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Audacy COO Susan Larkin Named to NAB Radio Board of Directors

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The National Association of Broadcasters has announced that Audacy Chief Operating Officer Susan Larkin has been named to the NAB Radio Board of Directors.

Larkin replaces former Audacy CEO David Field on the NAB Radio Board of Directors. Field announced his exit from the radio giant in late January.

Susan Larkin has an extensive radio background. She has worked at Audacy since 2017. After working as a Regional President for Aduacy’s San Francisco and Sacramento markets, as well as serving as Market Manager in New York, Larkin was elevated to COO status in 2020 after the retirement of Weezie Kramer.

Before her time at Audacy, Larkin served as the Regional Vice President of Cox Media Group in Orlando and Jacksonville, in addition to having oversight of the national sales teams. She also previously worked for ABC/Disney Radio and in local roles in Columbus, Tampa, and Syracuse.

In addition to her role on the NAB Radio Board, Susan Larkin is also a member of the Radio Advertising Bureau board. She has previously served on the boards of the Florida Association of Broadcasters and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Her appointment to the board is effective immediately.

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.

Former MSG Networks Broadcaster Al Trautwig Passes Away at Age 68

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Former MSG Networks Broadcaster Al Trautwig Passes Away at Age 68

Former MSG Networks reporter and announcer Al Trautwig has passed away at the age of 68 years old, according to a post on X from fellow MSG reporter Alan Hahn. Trautwig most recently served as the pregame and postgame host for New York Knicks and New York Rangers and also worked as a play-by-play announcer on select games.

“I’m sad to share the news that we lost a legendary voice in sports. But we lost a lot more than that,” Hahn wrote on social media Monday morning. “He was not only a friend, but a mentor and a teacher. He was, personally, one of my biggest resources of support when I moved into this career. Rest in peace, Al Trautwig.” 

Trautwig’s broadcasting career dates back to the early 1980s when he hosted USA Network’s coverage of the National Hockey League. He moved to host SportsNite on ABC Sports, and was also one of the original hosts of the Classic Sports Network when it debuted in 1996. Trautwig joined MSG Networks in 1989 and hosted a variety of studio programming for the entity, becoming a synonymous figure to viewers of the regional sports network.

“MSG Networks is truly saddened by the news of Al Trautwig’s passing,” MSG Networks said in a statement provided to Barrett Media. “Al was a staple on MSG Networks’ Knicks, Rangers and Yankees coverage for more than 30 years, and his passion for the teams he covered was undeniable. He leaves behind one of the great legacies in New York sports broadcasting history. Our thoughts and prayers are with Al’s family and friends.”

Social media was flooded with remembrances of Trautwig minutes after the news became public from sports media in the city and around the country. ESPN New York host and New York Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay shared his thoughts on Trautwig’s passing.

New York Jets radio play-by-play Bob Wischusen shared his remembrances on the legacy of Trautwig in relation to New York sports broadcasting.

A variety of Trautwig’s former colleagues and contemporaries remembered the longtime sports broadcaster on social media:

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Lester Holt to Exit NBC Nightly News Anchor Chair Later This Year

BNM Staff
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Lester Holt to Exit NBC Nightly News Anchor Chair Later This Year

Lester Holt has spent nearly a decade in the anchor chair at NBC Nightly News. That will change later this year, as Holt has announced his plans to exit the nightly newscast.

In an email to colleagues Monday morning, Holt — who has been with NBC News since 2000 — shared that he will leave the newscast in the early portions of summer later this year.

“After 10 years, 17 if you include my years on the weekends, the time has come for me to step away from my role as anchor of Nightly News. It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to work with each of you every day, keeping journalism as our true north and our viewers at the center of everything we do,” Holt wrote.

“But before we play the walk off music, I have another announcement. I’m excited to report I will be continuing as anchor of Dateline NBC, but for the first time in a full time capacity whereby I will be expanding my footprint on the broadcast and crafting Dateline hours on subjects I care deeply about,” he continued. “I am thrilled to be able to work more closely with my enormously talented friends at Dateline as the broadcast continues to grow and attract new viewers in new places.”

Lester Holt replaced Brian Williams at the venerable NBC Nightly News anchor desk after the previous anchor exited amidst controversy over contrived statements about his time reporting on conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan with the United States military.

Holt becomes the latest nightly newscast anchor to depart their network’s program. Last month, Norah O’Donnell departed the CBS Evening News after anchoring the program for more than five years. Both the CBS and NBC News broadcasts have continually trailed ABC World News Tonight with David Muir in the television ratings in recent years.

“Because of Lester’s steady and thoughtful leadership, Nightly News has sustained its perch as a trusted and top news destination for millions of viewers across America. He has led the network during some of the country’s most fraught and challenging times in the past decade, most notably during the early days of the pandemic when Lester’s voice was a source of comfort each night for so many,” said NBC News Executive Vice President Janelle Rodriguez. “He’s taken viewers to the frontlines of every major story and sat down with world leaders, skillfully eliciting answers on consequential issues.”

In the latest poll conducted by Morning Consult and The Hollywood Reporter, Lester Holt was identified as the most trusted news anchor in America. The 2024 poll showed that 64% of respondents had “a lot” or “some” trust in the NBC Nightly News anchor, besting Muir, O’Donnell, and a variety of cable news hosts.

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Several ‘The 33rd Team’ Writers Announce Upcoming Departures

BSM Staff
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Several ‘The 33rd Team’ Writers Announce Upcoming Departures

Several writers and contributors for the online-based publication The 33rd Team have announced that they will be affected by staffing cuts in the coming months, leading up to the conclusion of the NFL Draft. The 33rd Team was founded in 2019 by former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum and has served as an online destination for NFL content, featuring draft analysis and expert insights. 

Lead NFL Draft writer Kyle Crabbs was among several staffers who took to social media over the weekend to share news of their departure. 

“I’ve been informed that after the Draft in April, my contract with The 33rd Team will not be renewed,” Crabbs stated via his X account. “I am extremely proud of this season’s work leading their NFL Draft coverage and tackling this year’s class. I’m thankful for the opportunity and ready for whatever comes next!” 

According to Front Office Sports, an estimated eight to ten employees will be out of work as their contracts will not be renewed. The site is privately funded through investors, including Liberty Media and The Baupost Group, among others, according to a 2022 release. 

In addition, NFL analyst Dan Pizzuta announced that his time with The 33rd Team will come to an end next month. 

“I’m going to be a free agent at the end of March,” Pizzuta shared via X. “Thankful and appreciative of my time at The 33rd Team. Excited and hopeful for what’s next.” 

Analyst Tyler Brooks revealed that he will be among those affected by the staffing cuts. 

“Some sad news to share this morning. My contract with The 33rd Team will be terminated early, at the end of March,” Brooks wrote via X. “I cannot thank you all enough for the support. This season was, without question, the most creatively rewarding year of my career.” 

Recently, the New York Jets—Tannenbaum’s former employer—hired The 33rd Team to assist in their search for a new general manager. Ultimately, the franchise selected Darren Mougey for the role while retaining former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman as a senior football adviser. Spielman is currently listed as a front office expert with The 33rd Team. 

With these changes, The 33rd Team is expected to shift its focus toward NFL data, technology, and further consulting for NFL teams. 

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.

Jaybeau Jones Joins 94.7 WLS-FM Chicago For Evenings

BMM Staff
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Jaybeau Jones Joins 94.7 WLS-FM Chicago For Evenings

Cumulus Classic Hits 94.7 WLS-FM Chicago has named Jaybeau Jones to host 7 to midnight through Radio Resources’ “Personality On Demand.”

It’s a return to Chicago for Jaybeau who previously programmed Jammin Oldies WUBT and Top 40 103.5 Kiss FM WKSC.

Cumulus VP Classic Hits and WLS-FM PD Todd Cavanah said, “Jaybeau’s knowledge of our city, his on-air delivery, and his experience with the Classic Hits titles that we play make him the perfect fit.”

Jaybeau added, “To say the iconic call letters ‘WLS’ is literally a childhood dream come true. Todd Cavanah has brilliantly created a brand that owns up to those legendary call letters, and I’m honored to be a part of 94.7 WLS. My thanks to Todd, Cumulus Chief Content Officer Brian Philips, and RVP/Market Manager Marv Nyren.”

Radio Resources Chief Development Officer Rich O’Brien said, “We are thrilled that Cumulus and 94.7 WLS see the value of our ‘Personality On Demand’ service by adding an A-List talent like Jaybeau!”

In addition to the new gig, Jaybeau is also heard on SiriusXM’s “70s on 7” and The Frank FM network in New Hampshire.Jay

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.

Richard Jefferson Named to Lead ‘NBA on ESPN’ Broadcast Team

BSM Staff
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Richard Jefferson Named to Lead ‘NBA on ESPN’ Broadcast Team

Former NBA forward Richard Jefferson has been named to the lead broadcast team for the NBA on ESPN, aligning him to call the NBA Finals, Western Conference Finals and other playoff and regular-season matchups alongside Mike Breen, Doris Burke and Lisa Salters. Jefferson has been an analyst at ESPN for parts of the last six years and has appeared on studio programming and various live game broadcasts throughout the company portfolio. The promotion ends a state of ambiguity regarding the NBA Finals broadcast team on ABC; however, the arrangement could reportedly end up being somewhat ephemeral, according to a report from Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.

Amazon’s Prime Video reportedly has interest in Jefferson to become a member of its lead commentary team, which is said to include play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle. In addition to his role with ESPN, Jefferson has also called several Brooklyn Nets games alongside Eagle for many years, fostering chemistry and relatability on the airwaves. The company also reportedly has interest in Dwyane Wade and Stan Van Gundy in analyst roles, although no deals in this regard have been revealed. Amazon has announced that its NBA studio team will consist of Taylor Rooks as the host with Carmelo Anthony and Dirk Nowitzki in analyst positions.

Ahead of a new 11-year media rights deal with the NBA, the lead commentary team for live game broadcasts on ESPN platforms has gone through several iterations. Following the departures of Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy from the network, the company elevated Burke and hired Doc Rivers to pair with Breen on the broadcasts.

When Rivers left to become head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, it promoted former NBA shooting guard JJ Redick to the position, and he called the NBA Finals last June. Since Redick moved on to become head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN had been utilizing several analysts to work with Breen and Burke, including Jay Bilas and Tim Legler, while also shuffling its NBA studio team and sublicensing Inside the NBA.

Under the forthcoming rights agreement, ESPN will continue presenting the NBA Finals on ABC, maintaining a broadcast institution that has been on the Disney-owned broadcast entity since 2003. The network will also receive media rights to one of two Conference Finals series for 10 of the 11 years in the deal. All games on ESPN and ABC are also going to be available on the ESPN Flagship direct-to-consumer service, which is expected to launch later in the year. 

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.

77 WABC Adds Roger Stone to Daily Lineup With New Evening Show

BNM Staff
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77 WABC Adds Roger Stone to Daily Lineup With New Evening Show

77 WABC and Red Apple Audio Networks have announced the addition of Roger Stone to the daily lineup at the New York news/talk station.

The StoneZONE with Roger Stone will be heard in the 8-9 PM ET timeslot. It will replace the final hour of The Mark Levin Show in the Red Apple Media station’s lineup.

“With the addition of The StoneZONE, radio audiences will have Roger’s perspective on news of the day in real-time,” said John Catsimatidis, Owner of Red Apple Media, Red Apple Audio Networks, and 77WABC. “Our world is moving quicker than ever before, and listeners want to hear Roger’s insider’s understanding of what’s really going on in politics.”

In addition to a nightly radio show, the show will also have a video offering on Rumble, with the program being published to his Rumble channel after the live radio show ends. Stone’s Rumble channel currently has more than 65,000 followers.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to reach listeners across the country,” said Stone. “When John proposed this idea, I knew I had to jump on it right away.”

Stone has hosted a weekend show with 77 WABC and Red Apple Audio Networks since September of last year. The Roger Stone Show airs from 3-5 PM ET on Sundays, and will continue after Stone is added to the daily lineup.

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San Diego State AD Hints Pac-12 Conference New Media Deal Completed by End of March

BSM Staff
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San Diego State AD Hints Pac-12 Conference New Media Deal Completed by End of March

San Diego State Athletic Director J.D. Wicker believes the Pac-12 Conference is nearing a new media deal and expects the conference to expand with an eighth team joining soon after. Speaking to a group of season ticket holders at a recent Aztecs fan appreciation event, Wicker stated that he anticipates a new media rights agreement will be finalized by the end of March. 

“At the end of next month, we will have the MOU (memorandum of understanding) done for our television deal,” Wicker said. “So we will know what our TV deal is going to be and who our partners are. I will say this—they’re entities you are familiar with and would recognize.” 

These comments follow remarks made last week by Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould on Next Up, a Front Office Sports podcast. Gould indicated that the conference expects its new media rights package to include multiple broadcast networks. 

The Pac-12 has undergone significant changes in recent years. As of 2023, only Oregon State and Washington State remained from the conference’s previous lineup. To rebuild its membership, the conference has added Utah State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Colorado State, all set to join in 2026. Additionally, Gonzaga will become a member in 2026, though the school does not sponsor a football program. 

As the conference works to stabilize its roster, securing a new media rights agreement remains a top priority. Reports suggest the deal could involve multiple networks. The NCAA requires each FBS conference to have a minimum of eight football-playing schools, prompting Wicker to emphasize that media negotiations must be settled before expansion plans are finalized. 

“Once we know that, then we can go recruit that eighth football-playing member,” Wicker said. “Then after that, we’ll figure out if we’re adding one, two, or three more schools and whether they’re joining in all sports or just some.” 

The Pac-12 began negotiating a new media rights deal before the end of 2024. The CW and FOX agreed to a one-year rights deal, providing platforms to broadcast football games for Oregon State and Washington State. The conference’s previous media agreement, which concluded in 2023, included partnerships with ESPN, FOX, and the Pac-12 Network. 

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Todd Starnes Only Independent Podcast to Make Triton Digital Top 150 Podcast Rankings in January

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Todd Starnes Only Independent Podcast to Make Triton Digital Top 150 Podcast Rankings in January

Triton Digital has released its January 2025 podcast rankings, and there’s reason to celebrate for The Todd Starnes Show.

During the first month of the calendar year, the program moved into the top 150 podcasts, earning 143th place in the Top Podcasts By Weekly Average Downloads category.

Starnes claims to be the only independently-owned program to make the top 150. The Todd Starnes Show originates from The Mighty 990 KWAM in Memphis, a station he owns.

“Our team works incredibly hard to deliver a fun and informative show every day from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. with an emphasis on fun,” Starnes said. “And we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our great listeners.” 

In addition to thanking his listeners, Starnes also shared his appreciation for his collaboration with Salem Media Group, which handles advertising sales for his program.

“They’ve done a tremendous job repping my show and partnering us with companies that connect with our listeners,” Starnes said. “We have very happy listeners and very happy sponsors.”

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.

MSG Networks, Optimum Reach New Carriage Deal

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MSG Networks, Optimum Reach New Carriage Deal

The 52-day dispute between MSG Networks and Optimum has reached a conclusion with the two sides agreeing to a new carriage agreement. Service of the Sphere Entertainment Co.-owned regional sports network was restored to Optimum subscribers ahead of the New York Rangers game against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night. The cable provider stopped carrying New York Knicks basketball, along with New York Rangers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils hockey on January 1. An Altice spokesperson cited in a CNBC report shared that about 1 million cable television customers on Optimum accessed MSG Networks as part of their packages.

“MSG Networks and Optimum are pleased to announce they have reached an agreement for the relaunch of MSG Networks on Optimum video lineups,” the companies said in a statement. “MSG Networks and Optimum would like to thank everyone for their patience as we partnered to reach this new agreement to benefit our fans and Optimum subscribers.”

Josh Kosman and Andrew Battifarano of the New York Post have reported that the agreement is a multiyear deal between both entities. Optimum is said to have the ability to sell packages without MSG Networks for a lower price, which was most recently on its basic tier. Moreover, MSG Networks is reportedly lowering the price per Optimum subscriber from approximately $10 to $8 instead. Optimum users will be able to access regional sports networks, such as YES Network and SNY, in the “Everything TV” tier, which offers more than 200 channels and costs $140 per month.

“This deal brings new value and flexibility to Optimum TV, making our efforts over the last two months well worth the wait and capturing a major win for Optimum on behalf of our customers,” Dennis Mathew, chairman and chief executive officer of Altice USA, said in a memo to employees obtained by the New York Post. “I’m pleased to say that after several months of negotiations with MSG Networks, today they have agreed to a deal that we believe sets the stage for a broader change within the TV industry.”

According to a report filed by John Ourand of Puck last month, Altice accounts for about 33% of distribution revenue for MSG Networks. Within that writing, he cited Brandon Ross, LightShed Partners media and technology analyst, who surmised that MSG Networks might be unable to make its debt payments if the company was unable to reach a deal.

Kosman reported that MSG Networks was reportedly in talks with a group of lenders currently led by JPMorgan to whom it owes $829 million and that it could look for external investment in order to stabilize finances. Lenders have reportedly issued forbearance extensions multiple times with a current deadline of March 26 at 11:59 p.m. EST, as exhibited in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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