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ESPN ‘Around The Horn’ to Host Final Show May 23

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ESPN ‘Around The Horn’ to Host Final Show May 23

ESPN has announced after 23 years, Around The Horn will air it’s final show on ESPN Friday May 23.  The weekday program which debuted on November 4, 2002 will come to a close after more than 4,900 episodes of airing on the network. 

Around The Horn consists of host Tony Reali and a rotation of four daily national sports media panelists break down the biggest sports stories of the day, racking up points to determine who gets the final say of each daily program.   

“Around the Horn has had a remarkable run of more than two decades,” said David Roberts, ESPN Executive Vice President, Executive Editor, Sports News and Entertainment. “That kind of longevity in media is incredibly rare, and we look forward to celebrating the show’s many accomplishments before the final sign-off in May.” 

According to ESPN, Reali has hosted ATH since February 2004, and the regular panelists who have been part of the show through the years include a veritable who’s who of media personalities: JA Adande, Kevin Blackistone, Tim Cowlishaw, Jemele Hill, Frank Isola, Bomani Jones, Mina Kimes, Jackie MacMullan, Woody Paige, Bill Plaschke, Bob Ryan, Ramona Shelburne, Sarah Spain, Pablo Torre and Clinton Yates, among many others. 

“Beyond Tony and the ensemble of on-air contributors, we are particularly grateful to the production team led by Erik Rydholm and Aaron Solomon, who have been instrumental in ATH’s consistent success since the very beginning,” said Roberts.  

Reali was originally dubbed “Stat Boy” in his role with ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption when the show debuted in October of 2001.  His role was to correct and fact-check hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon throughout each show.  Reali’s final show with PTI was on September 5, 2014 so he could join Good Morning America as a social media correspondent. In the fall of 2014, Reali moved from Washington, D.C. to New York, to continue hosting ATH and joining ABC’s Good Morning America as a correspondent, a role he occupied through 2018.

Reali originally joined ESPN in 2000.  

Before joining ESPN, Reali was a sportscaster for WFUV 90.7 FM in The Bronx, New York. From 1997-2000, he was the voice of Fordham football and basketball and host of New York City’s longest-running sports call-in show, One on One

There is no word on exactly what the network will put in place following the conclusion of Around The Horn in May.   

Around The Horn originates from ESPN’s Seaport Studios in New York and is produced by Rydholm Projects from the ABC News Bureau in Washington, D.C. Erik Rydholm is executive producer. Aaron Solomon is senior coordinating producer. 

Barrett Media will update this breaking story when more information becomes available 

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Johnny Kane to Host Weekly ‘SportsCaster’s Open Mic’ Show on WJR 760AM

BSM Staff
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Johnny Kane to Host Weekly ‘SportsCaster’s Open Mic’ Show on WJR 760AM

Johnny Kane will be hosting a new weekly sports talk show on WJR 760AM and SportsCaster.com that is designed to amplify new voices in the sports broadcasting business. The program, which is titled SportsCaster’s Open Mic, will air on Wednesdays from 8 to 9 p.m. EST on WJR. The first episode will debut on Wednesday, March 5, and it will also be available as a videocast on the SportsCaster website, YouTube page and podcast platforms.

Kane is a three-time regional Emmy Award winner and has performed a variety of reporting ventures covering local teams for FanDuel Sports Network Detroit. As he continues to report on the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Pistons throughout their seasons, he will take part in this new project and inspire the next generation of talent in the sports media business.

“Detroit has a deep passion for sports, and this show is all about giving fans and aspiring broadcasters a voice,” Kane said in a statement. “I’m excited to collaborate with WJR and SportsCaster.com to bring fresh perspectives and in-depth sports conversations to the airwaves.”

The inaugural episode will feature a variety of student sportscasters from higher learning institutions around the country, interviewing Kane about his career, the impact of name, image and likeness on high school athletes and discussing how sports video games have an influence on overall fan engagement. Shows throughout this series will rotate through a lineup of aspiring sportscasters from the website and grant them the opportunity to display their talents.

“‘SportsCaster’s Open Mic’ is an incredible opportunity for aspiring young sportscasters to showcase their high-quality content and develop their on-air presence,” Jeff Sloan, founder of SportsCaster.com, said in a statement. “At SportsCaster.com, our mission is to empower aspiring sportscasters with the tools and exposure they need to break into the industry and partnering with WJR takes that mission to the next level.”

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‘The Chubb Rock Show’ Joins OG 97.7 Atlanta For Afternoons

BMM Staff
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‘The Chubb Rock Show’ Joins OG 97.7 Atlanta For Afternoons

Atlanta’s Classic Hip-Hop station OG 97.9 WWWQ-H3 has added “The Chubb Rock Show” to weekday afternoons.

Chubb Rock is returning to his hometown with a show that will blend music, culture, and conversation.

Chubb Rock is joined on-air team by Lady Jae, Mo Tucker, Ed the Gemini, DJ Frost, and Marvin Dixon. Based in Atlanta, the team is committed to providing authentic local content that caters specifically to the Atlanta community.

Melissa Forrest, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Atlanta, said, “Having Chubb in PM drive, with a Chubb mix, is guaranteed to shake things up. We’re excited for the new vibe he brings!”

Chubb Rock added, “Atlanta is my hometown and is such an important hub in the hip-hop culture. I am so happy for the opportunity to connect and entertain this vibrant community each afternoon on OG 97.9. Thanks to the good folks at Cumulus Media, especially Melissa Forrest, Kenny Smoov, and Vickki Shelton, for the trust. I can’t wait to connect with listeners in the ATL.”

Kenny Smoov, Vice President, Urban Formats, Cumulus Media, said: “It’s easy math for me: Chubb Rock (Hip-Hop Legend) + OG 97.9 = Big Things! Excited to have Chubb taking Atlanta home again!”

United Stations syndicate the program.

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NAB Thanks 20 Bipartisan Senators For Resolution Against New Radio Performance Tax

BNM Staff
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NAB Thanks 20 Bipartisan Senators For Resolution Against New Radio Performance Tax

A push from musical acts for a performance tax on local radio stations has received pushback from a bipartisan coalition of Senators, much to the delight of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB).

On Tuesday, a resolution called the Local Radio Freedom Act was reintroduced to Congress by Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH). The resolution opposes “any new performance fee, tax, royalty or other charge” against local radio stations. 20 of the 100 sitting Senators have co-sponsored the resolution.

“For over a century, local radio stations have provided communities with trusted news, critical emergency information and the music and entertainment audiences rely on every day, free of charge,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “NAB thanks Sens. Barrasso and Hassan, and the over 145 members of the House and Senate who have already signed onto this resolution for recognizing the vital role of local radio across the country. Their support will help ensure that local radio stations can continue serving our communities for years to come.”

“People across Wyoming depend on local radio stations for timely information, news, and programming that impact their daily lives,” said Senator Barrasso. “For decades, radio stations and the recording industry have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship: free airplay for free promotion. If forced to pay a performance royalty, broadcasters will have to make cuts to important programming to make ends meet. I’m proud to join Senator Hassan in introducing our bipartisan resolution to block any new performance tax on broadcasters in Wyoming and across the country.”

Additionally, the Local Radio Freedom Act also has widespread support in the House of Representatives. In total, it received 125 co-sponsors when it was introduced at the beginning of February. It was introduced by Reps. Steve Womack (R-AR) and Kathy Castor (D-FL). Between both legislative branches, the bill has more than 250 supporters.

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Cumulus Names Adam Dobbins Des Moines VP/Market Manager

BMM Staff
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Cumulus Names Adam Dobbins Des Moines VP/Market Manager

Adam Dobbins has been appointed Vice President/Market Manager for Cumulus, Des Moines. He comes from Walnut Media in Omaha, where he was director of sales.

Bob Walker, President, Operations, Cumulus Media, said: “We are excited to welcome Adam to Cumulus Des Moines as this is a homecoming for him, having grown up in Des Moines and being a fan of our brands. Adam is an accomplished leader that is passionate about connecting local clients to the power of radio and the digital products we offer to help them grow their business.”

Dobbins added, “Having grown up in Des Moines, I always admired the iconic local brands that Cumulus represents. My passion for the media industry has only increased over the years and I am truly excited to return home and collaborate with this team to leverage our audio and digital assets in driving results for our marketing partners.”

Dobbins began his career as the Director of Athletics Marketing at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, where he also obtained an M.S. degree in Organizational Management. He earned a B.A. in Communications from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dobbins replaces Jack Taddeo.

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77 WABC Owner/Host John Catsimatidis Mulls Run for New York Governor

BNM Staff
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77 WABC Owner/Host John Catsimatidis Mulls Run for New York Governor

In the past, 77 WABC owner and host John Catsimatidis has run for Mayor of New York, unsuccessfully. But that doesn’t mean his political aspirations are completely over.

During an appearance with station morning host Sid Rosenberg, Catsimatidis shared that he will definitively not run for the office of Mayor in the Big Apple in 2025.

When Rosenberg pressed him on if he had bigger aspirations — like running for Governor — Catsimatidis didn’t rule it out.

“You never know what happens,” the billionaire stated.

He added what motivates him to consider a run.

“It’s all about who is going to keep the city safe,” he stated, adding that he’s known the Cuomo family for more than 30 years before noting that he believes the last few governors of the state have not done a great job leading.

The comments from John Catsimatidis comes at an interesting time. Currently, three of the station’s hosts — Frank Morano, Curtis Sliwa, and Anthony Weiner — are off the air at 77 WABC as they are all campaigning for political office.

Curtis Sliwa hosts on 77 WABC weekdays from 12-1 PM. Morano hosts the nationally syndicated The Other Side of Midnight, while Weiner hosts a pair of weekend programs for the news/talk station. Both Morano and Sliwa’s shows are nationally syndicated through the company’s Red Apple Audio Networks arm. They continue to host the programs for affiliates, but the shows are not heard on terrestrial, over-the-air radio in New York for the time being.

The news New York gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 2026, with the primaries taking place in earlier in the year.

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TKO President Mark Shapiro Says WWE ‘Keen’ to Renew Peacock Agreement

BSM Staff
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TKO Group President Mark Shapiro spoke at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on Monday, addressing a range of issues related to several brands within the TKO portfolio. With the WWE’s partnership with Peacock set to expire in 2026, Shapiro noted that both sides are interested in renewing their agreement to carry pay-per-view events on Peacock.

“We will get into discussions soon, in the next quarter when it comes to the PLEs,” Shapiro said. “That deal comes up early to mid-part of 2026. Our conversations on our renewal start relatively soon.”

The WWE’s agreement with Peacock dates back to March 2021. Since then, all WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs) have been distributed through the platform in the United States for subscribers.

Meanwhile, WWE and Netflix recently began the first year of a 10-year, $5 billion agreement, making Netflix the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Latin America, with additional territories to be added over time. Another key aspect of the agreement is that Netflix subscribers outside the United States also gain access to a variety of WWE shows, specials, and Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble.

Under the current deal with Peacock, WWE maintains its extensive library on the streaming platform in addition to the PLEs in the U.S.

“Peacock has been a crazy good partner. We’ve been a huge driver of that platform — both in terms of acquisition and retention,” said Shapiro. “They are making it a priority, so we’re keen to renew with them.”

Shapiro also mentioned that WWE could keep a relatively small group of events within its PLE schedule in one place, but that decision would ultimately depend on supply and demand.

Regarding the early signs of the Netflix agreement, Shapiro suggested that Netflix potentially owning all WWE content could also make sense. He highlighted the strong early viewership, noting that Raw had seen a 13% increase year-to-date compared to its numbers on USA Network.

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Newsmax Closes Preferred Private Offering in Preparation of IPO

BNM Staff
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After several months of a preferred private offering, Newsmax has surpassed its initial targets and has closed that offering in preparations of an IPO.

Initially, the company set a target of $150 million in the private round of fundraising. However, after more than 8,000 private investors participated in the private offering, the company saw its proceeds exceed $225 million before agent fees and other expenses.

“This achievement reflects the strong results Newsmax has demonstrated and testifies to the trust and support the Company maintains with investors, viewers, and friends,” Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy said.

“We’d also like to thank Digital Offering LLC, for their expertise, hard work, and their positive commitment to supporting us throughout this process. We are excited to be one step closer to our upcoming IPO which will provide us a tremendous opportunity for growth. A public offering will allow tens of thousands of Americans to directly partner with us and join our news revolution. We look forward to delivering long-term value to all of our shareholders.”

After it closed its round of private funding last week, Newsmax has filed the necessary materials with the SEC. It now awaits approval to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange later this year. Its symbol will be NMAX when it does begin trading.

The news of the company surpassing its goals comes as Newsmax sees double-digit growth in its total day, daytime, primetime, and weekend ratings, according to data from Nielsen.

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NWSL Coverage Plans Announced For Second Season on ION

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NWSL Coverage Plans Announced For Second Season on ION

As the National Women’s Soccer League enters its second season, Scripps Sports has announced expanded coverage of the league. On Tuesday, the company unveiled plans for a new studio team for the 2025 season, aiming to build on the 20 million total unique viewers ION attracted with last year’s coverage.

ION will showcase top matches every Saturday night throughout the upcoming regular season, beginning next weekend.

In addition, a first-ever weekly studio show dedicated to the NWSL will air on ION, featuring Seb Salazar and Kylen Mills as co-hosts.

Salazar currently works for ESPN, where he regularly appears on the network’s signature soccer program, ESPN FC, as well as the biweekly Fútbol Americas show on ESPN+.

“Seb Salazar is an exceptional talent in soccer reporting, bringing a wealth of experience and deep-rooted passion for the game,” said Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports. “His work on ESPN and his insightful commentary on Fútbol Americas have made him a trusted voice and a household name among soccer fans.”

Mills is an Emmy-nominated sports broadcaster with experience across FOX Sports, NBC Sports, The Big Ten Network, and Pac-12 Networks. She was also a collegiate soccer standout at Division II Lewis University in Romeoville, IL, where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism.

“Kylen Mills is a distinguished sportscaster whose extensive on-air analyst experience and deep understanding of soccer from her own time on the pitch make her an invaluable addition to our team,” Lawlor noted. “We are delighted to have Seb and Kylen at the helm of our NWSL on ION studio show this season and eagerly anticipate the outstanding coverage and analysis they will bring to viewers.”

Fans can also look forward to the return of Saturday night doubleheaders, featuring two distinct NWSL on ION match broadcast teams. The first match will have JP Dellacamera on play-by-play, with former U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper Jill Loyden serving as analyst. For the second match, Maura Sheridan will handle play-by-play while former NWSL player Jordan Angeli provides analysis.

NWSL on ION experienced significant success last season, amassing more than 3.6 million hours of viewing across free ad-supported television (FAST) channels, including Roku, Samsung TV, LG, Vizio, Dumo, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Channels, Pluto, CW, and Tablo.

This season, NWSL on ION will feature 50 matches across 25 weeks of Saturday night doubleheaders. The action kicks off next weekend with Utah Royals FC hosting Bay FC, followed by Gotham FC traveling to Seattle to face Reign FC.

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.

The NAB Announces 2025 Crystal Radio Awards

BMM Staff
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The NAB Announces 2025 Crystal Radio Awards

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced 10 winners of the 38th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards.

NAB Crystal Awards honor exceptional year-round commitment to community service. A panel of judges from the broadcast industry, community service organizations, and public relations firms selected the winners.

Hubbard Broadcasting’s 106.7 WJJY Brainerd, MN, was awarded the Crystal Heritage Award. This honor recognizes stations that have won five Crystal Heritage Awards. Only 12 other stations have received this honor.

2025 NAB Crystal Radio Award winners:

KNBA-FM, Anchorage, Alaska
KROX-AM, Crookston, Minn.
KSFI-FM, Salt Lake City, Utah
WCBS-FM, New York, N.Y.
WTBV-FM, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla.
WTOP-FM, Washington, D.C.
WUSL-FM, Philadelphia, Pa.
WWBX-FM, Boston, Mass.
WWRM-FM, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla.
WYCT-FM, Mobile, Ala. – Pensacola, Fla.

The 2025 NAB State Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. honored the finalists and announced the winners.

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