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Six Sports Podcasts Make Time Magazine’s ‘Top 100 Best Podcasts of All Time’ List

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Time Magazine today released its highly anticipated list of the 100 Best Podcasts of All Time, spotlighting a dedicated section for sports-themed audio shows. Correspondent Eliana Dockterman, who helmed the project, emphasized in the accompanying methodology article how she weighed influence, longevity and storytelling quality over mere celebrity buzz.

Making the list for the sports category were the following:

  • 30 for 30 (ESPN)
  • The Bill Simmons Podcast (The Ringer)
  • Men in Blazers (Wondery)
  • New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce (Wondery)
  • Pablo Torre Finds Out (Meadowlark Media)
  • The Tennis Podcast (The Athletic)

Dockterman explained that the selection process began by reviewing nearly twenty years of podcasting history. Rather than simply chasing the biggest household names or top-charting downloads, she prioritized influence — “shows that shaped their genre” — and staying power TIME. To that end, she included both active podcasts with consistent archives and classic series whose episodes still resonate today, a strategy she described as seeking “the best of the best.”

Moreover, in the sports category, Dockterman took care to balance mainstream appeal with journalistic rigor. She deliberately curated a list that spans everything from long-form investigative reporting to comedic breakdowns of game-day culture. She observed that, in a landscape where celebrity-hosted and big-money shows are increasingly prevalent, “sorting out who can conduct an insightful interview or piece together a compelling monologue from who is just a big name” was a key challenge TIME.

Once the list was publicized, some sports podcasts took note of their absence from the list. Most notably, Pardon My Take hosts Dan “Big Cat” Katz and Eric “PFT Commenter” Sollenberger took to social media to share their reaction to the list.

Other notable podcasts that did not make Time Magazine’s Top 100 list of the best podcasts of all time include The Joe Rogan Experience, the Ben Shapiro podcast, or the Kill Tony podcast.

As Dockterman noted, the final list functions as both a historical archive and a listening guide. Whether listeners are looking to revisit groundbreaking content or explore newer productions with archival depth, the curated top 100 in sports offers a reliable road map.

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.

Substack Receives $100 Million Investment for Audio/Video Creators

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Substack has seen strong growth in recent years. Now, it’s being rewarded with a $100 million investment to help entice audio and video creators to the platform with new and expanded features.

“We’ll invest in better tools, broader reach, and deeper support for the writers and creators driving Substack’s ecosystem,” the company said of the investment. “Already, hundreds of millions of dollars flow from audiences to creators there every year. Millions use the app weekly and pay for the work they discover. But this is just the beginning.”

Substack will take a 10% share of all revenue generated by creators that have enabled paid subscriptions, plus credit card fees. The platform will also equip creators with the ability to own their subscriber lists and provide other analytics.

Additionally, the company provides an RSS feed for the thousands of podcasts already utilizing the platform. Substack also says it will work more closely with advertisers and marketers to ensure that creators utilizing the platform are able to better monetize their content.

The round of funding comes from the likes of Investors at Bond and The Chernin Group, as well as Skims co-founder and CEO Jens Grede, Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Poll, and Andreessen Horowitz, among others. With the $100 million in funding secured, the digital platform is now valued at $1.1 billion.

“We’re thrilled to partner with these investors, who bring a wealth of experience across tech, media and culture, as we put this capital to work serving creators and their communities,” Substack co-founders Chris Best, Hamish McKenzie, and Jairaj Sethi said in a joint statement.

The platform has grown to be a popular one with independent creators, especially in the news media. Dan Rather, Tara Palmieri, Chris Matthews, and Jim Acosta, among dozens of others, have utilized the digital platform to launch independent endeavors.

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Josh Innes Set to Reclaim Mornings at Detroit’s 106.7 WLLZ

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Classic Rock 106.7 WLLZ Detroit is bringing back “The Josh Innes Show” to its morning lineup, beginning Monday, July 28.

Innes is no stranger to WLLZ listeners. He previously held mornings at the station from April 2021 to February 2023 while broadcasting from “105.9 The Rock” WNRQ in Nashville. Most recently, he was heard in afternoons at Classic Rock 94.7 KSHE in St. Louis.

Innes made a brief return to the WLLZ airwaves earlier this week, co-hosting part of a special tribute to Ozzy Osbourne on Tuesday night. His career began in sports talk, with stints at Houston’s KILT, KBME, and KFNC, as well as WIP in Philadelphia, before transitioning to Classic Rock in 2021. While at WNRQ, his show also aired in Detroit and on WEGR Memphis.

The WLLZ morning shift has been handled by Spencer Graves of “102.5 The Bull” WDXB Birmingham since May 2023, with Graves hosting a separate show for the Detroit audience.

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.

David Samson: Pat McAfee Is Not “Covering” Budget Cuts With ESPN

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The kickoff of ESPN’s College GameDay will bring a new season while also saying goodbye to a key member of its legendary past. As the show begins a new season on August 30, Lee Corso will be joining the program for the final time. Consequently, the program’s lineup will officially be set as Corso exits, transitioning to a five-man team that includes the most recent additions: Nick Saban and Pat McAfee.

Meanwhile, McAfee’s co-host on GameDay, Kirk Herbstreit, made headlines earlier this summer when he told the Net Positive with John Crist podcast a tale of how McAfee stepped up with his personal wallet to help the GameDay program avoid behind-the-scenes budget cuts from ESPN. According to Herbstreit, McAfee’s gesture seemed to catch ESPN’s upper management off guard, then changing their thinking on budget moves associated with the signature television franchise.

In response, former MLB executive David Samson reacted to the story on today’s Nothing Personal with David Samson program. He explained that the gesture by McAfee—if true—will not change any mindset about how budget cuts occur.

“When a company is downsizing, they’re doing it purposefully. Not in order to have the big feed talent like [Pat] McAfee, like a [Dan] Le Batard pay to keep those people. They’re doing it because they believe it’s in the best interest of the company to not have those people in the positions they’re in,” explained Samson.

Furthermore, Samson went on to describe how the process of layoffs and budget cuts typically works from the top on down. It’s a process, he said, in which financial numbers align through layers of decision-making, ultimately trusting local managers to make tough calls. Therefore, the former MLB executive doesn’t believe that the gesture by McAfee will change anything in the approach from ESPN, as Herbstreit described.

“If you think that Pat McAfee [doing] that changes the philosophy of Disney, and that Disney will stand up and say, ‘Alright, we’ll do that. We’re not going to fire anyone in your crew,’” said Samson. “Then you’re high like McAfee. I don’t mean on drugs, I just mean in general on life.”

Additionally, he noted that no matter what gesture any talent may make, companies will continue to do what they believe is in the best interest of the organization.

“Getting the money to have a band-aid put on a situation that you know is secreting blood and gunk in a way that can’t be stopped by one band-aid,” noted Samson. “Getting one band-aid seems irrelevant when you need two, and you may just need to wrap a tourniquet around the whole darn thing. Pat McAfee covering budget cuts of ESPN, he’s not.”

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Charlie Kirk to Guest Host ‘FOX & Friends Weekend’ on Fox News

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FOX & Friends Weekend — the Fox News weekend morning show — will have a familiar face guest hosting the program this weekend: Charlie Kirk.

The Turning Point USA founder will appear as a guest host on the Saturday and Sunday editions of the program this weekend.

Charlie Kirk will join Rachel Campos-Duffy and Charlie Hurt on the Fox News program this weekend. That news was first reported by Axios.

Kirk has grown his podcast to become one of the most-listened-to programs in the genre. According to data from Triton Digital, Kirk’s podcast rose into the top five of the Top Podcasts By Weekly Average Downloads category during June. In addition to his podcast and operating the Turning Point USA group, Kirk also hosts a nationally syndicated radio show with the Salem Radio Network.

The news that Kirk will guest host FOX & Friends Weekend comes a week after Kirk’s organization hosted a large conference in Florida, which featured several high-profile speakers — namely Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly — lambasting the Trump administration and Attorney General Pam Bondi for the handling of the Epstein Files. Kirk later said that he was “done talking about” the situation, and that he “trusted his friends in the administration” and in the government to do the right thing regarding the situation.

Charlie Kirk has had, at times, a tumultuous relationship with Fox News. After the network ousted primetime host Tucker Carlson in 2023, a report surfaced that it was attempting to distance itself from Kirk and his Turning Point USA organization. That came after Kirk accused the network of leaking videos that went viral in an attempt to make the host look bad.

In December of that year, Kirk stated that he hoped that the relationship could be repaired. “I love Fox (News). They’ve been very good to me,” he said at the time. “I hope we can heal our relationship because — for whatever reason — it’s gone off the reservation.”

FOX & Friends Weekend is seen from 6-10 AM ET.

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 Sports Media Can Learn from Online Casino Marketing

Sports media have some of the most lucrative opportunities to make money at their disposal. They cater to billions of sports fans, cover the most popular events, and offer unique expertise — however, all this potential is often crushed by one unfortunate truth. Their market is oversaturated, and there are millions of competitors they have to contend with.   

That’s where looking into related niches might provide effective solutions. Online casinos face the same fierce competition, so they have learned to use smart digital strategies to engage and retain users. Sports media can apply these same tactics to grow their own audiences, and we’re going to establish how to do it right below.

Personalization

These days, customers expect special treatment, and that’s what casinos know how to deliver. They take the following aspects into consideration:

  • The games or sports team pages a user visits most often.
  • Their location and preferred payment method.
  • Their overall gambling and sports betting patterns.

Casinos collect and analyze this data, and then they send personalized offers. For example, a user who loves crash games can get a tailored cashback bonus for Aviator delivered at the end of the week; a person who always bets on Arsenal will get notifications about related matches and offers. 

Sports media can tailor their content and notifications in similar ways. All they have to do is start tracking fan preferences more attentively. 

Instead of sending general updates and messages, sports websites can divide their users into different categories based on their interests. Fans of one league should get only relevant notifications; those who love watching videos should be invited to check out the pages with quality video content, and so on.

Multi-Channel Approach

If you check out the most successful online casinos, you will see that they actively use every communication channel available. This includes social media, email contact, and app notifications. Sports media should share their unique content across different platforms to achieve a greater reach as well.

For example, posting brief updates on X will stimulate the excitement of fans looking for quick news. Using Instagram to post reels with the most impressive moments from the match will grab the attention of curious audiences. Game analysis on YouTube will appeal to hard-core viewers; all these channels will inevitably increase the organic traffic to a sports media’s primary website.

Gamification 

Media

Casinos use increasingly unique bonuses and rewards to attract the attention of their target users. It’s not just about something as simple as free spins any longer. Modern times demand more creative offers, and a platform that succeeds in making them gets bigger rewards.   

The most compelling feature is when the customers can access practical bonuses from the very beginning. As an example, if they choose to play at a $5 deposit casino Canada with an extensive game selection, they get to experience different titles without risking a substantial sum of money. The competitors might require a $100 deposit minimum, which can scare off those players who don’t like taking big risks, pushing them in the direction of platforms with better offers. 

Sports media can come up with a wide range of offers, too. For instance, they can:

  • Launch contests where the winners get team-related prizes.
  • Set up fantasy games to drive more engagement. 
  • Establish loyalty programs to reward regular visitors.

The more unique the offer, the larger the traffic you can expect.

Social Media & Influencers

Making one’s name known through social media and influencers is an effective tactic for both casinos and sports media. 

Social Media

Did you know that social media advertising spending was predicted to reach 234.14 billion dollars in 2024? It seems like a ton of money, but the results are often worth the investment, as many casinos can confirm. 

Just now, TikTok was ranked among the top three platforms that set leading consumer trends worldwide. Casinos use this fact by hosting TikTok challenges or sharing quick, high-quality videos from the lives of their top gamblers. A list of the best paying online casinos often appears in these videos to catch the interest of potential players. Sports media can feature a column for local athletes or provide exclusive videos with tidbits of personal info about global fan favorites.    

Even better, sports media can offer live updates to their readers, announcing match winners, publishing betting odds, and sharing their personal game predictions. All these strategies will result in stronger fan loyalty.  

Influencers Marketing

Partnering with social media influencers is another excellent solution. You might have seen online stars streaming how they play casino games, recording their anticipation and joy as they win. 

Sports media can learn from them by collaborating with former athletes and hosting podcasts with detailed analysis of past and future matches. Larger brands can get sports stars to wear shirts with their emblems to boost their visibility. 

Email & SEO

Casinos have proved that segmented email campaigns still work. That’s why they:

  • Send emails with new offers to users who haven’t used their accounts for a while.
  • Make tailored promotions and send them to clients who expressed interest in specific teams or events.
  • Craft birthday messages and deliver them with extra bonuses as a gift.

Sports media can use the same strategies with relative ease. It’s possible to send out a newsletter summarizing the highlights of the week. Bigger channels can share articles where their founders discuss the latest controversies in sports industry. Premium subscribers can get full versions of exclusive interviews; finally, emails featuring behind-the-scenes content are guaranteed to draw attention.   

Strong SEO can drive growth, too. Your content should be optimized, especially player pages, and if you decide to invest in backlinks, watch out for common pitfalls. In the past, casinos that tried to buy hundreds of links on random websites tanked, while those that approached this process by carefully vetting their hosting platforms succeeded.  

Sports media that combine different approaches and learn from the mistakes and victories of casinos stand a great chance of increasing their traffic. Quality will always triumph over quantity because customers appreciate high-level content with true value. 

Danny Parkins Moving to FS1 ‘First Things First’ With Expanded Timeslot

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Former Breakfast Ball co-host Danny Parkins is staying with FS1 following last week’s announcement that the FS1 morning program was being cancelled. Parkins will now be moving from mornings to afternoons on the FOX Sports network, as he will be joining Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes as a fourth co-host on First Things First for a new third hour of the program beginning closer to the start of the NFL season.

Barrett Media has confirmed an initial report by Front Office Sports, Parkins’ arrival at the program will also add another hour to the show where he will be featured, alongside Eric Mangini and Greg Jennings who will continue to serve as regular contributors. As a result, the show will now air from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. instead of the two-hour block the show currently has from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. However, he did mention last week on 670 The Score with Laurence Holmes and Matt Spiegel that there was something in the works.

“Obviously, I can’t say as much as I would like to right now, but I promise that when I can, I will say more,” Parkins said last week on Spiegel and Holmes. “Which hopefully, maybe will be by next week or the radiothon, I don’t know.”

Previously, Parkins hosted afternoon drive before his move to FS1 in August of 2024 to take the role with the now-former Breakfast Ball program, which was also co-hosted by Craig Carton and Mark Schlereth. In fact, Parkins filled in for Nick Wright last week as Wright served duties calling commentary on the World Series of Poker Main Event Final Table. Parkins told 670 The Score last week he was looking forward to sharing the news.

“I’m still going to be here. I’m really, really excited for what’s next. It’s an incredible opportunity. I unfortunately can’t say anything more than that right now. But I promise when I can, I will,” said Parkins last week.

The former Score host’s addition to First Things First is just the latest in a series of moves FS1 and FOX Sports have made over the last 10 days. For example, FOX Sports announced a new partnership with Barstool Sports last week, where founder Dave Portnoy will appear on FOX Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff as a regular contributor.

In addition, Portnoy announced that Barstool Sports will debut a two-hour daily program on FS1 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. However, while no official start date or talent lineup has been confirmed, Portnoy mentioned the show “could” begin near the start of the college football season in late August. Furthermore, FOX Sports Radio host Colin Cowherd hinted on his The Colin Cowherd Podcast this past weekend that the initial plans are for the two-hour Barstool Sports program to repeat from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. as The Herd with Colin Cowherd’s lead-in.

At this time, there has been no official word on any other remaining FS1 talent staying with the network following the cancellations of Breakfast Ball, The Facility, and Speak.

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.

Sales Automation With AI: Improve Operations and Reduce Spending

Sales automation using artificial intelligence helps companies speed up processes, reduce costs, and improve the accuracy of customer interactions. AI technologies allow you to analyze customer behavior, predict needs, and build personalized sales funnels. More and more businesses are turning to specialized AI development companies to implement such solutions and improve the efficiency of their sales departments.

What Is Artificial Intelligence and Neural Networks?

Artificial intelligence is a technology that allows computers to perform tasks that require human thinking. These are models and algorithms that analyze large amounts of data, identify hidden patterns, and make decisions and recommendations based on this.

Modern neural networks are one of the key implementations of AI. These are multi-layered mathematical models structured like a network of brain cells: multiple neurons continuously exchange signals and learn from examples. And so, over time, the neural network solves the tasks set before it more accurately.

Although the foundations of the technology were laid decades ago, a real breakthrough in the use of AI in business occurred relatively recently. Now we encounter manifestations of AI every day — from smart assistants in the phones to product recommendations in online stores. In the business sphere, AI is used to automate processes, analyze data, forecast demand, improve cybersecurity, and much more.

The sales department is one of the areas of business where the implementation of AI is especially promising. Sales are focused on human-to-human interaction and require developed communication skills. Therefore, the more routine tasks are automated, the more time and energy managers have to find individual approaches to clients and conclude deals.

Advantages of AI and Neural Networks in Sales

Using AI and neural network technologies in the sales department gives the company a number of tangible advantages:

  1. Increased process efficiency. Automation of routine operations (for example, collecting and processing data, generating reports) saves employees’ time and reduces the likelihood of errors.
  2. Accelerated interaction with clients. Thanks to chatbots and intelligent systems, responses to client requests are provided instantly, and the selection of the optimal offer occurs faster.
  3. Competitive advantage. The introduction of AI accelerates the digital transformation of the company. By freeing employees from routine and arming them with analytical insights, the business gets the opportunity to work on strategies and get ahead of competitors.

As a result of using artificial intelligence, teams sell more efficiently, focus on strategically important tasks, and strengthen the company’s position in the market.

What Can Be Automated in Sales Using AI?

Modern artificial intelligence in sales is capable of automating many tasks, especially those related to communication and information processing. One of the most promising areas is the automatic transcription of phone calls and meetings. Special services based on neural networks can convert audio recordings into text format and conduct their in-depth analysis. Let’s consider what opportunities this opens up and what benefits it brings to the team.

Automatic Transcription of Calls

Speech recognition algorithms allow you to quickly translate a conversation with a client into text. The finished transcript is saved in the CRM system, and it is easy to view and analyze.

Analysis of the Emotional Tone of the Conversation

Neural networks are able to determine the mood of the interlocutor by voice and words. The algorithm takes into account the volume and timbre of speech, intonation, speed, and on this basis, notes the emotional accents of the conversation. In the report, the AI assistant can show at what stages of the dialogue the client shows irritation or, conversely, interest. The manager can ask the system to evaluate the overall emotional tone of the conversation.

Search for Keywords and Phrases in the Dialogue

Intelligent algorithms can automatically scan speech and highlight important words or phrases in the conversation. For example, a neural network can note which questions the client asks most often. It can also highlight which filler words the manager uses, mentions of price objections, or competitors’ names. No significant marker of the conversation can escape the AI analysis.

Monitoring Compliance With the Script

Specialized AI services for the sales department can monitor compliance with the conversation script automatically. If the manager skips a step of the script, the system can notice and notify. Some solutions even suggest the course of the dialogue in real time. For example, if an employee skips the stage of clarifying needs and immediately goes on to the product presentation, the smart assistant can remind them to return to the skipped step.

Problem Analysis

Advanced call analytics systems can find the main problems in a dialogue that prevent a successful deal from being closed. A neural network can scan a conversation and highlight fragments where the company’s offer does not match the client’s request, there are price objections, or other misunderstandings that slow down the purchase decision.

Conversation Summary

An AI assistant can automatically create a short summary of a conversation with the main points and agreements. This saves the manager time on analyzing lengthy negotiations and helps to better prepare for the next contact.

Manager Training and Adaptation

AI is able to identify individual gaps in the skills of each salesperson based on the analysis of their calls. This allows the manager to set up personal training: someone can improve their knowledge of the product, and someone else can improve their ability to handle objections.

Classification of Customer Requests

AI is able to automatically classify requests by category (request topic, deal stage, etc.). This helps distribute requests to the right specialists and analyze request flows without unnecessary effort.

Wrapping It Up

AI approaches in sales are becoming the standard for companies seeking to scale and grow sustainably. Intelligent automation helps not only reduce routine tasks, but also increase conversion through smart recommendations and predictive analytics. Many businesses trust the implementation of such solutions to experienced development companies in the AI field, such as N-iX, which specializes in developing AI products for specific tasks. Cooperation with a professional team allows you to quickly realize the potential of artificial intelligence in sales and get tangible results.

Ozzy Osbourne’s Death Is a Personal Loss for Rock Radio

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The world didn’t just lose a rock star.

We lost Ozzy.

John Michael Osbourne, 76 — the Madman, the family man, the Iron Man. The one who outlived the bat, the drugs, alcohol, the tabloids, the PMRC, and maybe even our expectations.

Not this time.

Just three weeks ago, he commanded a throne in front of millions and reminded us what a legend looks like, sounds like, and does. He was saying goodbye. He knew it.

Formal tributes are coming. A docu-film will likely happen. The headlines will mention the numbers: over 100 million albums sold, two Hall of Fame inductions, a cultural icon.

But the numbers don’t tell Ozzy’s full story.

  • People who never met him are crying.
  • Vigils have popped up in cities that never booked Sabbath.
  • Even TikTokers and cable anchors who couldn’t name a single Ozzy track are sharing “RIP” posts.

This one — Ozzy — it’s personal.

If you have a beating heart, you can feel the loss.

What I’ve heard most in the past 12 hours is there will never be another one like Ozzy.

When a loss is this personal, those of us who are lucky enough to be in Rock Radio have a job to do.

This is when Rock Radio can — and must — stand at its tallest.

I’m often asked:

  • What should we do when crisis hits?
  • When a big artist passes, how should we program?

There are different answers for different situations – but make it personal.

Heads spin. There’s a lot that can be done or considered. Digging out interview clips, finding close associates to book, writing posts, playing more music than usual. How long should it go, even hitting the streets and organizing or joining gatherings — but ALL OF THAT takes a back seat to meeting a personal moment by being personal.

At RockTernative, we’re not journalists — we’re fans.

When we lose a hero, the rule book goes out the window, and a new game must be played.

Do you think a listener hears the breaking news, tunes into their favorite Rock brand and expects to hear Billy Idol followed by news on how they can win Fair tickets tomorrow morning?

No f****ng way!

I’m sure many across the RockTernaverse got the alerts and immediately refocused, called audibles, and did a great job paying tribute to the Prince of Darkness in their own ways.

At 95.5 KLOS, we’re fortunate to have decades of history with Ozzy and a staff of pros, so it was less of a mad rush to “program” and more like playing air traffic control with planes taking off and landing from all directions. So we all hopped into the tower. 

Most of the on-air team did special segments. “The Heidi & Frank Show,” Nik Carter, Greg Beharrell, Stew Herrera, Matt Pinfield, Full Metal Jackie, and we met the moment on every on-air level we could. Even airing an old special we produced. But it also stretched online, and onto the streets at Ozzy’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Rainbow Bar & Grill on Sunset, where fans were gathering.  

It wasn’t rock science. It was more natural than flex.

No script, no run of show.

We opened the mic and made it personal. Some things were planned: who would call in when, which archives were best, but the rule book was tossed, and the music log was burned.

Listeners cried, laughed, shared stories and memories from their experiences with the “Tattooed Dancer” (if you know, you know). And we all raised our glasses and cranked up Ozzy and Sabbath.

What KLOS did wouldn’t have been right for everyone. But we didn’t make it about us. It was about the listener and Ozzy. It was also “Live and Local,” which gets touted as Radio’s advantage over other media.

And sure, sometimes “live and local” alone won’t beat slick alternatives.

But in moments like this, it can slay dragons.

I’d add a third piece to that phrase:

Live. Local. Personal.

Pandora, Spotify, Amazon and the others couldn’t do what local Radio did yesterday.

Not because Radio broke more news or played more songs. 

Radio felt it.

Radio shared it.

Radio met a real and personal moment by being real and personal.

Ozzy’s voice will echo forever, and even in his final days, he brought out the best in us. Not because he passed, because he meant something real. 

This was personal.

RIP John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne

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 CBS Won’t Say About Cancelling ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’

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The motive for cancelling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is truly unknown by all but a handful of people. Is it because, as CBS claims, his show was losing more than $40 million a year? Or is it because, as millions believe, that Colbert trashed the network on air for settling a lawsuit brought by Donald Trump?

Or is it both? 

Despite The Late Show having the highest ratings of network nighttime talk shows, CBS says there is an overall drop in revenue across the board, calling it “a challenging backdrop in late night.” And tried to dismiss all other possibilities. “It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount.”

CBS claims the overall ad market has shrunk by half since 2018 and that the content has a limited shelf life, which means it doesn’t hold up for long-term streaming. One report says producing the program costs  “more than $100 million per season.” And another report says The Late Show began losing money three years ago. 

But if the numbers are as bad as we are led to believe, why did it take the company so long to cancel a show that was hemorrhaging cash in the tens of millions of dollars? And why did the announcement come after Colbert criticized CBS’ parent company, Paramount, for settling a $16-million suit brought by Donald Trump? The suit alleged that CBS News’ 60 Minutes deceptively edited an interview with Kamala Harris.

Here’s what Stephen Colbert said in an opening monologue just before he was cancelled: “I believe this kind of complicated financial settlement with a sitting government official has a technical name in legal circles. It’s big, fat bribe.” 

Because this all comes as Paramount’s owners are trying to get the Trump administration to approve the sale of the network to a new owner, Skydance.

Two days later, he was toast.

The timing prompted an outcry from fans and others who believe politics, not finances, is to blame. Trump haters jumped on the chance to believe the only reason Colbert was cancelled was so Paramount could curry favor with the president. The timing smells bad and raises red flags, but the financial argument holds some water, no matter what the actual numbers may be.

Trump weighed in, saying, “I absolutely love that Colbert was fired. His talent was even less than his ratings.” 

When news broke last week that Colbert would be canceled in May of 2026, he stayed above the fray. He told his audience, “It’s not just the end of our show, it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.” He praised CBS for being a good partner and for giving him the chair. The crowd booed the decision. Colbert said he wished someone else was getting the job so at least the show would continue. Love him or hate him, that was classy. 

But by Monday night, the gloves were off. Colbert was back at it again, criticizing his parent company and taking a needlessly harsh and over-the-top potshot at Trump. “How dare you, sir?” he retorted. “Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism: ‘Go f— yourself.’” 

But much of it was wrapped in satire. Colbert mocked the show’s financial explanation, saying that $40 million “is a big number…I could see us losing $24 million,” he added. “But where could Paramount possibly have spent the other $16 million … Oh wait.”

His friends and rivals, including Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Anderson Cooper and John Oliver, either filled the audience or appeared in cameos on the show. Jon Stewart, on his Comedy Central show the same night, questioned whether this was “the path of least resistance” for Paramount, also his parent company, to close an $8-billion takeover by ending a treasured franchise that “rankled a fragile and vengeful president.”

In recent days, claws have been bared from all corners of the world. Prominent liberals, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), said on social media, “Stephen Colbert is an extraordinary talent and most popular late-night host, slams the deal. Days later he is fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO.” 

Charlamagne tha God, radio host of The Breakfast Club, pulled no punches, saying, “Canceling Colbert is an obvious move to appease Donald Trump…This is textbook authoritarian rule. This is intimidation tactics disguised as legitimate legal actions. Paramount and CBS should be ashamed of themselves.”

And Kimmel, the host of ABC’s late-night show, condemned the cancellation, writing on Instagram, “Love you, Stephen. F— you and all your Sheldons, CBS.”

I’ve struggled to find a Republican who supports Colbert. Most hate his politics. Why wouldn’t they? For nine years at the beginning of almost every show — which boosted him to No. 1 in the ratings — Colbert said a lot of crude things about the MAGA/Trump crowd. Yet, publicly, most agree that ending the show was a financial decision. 

Stephen Colbert ushered in the era of hyper-partisan comedy by bashing Trump. The risk was always that he would alienate half his audience. You could argue that Colbert did it to himself. 

No matter where the truth lies in exactly why Colbert was fired, it seems that if you are an anti-MAGA bold-faced name, you have a big, fat target on you. Watch your back, Stewart.

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