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FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Threatens Action Against Jimmy Kimmel, ABC, and Disney

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The FCC is signaling potential immediate action against Jimmy Kimmel, ABC, and parent company Disney, with Chairman Brendan Carr blasting what he calls “malicious lies” about the murder of Charlie Kirk. Carr said the late-night host deliberately misled viewers by claiming Kirk’s assassin was a MAGA Conservative, calling the statement “truly sick.”

Carr made clear the FCC has a “strong case” to hold Kimmel, ABC, and Disney accountable for spreading what he described as dangerous, politically motivated misinformation.

He suggested penalties could range from Kimmel’s suspension to ABC facing scrutiny of its broadcast license.

“This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney,” Carr said during an appearance with podcaster Benny Johnson. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

Brendan Carr emphasized that ABC and its affiliates must meet obligations tied to their licenses. “They have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest,” he said.

Calls for Kimmel’s firing have circulated in recent days, but Carr stopped short of demanding termination. “I think you could certainly see a path forward for suspension over this,” he noted, adding that the Commission could argue Kimmel’s remarks were “an intentional effort to mislead the American people about a very core fundamental fact.”

Commissioner Carr also pointed to the responsibility of Disney-owned ABC affiliates across the country to push back against content that undermines trust.

“Disney needs to see some change here,” he said. “But the individual licensed stations that are taking their content, it’s time for them to step up and say this garbage isn’t something that we think serves the needs of our local communities.”

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Clay Travis to Host ‘Outkick The Show’ on FS1

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Clay Travis is making the leap from digital to cable television with his signature program OutKick the Show with Clay Travis. Beginning tonight at 6 p.m., FS1 will air the weekly edition of the opinion-driven show that has long served as a centerpiece of the OutKick brand.

The program, which will air in the same Wednesday evening slot moving forward, is being positioned as an unfiltered outlet for Travis to deliver his takes on the biggest stories in sports and culture.

FS1 is betting that the combination of Travis’ personality, OutKick’s established digital presence, and the nature of the topics tackled on the show will translate into appointment viewing for fans.

Travis founded OutKick in 2011 as a college football-focused site before expanding it into a broader sports and culture outlet. He has built a reputation for leaning sports subjects and offering blunt analysis that cuts against the grain of traditional sports media.

OutKick the Show has long been a staple of the brand’s online offerings, streamed directly to fans across digital platforms. The program originally debuted on FOX Sports Radio in 2016. The move to FS1 represents the next step in broadening its audience.

The debut episode on FS1 will feature Travis weighing in on the college football landscape. With specific attention to Texas quarterback Arch Manning and the Longhorns’ playoff outlook. Travis questions whether the program can truly deliver on championship expectations despite heightened national attention.

Clay Travis also serves as the co-host of the highly rated Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show which syndicates nationwide weekdays from 12pm – 3pm through Premiere Radio Networks.

OutKick the Show with Clay Travis airs weekly beginning tonight on FS1.

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J.J. Watt Says Teams Have Been Guarded With Information in Production Meetings With Him

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CBS Sports NFL analyst J.J. Watt addressed the debate surrounding Tom Brady’s role as FOX’s lead NFL analyst while also holding a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, saying that while some concern is understandable, teams ultimately control what information is shared in production meetings.

Speaking during a guest appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Watt explained that fans and media may believe Brady gains access to exclusive insider knowledge through his broadcast duties. However, Watt noted that NFL teams are careful with what they reveal in meetings, regardless of who sits across the table.

“People think that you have all this inside access, which they’ve kind of stripped most of it away,” Watt said. “Obviously, the one thing he is able to do is attend Zoom production meetings. So then you think, ‘Okay, well, he has inside information from these meetings.’ The truth of the matter is, the team can choose to give you as much or as little information as they want to give you in those meetings.”

Brady, who made his FOX debut last season, is part of the network’s No. 1 broadcast crew with Kevin Burkhardt. Following the restrictions placed on Brady last year due to his minority ownership stake with the Las Vegas Raiders. The league has loosen those restrictions this season. Brady is now allowed to be part of production meetings remotely with coaches and players. Leading to questions about how his dual roles might be perceived given his ownership stake with the Raiders.

The former three-time Defensive Player of the Year also drew from his own experience calling games where his brother, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, was on the field. He said teams naturally adjust the level of access they provide based on circumstances.

“I’ve faced it myself,” Watt explained. “This week, I’m calling the Steelers-Patriots. Week one, I called the Jets-Steelers. I think there might be a little more guardedness there, knowing that my brother’s on the team. Not that I’m going to give away anything, but different weeks and different teams are definitely giving you different information depending on what’s there.”

Watt pointed out that ethical considerations also extend to broadcast partners. While production crews may observe team practices. Watt said it’s a personal decision whether any information from those sessions is shared with the analyst in the booth.

“Yes, his crew and his other people on the broadcast team can go to practice, and if they wanted to, they could share things with him from practice,” Watt said. “That is legit. That’s their ethical decision between them if they do that or not.”

Watt stopped short of labeling Brady’s role a full conflict of interest. His comments highlight the balancing act facing FOX, the NFL, and its one of it’s newest high-profile analysts.

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Rece Davis: ‘College GameDay’ Missed Lee Corso’s Presence Following His Retirement

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ESPN’s College GameDay aired last weekend without the presence of Lee Corso on set. The longtime face of the program, who has been part of the Saturday morning staple since 1987, was absent following his final show the week prior at Ohio State, leaving a noticeable void for colleagues and viewers alike.

Host Rece Davis, who has shared the desk with Corso since taking over as lead anchor in 2015. He addressed what it was like to work through the show without the program’s most iconic presence on the Stugotz & Company podcast.

“I think not having him in the meeting and his the number of segments he had been in has diminished over the years. Just to keep him fresh and put him in the strongest positions possible,” Davis said. “So, I think from a planning standpoint it didn’t feel a ton different. Just his presence is really infectious around us.”

Corso, 90, has been a fixture on College GameDay. Although he became a full-time analyst in 1989, he contributed from the show’s start and remained as the only original member still on air.

The tradition that defined his legacy—wearing a mascot head to predict the winner of the day’s biggest game—began in 1996 in Columbus, Ohio. That day, Corso picked Ohio State by donning Brutus Buckeye’s head. Since then, he has made 430 headgear picks, choosing the Buckeyes a record 45 times.

Over the years, Corso has made headgear picks for 69 different teams and appeared on GameDay sets in more than 70 cities. He’s delivered countless unforgettable moments. From riding motorcycles with mascots to surprise appearances by celebrities—and was known for his catchphrase, “Not so fast, my friend!” and his signature No. 2 pencil.

Davis reflected on the first episode without Corso following his retirement.

“Everybody enjoys spending time with him, talking to him, and, you know, teasing him about who the headgear pick’s going to be and all of that,” Davis said. “So, that part of it was missed for sure.”

The moment underscored just how significant Corso’s role has been, not only in shaping the identity of College GameDay but also in setting a tone of fun and unpredictability that has made the program an institution. Even as his on-air contributions have scaled back, his influence and personality continue to ripple through the production.

For Davis, the difference wasn’t logistical but emotional. The meetings and run-of-show planning went largely unchanged, but the absence of Corso’s energy left a noticeable gap. “Just his presence is really infectious,” Davis repeated. Signaling how much the veteran broadcaster contributes to the morale of the entire team.

Corso’s final appearance on College GameDay reached record viewership. Drawing an average of 4.0 million viewers, solidifying the episode as the most-watched in the program’s history.

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105.7 The Fan Announces New Revamped Local Lineup Beginning September 22

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Audacy’s 1250AM / 105.7 The Fan has announced a refreshed weekday programming lineup. Highlighted by two new shows set to debut September 22. The changes aim to bolster the station’s sports coverage as football season gets underway.

“As we celebrate the station’s 20th anniversary, we wanted to match our listeners’ passion by assembling the dream team here at The Fan,” said Jason Bjorson, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Wisconsin. “With legendary names and two former Green Bay Packers players on our roster, we are going full throttle. We’re excited to bring our fans the best talent in the market and give them the most entertaining sports coverage Wisconsin has to offer.”

Trevor Thomas and Josh Albrecht will co-host the new morning program. Inside Wisconsin Sports will air weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. CT. The show promises a mix of interviews, analysis, and local sports stories. Thomas, a Wisconsin sports radio veteran who founded The Inside Wisconsin Podcast, expressed excitement about the new morning show.

“I don’t think we’re prepared for how much fun this show is going to be. We’re ready to find out,” Thomas said. Albrecht, a Milwaukee native with seven years in radio, added, “I look forward to connecting and entertaining our listeners. As well as being the voice of The Fan!”

The station is also launching a new midday show, Nine2Noon with Kuhn, which will run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT. The program will be co-hosted by former Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn and sports radio personality Ramie Makhlouf. Brandon Sneide will serve as producer.

Kuhn, who played nine seasons with the Packers and was a member of the Super Bowl XLV-winning team, said he’s looking forward to connecting with fans in a new capacity. “Since retiring from the NFL, I have thoroughly enjoyed talking about our Wisconsin sports programs and am looking forward to creating another strong bond with our sports fans wherever they may be,” he said.

Kuhn will remain as part of the Packers radio broadcast team as a sideline reporter.

Makhlouf, an award-winning host with over two decades in sports talk radio, noted, “I’m so excited to be back in Milwaukee, where it all started for me. Can’t wait to team up with John Kuhn for this new chapter for myself and The Fan!”

Following Nine2Noon, The Mason Crosby Show—starring former NFL kicker and Packers all-time leading scorer Mason Crosby alongside Mitch “Thunder” Nelles—will air from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. CT.

The afternoon drive segment, Wisconsin Sports Daily with Assistant Program Director Steve “Sparky” Fifer, will remain in its 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. CT slot.

Overall, the revamped 105.7 The Fan weekday schedule beginning September 22 is (All Times Central Time):

  • 6 a.m.–9 a.m.: Inside Wisconsin Sports with Trevor Thomas and Josh Albrecht
  • 9 a.m.–12 p.m.: Nine2Noon with Kuhn with John Kuhn and Ramie Makhlouf
  • 12 p.m.–2 p.m.: The Mason Crosby Show with Mason Crosby and Mitch “Thunder” Nelles
  • 2 p.m.–5 p.m.: Wisconsin Sports Daily with Steve “Sparky” Fifer

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Rick Rumble Celebrates 30th Anniversary on FM99 WNOR

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There’s cause for celebration at FM99 WNOR: Rick Rumble has been on the air for 30 years at the Norfolk rock station.

After beginning his career at the station in 1995, Rick Rumble recently marked the 30th anniversary of his debut on the station.

Before joining the Hampton Roads Media Group station, Rumble worked at stations in St. Louis, Memphis, Philadelphia, San Diego, New Orleans, and his hometown of Grand Rapids.

Recently, Rumble won the 2025 Virginia Association of Broadcasters Award for Best Radio Personality/Show.

“I’ve been lucky enough to spend 30 years doing what I love, in a community I love, with listeners who feel like family,” said Rumble. “It’s been the ride of a lifetime.”

“Rick Rumble isn’t just a radio personality—he’s part of the fabric of Hampton Roads,” said Hampton Roads Media Group General Manager Carol Commander. “For three decades, he’s been making us laugh, making us think, and helping us give back. We’re proud to celebrate his 30 years of extraordinary contributions.”

During his 30-year career at FM99 WNOR, Rick Rumble has been a part of several radiothons and charity drives that have raised millions of dollars for local charities, including area food banks, ForKids, and Christmas Wish Fund drives.

In addition to his rock radio work, Rick Rumble is an accomplished voiceover artist, with credits on ESPN, PBS, Disney, Ford Motor Company, and McDonald’s, among others.

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The Charlie Kirk Show Rises to Top Spot on Apple Podcasts After Murder

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The Charlie Kirk Show has seen a rapid rise in the podcast rankings since Kirk was killed by an assassin’s bullet on Wednesday, September 10th.

On Apple Podcasts, the show ranks as the most listened-to program. Meanwhile, on Spotify, Kirk’s show is the top trending program, ranking as the 20th most listened-to show on that platform.

Kirk’s program finishing near the top of the podcast charts isn’t a new phenomenon. In the rankings from Triton Digital, Charlie Kirk routinely finished in the top 10, growing to fifth place during the month of June. He remained in that spot in the July rankings, as well.

In the Podtrac rankings during that same month, Kirk’s show rose 12 places to finish 19th in the U.S. Unique Monthly Audience rankings.

Since Kirk’s death, his show has been hosted by the likes of Vice President JD Vance, Ben Shapiro, Michael Knowles, Matt Walsh, and Glenn Beck.

Salem Media Group — the parent company of Salem Podcast Network, the group that distributes The Charlie Kirk Show — noted that “a few other major stars” will “fill in during the coming days.”

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Phil Hendrie Inks Deal to Bring Podcast to iHeartMedia and Premiere Networks

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iHeartPodcasts and Premiere Networks have announced a deal to bring Phil Hendrie and his The World of Phil Hendrie podcast to the network, effective immediately.

The podcast features the Radio Hall of Famer and his satirical view of the world and a wide array of characters he’s created.

“I’m just so excited to be reunited with Premiere and Julie Talbott,” said Hendrie. “Even Bobby Dooley is happy! I’m excited to work with the incredible team at iHeartPodcasts and bring our unique world to an even wider audience.”

“We’re delighted to partner with Phil Hendrie to bring his one-of-a-kind talent to iHeartPodcasts,” said Julie Talbott, President of Premiere Networks. “Phil has entertained audiences for decades with his endless roster of characters and voices, and we’re excited to share his hilarious and thought-provoking program with even more listeners and fans.”

New episodes of the podcast, including his social commentary and comedy, will be released by Premiere Networks and iHeartPodcasts each Monday and Friday.

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Dylan Salisbury Named Content Director of 98.7 The Bull in Portland

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Connoisseur Media has announced the promotion of Dylan Salisbury to serve as the Content Director of 98.7 The Bull in Portland.

Previously, Salisbury served as the Content Director of LIVE 95.5, but will now oversee both stations. In his new role, he’ll report to Connossieeru Portland Operations Manager Ross MacLeod, who also serves as the News/Talk Format Captain for the company.

“When I interviewed to come to Portland, I shared that it was my dream to one day program both a CHR and a Country station in a market like this,” said Salisbury. “Today, that dream has come true, and I’m beyond grateful. We’ve got something special brewing here, and I can’t wait to take it to the next level. Huge thanks to Jeff Warshaw, Keith Dakin, Robert Dove, and Ross MacLeod for believing in me. Let’s get to work.”

“Connoisseur thanks Collective Heads for all the hard work they have put in to get this station to a place that we are happy to hand off to Dylan,” added SVP Keith Dakin. “Dylan and Ross together should take the blueprint from Tim and Jimmy and continue to produce a thriving, locally focused, country station for Portland.”

Salsibury is no stranger to 98.7 The Bull. He had previously served as the Assistant Content Director for the brand before being elevated to the top position.

“Dylan is one of the great young programmers in this country. These two brands are in the best possible hands,” said MacLeod.

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ABC News’ Matt Gutman Apologizes After Comments on Texts From Charlie Kirk Shooter

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On Tuesday, ABC News correspondent Matt Gutman shared a report on the alleged text messages from the man accused of shooting Charlie Kirk and his roommate. Those comments went viral, and Gutman has since apologized.

In the report, Matt Gutman categorized the messages as “very touching in a way that many of us didn’t expect.”

“A very intimate portrait into this relationship between the suspect’s roommate and the suspect himself, with him repeatedly calling his roommate, who is transitioning, calling him ‘my love.’ And ‘I want to protect you, my love,’” said Gutman. “So, it was this duality of someone who the attorney said not only jeopardized the life of Charlie Kirk and the crowd, but was doing it in front of children, which is one of the aggravating circumstances of this case.”

The comments from Gutman drew the ire of many, including conservative political commentators, who argued that the statements made it appear as if Gutman was humanizing a murderer and trivializing Kirk’s death.

On Wednesday morning, Matt Gutman attempted to clarify those statements on social media.

“Yesterday I tried to underscore the jarring contrast between this cold-blooded assassination of Charlie Kirk – a man who dedicated his life to public dialogue – and the personal, disturbing texts read aloud by the Utah County Attorney at the press conference,” Gutman began.

“I deeply regret that my words did not make that clear. But let there be zero doubt here: I unequivocally condemn this horrific crime and the pain it caused Charlie Kirk’s family, those who were forced to witness it at UVU, and the millions of people he inspired,” Gutman concluded.

ABC News has not yet released a statement on the subject.

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