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Three Media Predictions For The FIFA World Cup 2026 On FOX Sports

John Mamola
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Three Media Predictions For The FIFA World Cup 2026 On FOX Sports

Today marks the beginning of six weeks of soccer across the North American continent. For the first time since Bill Clinton’s first term in the White House, the world’s tournament comes to the shores of the United States. The next six weeks for FOX Sports will be a defining moment for the network. For advertisers, the massive audience across the globe will prove to be a worthwhile investment in the broadcasts themselves. For everything the Super Bowl is to the NFL, the FIFA World Cup is an entirely different beast.

As the games officially kick off today, there’s been plenty of discussion about what will become the lasting memories of this World Cup. While every FIFA World Cup carries some political undertones, the focus of the coverage has shifted to the games themselves over the past few months. There will be goals and crowd reactions from the 16 host cities across the continent that live on social media forever. However, here are my top three predictions for the FIFA World Cup 2026 this summer.

#1 – Alexi Lalas Earns His Throne

First and foremost, the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament will feature a star-studded roster of the biggest names in the game on FOX Sports. With the tournament expanding to 48 teams for the first time in its history, 12 hours of action every day is exactly what FOX Sports prepared for.

While there is plenty of star power on the FOX Sports roster, the tournament will serve as a reminder of how good Alexi Lalas is as the network’s top analyst. Because the tournament only occurs every four years, viewers often forget the style of analysis Lalas brings.

He’s bold, direct, and often controversial. He takes a “call it like I see it” approach and doesn’t sugarcoat his opinions or analysis. Lalas understands the role. He’s an entertainer first because he knows what attracts the average viewer. His performance will create viral moments. If the USMNT suffers an early exit, watch for the blowback from the former Team USA defender. If the USMNT achieves success, he’ll become the face of the USMNT fan base. All of it will play out live for a global viewing audience on FOX Sports.

#2 – Tech Passes And Fails The Test

Secondly, the success and potential failure of AI’s role in capturing the World Cup experience will become a major storyline. This tournament will be the first to feature sensor chips in soccer balls. Also AI-enabled 3D player avatars, robot dogs for security purposes, and automated technology to assist with offside calls.

There’s also a number of features and technologies geared toward the broadcasts themselves. With the tournament debuting on FOX One, multi-view options and AI-powered personalization tools will be available. There’s also an “AskFOX” feature that allows viewers to ask questions about moments in the game or seek additional context on what happened during a match.

The tournament will also be available in 4K for FOX One subscribers. Delivering an experience designed to go beyond the traditional broadcast.

Some of these innovations will be considered groundbreaking by the tournament’s conclusion. Others will be viewed as a waste of time, money, and energy.

However, the one technology that will stand out above the rest will be the stabilized referee cam, a camera mounted on the head of the lead official that provides an enhanced view of what the referee saw.

Or, more likely, what he didn’t see.

If FOX Sports has full access to that referee camera, the network should use it to its fullest extent, especially when it comes to “injuries” on the field and conversations between officials and players during the biggest sporting event in the world. That could become a game changer that other networks eventually adapt to their own broadcast models.

#3 – Record Viewership For FOX Sports

Finally, it goes without question that American viewership for the FIFA World Cup will reach levels not seen in many years. Despite recent surveys showing that only 13% of respondents plan to watch the World Cup, new records will almost certainly be set.

For comparison’s sake, the 2022 Qatar World Cup averaged 4.7 million viewers per match and delivered an average audience of 25.8 million viewers for the World Cup Final in the United States. The Super Bowl this past February peaked at 137.8 million viewers.

Do I think the World Cup will generate Super Bowl-type viewership over the six-week tournament? Absolutely not. But could it surpass the audience figures of any previous tournament held on American soil? You can almost guarantee it. That likelihood only increases with Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel measurement system, which was installed last September.

For generations, sports media has debated why soccer doesn’t work in America. Yet the sport has grown by leaps and bounds over the last three decades. MLS continues to expand. Viewership for MLS matches is up 62% year over year through the first three months of the season. The USWNT has only grown in popularity thanks to its World Cup success. The NWSL also continues to expand with more teams and additional broadcast distribution deals.

A recent survey from Seton Hall showed that the FIFA World Cup’s popularity among adults ages 18-34 trails only the NFL and the NBA. European soccer and MLS rank just behind the FIFA World Cup, while the NFL, MLB, college football, and college basketball trail all three soccer properties.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will serve as the official coronation of the United States as a soccer nation. And if the USMNT enjoys any success, the chances of that only increase.

Whether the final audience numbers reach record heights, whether FOX Sports delivers a flawless tournament, or whether the USMNT makes a deep run into the knockout stage, one thing already feels certain.

This World Cup isn’t arriving in the United States to convince Americans to care about soccer. That battle may already be over.

For decades, soccer in America was treated as a sport with potential rather than a sport with staying power. It was always waiting for its breakthrough moment, waiting for its signature star, waiting for the audience to finally arrive.

Yet while the debates continued, the game kept growing. Youth participation expanded. Professional leagues matured. Television audiences increased. New generations adopted the sport as part of their regular sports diet rather than as an occasional novelty.

Now the biggest tournament in the world returns to American soil at a time when soccer is no longer asking for permission to sit at the table. It already has a seat.

Over the next six weeks, there will be unforgettable goals, shocking upsets, controversial officiating decisions, viral moments, and storylines that dominate conversations around the globe. Some of those memories will fade. Others will live forever.

But years from now, the legacy of FIFA World Cup 2026 may simply be that it confirmed what was already happening in plain sight.

The United States didn’t become a soccer nation because it hosted the World Cup. The World Cup came here because the United States had already become one.

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.

Approaching the Summit: Anna Zap, Co-Host of Syndicated Anna & Raven

David Hill
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Approaching the Summit: Anna Zap, Co-Host of Syndicated Anna & Raven

Approaching The Summit is a series of special interviews created in partnership with Point to Point Marketing featuring speakers at the upcoming 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit in New York City. Follow along with this series as prominent names surrounding the event June 30-July 2 share their insights and expectations for what’s to come in the Big Apple. The Summit takes place at the SVA Theatre on West 23rd Street. For tickets and hotel room reservations, click here or visit the Summit section at the top of the website.   

Anna Zap is the co-host of the nationally syndicated Anna & Raven Show, heard on more than 87 radio stations across the country, including Long Island, NY; throughout Connecticut; and Portland, OR. Before radio, Anna built her career in stand-up comedy, performing at some of Manhattan’s most prestigious clubs, including Carolines on Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, and Stand Up NY — and her quick wit and relatable storytelling made the transition to radio a natural fit. Off the air, she has channeled that same energy into giving back, helping raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for organizations including Make-A-Wish, March of Dimes, United Way, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and numerous animal rescue groups. Most recently, Anna was awarded a Gracie for “Best Syndicated Entertainment/Talk Program” from the Alliance for Women in Media and named “Best Morning Show” by the Connecticut Broadcasters Association.

*Editor’s Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.*

David Hill: How do you feel about attending events like the BMS?

Why Showing Up Still Matters

Anna Zap: Our company, Connoisseur, is very much into all of us being in the studio and not working remotely. There’s a reason for it — the energy and collaboration that comes from being with your co-workers is unmatched. Going to events where professionals from across the industry are presenting is basically our “in office policy” turbo charged. You feel the energy in the room, you leave feeling inspired, you want to do better, you network, you have new ideas, you see what’s working in the industry and what’s not, you make friends, you laugh — all the things that wouldn’t happen if you were sitting in your living room staring at a computer screen.

David Hill: How about connecting with peers and competitors?

The Value of Knowing Your Competition

Anna Zap: If you’re not evolving and aren’t aware of what everyone else in the industry is doing, you’ll get left behind. Hard stop. I never believed — or understood — why you had to hate your competitor. There’s tremendous value in connecting with them. You should always know what they’re doing so you can challenge yourself to do it better. I respect that this is an industry we all love, so working together can only make us stronger. I’m also lucky to have built a group of professionals outside of my own studio that I’m comfortable asking for help, looking for unbiased advice, and scouting ideas.

David Hill: What is the biggest challenge facing the format

Streaming, Options, and Standing Out

Anna Zap: I think most people would say streaming, and I agree. There are millions of places to hear that new song everyone has stuck in their head, or to revisit an old favorite. There are so many options on how to occupy your time, so the question becomes — will people still just turn on the radio? That’s where our biggest challenge comes: how we evolve and become so much more than just background noise. I’ve always believed that’s through personality and experiences.

David Hill: Do you have a favorite moment from past shows?

The Best Content Is the Kind You Can’t Plan

Anna Zap: Every year we design and order Christmas cards for our guests, clients, and others. This past year, our order from Snapfish was a misprint. It was our faces and design on the front, and another random family’s holiday card on the back. Snapfish wouldn’t talk to us, so we brought it to the air, posted the picture of the family, and we found them. Well, the crazy internet detectives did. They lived three states away, came on the air with us, were funny as hell, and invited us to their daughter’s wedding happening in the fall. It was the best, most unpredictable content. It seems like the most memorable content is the content you can’t plan.

David Hill: Who do you want to hear?

What’s on Her Must-See List

Anna Zap: Keith Dakin would have a heart attack if I didn’t say him! But seriously, the entire “Final 40” lineup looks great, and I’m so interested in what they have to say with that cryptic session title. Also, “The Consultant’s Conversation” is at the top of my list. I’m always looking for ways to make my content more memorable and impactful, and those guys have their fingers on the pulse.

David Hill: The industry — present and future, what does that look like?

Everything Old Is New Again

Anna Zap: I believe that everything old is new again, and radio is no exception. The industry has had its challenges, and for a while the outlook seemed uncertain. But our fearless leader, Jeff Warshaw, has always believed in the power of radio. He’s our biggest champion — and not only is he betting on radio thriving, but he also has a plan to innovate it into the future. Our job is to deliver results and not be afraid to put in the work. I think the future of the industry is getting back to basics — big personalities, connections, and compelling storytelling — while embracing all the new tools that help us reach the audience. Streaming, podcasting, turning the audio medium into a video experience — if we can do both, the future of radio is bright.

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.

Why 93 WIBC’s Jason Hammer and Nigel Laskowski Did the Right Thing After Being Threatened

Garrett Searight
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Why 93 WIBC’s Jason Hammer and Nigel Laskowski Did the Right Thing After Being Threatened

When a listener typed “you two are next” at 93 WIBC hosts Jason Hammer and Nigel Laskowski just two days after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the pair made a choice not everyone in their position would make. They didn’t ignore it. They didn’t quietly pass it along to station management and hope the situation resolved itself.

Instead, they tagged the Indianapolis Police and the FBI directly to the tweet — putting the threat on record and putting the man who issued it in the crosshairs of accountability.

That took guts. And it deserves recognition.

The moment was jarring. Kirk’s murder had shaken the news/talk radio world, and the wound was still fresh when that tweet appeared. The two hosts were doing what news/talk hosts do — talking through a major story — and someone responded with a public threat. The timing made it worse, but the reality is that threats like this don’t require a national tragedy as a backdrop to be dangerous.

You Can’t Afford to Wait and See

Some in the industry take a different approach. I’ve spoken with a host in a large market who received death threats that eventually became part of an FBI investigation. That host, however, chose not to go public. The reasoning was understandable — visibility cuts both ways, and drawing more attention to threats can sometimes invite more of them. It’s a legitimate concern, and one that deserves respect.

But Hammer and Laskowski chose differently. By tagging law enforcement publicly, they accomplished something beyond simply filing a report. They created a record, they signaled that the behavior wouldn’t be tolerated, and they gave the situation the kind of sunlight that makes bad actors think twice.

That’s not recklessness. That’s self-preservation with purpose.

There’s no perfect playbook for handling threats. But the “stay quiet and hope it goes away” strategy carries real risk too — especially in the immediate aftermath of a high-profile murder. The two days following Kirk’s assassination were tense across the industry. News/talk hosts were already on edge. In that climate, dismissing any threat as idle venting feels like a gamble no one should have to take.

Accountability Is the Point

Ultimately, what Hammer and Laskowski did wasn’t just smart — it was right. People who issue public death threats deserve public consequences. If someone types a threat on social media and faces a criminal charge for it, that outcome sends a message. It tells the next person who considers doing the same thing that words carry weight and that there’s a cost to threatening someone’s life.

That deterrent effect matters. It won’t eliminate threats entirely — nothing will. But it shifts the calculus. And the more often hosts respond the way these two did, the more that calculus shifts toward caution.

News/talk radio hosts shouldn’t have to factor personal safety concerns into the job description. They already navigate political blowback, advertiser pressure, and an increasingly turbulent media landscape. Adding legitimate fears for their physical safety to that list is too much. When law enforcement gets involved and charges follow, that’s the system working the way it should.

It isn’t easy to step into that process. It invites scrutiny, and it prolongs an uncomfortable situation. Hammer and Laskowski pushed through that discomfort anyway — and they’re better advocates for the industry because of it.

That kind of fortitude deserves more than a passing mention. It deserves to be held up as a model.

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.

After 34 Years, WLYF Miami Music Director Gayle Garton Retires

Jim Ryan
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After 34 Years, WLYF Miami Music Director Gayle Garton Retires

Every radio station needs that one special person who knows not only the history of the station, but the market inside and out. That one person who goes above and beyond — someone you simply can’t replace. Audacy in Miami is losing that person. Gayle Garton is about to leave the station she loved and has been a part of for 34 years. How time flies when you love what you do.

Gayle had the passion for radio and grabbed the first job she could in 1980 as a receptionist. Journalism degree be damned, she was drawn to what she heard coming out of the speakers and wanted to be a part of it. She worked her way up from the front desk and honed her craft at a couple of different Miami stations before walking through the door at the then-owned Jefferson Pilot stations in 1992.

Jefferson Pilot became Lincoln Financial, and that became Entercom, which eventually turned into Audacy. But while ownership and management changed, Gayle was a constant. She started on the weekend — remember that, live weekend talent? — and station programmer Rob Sidney was quick to realize Gayle’s potential. She was the first female voice heard on WLYF during the day. As a result, Gayle was promoted to music director, a title she would hold for 30 years.

More Than a Title

Gayle didn’t just occupy an office and a chair in the air studio for all those years — she was a valuable contributor. No matter who sat in the head programming chair, Gayle was there to offer direction. While my involvement with the station has been minimal, in every music sort with her and Brand Manager Michelle Stevens, her market knowledge proved invaluable.

There’s nothing better than having someone on your team who can recall every promotion, every market talent, and every song tested during her tenure. When Gayle said “that song never tested,” she was always right.

Gayle Garton
Gayle Garton

The Audacy cluster in Miami held a goodbye party for Gayle last week. She’s leaving not because her job was eliminated — not because Regional President Claudia Menegus and Michelle Stevens want her to go — but because she wants to relax at home and not see another G-Selector log. If Gayle had a bigger title, she would be lauded in all the trades. But she’s not the morning star or head programmer. Instead, she’s simply the person who made success happen and is one of the biggest reasons WLYF dominates the female demographic in Miami book after book.

A Lesson in Loyalty

Gayle’s 34 years at one station is a tribute not only to her, but to all the managers and programmers she worked with during that time. While it’s so easy to “bring in your own people,” each person in leadership recognized what Gayle was contributing to the success of the station. Through all the budget cuts and job eliminations, she even earned the promotion to Assistant Brand Manager. No matter who was in the corner office, they knew Gayle was a keeper.

As I salute the tenure of Gayle Garton, I urge you to look around your building and spot the “Gayle” on your team. Appreciate them and what they bring to work each and every day. Because just like the staff of WLYF in Miami, you will miss them when they are gone.

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 Ross Coulthart Built a Top 50 Podcast Covering UAPs at NewsNation

Krystina Alarcon Carroll
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How Ross Coulthart Built a Top 50 Podcast Covering UAPs at NewsNation

He is nearly singlehandedly uncovering the biggest media coverup of our lives. “How I got into covering this subject is I honestly started out thinking I was going to write a debunking book,” NewsNation’s Reality Check host Ross Coulthart humbly stated. “I wrote a book called ‘In Plain Sight: An Investigation into Impossible Science and UFOs.’ And I slowly began to realize that this was a huge story, a meritorious story.”

The subject, which many journalists in the media see as a death knell, is what Coulthart believes is the biggest story of his career.

“I was talking to people in the national security establishment, intelligence officers, military people, senior officers, senior people who’d served in multiple different presidential administrations. They were all telling me the same thing. This is real.”

Road to Disclosure

The tinfoil hats are off. And cold hard facts are being presented on Saturday, June 13, at 8 PM ET on a NewsNation special. “It’s recorded there was a decision made in the early 1950s by the Central Intelligence Agency to use ridicule, stigma, and taboo to try and shut down the UFO subject because they didn’t want to investigate it.”

Once convinced of UAPs, the attorney-turned-investigative journalist was not going to accept the standard media narrative. “We went against the grain. We could see where the story and where the evidence was taking us. So we followed those leads, and I think you’ve seen a fairly unique piece of journalism from NewsNation in the last few years.”

“Even when we were suffering attacks from other legacy media who told us we were going down a crazy rabbit hole, I think even they are now going very quiet and realizing there is something to this. That’s our point.”

He affirmed, “Our point very much in this show this weekend is how far we have come and how much further we need to go in order to get to the kind of disclosure that we think is necessary?”

The Risk of Catastrophic Disclosure

Coulthart is applauding President Donald Trump for the more than 200 files released on UAPs, but it isn’t enough. The reason Coulthart believes more disclosure is essential is because of what he calls “the possibility of catastrophic disclosure.”

He likened this disclosure to Edward Snowden’s 2013 leak of classified documents. “In desperation to try to reveal illegal activities by the U.S. government, he revealed things that were incredibly damaging to successful U.S. intelligence operations overseas against foreign adversary rivals.”

He added, “While a lot of people applaud what Snowden did, I do think there needs to be a question mark about the catastrophe that that caused for intelligence gathering.”

With a hint of urgency in his cadence, Coulthart deduced this could be an even bigger problem. “The United States has been involved irrefutably in the retrieval and reverse engineering of alien spacecraft. I think there’s a real risk that somebody might just blow the whistle and dump the whole lot into the public domain in a way that I don’t think any of us should want.”

This is why Coulthart believes now is the time for as much disclosure as possible. “I think the younger generations are more receptive. We’ve been told for years that it would be an unfair ontological shock to the American public and the world to reveal this information. That we’re all God-fearing Christians. And that this would offend in some way our religious beliefs or our whole ontological beliefs about our society. Frankly, I think that was probably the case in the 1950s and the 1960s.”

Why Today’s Audiences Are Ready

Times have changed, and Coulthart noted, “Even my Christian friends feel it’s time for the public to be told the truth. And that the notion of non-human beings being highly intelligent and highly advanced is not incompatible at all with religious beliefs.”

Coulthart has concluded, “We’re at a point now where it’s becoming simply untenable for this secrecy to be maintained. We don’t want the Russians or the Chinese stealing the march on us if there are technologies that can be developed for the advantage of all human beings. If there’s going to be one country that controls the release of that technology, I would want it to be a democracy like the United States. Not an authoritarian dictatorship like Russia or China. That’s the issue.”

As the world powers secretly race to reverse-engineer UAP technology, more world citizens are hungry for UAP information. What’s important to Coulthart is knowing exactly what audiences don’t want. “They don’t want the glib, unquestioning acceptance that you see on a lot of podcasts covering the subject matter.”

He affirmed, “They want to see people put on the back foot and questioned. And I think that’s why we’re making a difference. Because we’re a very journalistically rigorous show. We try to be objective and challenging when we do what we do.”

To journalists who are prepared to go against the grain, Coulthart has a suggestion. “Don’t be afraid of stepping away from the mainstream legacy media.” He added that it’s important to “do stories that you’re interested in.”

Passion Powers the Mission

When Coulthart left Australia’s 60 Minutes in 2018, he was already seeing “the decline in legacy media in advertising revenue and ratings.” He looked to see where that audience was going. That’s what led him to his NewsNation podcast and YouTube show, Reality Check.

The other essential part is passion. “Show your passion as a journalist for the subject that you care about and the audience will follow,” Coulthart attested. “I honestly feel so privileged as a journalist just to be following my curiosity. This all started out as me in an idle frippery going, ‘I think I’ll write a book about UFOs. Because I want to know more about it.'”

“Reality Check” is a top-50 podcast in the United States and regularly receives millions of views on YouTube. Coulthart believes these modern technology platforms are essential for good journalists. Because they “are far more nimble and far faster than the old-fashioned platforms. And this is where I think NewsNation deserves some credit. Because I think they’ve discovered that a digital audience through YouTube channels can be massive.”

The release of “Reality Check: Road to Disclosure” is paired with the release of Steven Spielberg’s film “Disclosure Day.” It features NewsNation national correspondent Jessica Kartalija. The director is also a believer and, like Coulthart, is hoping for more information on extraterrestrials to be released. Outside of the ones he’s created on the silver screen.

“Reality Check: Road to Disclosure” will be hosted by Ross Coulthart and air Saturday, June 13. It airs at 8 PM ET on NewsNation.

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.

Denver Nuggets Broadcasters Chris Marlowe, Scott Hastings, Chris Dempsey Depart

John Mamola
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Denver Nuggets Broadcasters Chris Marlowe, Scott Hastings, Chris Dempsey Depart

Kroenke Sports and Entertainment is overhauling its Nuggets broadcast team. Play-by-play voice Chris Marlowe, color analyst Scott Hastings, and reporter Chris Dempsey are all out, according to several reports.

What We Know: Marlowe spent 22 years calling Nuggets games after Altitude launched in 2004. He was named Colorado Sportscaster of the Year in 2023. Hastings joined Denver broadcasts in 1993 following an 11-year NBA playing career, including two final seasons with the Nuggets. Dempsey, a Boulder native and former Denver Post reporter, also served as a studio analyst for the network.

What They Said: KSE Media Ventures president Steve Smith (via The Denver Post): ““For more than a decade, Chris Marlowe, Scott Hastings and Chris Dempsey have been synonymous with Nuggets basketball, bringing energy, insight and a genuine love of the game to every broadcast. They have been part of many of the most memorable moments in franchise history, including the 2023 championship run, and have helped shape how generations of fans experience Nuggets basketball. Each has been an outstanding ambassador for our organization, leaving a lasting impact on our company, our fans, and the broader Nuggets community.”

Chris Marlowe (via X): “Hey Nuggets Nation! All good things must come to an end… I wanted to let you know personally that I will not be returning as the play-by-play announcer for the Denver Nuggets next season. Altitude Sports is moving in a different direction and decided not to renew my contract. It has been a wonderful 22 year run. I want to thank everyone who was there along the way, especially the fans. I’m not retiring and this is not goodbye— it’s just so long for now.”

What Remains Unclear: No replacements have been announced yet. Additionally, it’s unknown whether any of the talents released will land elsewhere in sports media.

What It Means: This is a significant reset for a broadcast team that covered Denver’s recent 2023 championship. However, Katy Winge and Vic Lombardi are staying, providing some continuity. Hastings will also continue co-hosting on Altitude Radio. Still, fans should expect a noticeably different look and sound next season.

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: NFL Placing 87% Of Games On Free TV Means They’re “Violating The Law” 13% Of The Time

John Mamola
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Clay Travis: NFL Placing 87% Of Games On Free TV Means They’re “Violating The Law” 13% Of The Time

Fox News contributor and radio host Clay Travis brought a pointed argument to Capitol Hill today. He told lawmakers the NFL is violating the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 by placing games behind streaming paywalls.

What We Know: The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust convened Wednesday to examine how the Sports Broadcasting Act has impacted the broadcast market for sports leagues. Specifically, the hearing focused on whether the antitrust exemption created by the SBA has been used by professional sports leagues to harm consumers and whether legislative remedies may be needed. The House Judiciary Committee also released a report this week. It claimed the NFL’s television rights structure and revenues is a house of cards built on an overstretched antitrust exemption. Notably, Commissioner Roger Goodell declined to appear, leaving Travis as the hearing’s most prominent witness.

What They Said: Clay Travis on the misnomer of the NFL’s 87% games on OTA television statement: “The NFL is going to argue that 87% of their games are still free. That still means that they’re violating the law with 13% of the games that they are putting behind streamers. It also means that the reality is, if you look at your individual constituents, none of them are getting 87%. Buffalo Bills, great new stadium opening, $850 million in taxpayer funds. Their very first home game is on a Thursday on Amazon. Most of the taxpayers in the state of New York who paid for that stadium are not able to watch for free a Buffalo Bills home opener. That’s wrong. You guys have an important responsibility and an opportunity to apply the law fairly, freely, and help fans everywhere across the entire nation pay less and get more.”

What Remains Unclear: Courts have previously ruled the SBA exemption does not apply to cable, satellite, or streaming. However, whether Congress will act to formally strip or restrict the NFL’s antitrust exemption remains an open question. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez noted that any meaningful update to the Sports Broadcasting Act requires legislative action, not agency intervention.

What It Means: The NFL’s growing reliance on streaming is now firmly in Congress’s crosshairs. Travis’s Buffalo Bills example gave lawmakers a tangible, constituent-level illustration of the problem. If Congress agrees the 13% figure represents a legal violation of the SBA, the NFL’s entire media rights structure could face its biggest challenge in many years.

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.

NBA Finals Game Three Viewership Highest Since 1998

John Mamola
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NBA Finals Game Three Viewership Highest Since 1998

The 2026 NBA Finals continues to be a television phenomenon. Through three games, ABC and ESPN are posting numbers the sport hasn’t seen in decades.

What We Know: Game 3 averaged 23.8 million viewers on ABC and ESPN, a 159% jump from last year’s Game 3. The audience peaked at 26.3 million viewers at 11:15 p.m. ET. That made it the largest TV audience since Super Bowl LX in February. Through three games, the series is averaging 19.1 million viewers — up 114% from last year — making it ABC and ESPN’s second most-watched NBA Finals ever.

What The Numbers Show: (all data courtesy of ESPN PR. Viewership data via Nielsen Big Data + Panel)

Game #Average ViewershipPeak Viewership% Change Year-Over-Year
116.93 million19.63 million+90%
216.43 million19.42 million+88%
323.8 million26.3 million+159%

What Remains Unclear: Can the viewership trend continue at this record setting pace. Also, could ESPN consider additional opportunities for viewing with additional alt casts to drive up the number more.

What It Means: There’s many factors driving these viewership numbers. The addition of Big Data + Panel cannot be ignored. A team from the top market in the country is involved. Also, one of the most popular young superstars also is playing in the NBA Finals. The matchup was a dream in the making for the NBA. The results continue to prove that dream is reality. The longer this series can go will prove to be one of the more watched NBA Finals since the Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls era.

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.

CBS News Earned $362 Million From 60 Minutes, CBS Evening News, Others in 2025

Garrett Searight
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CBS News Earned $362 Million From 60 Minutes, CBS Evening News, Others in 2025

CBS News has seen plenty of tumult in recent months. But that instability hasn’t altered the division’s revenue, according to new figures.

What We Know: A report from Variety’s Brian Steinberg quotes Guideline, an advertising tracking firm, which projects that the network has seen no real revenue damage since new Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss was installed last year. The figures between its major programs show a healthy revenue figure.

What the Numbers Show: Between 60 Minutes, CBS Evening News, CBS Sunday Morning, CBS Mornings, 48 Hours, and Face the Nation, the network earned $362 million in 2025.

What They Said: “CBS has held steady, having stayed at 22% share of dollars for the last five years. Halfway through this year, CBS is still at 22% of the dollar share.” -Guideline Chief Insights and Analytics Officer

What It Means: Through all the consternation and negative publicity the network has received in 2026, to see that it has virtually remained unchanged in the revenue category showcases the power of the brand. It is unclear how much political advertising has played a role in keeping that figure steady compared to the prior five years, however.

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.

NAB President Curtis LeGeyt: Congress Must “Reaffirm The Scope” Of Sports Broadcasting Act Of 1961 With All Leagues

John Mamola
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NAB President Curtis LeGeyt: Congress Must “Reaffirm The Scope” Of Sports Broadcasting Act Of 1961 With All Leagues

NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt testified Wednesday before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust. His message was direct: Congress should enforce the existing Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, not expand it.

What We Know: The hearing, titled “Examining the Sports Broadcasting Act,” explored how sports distribution has shifted since the SBA passed 65 years ago. LeGeyt says the law’s antitrust exemption was always intended to cover broadcast television negotiations — not streaming deals. Critically, no league representatives appeared to testify. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was invited but declined. Leaving broadcasters as the dominant voice before the subcommittee.

What They Said: (all quotes via Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust hearing titled “Examining the Sports Broadcasting Act”)

NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt calling on Congress to enforce the language of the current Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961: “Live sports on free broadcast television has served the American public for generations. Together, we have built shared national moments, strengthened communities, expanded fan bases and supported local journalism. But that model is now at risk. Fans are paying more and receiving less. Meanwhile, local stations are competing against global technology platforms that can subsidize sports rights with revenue from entirely different businesses. In 1961, Congress was right to put fans first, and NAB is not asking to eliminate the Sports Broadcasting Act. But this Committee should reaffirm that the SBA applies only to league-wide negotiations with media companies. Ones that will distribute games through broadcast television, not lock games behind streaming paywalls.”

Curtis LeGeyt says the NAB’s position is not to scrutinize how the NFL does business: “The committee needs to reaffirm the scope of this act which was enacted by Congress. We’re not here to scrutinize the NFL’s business practices. We’re here to affirm that if they want to take advantage of an antitrust exemption granted to them by this body. There are certain public interest obligations that went along with that. There’s a clearly defined scope [to live up to the spirit of the law]. I believe that this committee is uniquely positioned to deliver that message. I believe that the law needs to be properly enforced.”

Curtis LeGeyt on how the NFL could be violating the anti-trust exemption they’ve been given: “As the NFL is now looking ahead to maybe a more global marketplace, they are clearly diversifying their the options that they’re going to use to reach other consumers. I would just affirm for this committee that they’re making that business determination. But this antitrust exemption, which was granted to them. It enables them to pool rights in a way that would clearly be a violation of our antitrust laws, but for Congress’s action was intended only to govern those negotiations with broadcasters. The benefit to fans was that free access. The balance is off if suddenly that act is going to be misused. In order to enable negotiations with Amazon, Netflix, or YouTube.”

Curtis LeGeyt believes streaming platforms don’t have constraints that broadcast networks do: “By expanding the pool of media entities negotiating for these rights, the sports leagues are creating a broadened marketplace. We know that these global streamers, who have a number of other businesses as well, don’t have the same financial constraints when it comes to bidding for sports rights. So, that’s driving up the price for everyone.”

What Remains Unclear: Whether the subcommittee will act on LeGeyt’s recommendations remains uncertain. Furthermore, with no league representation present, Congress heard only the broadcast perspective Wednesday. Congress is also examining whether the NFL stretched the SBA’s antitrust exemption beyond its original purpose, to the detriment of American consumers.

What It Means: The hearing reinforces that the NAB is mounting a focused, strategic campaign. Not seeking repeal, but demanding enforcement. If Congress reaffirms the SBA’s original scope, leagues could potentially lose antitrust protection for streaming-only rights deals. For fans, the implications are significant. More games may return to free, over-the-air television — or the pressure on Washington grows considerably louder.

The SBA does not clearly protect cable, satellite, streaming, or subscription products. In addition, the rising costs of which have drawn consumer complaints and government scrutiny. Currently, the DOJ, FCC, and Congress all examining the league’s broadcast practices simultaneously. The stakes of this fight extend well beyond just this hearing.

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.

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