Woofy Ramone’s tenure as Operations Manager at JVC Broadcasting in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, has ended.
Ramone posted on Facebook, “Didn’t expect to be unemployed this afternoon, but things don’t always go the way you think. I no longer work at JVC Broadcasting. I was let go as they’re ‘going in a different direction.”’
Ramone, a market veteran, had a long run at Cumulus Media’s 99 Rock WKSM before joining JVC.
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News/talk radio has long been a format dedicated to giving back. The Mike Gallagher Show has long been focused on doing good works, with its audience donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to Food For The Poor over nearly 20 years.
During an appearance on Beyond The Plate, a podcast produced by the charity, the organization recognized Gallagher for his contributions over the decades.
“Over the years, I am just blown away by the generosity of the audience. It’s not me, it’s not even you guys, it’s not Food for the Poor, it’s the blessing that is this audience,” Gallagher remarked. “I often brag that The Mike Gallagher Show audience is the most generous audience in the country. We often have playful competitions with some of our fellow Salem shows. And, look, I always kick their butts. Our show always wins. We always come out on top, much of the chagrin of Hugh Hewitt, who has to come in second or third, but it is playful.
“The beauty of competing is that together, combined, we’re all doing a lot of good. We’re combining all of our audiences who lovingly donate to children in Guatemala, who lovingly support families in Haiti, who lovingly step up and say we’re going to save lives today … I’m very gratified that, over the years, our audience seems to recognize (the urgency to donate) and they will continue to do so for years to come.”
Food For The Poor designs its programs “to empower our beneficiaries to become self-sufficient and ultimately inspire them to build strong communities so their members can help each other.
“In addition to being one of America’s best talk show hosts, Mike Gallagher is literally second to none in tapping the generosity of his nationwide audience in fighting hunger and malnutrition by generating donations to nonprofits like Food For The Poor,” added Tom Tradup, V.P./News & Talk Programming for Salem Radio Network.
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Make Plays Media has announced that its Foul Territory Network will be adding two new shows focused on the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox. The digital programs, titled Friar Territory and Monster Territory, respectively, join the network and provide local fanbases coverage surrounding their favorite teams. Former Padres beat reporter Kyle Glaser will be hosting Friar Territory and will be frequently joined by former players Mike Cameron and Heath Bell as they talk about matters salient to the Padres. Cameron and Bell are both former All-Star players who helped the Padres to success during their playing careers.
“Mike, Heath and I are thrilled to be part of the Foul Territory network,” Glaser said in a statement. “The Padres have been one of the most compelling teams in baseball over the last few years, and we look forward to bringing unique insights and perspectives about the club on Friar Territory.”
Over the last year, the Foul Territory Network has continued offering its national programs, such as the flagship Foul Territory with Scott Braun, A.J. Pierzynski, Erik Kratz and various other contributors, while also expanding overall local content presence. The entity has 11 podcasts focused on MLB teams, some of which include the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs. As the Red Sox-focused Monster Territory enters the portfolio, Robbie Hyde will be behind the microphone alongside Red Sox personalities that will be announced at a later date.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the FT Network to talk about the team that I’ve loved since I was a kid, the Boston Red Sox,” Hyde said in a statement. “It really is a dream come true! The fan base is truly one of the most passionate in all of baseball, and it’s an honor to be able to represent Red Sox Nation in this capacity.”
Make Plays Media recently live streamed the 100th Centennial New York Baseball Writers’ Dinner where the Baseball Writers’ Association of America bestowed league and local honors to figures around the game. Last summer, the company agreed to a linear and streaming partnership with now-Main Street Sports Group regional sports networks to air episodes of Foul Territory live on the platforms. Since the conclusion of the regular season, Make Plays Media has added shows surrounding the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros in addition to the aforementioned.
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.
SiriusXM has announced the launch of new exclusive programming featuring Alex Cooper, the host and executive producer of the podcast “Call Her Daddy.”
Beginning February 11, subscribers will be able to engage with Alex and her Unwell Network through two new channels and live shows, which will showcase candid discussions, relatable narratives, and influential music selections.
Curated by Alex Cooper, Unwell Music is an evolving mixtape that showcases the songs that have marked pivotal moments in her life.
The collection merges nostalgic pop anthems with current hits, featuring a lineup of artists including Miley Cyrus, Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter, Beyoncé, Gracie Abrams, and others.
The channel delivers a high-energy mix designed to suit various moods throughout the day, complemented by Cooper’s personal insights and behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
“I’m constantly trying to find new ways to interact with my audience, and with Unwell Music and Unwell On Air, I’m able to deliver brand new daily live shows and playlists curated specifically by me,” said Cooper. “I can’t wait for everyone to experience a whole new world of Unwell.”
“Alex Cooper and her Unwell brand continue to be at the vanguard of pop culture with their authentic and unfiltered approach,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer at SiriusXM. “With the launch of Unwell Music and Unwell On Air, Alex is creating something that is only possible through the power of SiriusXM: a live 24/7 audio destination for her fans to immerse themselves further into her world. We can’t wait for you to hear what she has in store.”
Unwell Music, SiriusXM’s latest 24/7 music channel, is set to launch for subscribers throughout North America. Tune in while driving on channel three or stream it anywhere, anytime on the SiriusXM app.
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.
Spotify has announced the creation of the Creator Milestone Awards, and The Joe Rogan Experience is one of two shows to earn the gold status of over 500 million streams.
Despite no longer being exclusive to Spotify, The Joe Rogan Experience eclipsed 500 million all-time streams in 2024, as did the popular Crime Junkie podcast.
The new awards are the first time Spotify has revealed podcast streaming numbers publicly, albeit only when shows hit certain predetermined milestones.
“These awards go above and beyond the numbers — they’re about recognizing the hustle, creativity and dedication that make each creator’s story unique,” Spotify’s head of content partnerships Jordan Newman said. “For the first time, we’re publicly spotlighting these achievements, recognizing creators for their impact, and sharing their success with the world.
“This program is an important step in celebrating the amazing work podcasters do, and we’re thrilled to continue supporting them as they shape the future of this medium,” concluded Newman.
NBC News’ Dateline NBC is the only other news-adjacent podcast to earn status in the inaugural awards. It reached silver status, amassing more than 250 million. Spotify set the bronze level at surpassing 100 million total all-time streams. The announcement of the Creator Milestone Awards was first shared by Variety.
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.
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The next to last release of Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2024 presented by Radio.Cloud has arrived. Today we recognize the Top 20 AC/Hot AC radio shows of 2024. In addition, we’ve also announced the AC/Hot AC format’s Top 20 program directors. For all format results, visit the website, follow BM on X, Facebook or LinkedIn or sign up for our newsletters. Be advised, the results are based on 2024’s performances, not on anything that has occurred in January 2025.
We’ve run this Top 20 series successfully for years in the Sports and News/Talk formats. This is our first time though highlighting music radio. It is by far the largest project we’ve ever done. 173 program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants voted, and 250+ were invited to be a part of it. Though some brand leaders and company executives didn’t vote or respond, I’m ecstatic with our turnout. I wasn’t sure what to expect when the process began given that I’m a new face to some, but many knew our brand, and were excited to participate. It’s been fun connecting with many accomplished radio professionals.
As you review these results, please remember that they represent the collective feedback shared by our industry voters. I do not vote in this process. My role is to assemble the group, collect their votes, and present the information. At the conclusion of the series, Jeff Lynn and I will record a video for the Barrett Media YouTube page sharing our takeaways from the series. Be sure to subscribe to the page so you’re notified of when the video goes live.
Given the size of Music Radio formats, we are presenting the Top 20 shows and programmers from ALL markets. This includes Major Markets, Mid-Markets, and syndicated programs. The best of the best if you will. Some formats are combined due to similarities such as AC/Hot AC, Adult/Classic Hits, and Rock (Active/Modern Rock). There are also a few shows, hosts and/or programmers who appear on lists in multiple formats. This is due to their stations featuring music and programming that crosses over.
Important Information
#1 – Music radio is a massive space, and stations don’t always provide or update information. That makes it hard at times to issue credit to deserving programmers or hosts. We’ve tried to be accurate with the spelling of names, shows, brands, cities, and positions, but we’re human, and mistakes happen. If you see an error, please email Jason@BarrettMedia.com so we can make a correction.
#2 – We’ve asked the voters to supply photos and logos to avoid headaches. Some comply, but most don’t. That’s consistent with voters in our sports and news/talk series too. It forces us to spend a lot of time digging for images to highlight everyone. For that reason, there are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. Thanks in advance for understanding.
#3 – This series specifically focuses on United States terrestrial music radio shows and programmers. Shows and brand leaders with Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, SiriusXM, YouTube, podcasts and programming outside the United States are not included.
#4 – 129 AC/Hot AC radio shows received votes from our voters, the most of any category in our Top 20 series. Executives were asked to rank their Top 10 selections using the following criteria: Quality of Show (ear test), Originality, RatingsSuccess, Ability to Entertain-Inform-Connect Across Multiple Platforms, Clearance (national shows) and Industry Buzz. A 1st place vote equals 20 points, 2nd gets 18, and it goes down by 2 each time until reaching 10th and earning 2 points. Remember, our voters live in different cities, have individual tastes, work for different companies, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.
#4 – 27 broadcasting companies are represented in this series. Among them include iHeartMedia, Audacy, Cumulus Media, Townsquare Media, Beasley Media, Hubbard Radio, Bonneville, Meruelo Media, Radio One, Cox Media Group, Alpha Media, Connoisseur Media, Saga Communications, Hearst Communications, Rubber City Radio Group, Cromwell Media, Press Communications, Pamal Broadcasting, Lotus Communications, Shamrock Communications, Midwest Communications, Seven Mountains Media, Summit Media, Buck Owens, Local Media San Diego, Colorado Springs Radio Broadcasters, and Milwaukee Media Group. Another 18 consulting groups were involved as well. We involve people from different groups and cities to make sure balance is provided.
#5 – Though we have a total of 173 voters in this series, the number voting on each format is lower. This is by design. We wanted experts from each format to vote on what they know best, and avoid situations where managers with less format familiarity are impacting the results. 53 programmers, consultants, and executives with experience in the AC/Hot AC format voted on the category.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for doing an excellent job with our graphics, and Stephanie Eads for helping with the voting process. I’d also like to thank every single voter who made time to participate. Now without further delay, here are the Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows of 2024.
Additional Notes:
Karson & Kennedy landed a 14 point win over Cubby & Christine. They finished tied for the most first place votes with Cubby & Christine, Ellen K, and Delilah with 4.
Spots 21-25 went to Mike Adams, Wendy Wilde, The Morning Mix, Jenn & Bill, and Anna & Raven.
We had a tie for 16th place, which is why you’ll see images for both Sean Copeland and the Bret Mega Show. 2 other races were close and decided by 2 points. Booker, Alex & Audrey edged John Tesh, and Bennett held off Tad, Drex & Kara.
Of the 129 shows to receive votes, 27 received at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media Top 20 of 2024 in Music Radio Upcoming Schedule:
Wednesday January 29 = BMM Top 20 CHR/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors
The next to last release of Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2024 presented by Radio.Cloud has arrived. Today we recognize the Top 20 AC/Hot AC radio program directors of 2024. In addition, we’ve also announced the AC/Hot AC format’s Top 20 radio shows. For all format results, visit the website, follow BM on X, Facebook or LinkedIn or sign up for our newsletters. Be advised, the results are based on 2024’s performances, not on anything that’s taken place in January 2025.
We’ve run this Top 20 series successfully for years in the Sports and News/Talk formats. This is our first time though highlighting music radio. It is by far the largest project we’ve ever done. 173 program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants voted, and 250+ were invited to be a part of it. Though some brand leaders and company executives didn’t vote or respond, I’m ecstatic with our turnout. I wasn’t sure what to expect when the process began given that I’m a new face to some, but many knew our brand, and were excited to participate. It’s been fun connecting with many accomplished radio professionals.
As you review these results, please remember that they represent the collective feedback shared by our industry voters. I do not vote in this process. My role is to assemble the group, collect their votes, and present the information. At the conclusion of the series, Jeff Lynn and I will record a video for the Barrett Media YouTube page sharing our takeaways from the series. Be sure to subscribe to the page so you’re notified of when the video goes live.
Given the size of Music Radio formats, we are presenting the Top 20 shows and programmers from ALL markets. This includes Major Markets, Mid-Markets, and syndicated programs. The best of the best if you will. Some formats are combined due to similarities such as AC/Hot AC, Adult/Classic Hits, and Rock (Active/Modern Rock). There are also a few shows, hosts and/or programmers who appear on lists in multiple formats. This is due to their stations featuring music and programming that crosses over.
Important Information
#1 – Music radio is a massive space, and stations don’t always provide or update information. That makes it hard at times to issue credit to deserving programmers or hosts. We’ve tried to be accurate with the spelling of names, shows, brands, cities, and positions, but we’re human, and mistakes happen. If you see an error, please email Jason@BarrettMedia.com so we can make a correction.
#2 – We’ve asked the voters to supply photos and logos to avoid headaches. Some comply, but most don’t. That’s consistent with voters in our sports and news/talk series too. It forces us to spend a lot of time digging for images to highlight everyone. For that reason, there are no photo changes unless it involves a mistake. Thanks in advance for understanding.
#3 – This series specifically focuses on United States terrestrial music radio shows and programmers. Shows and brand leaders with Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, SiriusXM, YouTube, podcasts and programming outside the United States are not included.
#4 – 88 AC/Hot AC program directors received votes from our voters. Executives were asked to rank their Top 10 selections using the following criteria: Quality of Show (ear test), Originality, RatingsSuccess, Ability to Entertain-Inform-Connect Across Multiple Platforms, Clearance (national shows) and Industry Buzz. A 1st place vote equals 20 points, 2nd gets 18, and it goes down by 2 each time until reaching 10th and earning 2 points. Remember, our voters live in different cities, have individual tastes, work for different companies, and value certain factors higher than others. This is not a perfect system but it’s one we feel good about using to showcase the industry’s best.
#4 – 27 broadcasting companies are represented in this series. Among them include iHeartMedia, Audacy, Cumulus Media, Townsquare Media, Beasley Media, Hubbard Radio, Bonneville, Meruelo Media, Radio One, Cox Media Group, Alpha Media, Connoisseur Media, Saga Communications, Hearst Communications, Rubber City Radio Group, Cromwell Media, Press Communications, Pamal Broadcasting, Lotus Communications, Shamrock Communications, Midwest Communications, Seven Mountains Media, Summit Media, Buck Owens, Local Media San Diego, Colorado Springs Radio Broadcasters, and Milwaukee Media Group. Another 18 consulting groups were involved as well. We involve people from different groups and cities to make sure balance is provided.
#5 – Though we have a total of 173 voters in this series, the number voting on each format is lower. This is by design. We wanted experts from each format to vote on what they know best, and avoid situations where managers with less format familiarity are impacting the results. 53 programmers, consultants, and executives with experience in the AC/Hot AC format voted on the category.
I want to thank Dylan Barrett for doing an excellent job with our graphics, and Stephanie Eads for helping with the voting process. I’d also like to thank every single voter who made time to participate. Now without further delay, here are the Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Program Directors of 2024.
Additional Notes:
Chris Conley won a tight race, finishing 4 points ahead of Jim Ryan. Conley also received a category best 14 first place votes.
Spots 21-25 went to Michael Martin,Neal Sharpe, Don London, Mary Ellen Kachinske, and Chris Michaels.
The tightest races saw Marc Sherman and Tim Herbster finish ahead of JR Ammons and Paul Kelley by 2 points.
Of the 88 programmers to receive votes, 13 received at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media Top 20 of 2024 in Music Radio Upcoming Schedule:
Wednesday January 29 = BMM Top 20 CHR/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors
The Texas Rangers recently announced the formation of Rangers Sports Media & Entertainment Company, a new conglomerate that will include Rangers Sports Network (RSN) and REV Entertainment. This entity is going to oversee the production and distribution of live game broadcasts, which will not be on Main Street Sports Group-owned regional sports networks next season. Neil Leibman, the president of business operations and chief operating officer of the organization, will now be serving as the chairman of Rangers Sports Media & Entertainment Company, granting him oversight of the brand and its subsidiaries.
The creation of the Rangers Sports Network occurs before deals for local television rights come up for renewal that involve games airing through cable providers and broadcast networks. The organization is said to have over 16 million households within their broadcast territory spanning parts of five states. In addition to its role under the new company, REV Entertainment is also the booking agent for Globe Life Field, the home ballpark for the organization.
“One of the main goals when seeking solutions for Rangers television broadcasts was to give fans more access to our games,” Ray Davis, majority owner of the Texas Rangers, said in a statement. “We determined that the best path toward providing our fans with more options is to handle many of the broadcast obligations in-house.
“By forming Rangers Sports Network to address the various production responsibilities for team broadcasts and content, we feel the entity is in a strong position to deliver for Rangers fans as well as execute other potential broadcast opportunities in the future. REV Entertainment has served as a valuable asset for the organization since it was launched in 2021, and it will continue to grow under this new structure.”
The Rangers organization partnered with A Parent Media Co. Inc. to stream live game broadcasts direct-to-consumer through the Victory+ streaming service beginning this year. Victory+ is the streaming home of various professional sports teams, some of which include the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars. Sportsradio 1310/96.7 The Ticket joined the Victory+ streaming service last September, granting augmented accessibility to its programming for consumers.
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.
As FOX Sports prepares to broadcast its second Super Bowl championship in three seasons, it will do so with a conspicuous alteration in the broadcast booth. Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady will be on the call delivering analysis alongside play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt, representing the culmination of his first season of a reported 10-year, $375 million contract with the company. As Brady moves from the gridiron to the booth for the Big Game, former lead FOX NFL analyst Greg Olsen is on the sidelines watching the action from afar. Olsen, who worked with Joe Davis and Pam Oliver this past season, called regional games and was not on the FOX airwaves for playoff action.
In a recent interview with Nick Carboni of WCNC Charlotte, Olsen was asked whether or not he believes there to be a path in which he can return to the booth for championship weekend or the Super Bowl in the near future. Replying to the query, he explained that he hoped it was the case and was motivated to receive chances to call marquee matchups surrounding the league.
“I’ll be honest – it’s hard sitting home on the couch watching the games, and you’re sitting there and you’re living and dying with every broadcast, and you’re sitting there and you’re dissecting everything that’s said and done and, ‘What would you have said?,’ and, ‘What would you have done?’”
Aside from his work with FOX Sports, Olsen was on the broadcast for the Netflix presentation of a doubleheader of NFL games on Christmas Day. Olsen worked as an analyst with Noah Eagle, Jamie Erdahl and Steve Wyche on the second matchup of the day, an AFC battle between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. In addition to his broadcasting responsibilities, Olsen is the co-founder of Youth Inc., a digital media company building a youth sports network and commerce business. The company raised $4.5 million in a seed funding round last May as it continues its growth alongside Olsen and additional co-founders Ryan Baise and Tim Murphy.
In a previous interview with Barrett Media, Olsen divulged that there had not been discussions about utilizing him in a three-person broadcasting booth with Burkhardt and Brady, something to which he would not have been opposed. Recognizing that he has called the Super Bowl, conference championship games and Thanksgiving Day matchups, he admits it is difficult not to do it anymore.
“It’s not ideal, but listen, wherever it is, whatever network it’s on, whatever opportunity is there, my goal is still to just continue to show that I’m as good if not better than anybody in this industry, and I just need a chair and an opportunity to present the game in a way that I find interesting and in a way that seems like people have connected with over the last couple of years,” Olsen said, “and I’m going to continue to work until that opportunity just completely is out the door.”
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.
