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Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott Celebrates Network’s Evolution in Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame Speech

Garrett Searight
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Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott Celebrates Network’s Evolution in Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame Speech

Suzanne Scott reflected on Fox News’ evolution while accepting a major broadcasting honor Tuesday night. The network CEO was inducted into the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2026.

What We Know: Scott joined Fox News when the network launched in 1996 and has since risen through the company’s ranks to become CEO. Her induction came alongside several prominent figures from across television, including CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, and entertainment host Andy Cohen. During the ceremony, Scott highlighted the people behind Fox News’ on-air talent while discussing the company’s approach to changing audience habits. She also pointed to The Five as an example of the network’s programming strategy, noting the show has become a significant cable news success since launching 15 years ago.

What They Said: “I’m deeply grateful for this honor. The real recognition belongs to my entire Fox News family … Next month, we will celebrate our 30th anniversary. A very big heartfelt thank you to Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, two true champions of free speech. Some of our FOX corporate leadership team is here today. We have a strong commitment to great storytelling, driving creativity in all of our live broadcasts and adapting all of our businesses as audience consumption habits change … While the talent gets all the attention, equally important is the team behind the cameras that no one sees. This recognition tonight belongs to all of them.

“Our goal at Fox News is to meet our audiences where they are. So we transform the distribution of our content on the traditional and new platforms the audience is engaging with. We’ve taken incredible risks and have evolved alongside our viewers and their families. We work hard to give voice to the widest range of perspectives. 15 years ago, we launched The Five. This show is meant to model our own families and friends’ dinner tables. It also happens to be one of the great success stories of cable news, which I’m incredibly proud of.” -Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott

What It Means: Scott’s Hall of Fame speech offered a look at how Fox News views its growth beyond traditional cable distribution. Meanwhile, her recognition comes as the network approaches its 30th anniversary and continues adapting its content strategy across television and increasingly evolving platforms.

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Shannon Sharpe, Skip Bayless Reflect On The End Of Undisputed: “They Said It Was Over”

John Mamola
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Shannon Sharpe, Skip Bayless Reflect On The End Of Undisputed: “They Said It Was Over”

Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe discussed the end of Undisputed together for the first time on Club Shay Shay. Both said FOX Sports executives, not the hosts, decided the show’s fate. Sharpe provided insights into his desires to oversee the Club Shay Shay podcast, while Bayless revealed how he lobbied FOX Sports executives to keep Bayless and Sharpe together on the program.

What We Know: Sharpe left FS1 in June 2023 after reaching a buyout with FOX Sports. Afterward, Bayless relaunched Undisputed with a new cast of rotating co-hosts. However, the reboot struggled to match the original’s ratings. Eventually, Bayless left FS1 in 2024 and launched his own digital platform. On an in depth interview between the two on Club Shay Shay, Sharpe says his decision to leave rotated around taking over oversight of Club Shay Shay. Bayless said because of internet pressures, he felt FOX Sports executives felt pressure to make changes to the program despite its viewership success.

What They Said: (All quotes via Club Shay Shay podcast):

Skip Bayless believes FOX executives let social media pressure lead to the end of Undisputed: “I think that the people upstairs, going all the way to the top, were more impacted by that kind of clash than you and I were [having]. Like everybody else in this world, they were prisoners of internet overreaction. The internet decided that’s the end of Undisputed as we knew and loved it. It felt like from that moment on that our clock was ticking and they just decided we need to go in a different direction.”

Shannon Sharpe says he didn’t have any choice in leaving Undisputed: “They didn’t give me much of a choice in the matter. Honestly, this is something that I’ve never shared. They said this is over. They said it was over. I’m not fitting to argue with you and fight with you if you don’t think I’m good enough to do the job. Okay.”

Shannon Sharpe says he just wanted to take ownership of the Club Shay Shay podcast from FOX Sports: “Just let me have the podcast [Club Shay Shay]. They said, “Let us think about it.” I don’t want to tell you [Skip Bayless] because they said, “Let us think about it.” I’m going to my attorney’s office. I’m going to Marvin’s office. When I get there, there’s a fax already coming through my termination.”

Shannon Sharpe on why he wanted oversight of the Club Shay Shay podcast while staying on with FOX Sports: “I just said just give me the pod. I’ll stay on my current salary. If you guys want to add some years to my contract, I’m cool with that. But all I wanted is the podcast. I know I can do better without you [FOX Sports] overseeing it. Then you’re telling me who I can and can’t have, because they wanted me to have more athletes. I didn’t want to have athletes. I wanted to have some athletes, but I felt that in order for me to grow it, I had to get different. [Instead] I had to get entertainers, celebrities, influencers, things of that nature. That’s what I was looking at.”

Skip Bayless on how he lobbied to change the mind of FOX Sports executives on ending their Undisputed show setup: “We each had about a year left on our deals. I was pretty sure a year from that day, I wanted to try something else. I wanted to do some digital and do some other things. We’d had such a great run that I told him [FOX Sports executives], just let this go. It’s cool. We’re cool. We’re fine. I had to go back down to your dressing room the day before you left to say I got cold blank stares. I got no way in hell are we going forward with this show. It was devastating to me.”

Skip Bayless says Sharpe’s independent success proves he was right about Sharpe’s talents all along: “I believe people upstairs wanted to recreate that show in their image. It wasn’t going to work without our chemistry. Certainly wasn’t going to work with me as the new moderator of that show. So, that’s what happened. I have very mixed emotions about it [the end of Undisputed]. Because, I miss being across from you, and I’m enjoying this immensely. We were in the foxhole together for so long that I’m proud of you. I do from the bottom of my heart, root for you. And all of your post Undisputed success has meant enormous amount to me. It felt good because I can make a case that them shoving you out the back door was the best thing that ever happened.”

What Remains Unclear: Sharpe said he offered to stay on his current salary in exchange for the podcast. It remains unclear why FOX rejected that proposal. Additionally, Bayless says he planned to try something else within a year anyway. Whether his 2024 exit was entirely his own choice, however, remains unanswered.

What It Means: Together, their accounts shift responsibility from the hosts to FOX leadership. Moreover, Bayless believes Sharpe’s post-Undisputed success proves he was right about his talent. In fact, he called Sharpe’s exit “the best thing that ever happened.” Ultimately, the conversation offers a rare inside look at one of sports media’s most famous breakups.

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.

Fox News Tops September Ratings as The Five and Jesse Watters Lead

Garrett Searight
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Fox News Tops September Ratings as The Five and Jesse Watters Lead

Fox News led cable news in September, with its top programs continuing to draw the largest audiences. CNN and MS NOW also posted notable show-level performances during the month.

What We Know: Fox News dominated the September cable news ratings, with The Five averaging 2.8 million viewers per episode. Jesse Watters Primetime also averaged 2.8 million, while Gutfeld! followed with 2.5 million viewers.

Meanwhile, MS NOW’s highest-rated program was The Rachel Maddow Show, which averaged 1.8 million viewers per episode. CNN’s top program was NewsNight with Abby Phillip, which averaged 610,000 total viewers. Across the networks, Fox News also led both primetime and total-day viewing.

What the Numbers Show:

September 2026 Primetime Viewership

NetworkViewers
Fox News1.7 million
MS NOW839,000
CNN539,000
Newsmax182,000
NewsNation96,000

September 2026 Total Day Viewership

NetworkViewers
Fox News1.1 million
MS NOW544,000
CNN373,000
Newsmax111,000
NewsNation54,000

Q3 2026 Primetime Viewership

NetworkViewers
Fox News2.1 million
MS NOW930,000
CNN607,000
Newsmax185,000
NewsNation120,000

Q3 2026 Total Day Viewership

NetworkViewers
Fox News1.3 million
MS NOW592,000
CNN426,000
Newsmax117,000
NewsNation61,000

What Remains Unclear: The September figures show how the three networks performed during the month, but they don’t explain the factors behind individual program gains or declines. Nielsen’s data also doesn’t indicate how much viewing shifted among cable news programs because of major news events during September.

What It Means: Fox News maintained a substantial audience advantage across both primetime and total-day viewing. However, MS NOW continued to draw a larger audience than CNN in each of the four network-level categories, while the individual program figures show a similar gap among the networks’ leading shows.

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.

ABC World News Tonight Leads September Nightly News Ratings

Garrett Searight
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ABC World News Tonight Leads September Nightly News Ratings

ABC’s World News Tonight remained the most-watched evening newscast in September. Meanwhile, NBC Nightly News posted its strongest September audience in five years.

What We Know: World News Tonight continued its decade-long run atop the evening news ratings, finishing September 2026 with 8.3 million viewers. ABC’s broadcast has now ranked as the most-watched nightly newscast for 10 consecutive years, dating to the 2016-17 season. NBC Nightly News finished second with 6.6 million viewers, while CBS Evening News averaged 4 million. NBC’s broadcast also continued a lengthy streak of year-over-year growth under anchor Tom Llamas. The network saw a 14% year-over-year increase in September.

What The Numbers Show:

NewscastSeptember 2026 Total Audience
ABC World News Tonight8.3 million
NBC Nightly News6.6 million
CBS Evening News4 million
NewscastSeptember 2026 Adults 25-54
ABC World News Tonight1.1 million
NBC Nightly News1 million
CBS Evening News546K

What Remains Unclear: The September results don’t indicate whether NBC’s growth will translate into a sustained challenge to ABC across the full 2026-27 season. Additionally, the networks’ ratings can shift based on major news events, scheduling differences, and changes in Nielsen’s measurement methodology.

What It Means: ABC enters the new broadcast season with another year at the top of the evening news race. However, NBC’s September performance gives NBC Nightly News a strong audience-growth story as it continues closing the gap in the key demo. NBC reported that the program averaged 6.6 million viewers during the third quarter, its largest third-quarter audience in six years.

Michael Wilbon Feels ESPN Ignores Promotion, Social Media Clips Of Pardon the Interruption

John Mamola
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Michael Wilbon Feels ESPN Ignores Promotion, Social Media Clips Of Pardon the Interruption

Michael Wilbon shared his frustration with ESPN. ahead of the network celebrating PTI’s 25th anniversary on the network. During an appearance on the Traina Thoughts podcast, the Pardon the Interruption co-host says the network ignores its highest-rated daytime studio show.

What We Know: PTI remains ESPN’s most-watched daily daytime studio program. In August, the show averaged 568,000 viewers, according to ESPN’s own figures. By comparison, First Take drew 419,000, Get Up drew 378,000, and The Pat McAfee Show drew 405,000. Meanwhile, PTI will celebrate its 25th anniversary on October 22. Wilbon joined Jimmy Traina and discussed how he has never paid any attention to viewership success of the program. In addition, he shared his displeasure with how ESPN has promoted or used clips of the program in digital and social media.

What They Said: (All quotes via Traina Thoughts podcast):

Michael Wilbon on the lack of promotion that Pardon the Interruption gets from ESPN: “You watch a lot of promos of this network [ESPN] of all the shows in this network, and you’ll never see mention of this show [Pardon the Interruption]. There’s a phrase where I’m from that I utter. It starts with an F and ends with a U. That’s how I feel. I’m from the South Side of Chicago. I get a chip on my shoulder every day. And you want to ignore this show, really? Go ahead, but then ignore it. Don’t watch it. Turn the channel. I don’t care. But the promotion? Go on your ESPN app. Stephen A. [Smith] says, [Pat] McAfee says. You won’t find a mention of this show.”

Michael Wilbon on his disappointment with the social media promotion of Pardon the Interruption: “If anybody called me from the people who deal with clips or social media, they dare not find my number. My ears would be singed at this point. I’m not upset. I rage, and happy to rage.”

Michael Wilbon on being an outsider at ESPN: “A lot of them [ESPN executives] don’t even know PTI exists. We’re not from Bristol. We weren’t created by Bristol. We’re not of the ESPN culture. We’re sports writers who came in from a show a lot of them didn’t like. Granted, most of these people are gone from ESPN. They’re not even there. Doesn’t prevent me from raging, but they didn’t want the show.”

Michael Wilbon says PTI is based in something ESPN is not: “We came from a place that they didn’t want. We came from sports writers, and sports writers don’t particularly have a lot of great things to say about sports television anyway. Or the people doing it in that time, or sometimes now. So, we’re not of that. We’re not of it. We’re not from it. We weren’t created by it. They didn’t pay attention. They told the people who came here from Bristol rent, don’t buy. Right? That’s what they did. That’s the truth. Anybody want to dispute it? Then come get me.”

Michael Wilbon says his competitive nature continues to drive the success of Pardon the Interruption: “If you’re a competitive person and you don’t wake up angry about something most days, you’re pretty weak. So, I wake up both proud that I have this badge that Tony [Kornheiser] and I have, and the people in this merry little kingdom we have here in ABC and in Washington D.C. We’re also like, okay, fine. You don’t want to pay us attention. You want to talk about whose ratings? Go ahead, you look them up. Tell us what they are.”

Michael Wilbon doesn’t pay attention to viewership metrics for Pardon the Interruption: “Never have. Don’t understand them. This quarter hour, this age demo. I don’t care. I’m not a television person, [but] I’m a television viewer. I’m not a television professional, [but I am] a newspaper writer. That’s what I prepared my life to do was to write. I don’t care about. I don’t know what the viewership is.”

What Remains Unclear: So far, it’s unclear how ESPN will respond to Wilbon’s criticism. It’s also unclear whether the network plans a significant promotional push for the 25th anniversary.

What It Means: Ultimately, Wilbon’s frustration exposes a familiar ESPN tension. Moreover, the network heavily promotes personality-driven shows that thrive on social media clips. However, PTI keeps winning without that spotlight. Consequently, the show’s quiet dominance makes the lack of promotion even harder to explain.

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.

Mike Frazer Launches Billboard Campaign After iHeartMedia Exit

David Hill
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Mike Frazer Launches Billboard Campaign After iHeartMedia Exit

Mike Frazer is saying thank you to Pittsburgh in a big way. The former 94.5 3WS afternoon host launched a series of billboards across the area.

What We Know: iHeartMedia let Frazer go from afternoons at Classic Hits WWSW in April, ending a 37-year run in the market. He first arrived in 1989, when former WABC programmer Rick Sklar hired him at CHR “Energy 105” WNRJ. After that station abruptly ended in 1990, Frazer joined WWSW and stayed for 36 years. Before Pittsburgh, he worked at WFBL and WOLF Syracuse, WMAR-FM Baltimore, and WCAU-FM Philadelphia.

What They Said: “My parents taught me to always say please, bless you, and thank you,” Frazer said. “But on April 13, 2026, after 53 years in the business, and the past 37 here in Pittsburgh, my career on the radio abruptly ended, I was suddenly silenced.” He then credited his partners: “Thank you to my friends at Steel City Billboard for helping me to find a way to finally say ‘Thank You’ to the Steel City!”

What Remains Unclear: Frazer has not shared what comes next in his career. Likewise, details on how long the billboards will run remain unknown. It’s also unclear whether he plans a return to radio. Meanwhile, he still voices public television’s national “My Music” specials, a role dating back to 1999.

What It Means: Frazer became more than a voice on the radio in Pittsburgh. Over the years, he turned into a fixture at car shows, parades, and charity events. For example, he supported the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, The Salvation Army, and the Pittsburgh Alzheimer’s Association. Ultimately, the billboards show how deeply local radio personalities connect with the communities they serve.

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: NBC Sports Must Put Mike Tomlin In The Booth For A Game This Season

John Mamola
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Bill Simmons: NBC Sports Must Put Mike Tomlin In The Booth For A Game This Season

Bill Simmons wants NBC Sports to put Mike Tomlin in the broadcast booth. The Ringer founder believes the network should test him during an NFL game this season.

What We Know: Tomlin joined NBC’s Football Night in America this season. He left the Pittsburgh Steelers in January after 19 seasons as head coach. Now, he works alongside Maria Taylor, Jason Garrett and Devin McCourty every week. On his podcast, Simmons praised the work so far that Tomlin has provided in the role he was hired for. However, he feels Tomlin should attempt work in the broadcast booth with Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth just to see what he could provide additionally.

What They Said: Bill Simmons (via The Bill Simmons Podcast): “If you’re NBC, you’ve got to see what he’s [Mike Tomlin] like doing a game. I think [Cris] Collinsworth is as good as he’s ever been. I’m not trying to push Collinsworth out. I think you have to just test drive it, or you have to put him in the booth with those guys. Which I think would be awesome. Collinsworth is a good enough broadcaster that if you put Tomlin in there, he’d be able to play off and [Mike] Tirico would know how to handle it. But I think you have to see it at some point this season.”

What Remains Unclear: It is unclear whether NBC will act on Simmons’ idea. Likewise, Tomlin’s interest in calling games remains unknown. Meanwhile, Tomlin’s long-term TV future is still an open question with his success for nearly two decades in Pittsburgh potentially being in demand elsewhere.

What It Means: For now, Collinsworth remains Tirico’s partner on Sunday Night Football. Still, Simmons frames his idea as a test drive, not a replacement. Moreover, Tomlin has earned strong reviews for his studio work and analysis to this point. Ultimately, one game in the booth could shape NBC’s future plans. Then again, with Tomlin’s NFL coaching resume, it will be fascinating to see if he could also be making a return to the sidelines.

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Kirk Herbstreit Reportedly Reaches Extension With Prime Video For Thursday Night Football

John Mamola
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Kirk Herbstreit Reportedly Reaches Extension With Prime Video For Thursday Night Football

Kirk Herbstreit is reportedly staying in the Thursday Night Football booth at Prime Video. However, according to The Athletic, Amazon built in flexibility to move on from Herbstreit. Moreover, if a top target like Sean McVay becomes available.

What We Know: Herbstreit, 57, is in the final season of his initial five-year Prime Video deal alongside Al Michaels. According to the reporting, the new contract spans multiple seasons and pays more than eight figures per year. Still, it runs shorter than his first deal, and its exact length remains unconfirmed by Prime Video. Meanwhile, his ESPN contract, which covers College GameDay and top college game duties, also expires after this season.

What’s At Stake: Herbstreit has been a trusted voice for NFL fans opposite of Al Michaels on Thursday Night Football. With Michaels, 81, potentially considering retirement following this season, it was important to lock in a massive piece for continuity into next season. This now opens the door for what the futures of Tony Romo (CBS), Greg Olsen (FOX), and Troy Aikman (ESPN) could be.

What Remains Unclear: ESPN nor Herbstreit have confirmed or commented on the reporting by The Athletic. Also, whether or not ESPN will extend Herbstreit with another contract for College GameDay and booth work on Saturday’s is also unknown.

What It Means: For now, Prime Video keeps continuity in its booth while protecting its long-term options. However, the bigger decision now shifts to ESPN. There, Herbstreit pulls Saturday double duty on College GameDay and prime-time games with Chris Fowler. With both programs on both networks achieving larger audiences year over year, Herbstreit could be in the cat bird seat to cash in if he so chooses.

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VenuesNow 2026: Granger Says Real Is the Competitive Edge

David Hill
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VenuesNow 2026: Granger Says Real Is the Competitive Edge

Oak View Group CEO Chris Granger opened the 2026 VenuesNow Conference with a clear message. AI can do plenty, but it can’t make people feel like they belong.

What We Know: Granger delivered opening remarks at the Sheraton Grand Seattle, according to Pollstar. He urged venue executives to focus on preserving humanity and fostering connection. Granger acknowledged that AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude can boost efficiency and personalization. However, he argued they can’t replicate the experience of gathering together.

What They Said: Granger admitted he uses ChatGPT every day to track the live event business. The results, he noted, lean on buzzwords like optimization, premium and frictionless. What gets left out, in his view, is the heart of the work. He told the room that live entertainment is “the business of humanity.”

What Remains Unclear: Granger didn’t outline specific steps for venues weighing AI adoption. It’s also unclear how operators will balance automation with the personal touch he championed. Still, his broader point landed without a playbook attached.

What It Means: Granger’s argument hits close to home for radio. Broadcasters face the same pressure to automate, optimize and cut costs. Yet radio’s lasting strength has always been live, local and human connection. As more content turns artificial, the real thing may become more valuable than ever. That’s true for arenas, and it’s true for radio stations.

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

College GameDay Week Four Viewership Draws Another Show Record For ESPN

John Mamola
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College GameDay Week Four Viewership Draws Another Show Record For ESPN

ESPN’s College GameDay drew 2.8 million viewers from Knoxville on Saturday. As a result, it became the most-watched Week 4 episode in show history.

What We Know: Additionally, the episode now ranks as the fourth most-watched regular-season show all-time. Its final hour averaged 3.7 million viewers, beating the competition [FOX Sports] by 163%. By comparison, last year’s Week 4 show in Miami averaged 2.8 million, with 3.4 million in the final hour. Through four weeks, GameDay is pacing 5% ahead of its 2025 season average.

What The Data Shows: (College GameDay Viewership 2026):

WeekLocationAverage ViewershipFinal Hour Viewership
1Baton Rouge, LA2.8 million3.5 million
2Austin, TX2.7 million3.4 million
3Oxford, MS2.8 million3.6 million
4Knoxville, LA2.8 million3.7 million

What Remains Unclear: However, ESPN did not disclose the episode’s peak audience. With four GameDay sites in SEC country, it remains to be seen if ESPN will draw the same viewership with their broadcast this week from Iowa.

What It Means: Meanwhile, the momentum extends well beyond the pregame desk. ABC aired Week 4’s top games across all networks, led by Texas-Tennessee at 9.8 million viewers. Moreover, ESPN networks own eight of the top 10 games through four weeks. Consequently, GameDay heads to Iowa City for Ohio State-Iowa with serious wind at its back.

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