiss, saw 1.9 million viewers during its Saturday night primetime event.

In the one-hour special airing at 8 PM ET, Erika Kirk and Bari Weiss spoke about the rise of political violence in the nation, how to combat growing discord between each side of the political aisle, and what the legacy of Charlie Kirk will be after his September assassination.

The network saw 1.9 million viewers for the one-hour special. Overall, that figure represented a 11% decline in total viewership from the same window during the prior year. It also marked a 41% decline in the key 25-54 demographic.

Additionally, the entire special has received more than 100,000 views on YouTube.

Despite the slumping viewership, CBS News has planned for additional specials in a similar nature.

“One of the goals of the new CBS News is to change (the political discourse),” Weiss said to begin the special on Saturday. “This town hall is just the beginning. This is going to be the first of many conversations and debates on CBS News about the things that matter most, which are often the hardest to talk about.”

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.

ESPN Extends Exclusive Agreement To Broadcast The Heisman Trophy Presentation

BSM Staff
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ESPN Extends Exclusive Agreement To Broadcast The Heisman Trophy Presentation

ESPN and The Heisman Trophy Trust have agreed to a new multi-year extension that will keep the network as the exclusive home of the Heisman Trophy Ceremony, further strengthening one of college football’s longest-running media partnerships.

The agreement ensures ESPN will continue to televise the annual presentation of college football’s most prestigious individual honor. It extends a relationship that dates back to 1994 and now spans more than three decades.

The deal positions ESPN as the primary platform for the Heisman as the award approaches its 100th anniversary.

The announcement follows a highly successful broadcast of the 91st annual Heisman Trophy Ceremony on Saturday, December 13. The event averaged 4.3 million viewers, according to Nielsen. Marking its largest audience since 2012 and representing a 69% year-over-year increase. Viewership peaked at 5.8 million during the broadcast. For the first time, the ceremony aired on ABC, with ESPN producing the telecast.

The strong ratings highlight the continued relevance of the Heisman Trophy in a fragmented media landscape. They also underscore ESPN’s ability to draw large audiences for marquee college football programming.

“The Heisman Trophy Trust is thrilled to continue its long-standing partnership with ESPN,” incoming Heisman Trust CEO Jeff Price said in a statement. “For decades, ESPN has helped to tell the stories of the outstanding Heisman Trophy Winners, and we look forward to building on that tradition in the coming years.”

Price also emphasized the broader mission tied to the partnership. He noted the relationship helps advance the Trust’s efforts beyond the ceremony itself. According to Price, the agreement supports the organization’s goal of using the Heisman platform to positively impact underserved youth. It enables annual donations of millions of dollars to organizations that expand opportunities through sports and education.

ESPN executives echoed that sentiment while emphasizing the historical significance of the award.

“ESPN is incredibly proud to continue our enduring relationship with the Heisman Trophy Trust — a collaboration that will soon span more than 35 years,” said Kurt Dargis, ESPN senior director of programming. “The Heisman Trophy remains one of the most prestigious distinctions in sports, and we’re honored to help present this moment to fans every year as we celebrate the very best of college football.”

Beyond the ceremony itself, the extension includes ESPN’s continued exclusive rights to announce the Heisman Trophy finalists. It also allows ESPN to produce additional shoulder programming, including the annual Heisman Top 10 show and a Heisman Preview Show. Disney Advertising will also remain involved, working alongside the Heisman Trust to develop sponsorship opportunities across Heisman-related content and programming.

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Megyn Kelly: Ben Shapiro Doesn’t Have ‘A Damn Clue What Has Been Going On Behind the Scenes’ With Candace Owens and Erika Kirk

BNM Staff
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Megyn Kelly: Ben Shapiro Doesn’t Have ‘A Damn Clue What Has Been Going On Behind the Scenes’ With Candace Owens and Erika Kirk

Ben Shapiro went viral for calling out Megyn Kelly, as well as Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, at AmericaFest on Thursday evening.

Shapiro spent time during his 30-minute speech at the Turning Point USA event arguing that conservatives must condemn statements from the likes of Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens that he viewed as either antisemitism or on the verge of antisemitism, as well as conspiratorial in nature.

“Friendship with public figures who say or do evil things is not an excuse for silence on the matter,” argued Shapiro. “So no, Tucker Carlson is not an excuse to go silent on Candace’s targeting of TPUSA.”

Shapiro continued by directly calling out Kelly, insisting that she has a “moral obligation” to take a stand against Candace Owens.

“The same holds true of Megyn Kelly, a person I consider a friend, characterizing Candace as a young mother and thus shying away from condemning her actions,” Shapiro said. “That is a non-starter. Meghan Markle is a young mother. Ilhan Omar is a young mother. That doesn’t matter. And when Megyn said this week, quote, ‘My goal and my job here is to try to understand, yes, where Candace is coming from on this,’ and says she sees no purpose in inserting herself, quote, ‘into this on one side,’ that is a moral and logical absurdity.

“There is only one moral side here, Erika Kirk’s side,” Shapiro continued. “You know, the side of the widow with two children whose husband was shot live on camera in front of all of us. Friendship with the person accusing TPUSA of a cover-up of Charlie’s murder is no excuse for cowardice.”

Shapiro’s speech was then posted as a written news story on The Free Press, the digital media entity founded and overseen by Bari Weiss. In sharing the story, Weiss stated that Shapiro had “delivered a barnburner” at the Turning Point USA event.

That led Kelly to respond on social media.

In a post, she said that the duo didn’t have “a damn clue what has been going on behind the scenes for months,” arguing that they should have checked with the organization and Erika Kirk before making their comments.

“I’m embarrassed for them,” she concluded.

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.

Prime Video Emirates NBA Cup Final Earns Over Three Million Average Viewers

BSM Staff
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Prime Video Emirates NBA Cup Final Earns Over Three Million Average Viewers

Prime Video’s exclusive coverage of the Emirates NBA Cup concluded Tuesday night with a Championship matchup that delivered record-setting viewership and underscored the league’s growing reach on streaming platforms.

The Knicks’ victory over the Spurs averaged 3.07 million viewers, according to Nielsen. That figure marked a 3% increase over last season’s Championship, which aired on broadcast television. The game now stands as the most-watched NBA contest ever on Prime Video. It is also the most-watched NBA game on any network since Opening Night.

Viewership peaked at 3.42 million viewers between 10:45 and 10:59 p.m. ET, highlighting strong late-night engagement for the streaming-exclusive broadcast. The performance surpassed Prime Video’s previous NBA high by nearly one million viewers, topping the Bucks-Knicks matchup that averaged 2.11 million viewers on Nov. 28.

Beyond total audience, the Championship delivered significant wins across key demographics.

Spurs-Knicks was the most-viewed program on all of television Tuesday night among viewers under 50 and across the P18-34, P18-49, and P25-54 demographics. Year-over-year gains were particularly notable, with increases of 51% among adults 18-34 (630,000 viewers), 55% among adults 18-49 (1.65 million viewers), and 44% among adults 25-54 (1.72 million viewers).

The median age of the audience was 45.4, making it the youngest Cup Championship audience on record. That milestone reflects the NBA’s continued success in attracting younger viewers, particularly through streaming distribution and alternative presentation strategies.

Prime Video’s coverage extended beyond the game itself. NBA Nightcap, the league’s postgame show on Prime, averaged 1.14 million viewers following the Championship, making it the most-watched edition of the program to date.

Through the season, NBA Nightcap is averaging 666,000 viewers, signaling consistent engagement beyond live game windows.

Globally, the Emirates NBA Cup delivered massive reach for Prime Video. According to Amazon first-party data, the tournament was viewed in 201 countries and territories worldwide. It streamed on more than 103 million unique devices. The event generated 3.6 billion minutes watched. Outside the United States, Japan, Brazil, and Mexico ranked as the top-performing international markets.

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.

News Media Reacts to Ben Shapiro Calling Out Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens During AmericaFest Speech

BNM Staff
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News Media Reacts to Ben Shapiro Calling Out Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens During AmericaFest Speech

Ben Shapiro’s comments about Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and Candace Owens during the first night of AmericaFest drew plenty of reactions on social media.

During his speech at the Turning Point USA event, Ben Shapiro argued that the conservative movement was in jeopardy due to its interest in platforming people like Nick Fuentes, and refusing to condemn conspiracies about the government and about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

During his more than 30-minute address, Shapiro took aim at the likes of Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, and called out Megyn Kelly for refusing to do the same.

“Friendship with public figures who say or do evil things is not an excuse for silence on the matter,” argued Shapiro. “So no, Tucker Carlson is not an excuse to go silent on Candace’s targeting of TPUSA.

“The same holds true of Megyn Kelly, a person I consider a friend, characterizing Candace as a young mother and thus shying away from condemning her actions,” Shapiro said. “That is a non-starter. Meghan Markle is a young mother. Ilhan Omar is a young mother. That doesn’t matter. And when Megyn said this week, quote, ‘My goal and my job here is to try to understand, yes, where Candace is coming from on this,’ and says she sees no purpose in inserting herself, quote, ‘into this on one side,’ that is a moral and logical absurdity.”

After his comments, many news media members took to social media to share their reactions for Shapiro, with the majority showing support for his stance.

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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