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Joe Concha Replaces Jeanine Pirro on Red Apple Audio Networks, 77WABC

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The wait is over for fans of hard-hitting, personality-driven talk radio. Red Apple Audio Networks and 77WABC announced the official launch of The Joe Concha Tunnel to Towers Foundation Show. Airing Sundays from 11 a.m. to 12 noon ET. The new program cements Concha’s presence in the coveted former slot of Judge Jeanine Pirro backed by 29 affiliates spanning the country.

“This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” Concha said. “Radio is pure, it’s immediate and impactful. I’m thrilled to build a program that fuels real conversation and keeps listeners ahead of the curve.”

Concha, a nationally recognized columnist, author, and Fox News contributor. He has built a reputation as one of the most relatable voices in news talk.

“Joe brings the total package: smart, sharp, and fearless,” said Chad Lopez, president of Red Apple Media and 77WABC. “He doesn’t just analyze the news, he makes sense of it, challenges it and connects with America in a way only he can.”

Each Sunday, listeners can expect his signature blend of commentary, candid interviews, and no-nonsense breakdowns of the week’s most pressing stories. Concha’s approach blends clarity, humor, and authenticity, offering audiences a distinct alternative in an often cluttered media landscape.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Pirro to the role of interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. As part of her new role, she left Fox News and her role with 77ABC and Red Apple Audio Networks.

In addition to the weekly show, Concha also delivers his daily two-minute feature. Joe Concha Sounds Off, which packs opinion and punch into a concise, hard-hitting format. Together, the programs reflect Red Apple Audio Networks’ commitment to thought-provoking, personality-driven talk radio.

Red Apple Audio Networks, which syndicates its programs from flagship WABC in New York, is home to an array of notable talent. Current offerings include The Cats Roundtable with John Catsimatidis, Cats & Cosby, The Larry Kudlow Show, The Anthony Cumia Show among others.

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.

SiriusXM Execs Proclaim Confidence In Howard Stern Staying With Platform

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SiriusXM executives signaled that retaining Howard Stern remains a top priority for the satellite radio service, even as negotiations continue on the veteran host’s lucrative contract. Speaking at a Bank of America conference, SiriusXM President and Chief Content Officer Scott Greenstein emphasized Stern’s importance to the company. Stern, 71, has been a cornerstone of the platform for more than two decades. Helping to drive subscriber growth and national attention for the service.

“So Howard, for all these years and right up until now, is as important a content, single piece of content as we’ve had from the sense of being a lightning rod to get awareness for the service and publicity and all of that. He’s the best interviewer out there, period, bar none,” Greenstein said. “We’d love him to stay. It certainly has to make sense, but we feel pretty good that we’ve done this before, and we’ll see where it goes.”

CEO and Director Jennifer Witz echoed Greenstein’s comments, describing Stern as “core to our platform for over 20 years” and expressing confidence in reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.

“I’m confident we’ll get to the right place,” said Witz.

The remarks come amid ongoing speculation about Stern’s future with SiriusXM. His current five-year contract, reportedly worth $100 million annually, expires at the end of 2025. Stern has cut back on his broadcasting schedule in recent years, fueling rumors of a possible retirement. The host had initially planned to address contract speculation on Sept. 2, but postponed his return to Sept. 8.

While Greenstein stopped short of confirming any new deal, he outlined the factors SiriusXM considers when evaluating talent contracts. These include listening hours, advertising revenue, social media impact, publicity, and the broader significance of the individual to the platform or their genre.

Stern has been promoted to return to the airwaves Monday to address his future with SiriusXM.

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.

Beasley Media Group Partners With Amazon’s ART19 for Podcast Agreement

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Beasley Media Group has announced a strategic partnership with ART19, the Amazon-owned podcast hosting and monetization platform, signaling a significant step in the company’s digital expansion.

Under the agreement, Beasley’s growing portfolio of podcasts and on-demand radio shows will migrate to ART19’s enterprise-grade infrastructure. Providing new revenue opportunities and enhanced analytics for advertisers.

“This partnership is an important step in our digital transformation,” said Beasley Chief Content Officer Justin Chase. “ART19’s platform will help us expand monetization opportunities while delivering a better experience for audiences and advertisers.”

The move comes as podcasting continues to be a key growth area for traditional radio companies looking to diversify revenue streams. By leveraging ART19’s advanced hosting and analytics tools, Beasley aims to optimize distribution. Improving return on investment for advertisers, and offer listeners more seamless access to its on-demand content.

ART19’s Head of Partnerships, Andy Slater, emphasized the synergy between the two companies.

“Beasley is a heritage broadcasting company. We are excited to offer them enterprise-level tools to more efficiently manage, distribute, and monetize their podcast network,” Slater said. “This partnership combines Beasley’s premium content with ART19’s advanced hosting, analytics, and monetization tools to drive podcast growth, innovation, and revenue. Benefiting their creators and advertisers alike.”

As Beasley continues to expand its podcast offerings, the alliance with ART19 positions the company to compete more effectively in the rapidly evolving digital audio landscape. The partnership underscores Beasley’s commitment to innovation while maintaining its roots as a respected heritage broadcaster.

By integrating with ART19, Beasley joins other major media companies that are leveraging technology to deliver more targeted advertising and improve audience engagement.

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.

ESPN Radio Adds Partnership With Charlotte’s Sportsradio 92.7 WFNZ

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Radio One, Inc. and Sportsradio 92.7 WFNZ are strengthening their sports presence in Charlotte by announcing a new partnership with ESPN Radio. The agreement, effective immediately, brings the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” to the market on a full-time basis. Giving listeners expanded access to national programming and premier play-by-play broadcasts.

The addition of ESPN Radio marks a significant move for WFNZ, which has long billed itself as the “Home of the Charlotte Sports Fan.” The station will now blend its established local talk lineup with ESPN’s nationally recognized voices. This provides around-the-clock coverage of the biggest sports stories and live events.

“ESPN has long set the standard for covering the biggest live sporting events and the athletes who define them,” said Jeff Rickard, Program Director at WFNZ. “We’re thrilled to team up for premier play-by-play and insightful nightly conversation. Combined with our award-winning local lineup, this partnership gives Charlotte the very best in local and national sports coverage.”

Through the new deal, Charlotte fans will have access to marquee broadcasts like the NBA Finals, the College Football Playoff, and Major League Baseball games. ESPN’s evening shows will also anchor the lineup. Complementing WFNZ’s local programming that already includes some of the city’s most trusted sports voices. ESPN Radio will also be heard on WFNZ during weekend programming.

With the move, the radio station drops the carriage of the Infinity Sports Network for their evening programming and on weekends.

Marsha Landess, Vice President and General Manager of Radio One Charlotte, emphasized the significance of pairing ESPN’s national reputation with WFNZ’s long-standing local brand.

“We could not be more excited to be ESPN’s new radio home in Charlotte,” Landess said. “The iconic sports brand of ESPN and the historic sports brand of WFNZ 92.7 makes a perfect combination to deliver our Charlotte sports fans the best in local and national sports coverage every day of the week on a strong and powerful FM signal. We now truly deliver the best of the best.”

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.

NPR Names Ryland Barton New Afternoon News Anchor

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NPR has announced it has appointed Ryland Barton as its new afternoon news anchor, where he’ll begin helming the desk beginning on Monday, September 22nd.

Barton originally joined NPR in 2023 as an editor at the outlet’s national desk. He later worked as the overnight editor. He also worked at public radio outlets in Louisville, Austin, and Waco before joining NPR.

“I’m a believer in public radio, especially the power of NPR’s network to lift up voices from around the country to tell the story of the nation,” said Barton. “Newscasts bring the breadth of NPR’s excellent reporting to our audience in five minutes.

“Especially when there is more competition for our attention than ever before, these updates are long enough to inform, but short enough to fit into the audience’s busy day,” Barton continued. “I’m excited to bring that to our listeners with the incredibly talented Newscast team, whom I’ve been privileged to engage with over the years as a reporter and desk editor.”

“We are thrilled to have Ryland join the Newscast team,” said Edith Chapin, NPR Senior Vice President, Editor-in-Chief, and acting Chief Content Officer. “His love of public radio and breadth of experience makes him the perfect voice to deliver the news to millions of listeners.”

The newscasts anchored by Barton will also be used in the NPR News Now podcast, which routinely finishes in the top five of major podcast charts.

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.

How NFL RedZone Will Handle Commercial Insertion For 2025 Season

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NFL RedZone is preparing to introduce a carefully structured advertising plan for the 2025 season, extending an initiative that was first tested last year. Following an appearance from RedZone host Scott Hanson on The Pat McAfee Show Wednesday, there was much speculation as to how the commercials would air during the over seven hour broadcast.

Barrett Media reached out for specifics on the plans for the new commercial insertion on the RedZone broadcast following the appearance by Hanson on ESPN.

According to the spokesperson, the plan calls for a limited number of advertisements strategically placed across the show’s more than seven hours of continuous football coverage each Sunday. The format will feature double-box ads, in which viewers will hear the commercial’s audio while simultaneously watching RedZone coverage in another frame.

That concept was introduced on a trial basis in 2024. The league conducted extensive testing through focus groups and social media monitoring. The result, according to an NFL spokesperson, showed extremely limited negative feedback.

Encouraged by those findings, the league believes it has found a balance that allows for increased sponsor visibility while still delivering the uninterrupted action that has made RedZone a must-watch product for fans.

Sponsors have long been a core component of the broadcast. For more than a decade, partnerships have played a role in making the channel possible. League officials emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with advertisers while respecting the unique viewing experience RedZone promises.

For viewers, the expectation remains largely unchanged: wall-to-wall football coverage, whip-around highlights, and every touchdown from every game. The addition of double-box ads is meant to complement the format, not disrupt it. In fact, NFL executives stressed that the new approach has been contemplated and refined for more than a year.

That point is particularly relevant given recent headlines surrounding ESPN’s reported interest in deepening its partnership with the NFL. League officials clarified that the decision to expand advertising on RedZone is completely unrelated to any news with the league and ESPN. Furthermore, the NFL will continue to own and operate NFL RedZone even if a broader agreement with ESPN is finalized.

“The business folks handle the business and I have no say over different elements that could or could not be in the show,” Hanson told McAfee on Wednesday. He did reiterate that while commercials are coming, they were “not going to sacrifice” any of the football for the “business side of things.”

As the 2025 season approaches, NFL RedZone is betting that fans will continue to embrace a product that has become a fixture of the football calendar. By maintaining its emphasis on constant action while integrating sponsor support more seamlessly, the channel aims to reinforce its value proposition: every touchdown, every Sunday, with no need to change the channel.

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.

ESPN, FOX Sports Open College Football Season With Massive Audiences

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FOX Sports and ESPN both opened the 2025 college football season with historic numbers, setting multiple records and highlighting the continued strength of live sports programming during Week 1.

FOX’s Big Noon Saturday matchup between Ohio State and Texas drew 16.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched Week 1 college football game on any network in history. The broadcast peaked at 18.5 million viewers between 3 and 3:15 p.m. ET, marking the third most-watched regular season college football game ever on FOX.

The network’s pregame show, Big Noon Kickoff, also thrived, averaging 3.8 million viewers in the show’s final hour leading up to kickoff of the Buckeyes and Longhorns. The entirety of the three-hour program averaged 2,007,000 viewers. That figure represents the third most-watched edition in the show’s history and the most-watched episode outside of an Ohio State–Michigan matchup. Compared to last year’s Week 1 broadcast, Big Noon Kickoff surged 306 percent.

Beyond the games, ESPN’s College GameDay Built by The Home Depot broke new ground. The pregame show averaged 4.0 million viewers, the largest audience in its history. The final 15 minutes, including Lee Corso’s famed headgear pick, spiked to 5.7 million viewers across ESPN and ESPNU. When factoring in additional roadblock coverage across SEC Network, ACC Network, and FOX, as well as digital and social platforms, the segment is expected to post even higher total reach figures once complete measurement is available.

Meanwhile, ESPN and ABC combined for their strongest Kickoff Weekend on record. Across four games, ABC averaged 8.6 million viewers, with three matchups topping 10 million — a first for ESPN networks in a single weekend.

The Saturday primetime showdown between Notre Dame and Miami led the way, drawing 10.8 million viewers to become ABC’s second-best Sunday opener on record, peaking at 11.8 million. Saturday’s Alabama–Florida State clash delivered 10.7 million viewers, the most-watched mid-afternoon Week 1 broadcast on record, with a peak of 12.9 million. LSU–Clemson rounded out the trio of double-digit audiences, averaging 10.4 million viewers for the sixth most-watched Week 1 game in ABC’s history.

ESPN’s strong opening weekend was supplemented by additional games across its networks. The doubleheader included Virginia Tech–South Carolina, which drew 5.4 million viewers on Sunday night, and Syracuse–Tennessee, which pulled in 2.6 million viewers. Monday’s TCU–North Carolina matchup delivered 6.1 million viewers, peaking at 8.1 million. ESPN also benefited from solid Friday night audiences, including Georgia Tech–Colorado (3.7 million), Nebraska–Cincinnati (3.3 million), and Boise State–South Florida (2.0 million).

Taken together, the opening weekend underscored the dominance of college football as a television property. FOX claimed the single largest audience with its Ohio State–Texas showcase, while ESPN and ABC delivered record-setting depth across multiple games and studio programming. The results point to a robust season ahead, with the sport continuing to draw audiences on par with — and in some cases surpassing — major professional leagues.

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.

What Music Radio Can Learn from the NFL’s Winning Playbook

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Studying the NFL is like going to an Ivy League branding school— without the lifetime of debt. With the new season, here are ten reminders of what makes the league so successful — and RockTernative can steal every one of them.

1. Storylines + Drama

From the offseason to the Super Bowl, the NFL never runs out of compelling storylines: Travis Hunter going both ways. Rodgers’ final act. A Philly repeat?

The NFL is like a binge-worthy series with a fresh twist and new games every week.

Does your brand have storylines worth following? Relationship status updates only go so far. Think bigger, deeper, more episodic — but authentic and sticky.

  • A host’s daughter is dating someone she hates.
  • A real feud — with another show, the boss, a real-life enemy.
  • Something local a DJ is hellbent on fixing.
  • A humorous or serious personal issue (if the host is willing)

2. Star Power

Every NFL team has household names — stars who get mobbed at airports and steak houses. Like Grohl and Slash, but with helmets.

Who are your stars?

They don’t need security details. And whether live or voice tracked, they should feel larger than life and like a brand anchor.

Highlight your stars with as many plays as possible and assess the whole team again — there may be someone who has grown and is ready for more playing time.

3. Access + Transparency

NFL players are on social, coaches are mic’d up. Secrets are scarce, and transparency is a given. Fans see replays and know it all — including the contract details.

Now flip it.

Most media brands are like Fort Knox.

Listeners often wonder:

  • Why did my favorite show disappear?
  • Why won’t you answer my text?
  • What’s the backstory for this DJ?
  • Why do I hear RHCP every 70 minutes?

Let them in. Let them feel heard. Explaining some of the whys doesn’t hurt — it strengthens the bond and becomes a competitive advantage.

4. The Bench

In the NFL, everyone has a backup. While only the best make it to the NFL, players, coaches, and owners know someone younger, faster, hungrier is coming for their job. Scouts start watching players in high school.

If Mahomes goes down, Reid and the Chiefs have a Plan B.

Do you have a bench? If your top talent gets carted off, are you ready?

5. Emotional Attachment

As ABC used to say: the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat. The NFL moves people with emotion. Everyone has a favorite team — even Sydney Sweeney (Steelers). Fans care deeply. They stick with their team, season after season — and they spend real money to prove it.

That’s passion. Ask yourself, would a listener:

  • Pay for your station T-shirt?
  • Put a sticker on their car?
  • Buy tickets to your private event just to be in the room?
  • Be thinking, “I can’t wait to hear what the show says about this on Monday”?

If not, what’s the game plan to get there?

6. Community & Charity

The NFL gives back in ways that make headlines and move hearts. Players wear pink for cancer awareness. Coaches read to school kids and patients. Teams rebuild cities after disasters. The NFL shows up.

Radio shows up and “gives back,” but often it’s by running emotional telethons — or asking listeners, year after year, to pony up for someone else.

Those can be worthwhile causes. A station doesn’t need to build a new stadium every year, but smaller efforts can add up and make a big difference, too.

Sometimes it’s as simple as:

  • Helping a dog find a home.
  • Paying off someone’s heating bill.
  • Recognizing a local hero.
  • Buying lunch for hungry families.
  • Going to the hospital on a random Tuesday and playing music for kids.

Making a difference without making it about “us” is how communities remember you.

7. The Fan Experience

NFL games are engineered for max impact. Pre-game. Post-game. Parking lot. Jumbotron. For the money fans spend, the league knows it needs to deliver — every Sunday.

They know their image is always on the line.

  • Would the Broncos roll into the parking lot in a dented van with faded magnets?
  • Would the Ravens hoist a tent with an old logo?
  • Would the NFL let the PA announcer sound like he’s coming through a boombox?

Your on-site presence doesn’t need to be flashy — but a bad look can hit just as hard as a bad song. Every touchpoint matters. Every touchpoint could be a listener’s first with your brand.

8. Investment & Evolution

The NFL evolves constantly. Rules change — seemingly every season. The league stays current by doing research and listening to its players, owners and fans. Bold moves are made.

Many Radio turf-holders become complacent and cling to “set it and forget it,” yet everything around us is changing. That’s how brands fall behind and are trailing by two touchdowns at halftime.

It may have taken Nielsen 101 years to evolve and change the QH crediting threshold, but Radio faces new competition daily and can’t afford to wait to evolve. Ask yourself:

  • When was the last time the library and rotation strategies were reviewed or freshened?
  • Have the dayparts been analyzed lately — still the right size and shape?
  • What about benchmarks — still relevant or just habits?
  • Stop set strategies and placement — up-to-date?

If the NFL sat around and waited to evolve, they’d still be wearing leather helmets.

Don’t wait to catch up — evolve so you’re always in the lead.

9. It’s All About Performance

  • Miss a tackle? The player is benched.
  • Lose games? The coach is fired.
  • Miss revenue goals? The business office better run for cover.

How about at your brand?

  • Are underperformers still employed and clocking in each morning?
  • Are there tracking systems for what’s really moving the needle?
  • Are rewards given for impact–– or tenure?
  • Are the best players being drafted and hired?

The best players in the NFL deliver championships. In Radio, championships are often determined by Nielsen, but those results can change on a dime. What other trackers are you using to gauge performance?

10. Fun!

In the end, football is supposed to be fun. The NFL never forgets that. Big hits. Touchdown dances. Halftime shows. Sideline chaos. It’s an emotional thrill ride.

Is your brand fun? Like, actually fun? Is “fun” leaping out of the speakers or screens?

Fun isn’t a format. It’s a feeling.

Post-Game Recap:

The NFL’s playbook works. Sold-out Sundays and Vegas don’t lie.

The league dominates because it earns attention and shows up BIG every week. They reinvest, reinvent, and stay laser focused on what fans crave.

Here’s the good news: none of this is exclusive to football.

Put your helmet on.

Are you ready for some Football Radio?

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.

Toast to 10: Influential Advertising Partners Helped Shape Growth of Barrett Media

The Toast to 10 series presented by Premiere Networks, is a month-long series looking back on 10 years of Barrett Media. Throughout the month, you’ll hear from those who’ve shaped the company, managed and created the content, read the site, and partnered with the brand between 2015-2025 to share how they’ve seen it play a role in covering the media industry and educating, celebrating, and challenging the business. 

Like any other media platform, Barrett Media would have been unable to exist for the past 10 years without the support of great advertising partnerships.

Whether it be the daily content focusing on the media industry on the website, the morning and afternoon newsletters, the BSM or BNM Summit, or any other undertaking Barrett Media has undergone since its inception, none would have been possible if not for the support that those inside the industry have given to the brand.

Many of the advertisers have been with Barrett Media since the early days of the brand.

“We’ve never done formal advertising. But when Jason launched his media brand, we went all in — positioning Cutler right alongside Barrett,” said voiceover artist Jim Cutler. “We’ve worked with JB for over 20 years. He’s often the smartest person in the room, whether producing at ESPN or leading as a PD. We’ve seen firsthand how he builds, creates momentum, and sustains it.”

“I have been supporting Barrett Media since the beginning,” added Core Image Studio founder Justin Dove. “I am so excited to see Barrett evolve, from not just sports, but into news as well as music. Barrett Media brings passion to everything they touch. I have witnessed this in person via partnering on various station projects, as well as in person. I’m not really surprised to see Jason and the entire Barrett Media team continue to grow and reach new heights. In the ever-changing media landscape, we’re all extremely lucky to have a team that is so caring and passionate about our business.”

Some partnerships have been formed by appearances at either the BSM or BNM Summit in recent years. Point-to-Point Marketing is one such situation.

“We are passionate about this industry and the many ways it continues to evolve,” said the company’s CEO, Tim Bronsil. “When we saw the momentum behind the summits, newsletters, and editorial features, it was clear that we shared the same forward-thinking vision. We wanted to actively contribute to the conversation about progress rather than remain on the sidelines.”

Point-to-Point Marketing hasn’t been alone in seeing that vision come to fruition to help educate, celebrate, and challenge the industry.

“We were looking for additional outlets to promote our shows, specifically in the Talk and Sports formats,” said Premiere Networks Senior Vice President of Marketing Hosea Belcher. “We had heard great things about Barrett Media from industry colleagues, and our rep — Stephanie Eads — did a fantastic job communicating the brand’s reach and effectiveness. That’s how our partnership began, and it has continued to grow ever since.”

“We wanted in because (Jason Barrett is) one of the defining voices of our industry — today and for the future,” concluded Cutler.

As the Barrett Media brand has evolved — from a strictly sports media-focused content publication to new providing a wide array of coverage to the entire media industry — the partnerships with advertisers have also evolved. And those marketers have evolved alongside the company.

“The industry needs voices that collaborate and lift everyone up,” said Bronsil. “Barrett has been one of those voices, sharing best practices, spotlighting wins across the industry, and pointing the way forward for growth. It is more than just reporting news; it is a central hub for discovering what works.”

“I’ve watched Barrett Media evolve from an online trade publication focused on Talk and Sports into a comprehensive media company that serves all of radio, including dynamic conferences that tackle pointed, timely topics that feel fresh and relevant,” added Belcher. “The brand has a vibe that’s current, flexible, and tuned into the radio industry NOW.”

In today’s day and age, no one can afford not to get a return on their investment from their marketing budgets. But those who have been longtime sponsors and supporters of Barrett Media believe they get strong value from their budgets by advertising with the brand.

“Barrett Media has connected me to the media world,” said Dove. “I can’t tell you how many times someone will tell me, ‘Hey, I saw your ad on Barrett Media’, or, ‘Jason was telling me about what you offer – and I’d like a demo.’ You’re not only just advertising with Barrett Media, it’s a full partnership and a family. They spread the word about your business. It’s about building long-term relationships.”

Tim Bronsil agreed. 

“(Advertising with Barrett Media) has become one of the first things we prioritize in our budget,” he shared. “Our involvement with Barrett has led to meaningful partnerships that were only possible because we were in the “room” when important topics were being discussed. Whether at their summits or through featured content series, those opportunities have translated directly into growth for our business.”

“Having a show promoted in a well-established trade publication and at industry conferences significantly supports our affiliate sales,” Belcher added. “The awareness generated through strategic, impactful branding and advertising is a powerful asset in maintaining and growing our reach.”

Whether it is placement in the various newsletters, on the website, at the BNM or BSM Summit, or in any other of the variety of ways brands can advertise with Barrett Media, all advertisers agreed that the relationships and partnerships formed by advertising with the brand have been worth it.

“Barrett Media has been an awesome partner,” said Belcher. “They’re always flexible in meeting our needs. I know that if I come to them with an idea, or something we’d love to see featured in the newsletter or at a conference, Jason and Stephanie will do everything in their power to make it happen.”

“The real secret weapon in working with Barrett is Jason and Stephanie,” Bronsil added. “They are masters at connecting the right people. Time and again, we have been introduced to others who have turned into valuable partners because Jason and Stephanie knew both sides could benefit. That is what true partnership looks like.”

“Every BSM or BNM Summit offers an opportunity to meet people, shake hands and learn,” concluded Dove. “That’s all anyone can ask for. It’s an opportunity to get out there. I have worked with so many great managers and program directors over the years. Usually, I never get to work with them in person.  The Summit is a chance to get a face-to-face with the person or people you have been working with for years, but never get to meet in person. While this may seem pretty small to some, for me, it’s the kinda thing I cherish most about the Summit. People. Conversation. Laughing. Interacting and learning!” 

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.

Charles Barkley Is Not Helping Himself With Commentary About the NBA’s TV Partners

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The NBA regular season is just 47 days away, and Charles Barkley is already at it—complaining to every media outlet he can find. This is a new year and a new era for the league, as it kicks off its new 11-year media rights agreements with NBC, Amazon, and the Walt Disney Company. How the networks will present the game—especially the award-winning Inside the NBA—remains a mystery.

The program will air on Disney platforms (ESPN/ABC) throughout the season under a sublicensing agreement with ESPN, through which TNT Sports will continue to produce the show. That means the fearless foursome of Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ernie Johnson will be on your television screens for the season to come.

Listening to Barkley’s latest appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast was confusing. The 62-year-old Hall of Famer sounded both like an upset employee and a lethargic talent—all in one interview. His game analysis is still sharp and insightful, but his off-season commentary is tarnishing his public image.

The program Inside the NBA is a staple for basketball fans around the country. For over thirty years, the program has welcomed fans in for unfiltered commentary from unfiltered greats of the game. The dynamic continues to be must-see television, as the content harkens back to generational conversations at the barbershop—the old guard not allowing the new soldiers to rule the day over the legends of the past.

It’s like debating whether Metallica is more impactful than Led Zeppelin, or if LeBron is better than Jordan.

The Future of Inside the NBA

When Warner Bros. Discovery lost the U.S. broadcast rights, the show’s future was uncertain. But thanks to negotiations and ESPN’s recognition of the property’s value, Inside the NBA will continue. Staff won’t be cut, and personalities won’t be sidelined.

What has made the off-season so intriguing is the access that Charles Barkley is allowing—appearing on multiple podcasts and radio programs to spout off about his disappointment in how things were handled with TNT Sports and his confusion about how things will be handled with ESPN. He’s even gone as far as criticizing the people who are paying him at TNT Sports because they haven’t communicated anything with over a month and a half to go before the season starts.

I understand the need for information from those in sports media, knowing that Barkley provides content with no filter. However, now he’s beginning to talk out of both sides of his mouth.

For months now, Barkley has shared how he’s unsure how ESPN will handle the time allotted for Inside the NBA to discuss games before the network heads to Scott Van Pelt and SportsCenter. A valid concern for a talent that seemingly has never had time constraints on a network that could cut into a late-night movie or rerun of a sitcom, no matter how long Inside the NBA ran.

ESPN is different. SportsCenter is a staple, and there will be a learning curve for Barkley and others.

Which Is It Charles?

What confused me was when Barkley joined Simmons on his podcast and talked about how he turned down working for NBC Sports due to working too much. In the interview, Barkley noted he would be upping his workload from two days per week to three days per week at NBC when the NFL season concluded.

There were also provisions in the agreement with Barkley (according to Barkley) that would require appearances on NBCUniversal programming, including the Kentucky Derby, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the U.S. Open, and The Today Show.

It’s understandable that Barkley might feel overwhelmed with added commitments. But was any of that non-negotiable? Hard to believe for a network courting one of the NBA’s biggest personalities.

Barkley then noted he was in with NBC for only working two days a week, but once he saw more, the deal was off. So, he was upset the network wanted him to work more than two days a week.

With ESPN, Barkley has not been shy about his concerns with working less than he has in the past with TNT Sports. Sure, it’s only two days a week, but he’s complaining about doing less than he did on TNT. Two days a week—but still uncertain about his airtime—is apparently too much to stomach.

The basketball Hall of Famer seems to be talking out of both sides of his mouth. He’s upset about less time on Inside the NBA but was unwilling to take on more work at NBC than he did at TNT.

Which is it, Charles?

A Massive Year for the NBA

This is an important year for the presentation of the NBA, with their new media deals kicking into action. Commissioner Adam Silver will be under a microscope if viewership dips at any point this season compared to the previous season with the new agreements in place.

Now you have Barkley coming out and saying the league “doesn’t give a s**t about the fans” on a worldwide and well known podcast.

Barkley has always been an outspoken critic of the league and its players. Silver cannot afford to have its most popular analyst on television throwing shade and shooting shots at the networks that house the Inside the NBA program or their new partners.

Maybe it’s time for Barkley to swap the studio for the golf course. At least there, he can control his own workload—and avoid confusing the rest of us in the process.

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