The feud between Mark Levin and Tucker Carlson is continuing, with Levin saying he’s only responding because he’s been provoked.
In the aftermath of Carlson’s podcast episode with Nick Fuentes, criticism continued to mount after he described being attacked by a demonic figure while speaking at a stop on Megyn Kelly’s nationwide tour.
On social media, the longtime conservative commentator argued that what is happening to Carlson should be a lesson to everyone.
“You don’t want to become a Tucker Carlson,” said Levin. “At the age of 56, he’s apparently going through a public midlife crisis of some kind. And it’s ugly and embarrassing. His gibberish, word salads, evil and hateful bigotry, platforming of Hitler-sympathizers and the likes of Fuentes, plus the weird and awkward fits of laughter, etc., are deeply troubling.”
Mark Levin added that the only reason he was addressing the situation was because he only replies “to all this craziness when attacked.”
You don’t want to become a Tucker Carlson. At the age of 56, he’s apparently going through a public midlife crisis of some kind. And it’s ugly and embarrassing. His gibberish, word salads, evil and hateful bigotry, platforming of Hitler-sympathizers and the likes of Fuentes, plus…
The comments from Levin come after, during the same appearance with Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson argued that he had agreed with Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin not to attack one another publicly.
“They didn’t abide by those terms. But that’s fine, they were under no obligation,” Carlson said.
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Jim Avila, a longtime national news correspondent most known for his work at ABC News, died at the age of 69 after an extended illness.
Avila worked in a variety of roles for ABC News during his tenure. He served as the Senior Law and Justice Correspondent for the network, worked as a Los Angeles-based correspondent for 20/20, covered the White House during the Obama administration, and also anchored World News Saturday during his tenure.
He also spent time at NBC News, and worked at KNBC in Los Angeles, where he covered the O.J. Simpson murder case extensively, often breaking news related to the case.
After stepping away from his duties with ABC News in 2021, Avila wrote a weekly column for Barrett Media, before ultimately rejoining the television ranks on the local level at ABC10 in San Diego, hoping to train the next generation of television journalists. He also briefly rejoined the Barrett Media brand earlier this year before stepping away due to his health challenges.
On social media, many former colleagues of Jim Avila took to social media to share memories of the venerable newsman, and added condolences for his family and friends.
Jim Avila, former ABC News senior correspondent and "20/20" correspondent, has passed away after a long illness. He was 69 years old. pic.twitter.com/OMD1wbKMCn
So sorry to hear this. Jim was a terrific journalist. We covered the Obama WH together. He broke some big stories so you had to be on your toes when he was around. But Jim was more than a competitor. He was a friend who was always available to offer his advice. Jim often talked… https://t.co/Wp8eELfr2S
One of the greats in broadcast journalism has passed…Jim Avila, former correspondent for @ABC@NBCNews, a Cubs fan, and one of my close friends with whom I had too many nights out to count was someone who cared deeply about journalism, his friends, his family. I will miss him. pic.twitter.com/VRjdFmteYp
I worked w/ Jim for several months in 2005 on a near daily basis. It was a pleasure he treated us all well and had our backs the entire time. His passion for journalism,good humor and kindness made that work great, always good to see him in years after my thoughts to his family https://t.co/jjmMkmgucp
Journalism has lost a true legend. My mentor, deskmate and friend Jim Avila @JimAvilaABC passed away yesterday afternoon. Jim fought a hard health battle the past year. A true news man till the very end, he will be remembered for his wisdom, humor and dedication to journalism. pic.twitter.com/pvegMzUTc8
This news is really sad. Jim Avila was a pro and a class act. Very sorry to learn of his passing today. It was a pleasure having him on our writing team. RIP Jim.https://t.co/WQUbSwj8Jz
Jim demanded the best from his colleagues but always kept it fun. Our assignments took us to G20 in Antalya, Turkey to Martha’s Vineyard to Waikiki and many places in between. RIP, my friend 🍷🏍️🍱🏖️⛵️🇹🇷@JimAvilaABC, fmr @ABC senior correspondent, dies https://t.co/j3KeKuaYnr
Very saddened by this. Jim was the consummate pro. He cared deeply about the industry, its future, helping the next generation, and the truth. https://t.co/jecuKNGzxZ
Jim Avila, a former longtime ABC News senior correspondent, whose investigative journalism earned him several of the most prestigious awards in broadcast news, has died. He was 69. https://t.co/CjATscWcUIpic.twitter.com/SEBlOSJqmL
REST IN PEACE: Jim Avila, a former longtime ABC News senior correspondent, whose investigative journalism earned him several of the most prestigious awards in broadcast news, has died. He was 69.https://t.co/cWEBpAMu5xpic.twitter.com/iIOvi479My
Jim Avila, a former longtime ABC News senior correspondent, whose investigative journalism earned him several of the most prestigious awards in broadcast news, has died. He was 69. https://t.co/KxbDmWUbwv
I had the privilege of working with Jim last year in San Diego.
He could have been Mr. Big Time with his amazing accomplishments, but he was kind, gracious, and so helpful to everyone. You will be missed.https://t.co/iHpOyrIZ0I.
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Bill Crawford has announced he’s leaving the 102.5 WDVE morning show at the iHeartMedia Pittsburgh classic rock station in an effort to focus on his burgeoning stand-up comedy career.
Crawford has been with the station for the past 13 years. Currently, he’s paired with Rand Baumann and Abby Krizner.
“I’ve been feeling a real pull lately to get back to my stand-up roots and go dream chase,” Crawford told listeners Wednesday morning. “And it’s not an easy decision because I love this show and the city and you guys so much, but sometimes you’ve gotta just follow your calling and listen to that voice. It says it’s time.”
“I’m incredibly sad about not getting to work with him every morning, but completely understand that his ambitions and aspirations are substantial and I have no doubt he’s going to achieve all he sets out to conquer,” Baumann wrote in a post on social media. “I remain Bill’s biggest fan and look forward to watching his career soar. He already carved out a huge career in Pittsburgh radio, can’t wait to see whats next!”
Bill Crawford originally stepped into the show in 2012 to replace Jim Krenn, and was joined in the daypart by Scott Paulsen.
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Major League Soccer and Apple are making a significant shift in their partnership, with plans to bring every MLS match out from behind a paywall beginning in 2026. According to a report by The Athletic, the current MLS Season Pass model will be discontinued after the 2025 season. With all games becoming accessible directly through the Apple TV streaming platform.
The move marks a notable evolution for the 10-year, $2.5 billion agreement that began in 2023. Which made Apple the exclusive global home for MLS matches. Until now, fans were required to purchase a standalone subscription to MLS Season Pass — priced at $14.99 per month or $99 for the season. That was in addition to the regular Apple TV subscription.
When the change takes effect, a standard Apple TV subscription ($12.99 per month or $99 annually) will include access to every MLS match. For a league that has worked to build momentum with a younger, tech-savvy audience. The removal of the paywall could be a crucial step in expanding viewership and accessibility.
Apple has not disclosed official subscriber numbers, but Variety previously estimated the platform at around 45 million users. Apple executive Eddy Cue, however, suggested on a recent podcast that the figure was “significantly more.”
The timing also aligns with Apple’s expanding sports ambitions.
The company recently struck a five-year deal with Formula 1, set to begin in 2026. Which could provide crossover opportunities for fans already subscribed to Apple TV. MLS began testing the new approach in 2024 by making more than 200 matches available outside of the Season Pass subscription. Including the entire 2025 postseason — moves that reportedly led to noticeable audience growth.
Despite early skepticism, league executives have maintained that the Apple partnership remains a forward-thinking investment. MLS Deputy Commissioner Gary Stevenson told The Athletic that the collaboration continues to evolve in ways that benefit fans and the sport.
“The story on the Apple deal will be written over time,” Stevenson said. “We were ahead of the curve, and we have a partner that’s willing to make changes with us to better serve the consumer.”
With the paywall soon to come down. Both sides appear confident that a more open model could be exactly what MLS needs to capture new fans. Plus keep its global growth trending upward.
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The Joe Rogan Experience is always near the top of the podcast rankings on YouTube. For the most recent week, it’s number one, and some high-profile conversations helped propel it to that ranking.
For the week of November 3rd through the 9th, the podcast from Joe Rogan earned the top spot. The show released new episodes featuring individual conversations between Rogan and actors Russell Crowe and Billy Bob Thornton. He also featured an episode with evolutionary biologist Dr. Bret Weinstein, and another with comedians Big Jay Oakerson and Luis J. Gomez.
Additionally, just before the measurement period began, Rogan sat down for a podcast episode with Elon Musk. That episode of The Joe Rogan Experience earned just shy of 10 million views on YouTube.
The conversations with Crowe and Thornton have also each garnered more than 1.5 million views as of this publication.
Elsewhere on the YouTube podcast rankings, The MeidasTouch Podcast was second, with other news-related shows like Brian Tyler Cohen (5th), Shawn Ryan Show (12th), The Tucker Carlson Show (13th), PBD Podcast with Patrick Bet-David (20th), The Majority Report with Sam Seder (21st), and The Megyn Kelly Show (24th) finishing inside the top 25.
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Jim Avila, a longtime national news correspondent at outlets like ABC News, has died at the age of 69 after an extended illness.
Avila worked in a variety of roles for ABC News during his tenure. He served as the Senior Law and Justice Correspondent for the network, worked as a Los Angeles-based correspondent for 20/20, covered the White House during the Obama administration, and also anchored World News Saturday during his tenure.
“Jim was a gifted journalist and a generous colleague,” ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic said in an email to staffers.
During his storied career, Jim Avila earned a Merriman Award from the White House Correspondents Association for breaking the news that the United States had begun diplomatic relations with Cuba during the Obama administration. He earned two National Emmy Awards and won five Edward R. Murrow Awards during his career.
In 1999, he was named the Reporter of the Year by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. In 2019, he was inducted into that organization’s Hall of Fame.
He also spent time at NBC News, and worked at KNBC in Los Angeles, where he covered the O.J. Simpson murder case extensively, often breaking news related to the case.
After stepping away from his duties with ABC News in 2021, Avila wrote a weekly column for Barrett Media, before ultimately rejoining the television ranks on the local level at ABC10 in San Diego, hoping to train the next generation of television journalists. He also briefly rejoined the Barrett Media brand earlier this year before stepping away due to his health challenges.
“Jim Avila was a consummate professional who I was proud to have contribute to Barrett Media,” Barrett Media President Jason Barrett said. “He was honest, passionate about politics and journalism, and struck a connection with our readers, elevating our credibility in the news media world in the process. My condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of working with him. He was an outstanding person and journalist.”
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean has announced she is temporarily stepping away from the network to focus on her health.
Dean, who is seen regularly on FOX & Friends in addition to contributing to FOX Weather, has worked at the company since 2004. In 2005, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
In a post on social media, Dean shared that she is stepping away from the network to focus on recent challenges.
“I wanted to let you all know that I’m taking a break from work (and social media) for a bit. I’m ok, but I’ve had some health issues that require rest and time to heal,” Dean shared. “My bosses at Fox have been kind and understanding.”
One more post…
I wanted to let you all know that I’m taking a break from work (and social media) for a bit. I’m ok, but I’ve had some health issues that require rest and time to heal. My bosses at Fox have been kind and understanding, and I feel blessed to be able to take a… pic.twitter.com/fkLM5R6I0U
Janice Dean added that she was able to begin her rest and recovery with a recent trip with her husband, calling it “a good place to start healing spiritually.”
“Now I have to get back to feeling healthy and strong,” Dean continued. “I’ve always been up front and honest about my life, and I felt I owed you an explanation of my absence. But, I will be back. Grateful to you all for the kind words.”
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The Walt Disney Company has reported its third-quarter financial results, and the company saw revenue decline during the period.
In total, the company reported revenue of $22.46 billion for the quarter. That figure fell short of the $22.83 billion predicted by analysts for the period, but is roughly in line with what the company earned during the same time period a year ago.
In the entertainment division — which includes the broadcast TV, streaming television, and motion picture sectors — the company saw a 6% revenue decline.
The company said that its direct-to-consumer revenue rose 8% compared to the previous year. However, linear networks saw revenue decline by $107 million compared to the same time a year ago, with its domestic linear networks being largely affected by the lack of political advertising, which represented $40 million of its revenue during the prior year.
ESPN’s operating income declined 3% year-over-year. However, domestic advertising revenue increased 8% during the quarter.
Included in the report about the Disney financial results was the revelation of updated streaming subscriber counts. Disney+ features 131.6 million subscribers worldwide, split virtually evenly between foreign and domestic subscribers. Hulu, meanwhile, features just under 65 million subscribers. After launching ESPN as a direct-to-consumer offering in August, the company’s leadership has stated it does not plan to regularly disclose subscriber numbers for that project.
The financial results released do not reflect any issues with the recent carriage dispute with YouTube TV, as that came following the conclusion of the quarter that ended on September 30th.
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Former ESPN President and Meadowlark Media co-founder John Skipper weighed in on the ongoing carriage dispute between The Walt Disney Company and YouTube TV during an appearance on Pablo Torre Finds Out, offering a window into how Disney could approach negotiations without violating contractual protections.
According to a report by Awful Announcing, a spokesperson for YouTube TV says the company is not asking for the lower rates immediately from Disney, but wants to codify lower rates once YouTube TV surpasses the three other distributors in subscribers [Comcast, Charter, DirecTV]. In the interim, the Google-owned service suggests it’d pay the same rates as other distributors.
Currently, while YouTube TV says it has upward trajectory in subscribers compared to dwindling numbers for cable and satellite. It’s unclear whether or not waiting until YouTube TV is the largest distributor in the country to give the service lower rates would trigger the “Most Favored Nation” clauses for other distributors. Skipper explained the concept of a “Most Favored Nation” (MFN) clause. A common feature in media carriage agreements designed to prevent one distributor from receiving better terms than others.
“It’s a protection against somebody getting a better deal than you. The MFN, traditionally—I don’t know what’s in these agreements—traditionally has been about price,” Skipper said. “It’s not about a bunch of other things. It’s not a general everything in this contract. You get an MFN on price.”
Asked whether Disney should adjust its programming rates specifically for YouTube TV, Skipper was firm.
“Disney can’t give in on that. First of all, at least at ESPN—there’s no scale-based rate difference. Everybody pays the same thing,” he said. Skipper noted that giving a discount to YouTube TV, which has been taking subscribers from traditional pay-TV providers like Comcast and DirecTV. Could violate fairness principles inherent in MFN protections.
On the question of negotiating through the press, Skipper expressed some skepticism, but acknowledged the tactic might be necessary.
“I never liked negotiating in the press. That might be what they’re doing…Disney has to figure out a way to get them something that doesn’t trip MFNs that is not essentially unfair,” he explained.
He suggested Disney focus on areas where only YouTube TV could provide value, rather than adjusting rates for all distributors. Skipper further elaborated on potential strategies for keeping pricing intact while still incentivizing YouTube TV.
“If you’re Disney, what you’re trying to figure out is, how can I actually help myself here on something that is a priority for me. I would think ESPN, the new direct-to-consumer service, would be at the top of my list. Can you help me with that somehow? Can I then reward you [YouTube TV] for that in a way which doesn’t trigger the MFN and gets you the same amount of money?”
Despite the tensions, Skipper expressed confidence that a resolution is near.
“I think that there will be a resolution to this in the not too distant future. Because both parties actually want to come to some resolution. I don’t think there’s any reason that Google will want to embarrass Disney by saying we won. We’ll see a resolution either before the next Monday Night Football game or right after. Before college football next weekend.”
Earlier today, Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger addressed the ongoing carriage dispute with YouTube TV. Telling investors during Disney’s quarterly earnings call that the company remains committed to reaching a fair agreement while emphasizing its responsibility to both consumers and shareholders.
“While we have been working tirelessly to close this deal and restore our content to their platform, it is imperative that we make sure we agree to a deal that reflects the value that we deliver, which both YouTube and Alphabet have told us is greater than the value of any other provider,” Iger added.
Before the earnings call on Thursday, Walt Disney Company CFO told CNBC that the company prepared for this dispute earlier in the year, and is set to go on as long as it takes.
“We’re in the middle of negotiations right now. Things are live. They’re happening,” said Hugh Johnston, Walt Disney Company CFO to CNBC. “Obviously as we entered the year, we knew this was going to be a challenging battle. We prepared ourselves for it. We’re ready to go as long as they want to. So, beyond that I’d rather not comment on that.”
The blackout of Disney’s networks — including ESPN, ABC, and FX — is entering its third weekend, leaving millions of YouTube TV subscribers without access to some of sports and entertainment’s most popular programming.
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The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger addressed the ongoing carriage dispute with YouTube TV on Thursday morning, telling investors during Disney’s quarterly earnings call that the company remains committed to reaching a fair agreement while emphasizing its responsibility to both consumers and shareholders.
The blackout of Disney’s networks — including ESPN, ABC, and FX — is entering its third weekend, leaving millions of YouTube TV subscribers without access to some of sports and entertainment’s most popular programming. Iger said Disney has worked “tirelessly” to restore its channels to the platform but stressed that any new deal must reflect the value Disney provides.
“We care deeply about our consumer,” Iger said. “Our priority has always been to remain on their service without interruptions, and you close a deal on a timely basis so an interruption does not occur. The deal we have proposed is equal to or better than what other large distributors have already agreed to. We are not trying to break any new ground.”
Iger pointed to Disney’s long track record of striking equitable agreements with other distributors. He said the offer on the table mirrors terms already accepted by “distributors larger than they are,” suggesting Disney believes its proposal to YouTube TV is consistent with industry standards.
“While we have been working tirelessly to close this deal and restore our content to their platform, it is imperative that we make sure we agree to a deal that reflects the value that we deliver, which both YouTube and Alphabet have told us is greater than the value of any other provider,” Iger added.
Before the earnings call, Walt Disney Company CFO told CNBC that the company prepared for this dispute earlier in the year, and is set to go on as long as it takes.
“We’re in the middle of negotiations right now. Things are live. They’re happening,” said Hugh Johnston, Walt Disney Company CFO to CNBC. “Obviously as we entered the year, we knew this was going to be a challenging battle. We prepared ourselves for it, and we’re ready to go as long as they want to So, beyond that I’d rather not comment on that.”
The comments come amid mounting public pressure for both sides to resolve the dispute, particularly as major live sports events continue to air on ESPN and ABC and other Disney owned networks. Fans have taken to social media expressing frustration over missed college football, NFL, and NBA games, while industry observers note the standoff underscores the changing economics of digital distribution.
Iger’s tone suggested optimism but also resolve, balancing consumer empathy with Disney’s insistence that its premium content justifies a premium price.
“We are trying hard and working tirelessly to close this deal,” he said. “And we are hopeful we will be able to do so on a timely enough basis to give consumers the opportunity to access our content over their platform.”
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