Home Blog Page 76

Dave Flemming Joins NBC Sports for MLB Sunday Leadoff Games

John Mamola
-
0
Dave Flemming Joins NBC Sports for MLB Sunday Leadoff Games

Dave Flemming Joins NBC Sports as the network’s latest MLB Play-By-Play Voice. Flemming, a 23-year Giants radio veteran, is joining the network’s MLB Sunday Leadoff coverage on Peacock and NBC Sports Network.

What We Know: Flemming debuts this Sunday calling the Blue Jays vs. Pirates at noon ET. He spent over two decades as San Francisco’s lead radio voice on KNBR. Additionally, he has called three World Series, Matt Cain’s perfect game, and Barry Bonds’ record-tying 755th homer. Flemming is the play by play voice for the MLB International telecast of the World Series since 2022.

What They Said: Sam Flood, NBC Sports Executive Producer “Dave is an elite play-by-play announcer whose knowledge and love for the game comes through in his storytelling and big-game calls for national and local audiences. We are excited to have Dave join our lineup beginning this weekend.”

Dave Flemming “I’m excited to join NBC Sports’ baseball coverage. I’ve really enjoyed NBC’s approach to covering the sport I love so far this season and I’m very happy to be a part of it.”

What Remains Unclear: Contract terms are unknown by NBC Sports Network/Peacock. Also, how Flemming would balance the role with his other roles with the San Francisco Giants among others. Furthermore, it’s unknown whether NBC plans additional play-by-play hires to round out its roster in the network’s return to MLB coverage.

What It Means: NBC landed an experienced, respected voice with deep baseball credibility. Flemming brings legitimacy to NBC/Peacock’s growing MLB footprint. Moreover, the ability to call several different sports adds depth to what the network could utilize Flemming with in the very near 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.

Spotify Adding Verified Badges For Podcasts

John Mamola
-
0
Spotify Adding Verified Badges For Podcasts

Spotify is rolling out verified badges for podcast shows and reinforcing its impersonation policies. The moves aim to protect creator identity and give listeners greater confidence in what they hear.

What We Know: Spotify’s new “Verified by Spotify” badge features a light green checkmark on show pages and in search results. It signals a show has cleared Spotify’s standards for authenticity and trust. Eligibility requires sustained listener engagement, policy compliance, and verified audience authenticity. Notably, Spotify applied a similar verification tactic to music artists less than a month ago, extending that framework now to podcasting.

What’s At Stake: As more focus is put on AI generated content, companies like Spotify are being challenged by their consumer to signal what is real and what is not. Multiple surveys confirm that audiences would prefer human generated content. Meanwhile, audiences continue to adapt to AI generated music and podcasts. Meanwhile, audiences still appear to place a premium on authenticity and human connection. This step would require creators to submit content that fits Spotify’s standards for verification.

What Remains Unclear: Spotify has not disclosed how many shows will receive badges at launch. Furthermore, the full eligibility criteria remain vague, with the company citing a combination of factors it will refine over time. At the same time, no specific timeline exists for a complete rollout nor which shows will be targeted for removal or safe keeping.

What It Means: Trust is becoming a competitive battleground in podcasting as it already is with music. Spotify is positioning itself as a platform where authenticity is verified, not assumed. For creators, this offers credibility and protection from impersonation. For listeners, it offers added transparency and information. Ultimately, how Spotify scales this program will determine its real impact. On a side note, I won’t take credit for this move by the company. However, this news arrives just days after I suggested the move.

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.

Bill Belichick Accuses CBS News of “Deceptively Editing” 2025 Interview

John Mamola
-
0
Bill Belichick Accuses CBS News of “Deceptively Editing” 2025 Interview

UNC’s head coach Bill Belichick goes on offense against the network which aired his infamous 2025 interview involving his relationship with Jordon Hudson. He says CBS won’t even hand over the transcript in an interview with Sean Hannity.

What We Know: Bill Belichick is entering his second year with the North Carolina Tar Heels. In April 2025, Belichick sat down with Tony Dokoupil of CBS News to promote his memoir. During the interview, his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, interrupted after Dokoupil asked how the couple met and said they were “not talking about this.” Hudson reportedly interrupted multiple times and briefly stormed off, delaying the taping roughly 30 minutes.

What They Said: Bill Belichick accuses CBS News of “deceptivly editing” his interview on CBS Sunday Morning: “As we’ve seen recently, there have been more editing problems. They go back to over a couple years, multiple examples of editing and interview process and all that. I thought that the interview I had with them was done very deceptively. I’ve asked for the transcript from them, and they won’t give it to me. They’ve done that with other others, I’m not really sure what that policy is. Kind of confused about some of the things that they say they are. I don’t really see them living up to the trust that they talk about.”

What Remains Unclear: CBS has not commented on the accusation by Belichick. This isn’t the first time that Belichick has accused the network of selectively framing the taped conversation from last year. Belichick claimed last year that CBS posted clips of the interview to suggest that Hudson was the one controlling the conversation. CBS has also not commented on the transcript request by Belichick. CBS released a statement in the days following airing that the interview was arranged with no limits on topic or any preconditions.

What It Means: Belichick’s accusation more than likely means nothing unless he decides to sue the network. Hannity even went as far to suggest the motion, but Belichick laughed off the idea. However, this seems to be a simple jab at CBS. A network which has been the brunt of criticism over the past number of years. However, the transcript request coming to light is interesting. If CBS is indeed holding onto the transcript of the interview, could that be a protection against potential legal matters? Belichick was at least asked about the fallout of the CBS interview by Hannity. A topic that Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take did not address in their recent sit down with the Tar Heels’ head coach.

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.

Beasley Media Group Loses Key Tampa Programming Leader Rick Thomas

David Hill
-
0
Beasley Media Group Loses Key Tampa Programming Leader Rick Thomas

Rick Thomas is leaving Beasley Media Group. His final day is June 1, 2026.

What We Know: Thomas joined Beasley’s Tampa cluster in January 2023 as Brand Manager. He oversaw programming strategy across six stations — WLLD-FM, WQYK-FM, WRBQ-FM, WYUU-FM, WPBB-FM, and WHFS-AM. Additionally, he served as Program Director for WRBQ and WQYK-FM. His departure is personal, driven by a desire to prioritize family.

What They Said: “Rick has been an important part of our team here in Tampa,” said Ron deCastro, VP and Market Manager. Chief Content Officer Justin Chase added that Thomas “led with passion, integrity, creativity, and a genuine commitment to both the brands and people around him.” Thomas himself reflected warmly: “I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished together.”

What Remains Unclear: No successor has been announced for the Brand Manager or Program Director roles. It’s also unclear whether the positions will be filled internally or externally. Furthermore, no timeline for a replacement search has been shared publicly.

What It Means: Thomas joins a growing list of experienced programming voices stepping away from radio. His exit raises a familiar and uncomfortable question: where does the industry find its next generation of leaders? The so-called “farm system” that once developed talent from market to market has thinned considerably. As veterans walk out the door, the bench behind them looks increasingly short.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

CBS News Denies Bari Weiss in Danger of Losing Control of Key Programs

Garrett Searight
-
0
CBS News Denies Bari Weiss in Danger of Losing Control of Key Programs

CBS News has gone through a series of changes in recent months. A report suggests that Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss could see her oversight of key programs stripped. The network has rebuffed those claims.

What We Know: A report from Dylan Byers at Puck shares that Paramount Skydance officials have had “informal” discussions about pulling back Bari Weiss’ oversight over shows like CBS Evening News, CBS Mornings, and 60 Minutes.

What They Said: “Bari has the full support of Paramount and David Ellison as the editorial leader overseeing CBS News and 60 Minutes. Reports suggesting otherwise are inaccurate.” -Paramount Skydance spokesperson

What Remains Unclear: Who would take over the oversight of those programs. The report from Byers shares that a “more experienced executive” would take control of the shows. Who that executive would be is unknown.

What It Means: It is hard to argue the credibility of Dylan Byers and Puck. It is unlikely that he made the report up out of thin air. It would be easy to see how things have gone for CBS News, in a variety of ways, in recent months, and question how long Weiss will be in control of the division. Weiss has been on the job for eight months.

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.

Dana White Reveals Secret To Power Slap’s Quick Success Story

John Mamola
-
0
Dana White Reveals Secret To Power Slap’s Quick Success Story

Dana White built Power Slap differently. Instead of chasing traditional media deals, he revealed in an interview with Boardroom that he handed the keys to social media influencers — and it worked.

What We Know: Power Slap now generates roughly a billion social media views per month. The promotion secured more sponsorship revenue in its first two years than the UFC did in its first ten, according to White. Furthermore, it has amassed over 22 million combined followers across major platforms, with total views surpassing 13 billion. Those figures represent a remarkable launch for a sport most Americans had never heard of before 2023.

What They Said: Dana White on his approach with social media influencers: “I invited all the influencers to come [to Power Slap]. If you had over 5 million followers, you got invited to the event.”

Dana White speaks on the leverage across his entire portfolio: “I control the UFC, WWE, PBR, Power Slap, Nitro Circus, SLS Skate League. I have all these brands, and I let these kids come in, and do your thing. Create content, and yeah, it ended up being a complete home run.”

Dana White on the outcome of this strategy: “Power Slap is the most successful thing I’ve ever been a part of in such a short amount of time. The first two years it had more sponsorship than the UFC did in 10 years. Power Slap is a beast.”

What Remains Unclear: While White credits the influence that his approach brought to the promotion, how long can it last? In an era where audiences constantly crave the next big thing. It is fair to wonder how long viewers will stay invested in content that rarely changes beyond the competitors themselves. While sponsorship interest may be strong, no major distributor outside of Rumble through March 2026 and YouTube has rights agreement.

What It Means: You have to wonder whether this sport can survive if a competitor fails to recover from a slap. The promotion thrives on shock value, but White removing it from Rumble could signal what lies ahead. Make no mistake, Power Slap does attract an audience. But reaching the mainstream level of other combat sports remains a challenge.

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.

Fox News Top Individual News Source Among Registered Voters, New Poll Shows

Garrett Searight
-
0
Fox News Top Individual News Source Among Registered Voters, New Poll Shows

Fox News has long held a dominant place in the cable news ratings. That dominance is on display in other avenues, too.

What We Know: A poll of registered voters from The New York Times and Siena University asked where they get their news. Fox News was the highest single-source brand on the poll. By itself, it eclipsed entire mediums like national television networks and local broadcast news.

What The Numbers Show:

News Source Percentage
Social media 23%
Other (includes no preference and the internet) 11%
Fox News 10%
National television networks, like CBS, NBC or ABC 9%
National print or online news organizations, like The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal 7%
CNN 6%
Local broadcast news (includes non-talk, non-public local radio) 6%
Aggregation sites (such as Bing, Google, Yahoo News or Apple News) 4%
Public radio/NPR/PBS 3%
International news sources (such as the BBC, Al Jazeera and The Guardian) 3%
MS NOW 2%
Newsmax 2%
Doesn’t consume news 2%
Talk radio/conservative personalities 1%
Conservative news sites 1%
Liberal news sites (such as Mother Jones and Occupy Democrats) <1%
Liberal personalities <1%
Local print or online news organizations <0.5%
Friends and family 0%
Don’t know/Refused 7%

What Remains Unclear: The age demographics of the poll. The New York Times says the list of those surveyed “contains information on the demographic characteristics of every registered voter.”

What It Means: Nielsen data shows that Fox News has the most politically diverse audience in the cable news space. This information would appear to corroborate that. It also shows the strength of the Fox News brand that it stood out above a collective of national television networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC by itself.

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.

Sports Podcasts Stand Out In Triton’s Latest Q1 2026 U.S. Podcast Rankers

John Mamola
-
0
Sports Podcasts Stand Out In Triton’s Latest Q1 2026 U.S. Podcast Rankers

Triton Digital’s latest U.S. Podcast Ranker confirms sports podcast consumption continues growing. The sports genre topped all categories for new ranker entries in Q1 2026. Triton says it saw a surge in sports podcast listening during Q1 — and it thinks it has more to do with broader shift in how fans engage with the category than the season.

What We Know: Sports podcasting had its strongest debut quarter yet. Daily formats and athlete-led shows drove most of the new entries. 7PM in Brooklyn and The Pivot Podcast earned top-tier audiences through unfiltered, personality-driven conversation. Meanwhile, NFL: The Insiders, Mostly Sports, and FOX Sports’ First Things First each carved out loyal followings through distinct approaches — from league-backed postseason coverage to on-demand TV franchise extensions.

What They Said: Daryl Battaglia, SVP, Measurement Products & Strategy at Triton Digital “Podcasting continues to demonstrate both resilience and momentum as we enter 2026. We’re seeing a combination of consistency among top-performing shows alongside rapid innovation among top genres like comedy and sports. This balance is what makes podcasting such a powerful medium for both audience engagement and advertiser impact.”

What Remains Unclear: Whether sports can crack the top three genre categories in the near future. Currently comedy (43.6%), news (23.7%), and society & culture (21.2%) continue to hold the top category sports.

What It Means: Sports audio is becoming habitual — and advertisers should take note. Companies are now entering local markets and building podcast divisions to capitalize on growing demand for on-demand sports content. Independent companies previously proved the model could work, but broadcast companies are now entering the space as well. With more network talent launching podcasts in recent months, it will be interesting to see whether those shows begin appearing in the rankings too. Key podcasts making rises included Club Shay Shay (#24 +16), Pardon My Take (#26 +13), and Million Dollaz Worth Of Game (#55 +45).

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.

Ross Mahoney Joins Dave & Mahoney Show on Compass Media Networks

David Hill
-
0
Ross Mahoney Joins Dave & Mahoney Show on Compass Media Networks

Ross Mahoney returns to the Dave & Mahoney Show. The reunion brings a familiar face back to a familiar stage.

What We Know: Mahoney has joined the Compass Media Networks-syndicated Dave & Mahoney Show, based at Hubbard Classic Rock KSLX in Phoenix. The show airs in 60-plus markets. Previously, Mahoney programmed KXTE/Las Vegas — the show’s former flagship — from 2016 to 2020. He later returned to Audacy in 2022, overseeing six alternative stations, before departing again in July 2024.

What They Said: Co-host Dave Farra welcomed the move enthusiastically. “We are incredibly excited to have Ross join the show,” Farra said. “His skillset, his talent, and his apparent belief that he outranks everyone in the building are going to make for great radio.” Mahoney, meanwhile, leaned into the humor. He called the opportunity “too good to pass up,” adding it would “force me to question my sanity on a daily basis.”

What Remains Unclear: Mahoney’s exact role still carries some ambiguity. His title — reportedly “Regional Vice President of Executive Production and Programming” — remains delightfully vague. Furthermore, it’s unclear precisely how his responsibilities divide between production and programming duties. The show hasn’t formally outlined his day-to-day function.

What It Means: This reunion signals a significant addition for the Dave & Mahoney Show’s syndication footprint. Mahoney brings decades of programming experience, including stops at WPBZ/West Palm Beach and WRMR/Wilmington. Consequently, the show gains a veteran voice with deep roots in both Alternative and Classic Rock formats. Simply put, the band is back together.

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.

WFAN’s Boomer Esiason, Gregg Giannotti, and Craig Carton to Speak at the 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit

Jason Barrett
-
0
WFAN’s Boomer Esiason, Gregg Giannotti, and Craig Carton to Speak at the 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit

WFAN in New York officially signed on the air at 3pm on July 1, 1987. Over nearly four decades, FAN has shaped the sports conversation in New York City, featuring many of the format’s top voices. Its consistent track record of ratings and revenue success, has made it a sports radio institution, and one of the radio industry’s best brands, regardless of format.

On July 1, 2026, WFAN will celebrate 39 years of excellence. That date also happens to be when Barrett Media’s Sports Summit is held in New York City. Sometimes, the stars just align.

WFAN Takes Center Stage

Knowing we’d be in the big apple on the date the sports format was born on WFAN’s airwaves, I wanted to do something big with the brand. Jeff Smulyan, Chris Oliviero, Mark Chernoff, and Eric Spitz are involved in the awards ceremony, which is awesome, but the station that inspired me to enter the business in the early 90’s deserved a larger spotlight on the date of its anniversary. Thanks to support from Chris Oliviero and the Audacy team, we’re making that happen.

It’s my pleasure to welcome Boomer Esiason, Gregg Giannotti, and Craig Carton to the 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit on July 1st.

All three of these men have been critically important to WFAN’s success. They’ve also had their careers intersect in many ways over the past ten years. Gregg and Craig spoke at the Summit years ago and were fantastic. This will be Boomer’s first appearance. I’m looking forward to sitting down with them for a candid conversation on content, business, and the twists and turns that come from operating under the bright lights in New York City. It’s scheduled to be our final session before lunch on Wednesday July 1st.

Though they all work for WFAN, their paths don’t cross on-air every day. It’s also different discussing your craft and industry than pontificating on the world of sports. But if you’ve followed Boomer, Craig and Gregg, you’re aware of their knowledge and passion for the media business. You don’t create the impact they have without skill, confidence, business sense, and knowing when to adjust. We’ll have some fun and make the most of our forty minutes together.

Whether you’re a veteran or aspiring talent, programmer, agent, executive or advertising professional, you’ll want to be in the room for this session. Not only will it be informative but given Boomer, Gregg, and Craig’s personalities and relationships, it’ll be entertaining too.

Join Us For the Summit

To join us at the 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit, visit the Summit section to secure your seat. If you’re flying into NYC for the show, scroll past the speakers for details on hotel room reservations. For sponsorship inquiries, email Stephanie@BarrettMedia.com.

Speaking of sponsors, I want to welcome back ESPN Radio as our official partner of the Sports Summit After Party. We’ve had the privilege of partnering with ESPN to celebrate the industry each year since 2019. My thanks to Tina Thornton, Megan Judge, and Jimmy Pitaro for their support.

I’d also like to welcome Capital Sports Audio as a conference partner. Twenty five companies are now a part of this year’s show. We appreciate every single one of them helping us bring this event to life.

We look forward to seeing you in New York in 42 days!

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.

1...757677...2,659Page 76 of 2,659