Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is laying the groundwork for a transformative shift in how the league handles its broadcast rights, suggesting the current model could be overhauled by the time new rights deals are negotiated in 2028.
Speaking candidly this week about the league’s media future coming potentially in 2028 with CNBC’s Alex Sherman, Manfred acknowledged the growing instability of local television deals and emphasized the need for a more streamlined and fan-friendly approach to how games are delivered.
“The media environment has changed,” Manfred said. “Of all the challenges, the most serious is local broadcasting. Most of the new entrants, the competitors in the media market, are interested in at least national, if not international, rights. Our goal would be to accumulate all of our rights, national and local. Go to the table and develop in concert with the potential buyers, packages that are most valuable to them.”
The commissioner outlined a hypothetical future in which MLB would consolidate both national and local rights under a single umbrella, allowing the league to repackage and sell media rights in a way that creates broader reach and value. In essence, the goal is to simplify how fans access games and eliminate the long-standing blackout issues that have plagued the sport for decades.
“There’s a lot of places you have to go right now if you’re a fan,” Manfred explained. “We should create a more fan friendly environment, where people understand better where the games are… Absolutely have to end the blackouts that have plagued us for a really long time.”
Central to making this model work is getting team owners on board, especially those in larger markets who currently benefit from more lucrative local TV arrangements. But Manfred hinted that the league is already considering mechanisms to balance those interests — including changes to revenue sharing that could appeal to both large and small market teams.
“If you centralize your media and the revenue from those media streams are shared 1/30, there’s much less need for the kind of local revenue sharing system that we have today,” he said. “For the large markets whose payments into that system escalate as disparity grows. That’s very appealing. It’s also very appealing from an incentive perspective, because you get rid of what is essentially a 48% marginal tax rate.”
In the short term, MLB is still making key broadcast decisions. Manfred confirmed that NBC, Apple, and ESPN are the three bidders for the league’s “Sunday Night Baseball” package, which ESPN and MLB mutually opted out of earlier this year. He added that a decision is expected within the month and left open the possibility of the rights being split between two outlets.
While no formal decisions have been made on the larger 2028 framework, the tone and detail of Manfred’s comments suggest MLB is seriously exploring a centralized broadcast future. With RSNs crumbling and digital platforms hungry for content, the timing may be right for the league to take greater control of how its product is distributed.
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Scott Hanson is returning to host NFL RedZone this fall after signing a multi-year contract with NFL Network in May. The longtime RedZone host made the announcement via his personal X account after much speculation about whether the network would come to terms with the veteran.
Additionally, Hanson discussed the recent negotiations during an appearance on the SI Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina, saying the discussions didn’t go exactly as he had expected.
“We started talking before last season. Once the season hit and we hadn’t reached the deal, I said I got to focus on the football here. I’m confident we’ll get something done. I’ve been the host of the show for 16 years now. I’ve been with the NFL for 18 seasons. They’ve been good for me. I’d like to think I’ve been good for them. A reasonable mind should be able to come to an agreement here. However, the NFL as they want to do, they are very tough negotiators,” said Hanson.
Furthermore, Hanson revealed that the league and his representatives considered his responsibilities outside of RedZone as part of the broader contract discussions. Ultimately, he expressed satisfaction in returning to the place he has called home for nearly two decades.
“There was quite a knockdown drag out negotiation, but I’m thrilled to be back. Thrilled that we were able to come to an agreement,” said Hanson. “To think that I would be on the show for 20 years, and have it be as successful as it has been, as it most likely will be, is extraordinary. I’m very blessed.”
At one point, however, Hanson admitted he thought he might not return to the network, likening the experience to being a free agent in the NFL.
“There was a time when I thought, I don’t know if this is going to happen,” said Hanson. “It was not my intention to kind of go that direction, but you have to be willing for that eventuality or that possibility.”
Moreover, during the spring, Hanson was reportedly in discussions with other networks, including NBC. He assisted with Peacock’s coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games via Gold Zone. He later clarified that there was misinformation regarding those talks, which created a somewhat confusing narrative.
“My contract was up, that was reported in public. It was coming up, and we were negotiation. That was true,” explained Hanson. “There was a feel I was going to leave for NBC. Well, it was conflated with what I did with Gold Zone for the Paris Olympics last summer, and the fact that I was and we were in the middle of a negotiation with NBC to come back and do future Gold Zones. I think some people got part of the truth and reported that NBC was going to pull Scott Hanson away. Ultimately, we were able to do deals with both because they don’t directly conflict with football season. I’m very glad that the kind of best of both worlds happened.”
Looking ahead, Hanson is eager to return to the studio this football season and continue delivering every touchdown to fans around the globe.
“I love my job. I love hosting RedZone, and I hope that comes across,” said Hanson. “I love serving the football public, and that’s why I look at myself as a servant. I’m not doing it to glorify myself. I’m not doing it to try and make my platform greater. That is a byproduct of plenty of millions of people on NFL Sundays. I’m trying to serve the viewer as I want to be served.”
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In an early morning Thursday vote, the Senate passed $9 billion in federal spending cuts, including more than $1 billion in cuts to NPR and PBS. NPR CEO Katherine Maher is urging the House of Representatives to reject the cuts.
In a statement, Maher shared her displeasure with the funding cut, which amounted to $1.1 billion. That figure represents what the CPB was slated to receive over the next two budget years.
“Public radio is a lifeline, connecting rural communities to the rest of the nation, and providing life-saving emergency broadcasting and weather alerts,” Maher wrote. “It cannot be replaced, so it is essential that its funding be sustained. We call on the House of Representatives to reject this elimination of public media funding, which directly harms their communities and constituents, and could very well place lives at risk.”
Maher pointed to a situation earlier this week, when staff KUCB — the public radio station in Unalaska, Alaska — remained at the station at sea level as a tsunami warning was issued after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the state’s coast.
“When the tsunami sirens started to blare, the voice message in the warning instructed community members to tune in to local radio,” Maher shared, noting that the station is the only radio station serving the Aleutian Island community. “There are no alternatives, commercial or otherwise.”
Katherine Maher noted that the cuts to NPR and PBS come after a new Harris Poll survey shows that 66% of Americans believe that public radio should receive federal funding. The support isn’t limited to only one side of the political aisle. 77% of self-identified Democrats responded favorably to federal funding continuing to NPR. Meanwhile, 58% of Republicans responded similarly.
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Jason Taylor, OM and PD at 103.1 The Wolf Tallahassee, has left his position. Taylor joined the cluster in November 2020.
In his role, he oversaw programming for Country 103.1, the Wolf, Top 40 Hot 104.9, Yacht Rock Tally 99.9, and Rhythmic AC Vibe 106.1. He also hosted afternoons on 103.1 The Wolf.
According to his LinkedIn, he previously spent just over 16 years cross-town at iHeartMedia.
Adams Radio Group is seeking his replacement. Vibe 106.1 PD Twiggins is in the position until a replacement is found.
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In an early morning Thursday vote, the Senate passed $9 billion in federal spending cuts, including more than $1 billion in cuts to NPR and PBS.
The passed legislation would remove $1.1 billion in funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. That figure represents what the CPB was slated to receive over the next two budget years.
The vote to pass the cuts was split largely along party lines. Those voting against the move included all Senate Democrats, who were joined by Republican Sens. Susan Collins (ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AK).
Murkowski’s vote against the cuts came after NPR stations served as a lifeline to Alaska residents about an impending tsunami after a 7.3 earthquake struck roughly 50 miles off the coast of Alaska. She called the situation “a reminder that when we hear people rant about how public broadcasting is nothing more than this radical, liberal effort to pollute people’s minds, I think they need to look at what some of the basic services are to communities.”
Cuts to NPR and PBS come after a new Harris Poll survey shows that 66% of Americans believe that public radio should receive federal funding. The support isn’t limited to only one side of the political aisle. 77% of self-identified Democrats responded favorably to federal funding continuing to NPR. Meanwhile, 58% of Republicans responded similarly.
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In a heartfelt moment during Wednesday night’s ESPYs broadcast, legendary ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso was honored for his near four-decade run on the network and his impact on sports television.
Corso, 89, took the stage to a rousing ovation, joined by his College GameDay co-hosts Kirk Herbstreit, Pat McAfee, and Desmond Howard. With his signature warmth and humility, the longtime College GameDay fixture offered gratitude for a career defined by passion, personality, and purpose.
“I want to thank ESPN for this tribute and an opportunity to do a job that I’ve loved for 38 years,” Corso said. “My goal on TV was to bring a smile to everybody’s face. I hope I have done that.”
Corso has been a central figure on College GameDay, helping build the Saturday morning preview show into a cultural institution for college football fans. Known for his good-natured energy, memorable catchphrases, and his famous headgear mascot picks, Corso became one of the most beloved voices in all of sports television.
Yet on this night, it was the man behind the personality who took center stage.
In an emotional show of appreciation, Corso turned his attention to his wife, Betsy, who was seated in the front row. The couple, who met in college and married in 1956, have long been admired for their enduring relationship.
“My wife Betsy and I have been married for 69 years,” Corso said with a pause. “And I just wanted to thank her for loving me and allowing me to love her for all those years.”
The tribute served as a reminder not only of Corso’s longevity and dedication to the craft, but also of his deep personal integrity. Even as health issues have limited his travel in recent seasons, ESPN has continued to include him remotely and honor his contributions.
The network has announced his final episode of College GameDay will air on August 30 in Columbus, OH. Corso, who turns 90 in August, has been a fixture on College GameDay since its debut in 1987. Although he became a full-time analyst in 1989, he contributed from the show’s start and remains the only original member still on air.
The tradition that defined his legacy—wearing a mascot head to predict the winner of the day’s biggest game—began in 1996 in Columbus, Ohio. That day, Corso picked Ohio State by donning Brutus Buckeye’s head. Since then, he has made 430 headgear picks, choosing the Buckeyes a record 45 times.
“Thank you very much ESPN for this honor and tribute,” Corso closed. “I appreciate everybody here. Thank you very much.”
Corso’s farewell broadcast will air live from 9 a.m. to noon ET on ESPN and ESPNU on August 30.
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Viewership for Major League Baseball’s Midsummer Classic fell to near record-low territory, yet the game continues to dominate among sports All-Star events.
FOX’s broadcast of Tuesday night’s MLB All-Star Game averaged a 3.8 rating and drew 7.19 million viewers, according to Nielsen data. That figure ties last year’s mark as the lowest-rated All-Star Game on record and ranks as the second-least watched, trailing only the 2022 edition, which managed 7.01 million. Compared to 2023, viewership dipped by 3%.
However, even with another year of declines, baseball still owns the most-watched All-Star event in sports. The All-Star Game topped the list, while Monday’s Home Run Derby on ESPN came in second with 5.73 million viewers. Both events outperformed the NBA All-Star Game on TNT Sports and the NFL’s Pro Bowl Games on ESPN/ABC, which each drew 4.7 million viewers.
For context, the NHL did not hold a traditional All-Star Game this year, instead staging the Four Nations Face-Off. That tournament’s championship game averaged 9.3 million viewers on ESPN in February. If counted, it would place ahead of MLB’s showcase.
Still, the All-Star Game stood as FOX’s most-watched broadcast since the Super Bowl—though that comes with an asterisk, as the network’s non-sports programming consistently underperforms in primetime.
Viewership peaked during the 9:15 p.m. ET quarter-hour with 8.1 million viewers, a stretch that included several marquee matchups. Among the early highlights were reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge facing off against National League rookie sensation Paul Skenes, Freddie Freeman’s return to Atlanta, and Clayton Kershaw’s appearance in the second inning. Later, Mets slugger Pete Alonso delivered a dramatic three-run homer, and the American League staged a late comeback after trailing 6-0.
While the numbers are far removed from the All-Star Game’s heyday, MLB remains a dominant summer ratings force—especially in an era where live sports are increasingly one of the few reliable draws on linear television.
Kings of Summer️⚾️
Highlighted by unique talk-back conversations, innovative tech integrations, an incredible tribute to Hank Aaron & the ABS challenge system's debut, the Midsummer Classic on FOX continues to rank as the most-watched All-Star event in sports. pic.twitter.com/XLoFp7s2gg
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A broken water heater, a dental bill, or three missed workdays due to illness can quickly become a financial problem, especially when there’s nothing saved to cover it. A $1,000 emergency fund gives you breathing room, even if it won’t solve every crisis. The goal isn’t to build a full safety net overnight. It’s to make sure the next surprise doesn’t send you into credit card debt.
If you’re currently living on a tight income, the idea of setting aside that kind of money may seem unrealistic. But the truth is, it’s possible without making more money. It doesn’t require side gigs or financial acrobatics. It just takes intention, strategy, and a few tough decisions.
For Canadians looking for a smart place to park their emergency funds, Innovation’s No-Fee Chequing Account offers an accessible, zero-fee option with full banking features.
Start With a Defined Goal
Saving “some money” isn’t a plan. “Emergency fund” sounds vague unless there’s a fixed number attached. Set $1,000 as a clear, non-negotiable milestone. It’s a number widely recognized as a practical starting point before building toward three to six months of expenses.
Don’t treat it like long-term savings. This money doesn’t go into mutual funds or retirement accounts. It sits, ready to use, and easily accessible when something urgent comes up. Keeping it separate from daily spending accounts is critical.
Know Exactly Where Your Money Goes
You can’t cut what you can’t see. Track all income and spending over 30 days, using a pen and paper, spreadsheet, or free mobile app. Include every coffee, gas fill-up, and e-transfer. This is data collection. Once you have the numbers, sort expenses into three buckets:
Chances are, you’ll find at least one area where the spending feels too casual for your actual situation.
Apply a Short-Term Spending Freeze
You don’t need to overhaul your life. But you do need a reset period. Implement a 30-day spending freeze on non-essentials. No new clothes. No takeout. No paid apps or delivery fees. Don’t cut essentials, but re-evaluate where your money leaks out unnoticed.
The goal here is to redirect cash, not eliminate comfort. You might find you save $150 or more in just one month. That’s 15% of your goal already done without extra income.
Put Automation to Work
Once you’ve carved out a surplus (however small) set up a recurring transfer. The size doesn’t matter at first. What matters is consistency. $10 per week adds up to $520 in a year. If you can spare $40 a week, you’ll hit $1,000 in six months.
Set the transfer to run the same day your income hits your account. Don’t wait to “see what’s left.” That guarantees nothing will be left. Think of this as a self-imposed bill. Only this one pays your future self.
Use Unexpected Money Immediately
Most people let tax refunds, birthday gifts, or small rebates sit in their main account until they’re spent on autopilot. This is a missed opportunity.
Here’s what to do instead: as soon as you receive an unexpected deposit, move it. A $300 refund can cut your timeline dramatically. Even low-income earners can use tax credits to kick-start savings. But only if you move fast.
Look at What You Can Sell
Most households have at least $200–$400 in unused stuff collecting dust. Sell it on Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, or local swap groups. List it now. Not later. Not “someday.”
You don’t have to be good at sales. You just have to take pictures and post them. Use that cash only for the emergency fund, not groceries or debt.
Trim Recurring Payments
Take 30 minutes to audit your regular withdrawals. Check your account for:
Streaming services you don’t really use
Mobile data plans you rarely max out
Gym memberships with little or no use
App subscriptions on autopay
Cut one or two. Even a $15/month cancellation saves $180/year. That’s nearly 20% of your goal for doing nothing but pressing “unsubscribe.”
Stop Thinking of Emergencies as “If”
Problems will come — it’s just a question of when and how expensive they’ll be. Set hard rules around the fund. You’re not using it to buy Christmas gifts or cover a vet visit unless it’s truly urgent and unavoidable. Don’t dip into it for emotional purchases or “treats.” Having money available doesn’t make every problem an emergency.
Use Visual Tools to Stay on Track
Write “$1,000” on a piece of paper and break it into ten $100 boxes. Cross them off as your balance grows. Small wins matter more than most people think. They help you stick with the process during the dry spells.
Review your progress monthly. If your balance drops, refill it. If you reach your goal, keep going toward a larger cushion. The discipline of the process is more valuable than the number in your account.
The hardest element of a successful sports radio program to create is chemistry. When pairing two complete strangers together to collaborate on content, there is never a guaranteed outcome. There is no formula or equation on how to pair the right individuals together, leaving programmers to lean on gut instinct, needing a touch of luck. Shan Shariff and RJ Choppy, a.k.a. Shan & RJ, on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas needed a house party to find out if they had chemistry together before hitting the DFW metroplex airwaves.
“We did not do a sample show together,” said Shariff. “We went to a house party, and we just got put in the same room. We got interviewed, and the first time we talked for two hours or more was our first show. That was a crazy way, I think, with the way that it was done, or the way that it is done.”
Now entering their 15th year together in morning drive, Shan & RJ has been a destination for sports fans on their morning commute. In a competitive market like Dallas/Fort Worth, the two have found a blend of sports and lifestyle approach to content has been the best formula for success. Instead of leaning into the stereotypes of how sports radio has been done in larger markets, they buck the trend in Big D despite their northeastern roots.
“The city grew so fast, people still think of it [Dallas/Fort Worth] like a small town,” explained Choppy. “You’ve got a lot of people that move here, so they’re not as diehard. If the Cowboys lose or something, it might be a great radio day in New York City or Boston. Here, a Monday after a Cowboys loss, people don’t want to hear it. Other cities relish in the misery. It doesn’t work like that here.”
How Dallas/Fort Worth Sports Radio Differs From Its Peers
A perfect example of this notion was this past spring, when the Dallas Mavericks traded five-time All-Star Luka Dončić in a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. A fan favorite leaving the organization caused online outrage, fan protests, and national pundits questioning the leadership of the franchise.
However, for Shan & RJ the plan of attack and reaction was a complete opposite reaction.
“We did not do dominant numbers during or after the Luka trade. In Boston, Philadelphia, or New York, it would have been dominant,” said Shariff. “Around here the sports mindset turns away if it’s too negative of a story… The Luka thing was devastating here. We took a show poll and people who listen to our show said stop talking about the Mavericks so much.”
The approach of lean back as opposed to lean in may fascinate those in other markets when it comes to owning a story like the trade of Dončić. Over their time working at 105.3 The Fan, Shan & RJ have developed a blueprint that they feel fits the market to super-serve the listener in substance as opposed to headlines.
“When I was at [former Dallas radio station ESPN 103.3FM] previously, there were some really good bosses. Like heavyweights in the industry that didn’t necessarily know the market,” said Choppy. “The playbook there was personalities don’t matter, your content matters. Now, we all have the same content, so what was differentiating? Personalities. Content matters, yes. But personalities matter more.”
The Dallas/Fort Worth radio market is full of talented personalities, and in morning drive especially. 105.3 The Fan has a head-to-head competition every day with the heritage sports radio station The Ticket, with Shan & RJ doing battle with the longest-tenured morning show in the market, The Musers.
Now heading into their 15th year together as a program, the competition between the two programs is tighter now than when the journey began for Shan & RJ. Referencing how the show is reaping the benefits of their longevity, they have noticed over time how the market tends to be somewhat “tribal” when it comes to determining who is the top sports talker in the market.
“When I grew up in DC, I wasn’t married to a station,” explained Shariff. “What you see here is signal allegiance, it’s very tribal. People feel like they’re committing radio treason if they even think that another station’s afternoon show is better. That’s a foreign concept to me. That is a lot of what Dallas radio is all about.”
The Jerry Jones Weekly Interview
The Dallas/Fort Worth market is also home to the Dallas Cowboys, a team that has been dubbed ‘America’s Team’ despite not winning a Super Bowl in nearly 30 years. Shan & RJ also feature a weekly sit-down with Dallas Cowboys owner, president and general manager Jerry Jones.
The outspoken Jones interviews consistently make national headlines, as Jones is one of the more popular faces of the National Football League. With such a unique opportunity to insert the Shan & RJ program into the national narrative, it may come as a surprise how hands-off the Cowboys organization is regarding how the interviews are conducted.
“I think everyone would be shocked at the lack of feedback, back and forth, instruction, or guidelines. In 15 years, we’ve heard from Jerry’s [Jones] PR twice,” said Shariff. “Dan Snyder couldn’t do this interview. I was in [Washington] DC, and he had his own radio stations, Red Zebra, that he was monitoring. I heard more from the Kansas City Chiefs in my one year there than I did my first 14 years here from Jerry Jones. I just can’t give him enough credit.”
Both Shan & RJ said that Jones’ only rule was to not get personal with the line of questioning, which both have held to. As long as the show is talking about the Dallas Cowboys, to Jones that’s all that matters.
“I remember asking about Hard Knocks. The Giants didn’t want it, and all these teams run from it. Jerry Jones wants Hard Knocks,” said Shariff. “He probably would accept it every year if he could. That’s his mindset.”
Critical of How Nielsen Ratings Judge Success
The Jerry Jones weekly interview is a key piece in how Shan & RJ battle their local competition in a race for audience retention and growth. Regarding audience measurement, both Shan & RJ are staunch critics of the current Nielsen measurement system and how it operates. While they do not discuss their feelings about ratings on the air, neither of the tenured radio talents find the current system useful.
“I want to say this while our numbers are really good. It’s not bitterness or anything like that. The people in charge and responsible for this rating system—it’s a bunch of horses**t,” said Shariff.
“The system stinks. It’s not even the system’s bad; it doesn’t even make sense. It’s to the point where you judge yourself based on a random sample, or do you judge yourself based on how you think the show is?” said Choppy.
While both Shan & RJ credit the support of their brand manager Gavin Spittle for judging their program with his ears instead of what Nielsen shows, they both feel the system is continually flawed.
“It is an injustice to people in this business who don’t get the numbers that they deserve, and that have lost jobs because of this random horses**t lottery system,” explained Shariff. “What are we doing here? It’s a joke. People’s livelihoods and their fate are way too dependent on something this flimsy and this random. It’s bull. It’s BS.”
While the current ratings returns are high, Shan & RJ’s reach has grown exponentially higher through a live viewing audience on YouTube and Twitch, while also growing on social utilizing the power of short-form video on Facebook, Instagram and X. The goal is to place in every space possible where a consumer can find them, and more fun creative can be had.
“I love the video part of it. I think it’s great. It brings a completely new element to it. We’re not just a radio station anymore,” said Choppy. “It’s an addition. Somebody who’s listening on the radio still gets the same great experience. Then somebody who’s watching it on YouTube—the added element is just a bonus for them. I love the video element of it. I think it’s great.”
The Long Road Ahead With No End in Sight
What began as perfect strangers being paired with one another has now turned into a lasting partnership with the goal of staying together for the long road ahead. A bond that began at a house party has become one of the more respected programs in morning drive around the country, where fun, sports and that rare chemistry have elevated Shan & RJ on 105.3 The Fan.
“We’re doing something that everybody would want to do who’s sitting in a cubicle. If you can’t be happy doing this, you’re going to find, I think, a lot of things difficult in life,” said Choppy. “The people playing the sport are the lucky ones. The people talking about the sport are the second luckiest. If you can’t be driven by that, you’ll never be driven by anything.”
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One of my daughters’ favorite days of the year recently happened — 7-Eleven Day —with free Slurpees, making it an instant summer holiday. Between the sugar rush and app alerts, it’s a can’t miss day in the Rock house.
It got me thinking: Rock Radio and 7-Eleven are fighting similar battles: different-flavored uniforms, but nearly the same war.
Open 24/7. Threats on every corner. Built-in perceptions (good, bad, outdated). National vs. local identities. Convenience-based and impulse behavior. Benchmarks that drive visits. And the customer is really in control – their experience can make or break.
But the real keys to survival and success are almost identical. Let’s “downsize” the commonalities to two key ingredients, like the chili and nacho station in the corner of your 7-Eleven:
Conversion: Cume vs. Core — Art & Science
Location, Location, Location
Zoom out, and you’ll realize: 7-Eleven doesn’t care why you came. They just want you to leave with something. Coffee? Lotto? Pizza at 9 am? No judgment, just transactional conversions.
In RockTernative (think Rock/Alt/Grunge hybrid stations), this is the Cume game: “Come one, come all. We’ve got Rock, Alternative, Grunge, New, Gold, Loud, Poppier, maybe some Fringe. Just get your ass in the store and listen.”
But what about Core?
At 7-Eleven, the Core is made up of customers like me. Showing up four to five days a week for an iced coffee in a Big Gulp cup. It’s not glamorous, but it’s predictable. And while it may only be a few bucks per visit, they count on it.
In Radio, Core listeners typically make up the smallest part of the audience (maybe 20-30%) but drive the majority of listening (up to 70-80%). That’s not theory — that’s been the guiding gospel longer than most of us have been around.
How does this work at 7-Eleven? I asked the manager of my weekday 7-Eleven:
“Who drives more revenue — regulars like me or the one-timers, mass casuals?”
His answer: “Depends on the store.”
That’s radio in a nutshell.
His store lives on casual foot traffic. Cume more than Core. His joint needs heavy volume to afford lights for the sign out front. But as he said, the store one mile down, with less traffic, leans heavily on loyalists — they need their Core to stay alive.
Sounds like RockTernative vs. CHR.
CHR is the 7-Eleven located at the corner of Broadway and Main. No real surprises. Big traffic, easy to get to. Flashy and impossible to miss. Efficient and predictable. Everyone stops there.
RockTernative is more like the off-the-beaten-path version of 7-Eleven. Smaller footprint. Less foot traffic. Some different items. It feels a bit different, but it’s definitely 7-Eleven. If the pizza Rocks, some will go out of their way to visit more frequently and spend more.
Takeaway:
Cume will always be important, and consistency for them is important. Imagine if 7-Eleven didn’t have Big Gulps or coffee next week. That’s like not playing “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
But RockTernative foot traffic will never surpass CHR. Having a very loyal Core that visits almost daily and/or for longer periods is the only path that can lead to the top of the mountain.
At both RockTernative and 7-Eleven, science will help brands reach the Cume ceiling (playing the hits – Big Gulp, Coffee, Pizza, Snacks and Beer).
The art will serve the core and create upsells or longer ATE/TSL (new items, limited-edition flavors, app rewards, morning show features, stunts, and breaking the rules from time to time).
RockTernative needs to maximize cume, but if a brand overlooks the importance of having a loyal Core, the pizza and coffee will be stale by lunch.
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