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If Netflix Wants Live Weekday Programming, Could Pat McAfee Leave ESPN?

John Mamola
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If Netflix Wants Live Weekday Programming, Could Pat McAfee Leave ESPN?

Netflix has made no secret about it. The streaming giant wants live event content. Over the past several years, the company has invested in live events involving boxing, MMA, WWE, MLB, the NFL, and others. They even backed a production centered on a man climbing a skyscraper in Taiwan. Now, the company is entering a new content vertical: live radio programming.

Yesterday, Netflix and iHeartMedia expanded their current podcasting agreement by licensing the live video presentation of The Breakfast Club on Netflix beginning June 1. For Netflix, this marks its first venture into live weekday programming. For a company positioning itself heavily in the live event space while adding live weekday content to its platform, could Pat McAfee be next on Netflix’s target list?

Despite the headlines McAfee creates on and off the screen, his persona commands attention.

The former Colts punter has turned himself into one of sports media’s most dynamic and versatile personalities. He helped College GameDay transition away from Lee Corso and elevated WWE’s profile with ESPN. He has also curried favor with nearly every commissioner and athlete imaginable, making his program destination viewing that leagues and personalities battle to appear on.

When McAfee signed his agreement in 2023, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro called his show one of the most engaging programs in sports and all of media. He wasn’t wrong. Everything McAfee touches seems to draw more attention than almost anything else in sports. I recall speaking with ESPN NFL analyst Peter Schrager about the McAfee effect on sports.

“The genius of Pat McAfee is taking something that feels very serious, urgent, and newsworthy and making it fun,” said Schrager.

Connecting The Dots

McAfee’s contract with ESPN runs through 2028. That’s now less than two years away, with McAfee positioned to cash in again if he chooses. That’s why Netflix’s announcement involving The Breakfast Club feels like just the first step in what could become a larger pursuit of McAfee by the streaming giant.

A couple of factors are worth considering.

Netflix already has live event agreements with several companies. One of those companies is TKO Holdings, which owns WWE, UFC, and Zuffa Boxing, among others. Ari Emanuel serves as CEO of TKO Holdings and helped architect TKO’s agreement with Netflix for WWE Raw back in 2025.

It just so happens that Emanuel also represents McAfee as his agent. Put those pieces together, and you have yourself quite a story.

However, Netflix had not tested the live weekday programming model until now.

Benefits To Both?

McAfee signed with ESPN for a reported $85 million over five years. According to Yahoo Sports, the show generated one billion total social media views in September 2025 alone, while averaging 447,000 live viewers per episode. That represented an 18% year-over-year increase and pushed the show to its most-watched year on ESPN.

McAfee’s show is a juggernaut of content, attention, reach, and engagement that no other ESPN program comes close to matching. In 2025, ESPN President of Content Burke Magnus acknowledged that reality.

“Every commissioner wants to be on his show. Every athlete wants to be on the show. There’s a cool factor, a relevance factor. It’s fun and funny and entertaining. As we sit here today, I could not imagine our daytime schedule without his show,” said Magnus.

Netflix’s announcement on Thursday may have just increased McAfee’s chances of departing ESPN when his agreement expires in 2028. But can ESPN retain McAfee’s services beyond that point?

It would be difficult to argue that ESPN’s budget could compete with Netflix’s financial power in a bidding war for McAfee and his program. Netflix could easily outbid ESPN and Disney while also making McAfee’s show more global in reach through the audience the platform commands.

Teaming with Netflix could also create additional opportunities for McAfee in Hollywood. With Netflix funding major motion picture productions, McAfee would almost certainly become a candidate for entertainment roles that ESPN simply cannot provide. Emanuel has even stated that he envisions McAfee as the next Sylvester Stallone. A move to Netflix would likely create more avenues for that vision to materialize.

Would McAfee’s guest list become more limited with a move to Netflix? Since the streaming platform already does business with MLB and the NFL, probably not. The likelihood of ESPN talent appearing at a moment’s notice could change. But it’s difficult to imagine personalities such as Adam Schefter or Shams Charania disappearing entirely from the program.

A move to Netflix could even strengthen McAfee’s relationship with WWE, one of his personal passions. Could there be more WWE content involving McAfee’s production company? Or perhaps an expanded role with TKO Holdings based on the business relationships McAfee has helped cultivate between ESPN and Netflix?

Can ESPN Retain McAfee?

Make no mistake, this may become the single biggest challenge facing new ESPN EVP, Executive Editor, Sports News and Entertainment Mike Foss during the early stages of his tenure. While Foss won’t be alone in any discussions with McAfee, his new role will certainly be heavily involved in it. Mike Foss has played a key role in overseeing The Pat McAfee Show since its ESPN debut nearly three years ago. By all accounts, Foss has built a strong working relationship with Pat McAfee. He has done so by trusting McAfee’s instincts, offering feedback, and helping navigate criticism and controversy.

Now that the contract has entered its final two-year window, the next several months could become very interesting for ESPN and Pat McAfee. If Netflix’s live arrangement with The Breakfast Club succeeds like its podcast partnership has, the streaming giant will almost certainly pursue more opportunities in the space.

There is no daily studio show or sports radio program that commands more attention than Pat McAfee’s platform. The connections involved are substantial enough that a move to Netflix makes legitimate sense for both McAfee and the company.

That’s why Netflix entering the live daily programming space matters so much.

The company is no longer simply chasing events. It is chasing habit-forming personalities that audiences build their days around. Pat McAfee checks every box. He delivers sports, entertainment, controversy, virality, and cultural relevance in one package. Exactly the type of talent streaming platforms covet as they continue redefining television.

Whether McAfee ultimately stays with ESPN or eventually jumps to Netflix, one thing already feels certain.

Thursday’s announcement involving The Breakfast Club was not just about adding another program to Netflix’s library. It was a test case for something much bigger. And if the experiment succeeds, don’t be surprised if the most important personality in sports media suddenly becomes the face of Netflix’s live daytime future.

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 Shams Charania, Stephen A. Smith Dominate the Same Sports Media Game

John Lund
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How Shams Charania, Stephen A. Smith Dominate the Same Sports Media Game

The NBA spent years turning awards into television events. Shams Charania spent years turning himself into the fastest man in sports media. Last weekend, those two things finally crashed into each other.

The league and Amazon Prime had a plan. Build suspense, stretch out the drama and reveal Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as NBA MVP during Amazon’s playoff coverage tied to Game 7 between Cleveland and Detroit. Instead, ESPN’s Charania dropped the news hours earlier because that’s what he does. He reports news first. Suddenly, sports media had its latest civil war.

Amazon’s studio crew openly mocked Charania on-air. Blake Griffin fired the funniest shot of the night, telling him, “What are we doing man? It’s Sunday Shams, go to brunch you nerd.” Taylor Rooks added that she didn’t remember “Shams spoiling it” back in the Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki MVP days.

Here’s the problem with everybody yelling at Charania: he’s right.

If Shams Charania knows who won MVP, his job is to report who won MVP. Period. He’s not employed by the NBA marketing department or on Amazon’s payroll. He’s a reporter in a hyper-competitive information business where being second means losing. He has sources to protect, relationships to maintain and an audience conditioned to expect instant information.

Charania defended himself by saying, “When I get news, I’ve vetted it,” adding, “That’s my responsibility.”

This is the sports media ecosystem leagues helped create. Networks want insiders because insiders drive engagement 24 hours a day. Breaking news dominates algorithms. Fans claim they hate spoilers, but they also refresh Twitter/X every 15 seconds. Why? Hopes of somebody spoiling something before the television reveal.

Shams didn’t break the system. He mastered it.

Which is why the other sports media beef this week felt strangely connected, even though it involved a completely different style of media star.

The Attention Game

Enter Stephen A. Smith versus Jaylen Brown.

Brown unloaded on Smith during a Twitch stream and podcast appearance, calling the ESPN star “the face of clickbait media.” Brown accused Smith of prioritizing attention over journalism. Frustrated after Boston’s playoff collapse and Smith’s criticism on First Take, Brown told Smith to retire and mocked him with, “F— Stephen A. Stephen A, Stephen B, Stephen C.”

Brown isn’t wrong.

Modern sports media absolutely rewards heat over nuance. Volume over detail. Outrage over context. A five-minute breakdown loses to a 22-second screaming clip almost every time now.

ESPN knows it. FS1 knows it. YouTube knows it. Everybody knows it.

I’ve been doing this for 30 years. I grew up in a sports media world where reporters sounded like reporters and debate didn’t feel like professional wrestling.

I don’t love what sports television has become. Too often, how you say something matters more than what you say. Facts become secondary to performance. Still, if you’re going to play the modern media game, Stephen A. Smith is sports television’s Michael Jordan.

That doesn’t mean I agree with everything he does. Far from it. I respect the commitment. If you’re going to do something, go all in and become the absolute best at it.

Stephen A. did exactly that.

Different Ways To Play the Game

ESPN reportedly handed Smith a five-year contract worth at least $100 million, roughly $20 million annually, making him one of the highest-paid personalities in sports media. After all, networks do not hand out nine-figure contracts because somebody annoys Twitter for fun. Instead, the currency today isn’t necessarily trust or subtlety. Rather, the currency is attention, whether that comes through ratings, viral debates, or trending clips. And whether critics like it or not, Stephen A. Smith consistently produces all of it at a superstar level.

Smith responded to Brown exactly the way modern sports television rewards personalities for responding: publicly and loudly. He warned Brown to “be careful what you wish for.” Hinting he could begin discussing behind-the-scenes league and locker room opinions about Brown if he wanted to escalate things further.

That’s where this whole week in sports media ties together.

Shams Charania and Stephen A. Smith are doing completely different jobs. But they’re ultimately monetizing the same thing: attention.

Charania monetizes speed and access. His millions of followers on X don’t follow him because he waits politely for made-for-TV reveals. They follow him because he beats everybody else to the story. Stephen A. monetizes reaction. Agreement isn’t required anymore. Engagement is. Outrage works. Debate works. Clips work.

In modern sports media, emotional reaction is often more valuable than consensus.

Both men work at ESPN because there’s no bigger stage left for this kind of sports media stardom. ESPN doesn’t merely tolerate these personalities. The network needs them, and it’s too late to turn back now. Live rights keep exploding financially. Debate clips dominate social media. Breaking news drives constant engagement. Personal brands now matter almost as much as network brands.

Tough Game To Win

Maybe that’s the disconnect for some of us who came up in older sports media. We were taught to build stories, develop conversations and create real moments. Reaction was real, not rehearsed. Modern media is like a pitcher with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and no thought about how to set up the hitter or keep him off balance.

No craft, plan, or second pitch. Constantly. Relentlessly. Sometimes exhaustingly. Same speed, same volume. Hit it if you can.

Audiences keep rewarding it.

That’s the part sports fans don’t always want to admit. They complain about clickbait while sharing the clips. Many complain about spoilers while refreshing social media for breaking news. Moreover, they complain about hot takes while turning hot-take artists into stars.

So, when Jaylen Brown rolls his eyes at Stephen A. Smith, or Amazon talent groans at Shams Charania, they’re really arguing with the economics of modern sports media itself.

Whether you love it, hate it or feel conflicted about it like I do after three decades in this business. Stephen A. Smith and Shams Charania have figured out the same thing: In 2026, attention is the only fuel that churns the engine.

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 PPM Made Rock Afraid of Its Own Shadow

Keith Cunningham
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How PPM Made Rock Afraid of Its Own Shadow

Middle ground. Common ground. Can’t we all just get along? That’s been radio’s strategy since PPM arrived.

“One man’s trash is another’s treasure.” I’ve said it 2,000 times, but it explains a lot.

  • Listener A thinks “On A Plain” is Nirvana’s best song
  • Listener B says it’s “In Bloom”
  • Listener C doesn’t know “On A Plain” but loves “Come As You Are”
  • Listener D thinks Nirvana is overrated and wants Linkin Park

That’s the reality radio faces every three and a half minutes when one song leads to another. And it’s the root of the most common complaints: predictable, too safe, too repetitious. Understandably, radio tries to please everyone all the time — avoid all the trash, offer nothing but treasure. And that leads to sounding like the “same old, same old.”

It’s a noble effort — serving only the treasure — but it’s also impossible.

When listeners A, B, C, and D walk into a bar, no one leaves truly happy. Someone’s changing channels or flipping to their “treasure playlist” before Cobain screams, “I’m on a plain.”

So radio sticks to the middle ground: safe songs, smaller playlists, nothing but researched hits above the mean — whatever the aggregated spreadsheet says.

It wasn’t always like this. PPM was the tipping point — the moment the industry shifted from programming to P1s to programming almost exclusively for cume. “Don’t rock the boat. Find that ultra-common ground. Avoid tune-out like it’s the Hantavirus.”

PPM changed everything — music, talk, stopsets, promos, imaging length. Evolution is good. Data is good. Doing what you think is best for the audience is good. But every year, even with all the “best practices” in place, listenership declines a bit more and those complaints get a little louder.

Why? Because the audience isn’t noticing meaningful change, and industry structures aren’t built to create much of it.

Meaningful change isn’t easy. PDs and GMs are stretched thin — logs, airshifts, proposals, reports, staffing shortages, HR headaches, budget pressures. So you keep your head down, do the best you can, and live to fight again tomorrow. There’s no shame in that. That’s reality.

But programmers deserve defending. What are they supposed to do? Put “On A Plain” in power just because Listener A loves it? Listener C might not care, and D wants another band entirely.

And yes, it’s easy to dump on Nielsen. PPM absolutely drove the gold rush to the middle — it also pushed RockTernative to be more gold-based. But it’s still the industry’s report card. Flawed, but important.

A few Nielsen reminders:

  • It’s not a census — it’s a panel, an estimate
  • Less than 1% of the market population is in the panel, and only a fraction of that listens to your station
  • One heavy P1 going to Hawaii for 10 days can wreck the monthly
  • Panelists can stay in for up to three years — 1,000+ days of happy hour shots if it leans your way, or a long road of misery if it doesn’t

So how does programming create meaningful change?

First, there won’t ever be a day without complaints. You can stop playing RHCP today and still get told you play RHCP too much two weeks from now.

Second, rocketing spins for “On A Plain” aren’t the magic fix. This comes down to something simpler, but harder.

Stop programming scared. Stop living only in the middle. This is more important at RockTernative than any other format. Rock audiences are different from CHR and Hot AC — more artist-based, more passion, more lanes, different expectations, different tolerance levels.

PPM pushed the industry to the middle. But for RockTernative, the middle isn’t where loyalty or passion grow. “All middle all the time” or “40 minutes of non-stop middle” — that’s how brands become forgotten, wallpaper, replaceable, disposable.

But the middle isn’t an arch enemy — it’s important — the magic happens when you navigate to the outer edges and back. Because the stations that win over the next several years won’t be the ones trying to please everyone all the time. They’ll be willing to stand for something — the ones who make listeners feel something… even if someone else complains.

Some brands do this naturally — or strategically — already:

  • 91X is famous for finding ways to drift away from the middle to create identity
  • KUPD, WJJO, and KILO stay louder, heavier, and unapologetically themselves
  • KNRK created its own middle out of sheer width
  • KTCL is uniquely Colorado
  • KROQ has a Latin show, KLOS has Whiplash, Live 105 has local

RockTernative can’t live full-time in the middle. It never has. The real treasure that brings identity, passion, and loyalty — that’s found on the edges, and by not being afraid of the PPM shadow.

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.

WPDH’s Andrew Boris Proves Hyper-Local Radio Still Wins

Mike Stern
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WPDH’s Andrew Boris Proves Hyper-Local Radio Still Wins

Andrew Boris, host of The Boris Show on Townsquare Classic Rock WPDH/Poughkeepsie, knows a thing or two about local radio. Being local is a slippery concept in radio. Generally, everyone agrees that a local radio show is stronger than a nationally syndicated one. That is unless the local show isn’t entertaining or fails to take advantage of being local by focusing on the local community. But the challenge is putting a finger on what really defines being local. Some shows talk about news and events taking place in the area. Others focus on stories from the hosts’ lives which, naturally, take place in the local community. And there’s always the opportunity to get involved with charitable causes to make a show more ingrained in the city.

If you want to find a show that does all of that and more, the role model for being a truly local morning radio show must be The Boris Show. “The show is hyper local,” says Boris, “We are a conduit for information about the Hudson Valley. If it’s something that’s happening in the area we are talking about it, commenting on it, and taking calls on it.”

Boris has been hosting mornings in the area for a long time. Before taking over the show on WPDH with then co-host Robyn Taylor, he was on in the same daypart on sister station WRRV. He’s seen a lot of change in how information flows, which played a big role in the hyper focus on being local. “Back in the day it was easy to rip a story off the AP wire and be the first to tell listeners what was going on with George Clooney,” he remembers. “Now, by the time people come to us they know everything that’s going on in the world. The only thing we can truly offer is the local angle, on everything.”

While many shows want to embrace a local approach like Boris has, they often have a hard time finding content to talk about. He says the problem could be that they are accidentally dismissing topics that are great for radio. “If it’s something I care about, the listeners probably care about it too,” Boris says. “And I’ve found I really care about things like whether or not that parking lot is going to be closed next week or whether I get utensils with my order from the fast food place.”

He didn’t always see that type of topic as show worthy. “Those are things I would discount in the past as not really being for the air but if you care and you have a good conversation about it, people will want to chime in and talk about it. There really is no topic that’s too small, but that can be a hard thing to get into your head in the beginning.”

Regardless of how big or small, there is a process for bringing any topic to the air and it starts with Boris. “I work out in my head ahead of time what my take on the topic is going to be or what would be a funny take. Then I present it to my co-host during the show. I don’t prepare them ahead of time because their reaction wouldn’t be spontaneous.”

After his long-time co-host Robyn Taylor had to step away from the show for personal reasons — she has since rejoined in a scaled back role — Boris and news person Bobby Welber were joined by a new second chair, Jana Deak, a former TV anchor from Albany. Despite not being from the area, Boris says Deak’s arrival has reinvigorated the local approach to the show. “It breathes life into the show,” Boris exclaims. “There’s all these things we’ve been talking about for the last fifteen years on the show that I can revisit because I now have someone new to introduce them to. It’s like the show started from zero all over again.”

Another big part of the show that helps drive the local feel is the number of guests Boris has on. While many hosts prefer not to bring in guests, Boris welcomes people regularly. “I love guests, especially people who’ve never been on the radio before. I like talking to the kid who can do a Rubik’s Cube with his feet and just got the record or a group that came up with some crazy fundraiser idea.”

With years of practice, he says the process is generally smooth. And if the interview starts to get off track, Boris is ready. “I have no problem politely interrupting people if I can tell they’re going the wrong way.” The result is a tight piece of local content, rarely longer than three or four minutes, and a happy guest. “We always get all the information out and the guests always say ‘that was easy. I didn’t even feel like I was on the radio.'” Boris adds that Jana’s addition has been great for interviews because she has a background in television news. “She knows exactly what questions to ask and when to ask them to keep the conversation going.”

Also bringing the show closer to the local community is their involvement with local veterans’ charities. It started with Tommy Zurhellen, a local vet who walked across the country from California back to his home in the Hudson Valley to raise awareness of veteran suicide issues. “He walked 23 miles a day because that’s the number of veterans who take their lives every day.” It started with Zurhellen calling in during his journey and grew into a commitment to support veterans’ charities in the area, including segueing an annual toy drive into collecting gift cards for veterans at the holidays. “We also do a monthly Vets Than Rock program with $500 going to a different veteran’s-related charity every month.”

While WPDH is in the process of celebrating fifty years on the air, Boris says he’s not very nostalgic and prefers looking forward to and talking about the future of radio. “I don’t think anyone knows exactly what radio will look like in the future, but I do know that local content will be something that becomes even more important as there’s even more clutter out there.” He feels that stations in small and mid-sized markets have a decided advantage, as there are already a lot of people dissecting what’s going on in large cities like New York and Los Angeles. “There’s nothing left to talk about. But here in Poughkeepsie we’re the only ones talking about what’s going on.”

But most importantly, Boris says he plans to keep making radio — in whatever form or fashion it takes — for one exceptionally good reason. “It’s still fun,” he says, which in today’s climate isn’t always easy to remember. So, he works hard to maintain his perspective. “It’s really important to remember that this is a cool, fun job. There’s so much extra stuff I have to do now, but I do it so I can be on the air.” And that’s when it’s all worth it. “When I’m on the air I try to stay focused and in the moment because I know it won’t last forever. I’m just enjoying every minute of it.”

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.

Six Summer Radio Promotions That Don’t Suck

Bethany Kent
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Six Summer Radio Promotions That Don’t Suck

Summer is prime time for radio stations to get off their butts and into the community. Listeners want more than a playlist. We know this as fact from the most recent Techsurvey. They want experiences, prizes, and reasons to stay loyal when streaming services are begging for their attention. While I’m not about to reinvent the wheel with these, it’s never too late to make something cool happen!

Here are six summer promotions that don’t totally suck.

The Ice Cream Truck

Forget the prize van with a station logo slapped on it. A fully branded ice cream truck is a crowd magnet that does your marketing for you. Did you know you can lease these in some cities? Park it at beaches, parks, Little League fields, and community events. Hand out free ice cream and station swag.

Make it interactive — give hints on-air to tell listeners where the truck will be in an hour. Social content practically creates itself. Nothing says “we’re part of this community” like showing up on a hot day with something cold and free.

My only warning, from personal experience, is to be wary not to step on the turf of other ice cream trucks. They’re territorial and they will unplug your trucks freezer at night as a form of ice cream warfare.

Summer Beach House/Lake House/Shore House (You Get The Idea)

Buster from Q102 in Philadelphia recently told me about their Beach House down the shore. The station took over a house at the Jersey Shore and as their listeners headed to the beach every weekend, so did the jocks, broadcasting live all summer long.

Mix 104.1 Boston does an annual Beach House on Cape Cod where a listener wins a week-long stay culminating with a private performance from an artist in the backyard. I have been. It’s epic.

Sponsors love these because it weaves them in the fabric of the local culture. Plus, it makes for killer content on social. The lesson? Give your audience a destination, not just a promotion.

Summer Concert Takeovers

Big summer concerts already have your listeners in one place. Show up. Set up a branded footprint outside the venue — but make it interesting. Kevin Callahan wrote a whole piece on this last week, but I have a few additions that have worked for me over the years.

At HOT 97, we hired Street Team members that were aspiring DJs who would spin at our remotes. Clients loved it because it felt like a real party. We partnered with Live Nation and had the Street Team mixers set up just inside gates at amphitheater shows all summer.

I would also always try and see if our jocks could welcome the crowd on-stage or even do a DJ set on the main stage before the openers. It was a great way to “own” the concert. Jocks can’t make it? These “Phat Heads” were a hit in their place.

Stations that show up at concerts aren’t just promoters — they become part of the memory. That emotional connection with listeners where they are making their summer memories is worth it’s weight in gold.

The Beach Dig

Bury prizes in the sand. Yes, really. Work with a local beach sponsor and stash gift cards, concert tickets, and station gear at marked zones. Listeners win their spot in the beach dig by listening all summer long.

It sounds simple because it is. Seeing 100 listeners digging for prizes with station branded shovels is never not fun. The world is on fire and your listeners want fun. Plus, sponsors love it, you can drive tune-in, and it will absolutely generate wild video content for social. People love a treasure hunt. Lean into that instinct.

The Station Convertible

Partner with a car dealer. Get a sharp convertible for the summer. Brand it well. Drive it everywhere all summer — station events, concerts, beaches, parades. Here’s the twist: put a QR code on it. Scan the code, enter for a chance to win the lease on that car for next summer.

Every red light becomes a marketing moment. Every parking lot is an impression. Listeners start spotting it and tagging you on social media. The car becomes a moving billboard that rewards engagement and builds real anticipation.

Cooler Summer

High end coolers are still a hot commodity. Pack a Yeti with things like concert tickets, sponsor gift cards, theme park passes, BBQ supplies, the works. Give away the whole thing. Not just the cooler. Everything inside it.

Theater of the mind it! In Providence, Top 40 station 92 PRO-FM has some listeners actually convinced they have “92 Christmas trees in the studio” for you to choose a present from. Do the same thing with Yeti coolers. Let the callers choose which number cooler they want and switch up the prizes per cooler.

That high value prize package, creative imaging, and a bit of fun had by the jocks on-air will drive engagement. Sponsors will be into it because their products get featured. Run it as a weekly morning show giveaway on Fridays as the crew is talking about weekend plans. Boom — you’ve got a summer-long appointment tune-in moment.

Summer is short. Make it loud. These six promotions share one thing in common — they get your brand out of the speaker and into real life. That’s where loyalty is built.

    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 Luis Segura Couldn’t Say No to 105.9 WMAL

    Garrett Searight
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    Why Luis Segura Couldn’t Say No to 105.9 WMAL

    Luis Segura has a new home — and it happens to sit at the center of the American political universe. The veteran radio programmer recently became Program Director of 105.9 WMAL in Washington, D.C., bringing with him more than a decade of experience shaping conservative talk radio on the West Coast.

    Segura isn’t new to the format or the pressure that comes with it. He joined 790 KABC in Los Angeles in 2013 and worked his way up to Program Director there in 2023, eventually overseeing 810 KSFO in San Francisco as well. Now he takes the reins at WMAL from Bill Hess, who retired at the end of 2025 after a long tenure guiding one of the most politically influential stations in the country.

    The transition puts Segura in charge of a lineup that includes some of the biggest names in news/talk radio — hosts who don’t just broadcast to the Beltway but help shape how the rest of the country thinks about what happens there. He recently sat down with Barrett Media to talk about the move, what drew him to WMAL, and what he sees as the station’s biggest opportunities going forward.

    Jumping Into the Deep End

    Garrett Searight: What makes now the right time for you to take over WMAL?

    Luis Segura: KABC and KSFO are in good shape and in great hands, and with the high-wire political environment we are in, it’s been like the World Series every day in the news. It’s a perfect and exciting time to be here.

    GS: What is it about the role that was attractive to you?

    LS: WMAL is the most influential news/talk radio station in the country. An opportunity to contribute here and with this amazing team is one that I could not pass up.

    GS: The lineup at WMAL is full of hosts originating nationally syndicated shows. How do you go about making sure they split the difference between national and local topics?

    LS: Thankfully, national topics are local topics here in DC. Politics is America’s new pastime, and the nation’s capital is the epicenter of it… Larry O’Connor opens the morning show by saying that we’re waking up presidents, politicians, and parents, and that boils it down perfectly. But we also have a very talented and experienced WMAL news team; they do an incredible job of covering hyperlocal news that matters to our listeners.

    Learning About WMAL

    GS: Where are the biggest opportunities for WMAL?

    LS: Our hosts, easily. They’re an all-star team. Larry O’Connor, Chris Plante, Vince Coglianese, and Derek Hunter. These are hosts who would be solo superstars in any market, but they’re all here, not just on-air at WMAL but where the WMAL audience lives. We recently held another sold-out Free Speech Forum. Watching all these talents come together like the Avengers and entertain a crowd that drove in from all parts of the DMV to see them. And stand in lines to take individual photos with them was so fun. That event just reinforced what I knew about this on-air crew: they are our biggest assets in opening new opportunities.

    GS: How do you go about learning the area, what matters to listeners, etc?

    LS: I’d already spent time here in the past, so I’d enjoyed D.C. But I will say that the things that matter to listeners in DC are the same things that matter to Americans anywhere else. They’re looking for answers as to why all their bills are going up, what their kids are learning in school and so on. At WMAL, the listeners know they are being heard by influential decision makers, so they have a big megaphone.

    GS: What areas do you think you can provide the biggest help and be the biggest asset for WMAL?

    LS: This Operations Manager role is a service position for me. I’m here to best serve our staff, hosts, listeners and clients by creating opportunities for increased listening and building partnerships. The WMAL audience counts on us as DC’s source for news and common-sense analysis.

    Leaving California Behind

    GS: How difficult was it for you to decide to leave KABC?

    LS: It was tough! The staff at both KABC LA and KSFO SF weren’t just coworkers but they remain friends.

    In terms of location, it was tough to leave California because that state is worth saving. And I loved being a part of the solution with KABC and KSFO. I know their new PD Art Webb will continue that work with them.

    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 CBS News Radio’s Closure Is Good News for Broadcast Media

    Krystina Alarcon Carroll
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    Why CBS News Radio’s Closure Is Good News for Broadcast Media

    Today, nearly a century’s worth of reporting officially dies as CBS News Radio goes away. So many esteemed people claim this marks the end of unbiased news, or the death of a media giant. Others are pointing the finger at Bari Weiss for killing the outlet.

    However, there are three points to CBS News Radio’s closure that no one wants to bring up: the news division always had a political slant, CBS actually died 30 years ago.

    The loss of CBS News Radio opens up new doors for the industry as a whole.

    The News Division Always Had a Political Slant

    Ben Franklin understood that he who controls the press can control the masses. He learned this as the writer “Silence Dogood” for the New England Courant. It’s also likely why he bought the Pennsylvania Gazette and Poor Richard’s Almanac before becoming the official printer for both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Most collegiate media history classes will skip over this very important and influential fact.

    I bring you this brief history lesson because it shows you one very specific thing: without Franklin’s influence and reach in the 1700s media industry, the likelihood of the American Revolution happening and being successful is cut in half.

    Now, don’t get me wrong — I’m glad we are America, and we are free — but Franklin’s political slant infiltrated the Pennsylvania Gazette and helped shape the conversations happening at the dinner table during the 1700s.

    We see this again prominently in American history with the Hearst vs. Pulitzer newspaper wars in the 1800s, World War I, World War II, and virtually at every single outlet during any time of conflict in American history.

    CBS News Radio is no exception to this, and if you don’t believe me, here are a few examples:

    In the 1960s, Republican congressman Jimmy Utt sued CBS for “entrapping him into giving a television interview” by journalist Roger Mudd. The case was later dismissed.

    A few years later, Fred Friendly resigned from his position as President of CBS to protest the Vietnam War — this hardly seems like a journalist-friendly move.

    In 1982, CBS was sued by U.S. Army Chief of Staff General William Westmoreland for the documentary “The Uncounted Enemy: A Vietnam Deception.” This case was settled out of court.

    Later in the 1980s, when reports came out about Westinghouse having “environmental incidents,” what did Westinghouse do? They bought CBS, and then any future liability for at least four different energy plant leaks was transferred to CBS. Shockingly, the reports about Westinghouse stopped around 1994 before the two companies merged.

    In 2005, Dan Rather presented questionable — and possibly forged — documents about President George W. Bush’s National Guard service.

    Then, in 2014, long-time reporter Sharyl Attkisson resigned from the network. She noted the outlet’s liberal bias, and wrote extensively about how multiple reports of hers were killed because of that slant. This includes her work on the now-debunked group People 2 People and her investigation into the Benghazi attack.

    More recently, CBS paid President Donald Trump $16 million in a settlement for deceptively editing an October 2024 interview with his political opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

    Every outlet has a slant. To say CBS has served our democracy with the public interest in mind is to undermine the issues listed above. Which date back to the 1960s. All of these people — except Attkisson — who’ve had issues with the outlet are Republicans. With nearly 100 years of history, it’s hard to believe there hasn’t been a single Democrat who’s had an issue with CBS, because both sides of politics are dirty. Fair and balanced means this list should either be non-existent or have a close to equal number of Republicans and Democrats on it.

    CBS Actually Died 30 Years Ago

    In December 1995, CBS was purchased by Westinghouse and went public. The outlet was flailing financially at the time, and Westinghouse had a huge PR problem. Two birds were killed with one stone.

    This purchase also meant one new thing for the outlet: they had shareholders to make happy.

    How do you do that? Make money. What’s the fastest way to make money when you’re an established network? Cut your overhead. What does that mean in layman’s terms? Cut jobs.

    Good journalism means boots on the ground. It means months of research before establishing a full report. CBS Radio didn’t die overnight.

    First, they cut jobs in order to turn a profit for shareholders.

    Then they failed to keep up with the changing landscape of the media industry — other terrestrial and traditional radio stations are doing a great job at this. Lastly, they closed.

    New Doors for the Industry as a Whole

    No one likes change. Whether you want to admit it or not, it’s programmed into our DNA as human beings not to like change. It’s difficult, uncomfortable, and yet we’ve all been through it at least once in our careers.

    Think about every time you’ve gotten a new news director or EP — or some sort of boss. The whole newsroom goes into this “Lord of the Flies,” unstable mode of complete chaos. That’s what’s happening right now with the loss of CBS Radio. For my friends and colleagues who have lost their jobs, I am sorry. I know it’s rough, and I refer you to my March column about why everything is going to be OK — because it will be.

    This empty hole left behind by CBS needs to be filled, and everyone is trying to make their share of our finite media pie just a little bigger — hence the chaos. CBS Radio’s microphone won’t be filled by any of the terrestrial radio stations, TV outlets, or even podcasters.

    Instead, this microphone will be filled by the innovators of our industry. I’m not talking about artificial intelligence. I still think it’s a load of garbage. But I am talking about those who are willing to strap on their leather shoes and find a better process for sharing information. At the end of the day, this is what we do. We look for information and share it with everyone else. It’s the way we share it that will continuously change.

    Evolutionarily, we went from caveman grunts to pictures on a wall. Then the printing press. Radio, TV, podcasting, and now social media. We no longer grunt like cavemen. And the only people I know who still draw on walls are under the age of five. The reality is we’re witnessing the next evolutionary step in our industry, so you have two choices.

    Sulk about the loss of radio — because I’m sorry, I love radio — but if we’re honest with ourselves, none of the publicly traded radio outlets’ financials look good. When one door closes, another one opens. We don’t know what that’ll look like yet, but embracing this change could make us better as an industry.

    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.

    Complete Guide to Flow Measuring Devices and Their Applications

    Sponsored Post
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    Complete Guide to Flow Measuring Devices and Their Applications

    Flow measuring devices play a critical role in modern industries where accurate monitoring of liquids, gases, and steam is essential for operational efficiency. From manufacturing plants and oil refineries to water treatment facilities and pharmaceutical production, these devices help businesses maintain process control, reduce waste, and improve safety standards. As industrial systems become more advanced, selecting the right flow measurement technology has become increasingly important for achieving precision and long-term reliability.

    Flow measurement refers to the process of calculating the quantity, speed, or mass of fluid passing through a system over a specific period. Different industries rely on various measurement methods depending on fluid characteristics, pressure conditions, temperature ranges, and application requirements. Understanding the right device for a particular setup can significantly impact productivity and energy efficiency.

    One of the most important aspects of industrial instrumentation is understanding the types of flow measurement devices available for different operational environments. Each device is designed to address specific measurement challenges, making it essential for engineers and facility managers to evaluate their needs carefully before implementation.

    Why Flow Measurement Matters

    Accurate flow measurement helps industries maintain consistent production quality and optimize resource usage. In sectors such as oil and gas, even a small measurement error can lead to substantial financial losses over time. Similarly, in water distribution systems, proper flow monitoring ensures efficient consumption and leak detection.

    Flow measuring devices also support environmental compliance by monitoring emissions, wastewater discharge, and chemical usage. In industries that operate under strict regulations, reliable flow monitoring is crucial for maintaining compliance and avoiding operational disruptions.

    Additionally, many organizations integrate flow monitoring into broader industrial automation strategies. Combined with predictive maintenance services and process optimization solutions, flow measurement systems contribute to smarter and more efficient industrial operations. Just as precision and reliability matter in industrial systems, they are equally important in legal situations where experienced professionals such as a car accident lawyer wilmington help individuals navigate complex claims and protect their interests.

    Common Types of Flow Measuring Devices

    1. Differential Pressure Flow Meters

    Differential pressure flow meters are among the most widely used devices in industrial applications. These systems work by creating a pressure drop within the pipeline and calculating flow rate based on the pressure difference.

    Common examples include:

    • Orifice plates
    • Venturi tubes
    • Flow nozzles

    These devices are valued for their simplicity, durability, and ability to handle high-pressure environments. They are commonly used in power plants, chemical processing facilities, and water treatment systems.

    2. Electromagnetic Flow Meters

    Electromagnetic flow meters, often called mag meters, use electromagnetic principles to measure the flow of conductive liquids. Since they contain no moving parts, they require minimal maintenance and offer high accuracy.

    Industries that frequently use electromagnetic flow meters include:

    • Wastewater treatment
    • Food and beverage processing
    • Pharmaceutical manufacturing
    • Chemical production

    These meters are particularly effective when handling corrosive or dirty fluids where mechanical meters may struggle.

    3. Ultrasonic Flow Meters

    Ultrasonic flow meters use sound waves to determine the velocity of fluid moving through a pipe. They are available in clamp-on and inline configurations, making them suitable for both temporary and permanent installations.

    Advantages of ultrasonic flow meters include:

    • Non-invasive installation
    • Low maintenance requirements
    • High accuracy
    • Compatibility with large pipe systems

    These devices are widely used in HVAC systems, energy management, and municipal water infrastructure projects.

    Applications Across Major Industries

    Oil and Gas Industry

    In the oil and gas sector, flow measuring devices are essential for custody transfer, pipeline monitoring, and refining operations. Accurate flow data ensures proper billing, inventory control, and operational safety.

    Advanced flow systems are often integrated with industrial automation services to improve monitoring capabilities and reduce manual intervention. Real-time analytics help operators detect anomalies before they escalate into larger operational problems.

    Water and Wastewater Management

    Municipal water systems rely heavily on flow measurement to manage water distribution, monitor treatment efficiency, and identify leaks. Accurate measurement helps reduce water loss and supports sustainable resource management.

    Wastewater facilities also use flow monitoring to ensure environmental compliance and maintain proper treatment processes. Modern digital monitoring systems allow operators to access performance data remotely for faster decision-making.

    Food and Beverage Processing

    Flow measuring devices are critical in food production where precision and hygiene are essential. These systems help maintain product consistency while complying with strict safety regulations.

    Sanitary flow meters designed for food-grade applications are often paired with quality assurance services to ensure accurate ingredient mixing and production control. Reliable measurement also minimizes material waste and improves production efficiency.

    Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

    The pharmaceutical industry requires highly accurate flow measurement to maintain strict dosing and formulation standards. Any inconsistency can affect product quality and regulatory compliance.

    Ultrasonic and electromagnetic flow meters are commonly used because they offer clean operation and precise readings. These devices are often integrated into digital process monitoring systems for enhanced production visibility and traceability.

    Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Flow Measuring Device

    Selecting the right flow meter depends on several important factors:

    Fluid Type

    Different devices are designed for specific fluids, including:

    • Liquids
    • Gases
    • Steam
    • Corrosive chemicals
    • Slurries

    Understanding the fluid’s viscosity, conductivity, and chemical properties is essential before selecting a device.

    Accuracy Requirements

    Certain industries require extremely precise measurements, especially in custody transfer or pharmaceutical applications. Higher accuracy devices may involve greater initial investment but deliver better long-term value.

    Installation Environment

    Temperature, pressure, pipe size, and available space all influence device selection. Some systems may require non-invasive solutions, while others demand rugged equipment capable of handling harsh industrial conditions.

    Maintenance Needs

    Devices with moving parts often require more frequent servicing. Businesses looking to reduce downtime may prefer low-maintenance technologies such as ultrasonic or electromagnetic meters.

    Many companies also work with calibration and maintenance services to ensure consistent long-term performance and regulatory compliance.

    Industrial flow measurement continues to evolve with the growth of digital transformation and smart manufacturing. Modern flow meters now include advanced communication capabilities, enabling real-time data collection and remote monitoring.

    Some of the latest trends include:

    • IoT-enabled flow monitoring
    • Wireless connectivity
    • AI-driven predictive analytics
    • Cloud-based reporting systems
    • Energy-efficient sensor technology

    These innovations improve operational visibility and support predictive maintenance strategies that reduce equipment failures and operational costs.

    Businesses are also increasingly integrating flow measurement into enterprise-wide monitoring platforms. Combined with industrial consulting services and automation technologies, advanced flow systems provide greater control over production efficiency and sustainability goals.

    Final Thoughts

    Flow measuring devices are essential tools across countless industries, helping organizations maintain efficiency, accuracy, and operational safety. With multiple technologies available, choosing the right solution requires careful consideration of application requirements, environmental conditions, and long-term maintenance needs.

    As industries continue embracing automation and data-driven operations, modern flow measurement systems are becoming more intelligent and connected than ever before. From water management and manufacturing to pharmaceuticals and energy production, these devices remain a fundamental part of industrial success.

    Understanding the strengths and applications of different flow measurement technologies enables businesses to improve performance, reduce waste, and maintain consistent operational reliability in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

    The Hill Finishes April as Most Visited Political News Site

    Garrett Searight
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    The Hill Finishes April as Most Visited Political News Site

    Comscore has released data relating to the political space in the digital realm. The numbers show The Hill as one of the most popular outlets.

    What We Know: The Hill has long been an important fixture in Washington political circles. However, recent Comscore data shows just how popular the brand is among those in Washington.

    What the Numbers Show:

    Publication Unique Visitors
    The Hill 25 million
    Politico 20.2 million
    Daily Wire 5.7 million
    HuffPost Politics 3.1 million
    Mother Jones 1.4 million

    Additionally, according to Rational 360, The Hill ranks as the second most followed influencers of Congress. 47.8% of Congressional Republicans and Democrats follow the brand on social media. That trails only Politico, at 50.7%. Former President Barack Obama is third on the list (46%). President Donald Trump is fourth at 45.8%.

    What Remains Unclear: How the digital metrics for brands like The Hill, Politico, Bloomberg, Axios, and The Atlantic stack up against other linear competitors like ABC News, CBS News, Fox News, and NBC News in the same data set.

    What It Means: April marks the seventh straight month The Hill has earned the top spot on the unique visits list, according to Comscore. Those figures are only likely to increase as the march toward the 2026 Midterm Elections continue.

    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.

    Stephen Colbert Ends Run on CBS, The Late Show Thursday

    Garrett Searight
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    Stephen Colbert Ends Run on CBS, The Late Show Thursday

    Stephen Colbert’s time as host of The Late Show ends on Thursday. It marks the end of the late-night genre for CBS.

    What We Know: Colbert’s final show as host of The Late Show is scheduled for Thursday night at 11:35pm ET. He has hosted the show since 2015. The end of the program is no surprise. He announced that the show would end last summer after being informed by the network that it would do away with the program entirely. Following his final program, Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed will air in its place. Allen told USA TODAY recently that Colbert sent him a text congratulating him on taking over the time slot. As a sign of respect, both The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live! will air reruns on Thursday evening. LateNighter.com reports that Colbert’s final program will run 17 minutes long.

    What They Said: “You folks wouldn’t be in the theater if it weren’t for me, and Stephen wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me, and we rebuilt this theater, and then Stephen came in and look at this, it’s like the Bellagio. As we all understand, you can take a man’s show, you can’t take a man’s voice.” -David Letterman

    What Remains Unclear: Who will appear on the final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert? The show’s final guest has remained a mystery. Some reports suggest Pope Leo XIV could be on the program. Colbert, an avowed Catholic, has not confirmed those reports, however. Where Colbert lands next is a story many in media will be following.

    What It Means: It marks the end of an era for CBS. The Late Show has been a staple since Letterman’s introduction on the network 33 years ago. Following his retirement, Stephen Colbert stepped in and kept the show popular in the space. However, a reported severe decline in advertising revenue in the window led to losses that the company found insurmountable. Some reports have suggested the network was losing as much as $40 million per year on the show.

    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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