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Paramount’s David Ellison: Hostile Bid Takeover for Warner Bros. Discovery Includes “Synergies” in Sports Rights To Prolong Value Of Cable Networks

BSM Staff
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Paramount’s David Ellison: Hostile Bid Takeover for Warner Bros. Discovery Includes “Synergies” in Sports Rights To Prolong Value Of Cable Networks

Paramount Skydance has launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), with a clear focus on the company’s sports properties, including TNT Sports, signaling a potential reshaping of U.S. sports media.

“We are taking our offer directly to shareholders to give them the opportunity to act in their own best interest and maximize the value of their shares,” Paramount CEO and Chair David Ellison said on CNBC. “This is an existential moment for our business.”

The CBS Sports parent company on Monday offered WBD shareholders $30 per share in cash for the entire company, a proposal that values WBD at $108.4 billion, including debt. Paramount’s offer contrasts with Netflix’s $82.7 billion deal for WBD’s studio and streaming assets, which notably excludes the company’s sports and linear networks, including TNT, TBS, and CNN. Paramount is appealing directly to shareholders to bypass WBD’s management, aiming to force a vote on its bid.

Paramount’s latest move comes after three months of multiple overtures, beginning with a $19-per-share offer in September and escalating to the $30-per-share cash bid on December 4, which the WBD board ignored in favor of Netflix’s offer.

The company is now leveraging backing from strategic partners, including the Ellison family, RedBird Capital Partners, Affinity Partners led by Jared Kushner, and Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. Tencent has also committed $1 billion in funding, alongside $54 billion in debt commitments from major banks.

Sports are at the center of Paramount’s bid. A successful takeover would merge CBS Sports with TNT Sports, creating a powerhouse across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms. Ellison said the combination would generate significant synergies in sports rights, safeguarding the value of linear properties at a time when streaming continues to disrupt traditional broadcasting.

“Our deal provides a significant amount of synergies in sports rights that will be able to protect those linear properties,” Ellison said.

Netflix’s deal, in contrast, anticipates a split of WBD into studio/streaming and sports/linear divisions, forming Discovery Global, which would include TNT Sports. Paramount argues its all-cash bid offers shareholders superior value and a faster, more certain path to completion, while Netflix’s stock-and-cash offer exposes them to a prolonged regulatory process and uncertain trading performance for the sports networks.

Paramount’s tender offer, set to expire January 8, leaves shareholders weighing the future of WBD’s sports properties and whether Paramount’s vision for a combined CBS-TNT sports empire presents the most lucrative opportunity.

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KNSS to Add John Whitmer to Morning Drive Following Steve McIntosh’s Retirement

BNM Staff
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KNSS to Add John Whitmer to Morning Drive Following Steve McIntosh’s Retirement

With the upcoming retirement of Steve McIntosh, KNSS has turned to John Whitmer to pair with Ted Woodward in morning drive.

Whitmer will officially join the show on Monday, January 5th. Woodward & Whit will be heard from 6-9 AM on the Audacy Wichita news/talk station.

John Whitmer is no stranger to Kansas politics, nor to KNSS. He served as a State Representative in the 93rd District from 2015 to 2019. He also worked on several campaigns locally, at the state level, and also nationally.

In 2018, he began hosting The John Whitmer Show on KNSS, which aired on Sundays from 7-9 PM.

“I’m honored to join Ted Woodward on Woodward & Whit, stepping into the big shoes left by Steve McIntosh, who dedicated over 50 years to Wichita mornings,” said Whitmer. “I look forward to bringing news coverage, straight talk, common-sense discussion and a little fun to help our community start the day on the right note.”  

“We are excited to welcome John Whitmer to the KNSS morning show alongside Ted Woodward,” said Audacy Wichita Senior Vice President and Market Manager Tommy Castor. “Woodward and Whit will build on the foundation of smart, local conversation that our listeners expect by delivering the essential news, candid analysis and enjoyable banter that starts the day right. This is a powerful pairing that promises to keep the Wichita community informed and engaged.”

Steve McIntosh is set to retire later this week. He and Ted Woodward have been paired together since 1998. Since being partnered 27 years ago, the duo have combined to win a regional Edward R. Murrow Award and an NAB Marconi Radio Award, hosting more than 7,000 shows together.

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Piers Morgan to Host Nick Fuentes For Interview: ‘Won’t Be A Hostile Ambush’

BNM Staff
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Piers Morgan to Host Nick Fuentes For Interview: ‘Won’t Be A Hostile Ambush’

Piers Morgan has announced he is set to interview Nick Fuentes on Monday, and promises to provide a fair discussion in the process.

The announcement from Morgan comes days after he secured more than $30 million in fundraising to expand his self-owned media empire, including his Piers Morgan Uncensored program.

In a post on social media, Morgan shared that he’ll interview Fuentes today. He added that Fuentes hasn’t been fair or accurate in how he’s representing the conversation.

“It won’t, as he has been saying, be a ‘hostile ambush,’” Morgan said. “But it will be a proper examination of who he is, what he’s said, and what he actually believes.”

Morgan’s insistence on interviewing Fuentes comes after others — namely Tucker Carlson — received widespread backlash for platforming the controversial figure. Nick Fuentes is a self-identified Christian nationalist. The 27-year-old has more than 1 million followers on social media, and his views have been viewed as antisemitic, homophobic, racist, and Islamophobic. Fuentes is perhaps most known as the largest critic of Charlie Kirk and his Turning Point USA organization.

Fuentes has been in the news in recent weeks for his continual statements surrounding Candace Owens, as well as his high-profile interview with Tucker Carlson. His response to Carlson — calling him “two-faced” — also drew plenty of reactions in recent weeks.

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Fred Toucher Critiques Pat McAfee’s Debut Song ‘Dookie’: “It’s So Boring, Not Much Fun To Make Fun Of”

BSM Staff
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Fred Toucher Critiques Pat McAfee’s Debut Song ‘Dookie’: “It’s So Boring, Not Much Fun To Make Fun Of”

Fred Toucher, co-host of Toucher & Hardy on 98.5 The Sports Hub, did not hold back Monday morning when offering his assessment of Pat McAfee’s debut song, Dookie, as well as his broader opinion of the former NFL punter and media personality.

During the show, Toucher labeled McAfee an “idiot” while describing the song as “trite and stupid,” adding that it was “so boring that it’s not even that much fun to make fun of.” The blunt critique underscores Toucher’s no-nonsense approach, which listeners have come to expect from the Boston morning staple.

Toucher also took aim at McAfee’s lyrical themes, particularly when juxtaposed with his corporate affiliations.

“It’s like us against them. You work for Disney, dude. The money is of no consequence to me. You can be a tortured millionaire, but you can’t battle the man and then work for Disney. That’s not the way it goes,” Toucher said, highlighting what he perceives as a conflict between McAfee’s rebellious image and his employment with a major entertainment conglomerate.

Despite the harsh critique, Toucher paused to acknowledge McAfee’s achievements.

“Congratulations to Pat McAfee. He’s very, very cool. Let’s just all agree on that,” he said, signaling that his commentary was not entirely devoid of admiration for McAfee’s visibility and work ethic.

Last week, McAfee announced the new endeavor outside of football. He said his first song, “Dookie,” is part of a project has been a long time in the making, with McAfee describing it as a personal journey that merges two decades of writing with his first public musical release.

“For the last 20 years of my life I’ve been writing verses, choruses, and songs in my notes section… The journey into music has been an incredible process and I think there’s some BANGERS coming,” he wrote.

However, Toucher did not hesitate to voice his personal dislike for McAfee as he continues to find new areas of entertainment to put his stamp onto.

“I hate him. Absolutely. I hate him because he’s a huge dork, a massive nerd, one of the least cool people on the planet. The great Pat McAfee. And if you like him, or think he’s funny in any way, shape or form, really gotta take a look in the mirror and figure out what’s wrong,” Toucher said. He went on to suggest that fans who enjoy McAfee’s persona might be better served indulging in “nerdy crap, like super getting into comic books,” rather than following McAfee’s antics.

McAfee, who transitioned from professional football to a media career and occasional entertainment ventures, has frequently blended sports commentary with comedy and music. Toucher’s remarks continue a long-standing tradition of sports radio hosts weighing in on personalities who blur the lines between sports, entertainment, and pop culture.

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.

Paramount Skydance Pushes Last-Ditch Effort to Buy Warner Bros. Discovery With All Cash Offer

BNM Staff
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Paramount Skydance Pushes Last-Ditch Effort to Buy Warner Bros. Discovery With All Cash Offer

After Netflix won the bidding process to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Skydance isn’t going down without a fight.

On Monday, Paramount Skydance launched a bid to buy the company with an all-cash offer. According to reporting from CNBC’s Alex Sherman, the offer is for $30 per share. As of this publication, WBD stock is trading at $27.80 per share.

That same bid was rejected last week by the Warner Bros. Discovery board of directors. Instead, the company opted to enter into an agreement with Netflix as part of a $72 billion deal.

The last-ditch effort by Paramount comes after the company shared its displeasure with the way the sale process has been handled by Warner Bros. Discovery.

In a letter, attorneys for the company called the sale exercise “a tilted and unfair process”. 

“Several U.S. media outlets have reported on the enthusiasm by WBD management for a transaction with Netflix, and on statements by management that a transaction between WBD and Netflix would be a ‘slam dunk,’ while also referring to Paramount’s bid in a negative light,” the letter read.

The Trump administration had shared that it would view the agreement between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery with “heavy skepticism” with the President saying the market share of both organizations could be a “problem” in a Sunday statement.

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Barstool Sports Founder Dave Portnoy Apologizes for “Murder” Rant Towards Las Vegas Raiders’ Head Coach Pete Carroll

BSM Staff
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Barstool Sports Founder Dave Portnoy Apologizes for “Murder” Rant Towards Las Vegas Raiders’ Head Coach Pete Carroll

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy apologized Monday for a social media rant in which he called for the murder of Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll following Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.

Portnoy, speaking on Barstool’s Wake Up Barstool on FS1, said his comments were metaphorical and not meant to incite violence.

“We don’t want harm, and don’t want physical violence. We don’t want threats. I disavow real violence,” Portnoy said. “Anybody who thought I was actually calling for him to be murdered and killed so he couldn’t breathe… you misread this situation, and I apologize.”

The controversial remarks came after a high-stakes betting sequence in which the Raiders’ final drive dramatically altered point spreads. Portnoy, who was not on the winning side of the wager, streamed a 1:45 video on X, angrily demanding answers and repeatedly shouting, “Murder Pete Carroll! I want Pete Carroll murdered!”

Explaining the context of his outburst, Portnoy emphasized the metaphorical nature of his words.

“I would like to say this loudly, clearly, emphatically, we never want physical harm to anybody based on a decision, a play, anything,” he said. “However, in the moment, you may be upset by one of the wildest sequences that cost you a quarter million [dollars]. So it is a metaphorical murder.”

The Raiders were 8.5 point underdogs entering the game in most places. They found themselves trailing 24-7 late before backup quarterback Kenny Pickett threw a pair of touchdowns to make it 24-17. A controversial defensive delay of game penalty on Denver safety Brandon Jones stopped the clock at five seconds, allowing the Raiders to attempt a final field goal with no real chance to win, leaving sports bettors in disarray.

On Monday, Portnoy also reiterated Barstool Sports’ stance against violence.

“No murder, no violence. We’ve always been anti-murder. Here at Barstool, we will continue to be anti-murder,” he said.

Portnoy’s remarks drew swift backlash online. Many described his comments as “appalling” and “reprehensible,” noting that even in the context of sports betting frustration, calling for someone’s death crosses a line.

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Connoisseur Media Elevates Drew Walker to Mornings, Leah Andersen to Afternoons on Free Country 98.3 & 102.3

BMM Staff
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Connoisseur Media Elevates Drew Walker to Mornings, Leah Andersen to Afternoons on Free Country 98.3 & 102.3

Connoisseur Media is restoring live and local mornings to FREE Country 98.3 & 102.3 as the new year begins. The compny announced longtime Chicago country radio voice Drew Walker will take over the morning show in early 2026. The move marks a return to market-driven programming after the station’s run with the nationally syndicated Bobby Bones Show. The program has aired since FREE Country launched as a two-signal simulcast in May 2024.

At the same time, Walker has been promoted to Program Director, advancing from Assistant Program Director effective immediately.

He will oversee the brand’s direction while becoming the daily voice that greets country fans across the suburbs.

In a statement, Walker said the opportunity carries both personal and professional significance.

“Moving into mornings and the Program Director seat feels a little surreal,” Walker said. “This station has been my passion project from day one. I’m grateful for the chance to help lead its next chapter. We’ve built something really special here. A team I love, communities I care about, fantastic partners, a creative environment that’s actually fun, and a station that truly sounds and feels like home. Super thanks to Gordon Mays, Karl Wertzler, Brian Foster, Keith Dakin and Jeff Warshaw for this amazing opportunity!”

Additionally, Connoisseur Media announced that Leah Andersen will step into afternoon drive, filling the slot previously held by Walker. Andersen has served as the morning co-host on sister station 95 WIIL Rock while also handling weekend duties on FREE Country. She said the move is “a perfect fit” for her life and for the audience the station serves.

“As a lifelong country fan, a mom of three, and a wife juggling the same day-to-day as our listeners, I’m thrilled for this new role,” Andersen said. “Connecting with this community is one of my favorite parts of the job. I can’t wait to bring that to afternoons.”

Connoisseur Chicagoland Operations Manager Gordon Mays called the changes an important step in strengthening the brand’s identity. After a period dominated by a nationally syndicated morning product, he said a renewed focus on localism is a strategic advantage.

“Drew’s experience and decades-long connection with the Chicagoland country music audience make this a very exciting time to be in FREE Country,” Mays said. “We have a unique opportunity to continue evolving with authentic local voices, and that’s a big win for our listeners and every community we’re connected with.”

The new lineup will debut during the first week of 2026.

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Charlie Kirk, Tucker Carlson, Shawn Ryan See Movement in November Podtrac Rankings

BNM Staff
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Charlie Kirk, Tucker Carlson, Shawn Ryan See Movement in November Podtrac Rankings

The November rankings from Podtrac have been released, and Charlie Kirk, Tucker Carlson, and Shawn Ryan each saw changes in their finishes during the month.

In the Top Podcasts by U.S. Unique Monthly Audience rankings, the top three positions remained unchanged from the prior month. NPR News Now, The Daily, and Up First from NPR each held their spots in order.

The first change in the order comes in fourth place, where the Shawn Ryan Show jumped two positions. Dateline NBC was fifth, while Fox News Hourly Update dropped two places to sixth.

Also in the top 10, The Ben Shapiro Show fell one place to earn ninth overall during November.

The Tucker Carlson Show finished November in 17th place on the list. That represented a two-position increase compared to October. Other shows earning increases were 20/20 from ABC News, moving up to 16th, while The NPR Politics Podcast jumped three positions to take the last position in the top 20.

The Charlie Kirk Show saw the largest decrease of any program ranked inside the top 20 spots during the month. It fell eight positions to finish the month 19th overall.

The change in the rankings comes after The Charlie Kirk Show saw a massive jump in listenership following the host’s September assassination. During that month, the program rose 28 positions to earn sixth place in the September rankings. In October, the show decreased five places to earn 11th, before taking the penultimate spot in the top 20 rankings in November.

Elsewhere, The Ezra Klein Show fell out of the top 20 positions after finishing October as the 15th show in the Top Podcasts by U.S. Unique Monthly Audience rankings.

iHeartAudience Network and iHeartPodcasts were the top two publishers according to the Podtrac Top U.S. Podcast Publishers & Networks rankings.

They were followed by Acast (3rd), Libsyn (4th), and NPR (5th) in the top five. Meanwhile, Disney (6th), Vox Media (7th), PodcastOne (8th), Fox Audio Network (9th), and Barstool Sports (10th) rounded out the top 10 positions.

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Curt Menefee: Terry Bradshaw “Not Leaving” ‘FOX NFL Sunday’ Program

BSM Staff
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Curt Menefee: Terry Bradshaw “Not Leaving” ‘FOX NFL Sunday’ Program

FOX Sports host Curt Menefee isn’t entertaining the idea of Terry Bradshaw stepping away from FOX NFL Sunday. In fact, he believes viewers shouldn’t expect to see the longtime analyst exit the program unless it’s under the most extreme circumstances.

In a recent interview with The Daily Mail, Menefee said Bradshaw’s role is too significant — and his connection to the show too deep — for any realistic discussion about retirement.

“It’s never gonna happen! They’re going to be carrying him out in a hearse — he is not leaving the show,” Menefee said. “Nor should he! It was built around him. He was the first guy they hired… He was the first guy on air for this network. I don’t think he’s ever, ever going to leave. And nor should he. He is the heart and soul of everything we do at FOX Sports.”

Bradshaw, 77, has been part of the Fox NFL franchise since its inception in 1994. The Hall of Fame quarterback and four-time Super Bowl champion has remained one of the network’s most recognizable figures, even as his on-air slip-ups and viral moments continue to draw social media attention.

Menefee, who has hosted the pregame show since 2007, sits alongside Bradshaw, Michael Strahan, Rob Gronkowski and Howie Long. Long, like Bradshaw, has been with the program from day one. Menefee said sharing the studio with analysts he grew up watching remains one of his favorite parts of the job.

“I grew up watching Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long… for me to be beside these guys who are not only icons, but guys that I worshiped as a fan growing up has been absolutely amazing,” he said, adding that he and Strahan still feel like “the two kids” of the group. “And when I go back to year one, those guys took me and wrapped their arms around me and embraced me and made me a part of the team right away.”

Bradshaw sparked concern earlier this season when he missed the Week 11 broadcast due to a cold. He later reassured fans on social media that he was “all good,” and he returned to the show the following week.

Menefee also credited Bradshaw for playing a direct role in shaping his own career. When FOX Sports searched for a new host in 2007, Bradshaw reportedly pushed for Menefee during the audition process.

“They had the auditions, they ran through a lot of people, and Bradshaw said, ‘I want Menefee,’ and that went a long way in the decision makers’ minds,” Menefee said.

This season brought another change to the iconic pregame desk as Gronkowski replaced longtime analyst Jimmy Johnson. The former Cowboys head coach announced in March that he was retiring from the show after 31 years. Still, despite the occasional shuffle, Menefee made it clear one seat isn’t changing. As long as Bradshaw wants to talk football on Sundays, Fox will have a place for him.

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Rowdy Yates Plots Free Christmas Specials For Country Radio Stations

BMM Staff
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Rowdy Yates Plots Free Christmas Specials For Country Radio Stations

Country Radio Hall of Famer Rowdy Yates has announced plans for a litany of special Christmas programming for country radio stations.

Yates will produce “A Really Rowdy Christmas”, as well as “A Lone Star Christmas” as long-form programming options for stations around the country.

Additionally, he’ll produce “Ridin’ With Rowdy” for any daypart over the holiday period.

Furthermore, for the first time, he’ll produce “Rowdy on the Rise”, his daily morning show, as a free program for stations seeking content in morning drive as hosts take time off around the nation.

“All with no contracts, no barter, no fee, no joke,” said Yates.

To learn more about the content and availability, reach out to Yates by clicking here.

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