The on-going distribution dispute between YouTube TV and Paramount is now over as the two sides announced a long-term agreement which will keep Paramount programming on the streaming subscription service late Saturday night.
The multi-year agreement with YouTube TV keeps programming channels such as CBS, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV among others available for the more than eight million subscribers on the platform.
“We’re happy to share that we’ve reached a deal to continue carrying Paramount channels, including CBS, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon and more,” YouTube said in a statement. “With this agreement, YouTube TV will continue to offer 100+ channels and add-ons including Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and will enable more user choice in the future.”
The news of the multi-year extension comes just days after the two sides announced a ‘short-term extension’ this past Thursday evening.
“We are pleased to announce a renewed Paramount-Google agreement for the continued carriage of Paramount’s leading portfolio of entertainment, news and sports networks across YouTube TV’s platform,” a Paramount spokesperson added. “We look forward to extending our long-standing partnership and giving audiences greater access to their favorite programming.”
There had been some concern amongst sports fans because of the timing of the dispute between Paramount and YouTube correlating with such events as the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament next month and The Masters Tournament from Augusta National in April. These concerns also followed a recently unveiled price hike for the streaming service of 14% to $82.99 per month.
Both sides traded barbs over length of the negotiation as the deadline to come to an agreement was near. Paramount went to create a dedicated web page which shared various talking points about YouTube TV accusing the company of “prioritizing their own interests over a fair agreement.” YouTube continued to say in multiple releases they were working on their subscriber’s behalf and calling Paramount “an important partner” in multiple statements.
YouTube TV statement on Sunday ended with a note to their subscribers saying “To our subscribers, we appreciate your patience while we negotiated on your behalf.”
YouTube TV, which is owned by parent company Alphabet, launched its subscription-based service in 2017 also serves as the home of NFL Sunday Ticket under a reported seven-year, $14 billion media rights deal.
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Chad Millman, Chief Content Officer of Action Network, has built a career at the intersection of sports journalism and betting analysis. With previous stints at ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com, Millman has long been a trusted voice for sports fans and bettors alike. Joining him on The Favorites, the podcast I had the chance to eavesdrop in on this week, is Simon Hunter, a seasoned professional bettor with an acute eye for finding value in betting markets. Together, they deliver analysis, entertain and give inside scoops on sports betting.
The Super Bowl LIX recap episode captured all of the emotions of the biggest game of the year. Millman opened the show with a blend of exhaustion and excitement: “Last night, we reached the end of a long, winding, thrilling, sickening, glorious, depressing, fun-filled, drama-inducing, maddening, uplifting season.” Hunter, torn between his emotions as an Eagles fan and a bettor, quipped, “Am I supposed to be a depressed bettor or a really happy Eagles fan?”
Hunter shared his surreal experience celebrating the Eagles’ dominant victory on Broad Street, describing fireworks, spontaneous engagements, and the inevitable mayhem. Millman, whose son studies at Drexel, laughed, imagining his son amidst the chaos. The duo then dissected the game’s key moments, particularly Patrick Mahomes’ uncharacteristic struggles. “Three turnovers? It was brutal,” Hunter noted, emphasizing the relentless pressure from the Eagles’ defensive front.
As the show went on, the hosts explored the unique betting landscape of the Super Bowl, highlighting how even casual bettors echoed the sentiments of professionals. Hunter remarked, “Even Mr. Joe Public was saying the same thing as professionals: ‘The Eagles have the better team, but I like the quarterback and Andy Reid.’” Millman then reflected on the unexpected challenges faced by the Chiefs, particularly Mahomes’ protection issues.
The discussion shifted to the broader implications of the game, both for future betting and the legacy of players involved. Millman and Hunter analyzed how this Super Bowl differed from past ones in terms of line movement, public betting patterns, and sharp money influence. They highlighted how the total points market became volatile with late movement, reflecting how bettors were split on whether Mahomes and the Chiefs could find success against the Eagles’ defense.
Humor and personal anecdotes really added to the content. Millman said his son and friends were more engaged in Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show than the game. Hunter lamented his betting misfortunes, especially a lost under bet due to Mahomes’ final 50-yard pass. “That pass was brutal,” Hunter admitted. “One second I was counting my winnings, and the next, I was watching my ticket go up in flames.”
Despite the gambling setbacks, the hosts expressed optimism next NFL season. Hunter favored the Packers at 25-1 odds, citing their young core and the potential for a breakout season from Jordan Love. Millman backed the 49ers at 17-1, liking their ability to reload despite potential roster changes.
Millman and Hunter also discussed the broader impact of this Super Bowl on sports betting, emphasizing how the game’s unpredictable nature highlighted the thin margins in betting. Hunter shared insights on managing betting expectations, stressing the importance of discipline. “You can have the best analysis and still lose,” Hunter explained. “It’s why bankroll management is key.” Millman also highlighted some of Action Network’s growth in providing bettors with tools to navigate complex betting landscapes.
The hosts praised Nick Sirianni, for the Eagle’s strategic execution. Hunter noted Sirianni’s evolution from a criticized rookie coach to a Super Bowl champion. They also debated potential offseason moves, including Travis Kelce’s possible retirement and the Chiefs’ need to rebuild their offensive line. “Kelce’s leadership is irreplaceable,” Millman remarked. “If he steps away, it changes everything for Mahomes.”
Later, the hosts looked at early odds for next year’s Super Bowl, with Millman and Hunter evaluating teams likely to emerge as value plays in the offseason. They emphasized the importance of waiting for key free agency moves before placing significant futures bets but acknowledged the allure of locking in longshot odds before the market fully adjusts.
Beyond the game, the hosts explored how sportsbooks reacted to the Super Bowl’s outcome. Hunter noted that many books had heavily juiced lines in favor of the Chiefs leading up to the game, creating value for those willing to bet against the public. Millman explained how oddsmakers adjust for public sentiment, highlighting the challenge of finding true value bets in high-profile games.
Ultimately, The Favorites podcast provided an insightful, entertaining, and informative breakdown of Super Bowl LIX. The detailed game analysis, humorous exchanges, and forward-looking betting strategies exemplified why Millman and Hunter are must-listen voices in the sports betting industry. Their ability to blend expert insight with engaging storytelling makes the podcast a standout in the sports media landscape, ensuring listeners gain both entertainment and actionable betting knowledge.
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Outside of changes to its morning drive show, the weekday prime programming lineup on 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit, Mich. led by program director Jimmy Powers has remained fairly consistent for more than a decade. Representing an outlier from the standard deviation, hosts have achieved protracted stretches of success through a dedication towards the craft and a supporting cast with enviable depth and proficiency. Commensurate with this auspicious configuration is Powers, who has served as a leader at the outlet for more than 15 years. All while Detroit has seen much rebuilding with their local teams over the years, The Ticket has consistently ranked among the top radio entitles in the marketplace.
While it is debatable which markets rank as the best sports markets in the country, Powers believes Detroit is easily within the top three, if not the best overall. With a sprawling metropolis of fandom exhibited by its population, Powers has adhered to serving the audience and valuing their loyalty while also understanding that listeners wish to hear unfettered and authentic commentary. At the same time, Powers identifies talent who are able to bring knowledge that spans beyond merely sports, recognizing that 97.1 The Ticket is a source of entertainment as well.
“We morph in mass appeal, everyday topics – we call them ‘evergreen topics’ – that appeal to everyone, and all our talent can handle more than just sports if that makes sense,” Powers explained. “All of them could handle that extremely well because they’re more than just die-hard sports fans.”
Powers knows that ratings success is indicative of the marketplace and may not always factor in the traction created or news divulged that makes an impact. Content consumption and station revenue are often barometers to calculate prosperity, but in reality, the complete equation for such is not standardized and somewhat subjective. With an assortment of 46 executives and managers from top audio companies offering their opinions in the voting process for the recent Barrett Media Top 20 series, Powers is honored to have been named the top major-market program director in the country.
“I’m very humbled to be considered to do it because, again, I think there’s amazing PDs across the board that are worthy of the No. 1 position, so to be that guy, obviously, it’s an honor,” Powers said. “I look at it as a team effort though because without the lineup and the guys and the staff that I have, it’s a moot point, so I look at it as a team win.”
Even though Powers has appeared on the list before, it marks the first time in a decade of eligibility that he garnered the first-place finish. Nonetheless, he articulated that having all three primary dayparts finish within the upper echelon of the list contributed to his being recognized and that he views it as a win for everyone.
Powers considers himself to be a laidback manager, and although he can be fiery at times, he has trust in the staff and discerns alignment towards an objective.
“Everybody’s professional here, so you just kind of give them what they need and let them go with it, and I kind of fine tune and add things here and there to kind of steer and keep them on track from a day-to-day standpoint content wise,” Powers said. “Just like anybody else, they’ll get bored with something, so timing is everything to kind of get them back on track from a listener standpoint and just a programmer.”
The job has evolved to a point where program directors need to recognize the digital landscape and make sure that the station is meeting the audience across various distribution touchpoints. Having a keen understanding of different platforms and the process of navigating compelling, engaging audio content through an intricate network of tributaries is essential to the role.
“It isn’t [just] at 97.1 over the radio anymore – it’s through our app, could be YouTube, it could be Twitch – all different ways of consumption,” Powers said. “You’ve got to be aware of that, and keeping an eye on just the social media aspect of promotion and upcoming things. Anything that you can really think of how people may come into your radio station, you got to kind of service that as well.”
While many radio hosts are active on social media, afternoon drive host Mike Valenti, operates devoid of these outlets. Powers explained that Valenti made the decision as its overtones have become more vulgar and devolved into an ostensible cesspool, but the station still promotes his show through its official accounts. Valenti, who is the longest-tenured host at the station, has been working with Rico Beard, a former host on Detroit Sports 105.1, as his partner for the last five years. The duo has continued to provide a credible and entertaining show for the audience, oftentimes finishing at or near the top of ratings books.
“Mike’s probably one of the best, if not the best from my opinion, in the country [with] what he does from a sports talk show standpoint,” Powers said. “He’s highly opinionated, very, very intelligent, and he delivers. He’s a unicorn in the sense that he’s only 44 years old – he can be 80 years old at times and he can be 20 years at times – meaning his Rolodex of knowledge and just the breadth of it, he can pull things from a low-end demographic and a high-end demographic.”
Doug Karsch and Scott ‘Gator’ Anderson have been paired together in the middays for the last 19 years, demonstrating palpable chemistry and accord. There is an advantage of this salubrious partnership, but it also naturally presents a risk of the program losing its luster. The dichotomy between the backgrounds of both hosts, along with contributions from producer Khang Huynh, has permitted the show to remain fresh while keeping everyone on their toes.
“We still were a top one or two station in the market during the pandemic when zero sports were going on because of how we built this thing to be more than just 100% sports, so with that comes challenges with the midday show [of] how to keep it from becoming stale,” Powers said. “They approach each show of, ‘Okay, what’s out there today that’ll be entertainment-based?,’ and they do a tremendous job of doing that every day.”
Powers has overseen several alterations to the morning drive show over the years, one of which occurred after the death of Jamie Samuelsen following a prolonged battle with colon cancer. Samuelsen was a beloved figure in the marketplace, and the station subsequently renamed its studio in his honor. Jon Jansen, a former NFL offensive lineman, was added onto the show to join Mike Stone and Heather Park. Just over three years later, Stone officially stepped away from full-time duties at the station, although he remains a part-time contributor. The station added Jim Costa to the open position, a former intern who had received on-air repetitions in Grand Rapids, and he has excelled in the role.
“When you include the stream, we were second in mornings in the fall book all in for Adults 25-54, and they were No. 1 in men, so it didn’t lose a beat,” Powers said. “Jim’s great – he’s extremely talented, really good No. 1 position on the show and a great broadcaster – so as great as Stoney was, Jim picked it up without losing any momentum at all.”
Following a stint programming Sports Radio 1460 The Fan in Columbus, Powers moved to Detroit and has been the program director of 97.1 The Ticket ever since. Despite collaborating with many industry professionals in his career, he contends to have never met anyone as passionate as Debbie Kenyon, the market manager of Audacy Detroit.
“We just know that, ‘Hey, people get fat and happy,’ [but] we don’t think like that, and it starts with Debbie because she’s just such a great motivator and works her tail off and she loves the industry, and that makes it great for us as well,” Powers said. “We butt heads at times, but the end goal is the same [of] we all want to get better and do the best we can, and hopefully it works for the cluster as well, but it all starts with Debbie.”
While Powers is excited about the future of Detroit’s sports teams, he knows that the hosting lineup will not be pulling any punches in its discourse. The Tigers, Lions, Pistons and Red Wings all utilize 97.1 The Ticket as their flagship radio station for live game broadcasts, and the station also airs broadcasts of Michigan Wolverines football and basketball games. These valuable media rights partnerships can elicit interest and access but potentially threaten autonomy in the process. Powers notes his job is a juggling act of sorts from time to time when monitoring the pendulum effect between some fluctuating extremes.
“The fans [will] call in and rip us a new one if we’re just trying to take it easy on lack of moves, lack of success,” Powers outlined. “It’s a juggling act of partnership and valuing the partnership with the teams and understanding they’re going through a bad time, but you have to put on a different hat and approach it to where, ‘Okay, how can we be fair and honest?,’ and kind of not champion the cause of needing to make a move, but, ‘What are we going to do to get better?’”
The station strives to finish with stellar ratings and revenue after every quarter, reaching a benchmark for success while pushing the boundaries. As it pertains to studio programming, Powers often realizes that various memorable moments are derived outside of the sports angle, and hearing these listener testimonials can be a proxy for success as a qualitative metric. The staff also works on their seldom deficiencies, diligently participating in air-check sessions and seeking to strike a chord with the listeners.
“We forget that we’re actually kind of an escape for a lot of people that have a job they don’t like or going through a tough time in life,” Powers said. “If we can put a smile on their face and make their day better, I kind of measure that with the ratings as well because I think sometimes, being what we do, we forget there’s people out there that rely on us.”
In the end though, Powers recognizes that he is fortunate to be working in the sports media field and is humbled by being considered among the elite in his occupation. The station has won two NAB Marconi Awards over his time with the station and made significant advances in its ability to reach consumers in and around the locale through digital innovation. Powers does not impugn the success of the station, but he aspires to challenge everyone to continue progressing, himself included, to maintain its standing as a preeminent sports talk radio outlet.
“Obviously, I hope we’re the best station in the marketplace,” Powers said “Personally, I love the recognition, the honor of being on top of the Barrett sports list. That’s the cherry on top, but if I take care of business here and we do what we’re supposed to, that’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”
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His peers recently voted him to the seventh spot on Barrett Media’s Top 20 Country Programmers. As a long-time CRS attendee, I talked with him about his experiences and what he looks forward to each year.
“I wouldn’t have enjoyed the success that I have and got to do the things that I have done over the course of my career had it not been frankly for CRS.”
“The networking that takes place there. I interviewed there for my first big break. One of the best jobs I’ve ever had in my life. I interviewed for the program director job in Orlando at CRS.”
“I just can’t say enough about it. This year, I’m excited because I always like to go and reconnect with old friends and folks I haven’t seen or talked to on a regular basis. I always find at least a few of the panels interesting.”
Like many AI sits near the top of his interest level this year.
“There’s a heavy emphasis this year on AI, which is top of mind for everybody. So I think the more we can find out about that and how it can be a tool and helpful to us is good.
“I think the research panel is always interesting, and then I would say that you usually end up discovering or finding an artist or two that you really feel good about. Somebody stands out and raises their hand as the next exciting thing coming down the pike.”
The comradery of CRS blends the seasoned vets with the newcomers in an effortless and family-type way.
“I’ve always kind of thought to myself there were so many people who were kind to me as a young programmer. I mean, it’s a long list. Rusty Walker, I’m sure he’s probably on everybody’s list, and Gregg Swedberg, some folks that frankly aren’t a lot older than I am, but they are doing it longer.”
“I always really enjoyed that time because you learn a lot in the hallways. Not to mention just the networking and the connections that you make.”
“I think that’s one of the special things about CRS versus maybe some of the other conventions that have existed over the years, and I also think it’s one of the things that makes this format special. I believe it’s probably a more family environment than some of the other formats, which I think is good.”
Music is a massive part of the experience, and I wondered if a couple of performances stood out.
“One that stands out because I remember it was absolutely the talk of that CRS was Gretchen Wilson back in the day. People saw her perform, and then very shortly thereafter, she just exploded like a rocket ship onto the scene.”
“I think Rascal Flatts was kind of that same way. We went to a listening party with a very small group of folks. It was pre-Clear Channel gobbling everything up. I was in Hartford, Connecticut, at the time.”
“There were a handful of us in the room for this listening session. Greg Swedberg was there, and I think Mike Kennedy and Tim Clausen. We all walked out of there blown away after listening to a new Rascal Flatts project and hearing them play live. “We thought wow This is this is this is a monumental kind of a shift in the sound of the format.”
“I think there are always those kinds of events like that where somebody will literally stop the room. The Ryman lunches are good for that. There have been a number of things that have happened at that lunch where people have performed, and you walk out of there just going, wow, that person just literally flattened in that room I think that’s part of the magic.”
What advice does Moore have for a first-time attendee?
“Don’t spend all your time out late at night. While that can be fun, make sure you get up the next day to attend some of the panels. Do all you can to network with people. Reach out to them and stay in touch.”
“Bring along a business card or be able to share contacts on the phone. Business cards are probably a little old-school these days. You never know who you’re going to meet, and I think networking is key.”
“As I said, I interviewed for my first big break job there. But the contacts I have made there over the years and folks I have met and continue to deal with, you just never know how that might benefit your career.”
“Whether it be another radio person, somebody in syndication, a label person, or even an artist, the relationships you develop with those folks can be valuable down the line.
“I think my advice would be it’s a long race. Make sure you save enough to get you through Friday.”
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Not every news/talk radio host needs to be a strong interviewer. If you’re able to be a fire-breathing opinionist, nobody will ever really care about your lack of interviewing chops. But what if you come to the medium from a flat-out journalism background? That’s the cast for the host of The Colin Dunlap Show at KDKA in Pittsburgh.
Colin Dunlap shifted to KDKA last spring after previously hosting mornings on 93.7 The Fan, the sports station that is one of the highest-rated stations in the genre nationally. Obviously, there are a decent amount of interviews that happen in sports radio. But before he joined the radio station, Dunlap spent a decent amount of time as a sportswriter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
While moving straight from a writer to a radio host isn’t completely unfounded, it isn’t all that common, either. This means, theoretically, Colin Dunlap is as prepared as any host in the genre to helm a strong interview.
I pulled a conversation he had last week with the sister of Marc Fogel. Fogel was the subject of a prisoner swap between the United States and Russia after he was sentenced to 14 years in prison in that country in 2022.
This was a high-profile news story. One of the largest of the month, and for Dunlap to even secure a conversation with someone as close to the situation as the sister of the man at the center of the story was a win.
The KDKA host jumped right into the interview to begin. He didn’t waste time rehashing the story because, frankly, if you were listening to KDKA and didn’t know the Marc Fogel story, you weren’t likely to stick around through the discussion to begin with. Someone would argue that you should set the scene and share all the details about the who, what, when, where, and why of the situation. In this instance, I disagree. It was the topic of the day and one that I think even the most average listener was likely to have been informed about. Rehashing all of those details would have been a waste of the listener’s valuable time, in my opinion.
But Dunlap began by stating “I’m gonna turn it over to you because I don’t want to get in the way. It’s your day and your family’s day. I say ‘Marc Fogel is out,’ you’re his sister, your reaction is what, Ann?”
At first listen, I didn’t love this as the first question, to be frank. The reason you’re having the sister on is to answer questions, not necessarily give her a platform to share her feelings. But when you heard the emotion come from the prisoner’s sibling, I quickly changed my mind.
Ann Fogel was borderline yelling in excitement and anticipation of seeing her brother again. The response that question brought was fantastic audio. It was likely used on other shows on the station throughout the rest of the day and into the next morning, on newscasts, etc…, simply because of the way Dunlap asked the first question. He, literally, got out of the way, and gave someone in an intense emotional situation the runway to share the deep feelings they had. I was wrong, and he was right. That first answer made for truly great radio.
The second question from Dunlap was a masterclass in asking a difficult question but not coming across like a you-know-what-hole.
“1,255 days he was in captivity. He’s on his way home now. This is a question that may be biting and may be tough, but were you afraid that your mother was never gonna be alive to see him alive again, Ann?”
Holy cow. That is a difficult question. But at the heart of this, it’s a human-interest story. And I think those are the stories that often require the most difficult questions to ask, not necessarily answer, but to ask them. Because we’re all humans, and as long as you’re not a psychopath, you have empathy for the person you’re interviewing. And that’s a difficult question to ask. But you know what? It’s a question I, as a listener, want the answer to.
Similarly, that question — despite not maybe being the most pleasant question to ponder, from a guest’s perspective — is one that is only going to draw another emotional reaction from someone I’m invested in listening to. Which is exactly what happened. She replied “Yes” before deeply sighing and thinking about the situation more and sharing her insight.
In the follow-up, Colin Dunlap asked about what Fogel wanted to say to those in the United States government — including President Trump — after they secured the release of her brother. The reason I think this was a good move in the moment was it allowed Dunlap to repair any ill-will (which I don’t think he fostered, by the way) he might have built with the interview subject by asking them a deeply personal question in the last opportunity. It’s insurance, in a way. The thought process being “If I just pissed her off, allowing her to share her gratitude will likely change her mindset in the moment, giving her a chance to forget about what we just asked, if she’s mad in the first place.” Brilliant strategy.
The vibe of the interview didn’t need changing, because of the excitement to begin with by Ann Fogel, but Dunlap insured it didn’t go sideways. The next line of questioning were all questions I think the listener would want answers to, especially in a situation such as this one.
“How does one hold out hope whenever it seems like there had to have been days that when you go ‘Even when the most optimistic person has to have some down days during my brother’s incarceration’?”
“Have you or your mom been told where he will be in the United States or any steps on re-assimilation or anything like that?”
“I know this could be cliche or a question you’re expecting, but did you feel the hope and the push and the prayers from the American people and the people here in Pittsburgh? Did you feel people on your side?”
“Have you been told what type of physical shape your brother is in, Ann?”
“Can you share some insight into your mother’s reaction when she found out?”
“Last thing for you: The strength of your brother being in a Russian prison for more than 1,200 days. Can you talk about how strong and stoic your mother is?”
Colin Dunlap got all of those questions out in under eight minutes. He asked succinct, poignant questions that led to insanely insightful answers from someone whose sibling was at the center of an international story. But not only was it an international story, it was a local story. The Fogel’s are from the greater Pittsburgh area, and the story had been an important one in recent months.
To see the story come full circle, and ultimately come to a conclusion, and then feature a conversation where several newsworthy items, including where Fogel would return to the United States, what his return would look like, and what the process of him being reunited with his family would look like was flat-out riveting.
This was an insanely impressive interview. The way I understand it, it came together rather quickly and Colin Dunlap and KDKA knocked this out of the park. This is everything a talk show interview should be when breaking news hits.
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A large chunk of the American public hates the media because their leader told them to. Jobs are becoming scarce, and the alternative – starting your own thing, like a Substack – has become a crowded field, and people have just so much to spend on subscriptions. Social media has become the source of news for practically everyone, and besides the problem of disinformation, the only people getting rich from that are the owners of the social media platforms (okay, Elon’s lost a bundle from that, but he has the option of getting government contracts and protecting them from the cuts he’s “suggesting”).
The glamour of the Woodward and Bernstein days (or the Walter Cronkite days, or the Ernie Pyle days) is long gone. If you’re just starting out, no, you don’t want to be a reporter.
Unfortunately, the news about the news continues to be, in a word, scary. You’ve undoubtedly seen the stories about AP getting banned from White House press conferences because it won’t go along with the President’s unilateral “renaming” of the Gulf of Mexico. You’ve also seen other news organizations issue indignant denunciations of the ban, but you haven’t seen them do anything else. They don’t want to walk out in support of AP, because they, too, might lose access to… well, to what? Press conferences?
Let’s talk about press conferences. After spending almost 30 years covering press conferences, I can tell you that most of them impart zero valuable information and that if you ask a tough but relevant question, you won’t get a clear or usable answer. Whether it’s a political press conference (this is one case where “both sides” applies – everyone does it) or a product launch or free agent signing or whatever else qualifies for a press conference, there’s usually nothing that couldn’t be shoved into a press release.
The only thing press conferences offer is access, and there’s nothing you can do with that access other than parrot what the press secretary or president or CEO says. Access journalism benefits the subject, not the reporter, unless said journalist writes a best-selling book a few years later (I’m guessing that most of those books end up remaindered within weeks).
Getting banned from press conferences should be a badge of honor, and other news organizations should stand up for their profession and walk out in solidarity.
But they don’t, because heaven forbid they lose access to ask insipid questions and get insipid responses. It raises questions about what, exactly, reporters and editors are being taught before they venture out into the world with a notepad and recorder. When they see their bosses meekly comply with ridiculous demands just to stay in the room, or “sanewash” stories to avoid one side or the other getting angry and canceling subscriptions, they’re not getting a very brave message from their superiors.
We’re living through insane times. With everything that’s happening, we need the truth more than ever, and, instead, the press is capitulating. We’re on our own. If that doesn’t scare you, nothing will.
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Ted Leonsis regrets one deal he was involved in and shared his vulnerabilities with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly on the pair’s new Bloomberg show, The Deal. In the latest episode of the web series, Leonsis says he was never involved in a signature deal but was certainly involved in what he considers the worst—the AOL/Time Warner merger.
.@TedLeonsis shares what it was like to be a part of the “world's worst big deal.”
“I was a participant in the world’s worst big deal,” Leonsis said. “AOL bought Time Warner and it was the largest acquisition in history. AOL was the first Internet company to go public, the dot-com bomb happened, and basically it destroyed value and Internet 1.0.” Rodriguez then asks Leonsis what he learned about the deal and Leonsis answers quickly.
“It’s better to be about Main Street than Wall Street. I’m at the point in my life where I just focus on — is the product great? Is the service great? Do they love what we do? Everything will flow from that.”
After some discussion, Leonsis admits selling his startup to AOL was a great move in hindsight because it gave him so much AOL stock. “Well, I sold my little start-up to American Online and I got ten percent of AOL, $40 million of stock.”
@TedLeonsis discusses the best deal he's ever done.
Leonsis is now the founder of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, a sports and venue management company that owns the Washington Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics, among other teams and properties. It also owns the Monumental Sports Network, a regional sports network that serves the Washington, D.C. metro area and broadcasts the teams’ games.
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Mike Arlo is celebrating 50 years on the air at Classic Rock 106.9 The Fox WAFX and FM 99 WNOR, Norfolk/Hampton Roads, VA.
Arlo began with his first air shift on FM99 WNOR in 1975 and took over the midday time slot in 1981, where he quickly established a significant presence. In February 1996, he transitioned from FM99 to its sister station Classic Rock 106.9 The Fox, bringing the popular program “Arlo’s Electric Lunch” and a dedicated following of fans.
Arlo has served the Hampton Roads community for half a century, providing critical updates during numerous hurricanes and storms. He has also participated in various community-driven events, solidifying his role as a trusted source of information.
Carol Commander, General Manager of the stations, said, “Mike Arlo is a legend both on and off the airwaves. He’s entertained thousands of people over the last 50 years – not just with his voice but his music knowledge and his passion for our incredible listeners – most of whom have met him at one time or another. It’s an absolute pleasure to work alongside Mike and to call this man a good friend and colleague for many of his five decades!”
Operations Manager Mike Beck added, “I’ve never known anyone as consistently positive, warm, and friendly as Mike Arlo. He is the same man on and off the air, and he makes every day a great day. Congratulations on 50 years of Arlo On Your Radio!”
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As the Athletics organization awaits the construction of a new ballpark to relocate to Las Vegas, Nev., the team will be calling Sacramento, Calif. Home for the next three seasons. The team has signed a deal with iHeartRadio that will broadcast all spring training, regular season and potential postseason contests on Talk 650 KSTE in addition to A’s Cast within the iHeart Radio Network.
Ken Korach, the longtime radio voice of the Athletics, is going to be returning for the 2025 season, and he will be joined by Johnny Doskow and Chris Caray in the broadcast booth as well. Athletics games will also continue airing in the Bay Area on iHeart Sports 960, which served as the flagship home of the team when it was located in Oakland, Calif.
Talk 650 KSTE and A’s Cast will also be broadcasting various programming surrounding the team, including A’s Cast Live running for two-and-a-half hours before every weeknight game. Both stations are also going to carry 30-minute pregame and postgame shows surrounding the contests, along with the A’s Clubhouse Show and A’s After Dark immediately thereafter. Shooty Babbitt and Steve Sax will be joining the broadcast team to contribute to this studio programming. The deal between the organization and iHeartRadio will span for the duration of the team’s time in Sacramento, according to Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee.
There have not been any changes announced to the television broadcasts of Athletics games, and most contests for the team will air on NBC Sports California. Announcers listed for these games include the aforementioned Caray, who recently completed his first season as a television play-by-play announcer for the team, along with Jenny Cavnar and Dallas Braden. The team will play its home games from Sutter Health Park beginning this season, which also serve as the home of the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.
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Longtime KVI AM 570 host John Carlson has announced he will depart the Seattle news/talk station later this year.
Carlson has been with the station for more than 30 years, hosting The Commute with John Carlson from 6-9 AM for the Lotus Seattle station.
“Since the summer of ’93, I’m probably having more fun (now) than ever before,” said Carlson. “And yet despite all that, I am announcing that I will be stepping away from this microphone and retiring from radio this April.”
Carlson revealed that he has a “career change” in store, saying he has received an “astonishing opportunity” that he can’t pass up. On Friday morning, he shared that he will be the President of Kemper Development Company, a real estate firm in nearby Bellevue, Washington.
I'm having more fun doing radio now than ever before, which makes it difficult to announce that I will be retiring from 570 KVI after more than 30 years of broadcasting, effective this April. I'll have more details in subsequent messages.
“I’m having more fun doing radio now than ever before, which makes it difficult to announce that I will be retiring from 570 KVI after more than 30 years of broadcasting, effective this April,” he said in a post to social media.
Carlson’s final show with KVI AM 570 will be on Friday, April 4th.
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