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Big Machine, Joel Klaiman Unveil New Imprint: Ascend Music

BMM Staff
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Big Machine, Joel Klaiman Unveil New Imprint: Ascend Music

The Nashville-based Big Machine Label Group is expanding its footprint with the launch of a new imprint, Ascend Music, in partnership with veteran music executive Joel Klaiman.

The venture aims to spotlight cross-genre talent. At the same time, building on the proven formula of multi-format success between Klaiman and BMLG Founder, Chairman & CEO Scott Borchetta.

“Joel’s energy, vision, and passion are contagious, and he never leaves any stone unturned when he’s working with an artist,” Borchetta said. “He’s bringing great artists to the partnership, and we will be wasting no time in getting out some game-changing music.”

Klaiman added, “After witnessing first-hand Scott’s entrepreneurial vision and his deep commitment to fostering an artist-first, development-driven culture, it’s a dream come true to collaborate with him and the BMLG team again. This new venture will fuel the growth of our artists and expand Ascend Music’s global repertoire – aligned with both our companies’ shared vision and a strategy that unlocks exciting opportunities for all involved.”

Klaiman, who now serves as Founder & CEO of ASCEND4M, brings decades of industry experience and a deep history with Borchetta. The pair first joined forces in 2008 to promote Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” which reached No. 1 on both country and pop radio charts.

Klaiman played a key role in shaping the rollout of Swift’s Fearless, Speak Now, and Red albums during his tenure as EVP of Promotion & Artist Development at Republic Records.

Ascend Music’s first artist signing is expected to be announced later this week.

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.

Oliver Darcy, Jon Passantino to Launch ‘Power Lines’ Podcast

BNM Staff
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Oliver Darcy, Jon Passantino to Launch ‘Power Lines’ Podcast

Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino have announced they’re teaming up for a new podcast — called Power Lines — that will debut later this week.

The project is an expansion of the Status newsletter that Darcy launched last year after he exited his role at CNN.

Power Lines will debut on July 11th and will produce weekly episodes, releasing on Fridays.

Darcy said that the program probably won’t be reliant on guests and will instead focus on the coverage of media, tech, entertainment, and politics that has anchored most of his newsletter coverage.

“I would like this to be bigger than me,” Darcy told Variety of his Status endeavor, noting that he’d like to grow incrementally. “We want to expand the aperture of coverage. There are opportunities in other verticals to have the same kind of scoop-driven reporting we do for the media industry.”

The new show will partner with In The Arena Studios for production of the program. Additionally, Gemini XIII will handle advertising sales for the program.

The addition of the video podcast for Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino comes as the Status newsletter is approaching 85,000 paid and non-paid subscribers, Darcy notes.

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.

103.5 WKTU Turns ‘War of the Roses’ Into Animated Series

BMM Staff
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103.5 WKTU Turns ‘War of the Roses’ Into Animated Series

One of New York radio’s most iconic segments is making the leap to the screen. 103.5 WKTU is reimagining its popular “War of the Roses” franchise as a stylized animated series, set to debut on July 24.

The project, led by longtime host Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton in partnership with Woody Productions and ABoot Studios, marks the first-ever visual adaptation of the drama-filled segment. Co-hosted by Marie, the new series transforms true stories of infidelity and emotional fallout—originally aired on KTU—into short-form animated episodes with bold visuals, immersive audio, and a genre-crossing soundtrack.

“This show lets you feel the drama all around you. Inspired by true stories, brought to life in a whole new way,” Hamilton said.

Known for its high-stakes format, where suspicious partners would use fake giveaways to test their significant others. “War of the Roses” built a loyal following with its raw emotion and unpredictable outcomes. The animated version aims to retain that edge while adding new layers of storytelling through sound design and visual flair.

The series also incorporates advanced technology, utilizing Eclipsa Audio, Google’s open-source spatial audio platform. Sound design is handled by Vaudeville, allowing for a 360-degree audio experience optimized for headphones and spatially aware devices.

Music plays a key role in the reboot, with contributions from artists including Sophie Powers, Peter DiStefano (Porno for Pyros), Dave Krusen (Pearl Jam), The Tiger Lillies, and Artikal Sound System. The soundtrack is intended to deepen the emotional resonance of each episode while connecting with diverse music communities.

In addition to high production value, the series also supports emerging talent. Produced in North Bay, Ontario, by ABoot Studios. The project collaborates with Canadore College to offer internship opportunities for students and recent graduates in the fields of media and game development. Merging professional content creation with education and workforce development.

War of the Roses: The Animated Series premieres July 24 across digital platforms.

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.

Z100 Announces Free Summer Bash Concert at Hudson Yards

BMM Staff
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Z100 Announces Free Summer Bash Concert at Hudson Yards

iHeartMedia New York’s Z100 is closing out the season with a free concert event. Z100’s Summer Bash, presented by Wells Fargo, is set for Thursday, August 7, at 6 p.m. ET. The show will take place at the Public Square & Gardens at Hudson Yards in Manhattan.

The event, hosted by Z100’s on-air talent, will feature live performances from chart-toppers and rising stars alike, including Lewis Capaldi, Julia Michaels, Dom Innarella, and Magnus Ferrell. Additional performers are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Positioned as a celebration to mark the end of summer, the Z100 Summer Bash reinforces the station’s role as a key player in New York’s pop culture and music scene. Entry to the show is free, allowing fans to enjoy major acts in one of the city’s most dynamic venues.

For updates and more information, listeners can tune in to Z100 or follow the station on its social media channels.

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.

KMOX Announces Multi-Year Broadcast Rights Extension With St. Louis Cardinals

BSM Staff
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KMOX Announces Multi-Year Broadcast Rights Extension With St. Louis Cardinals

Audacy has announced a multi-year extension of its broadcast partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals, ensuring that KMOX (104.1 FM and 1120 AM) will continue as the flagship home of Cardinals baseball for years to come.

The agreement maintains KMOX’s full play-by-play coverage of all regular season, postseason, and select Spring Training games. In addition, the station has enhanced its Cardinals-focused content following its recent expansion to the FM dial. New weekday programming includes “Gas House Gang” airing at noon CT and “Red Bird Rush Hour” each weeknight at 5:00 p.m. CT, giving fans even more access to in-depth team coverage.

“This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to delivering the content our community loves, and with KMOX now on FM, we’re even more fired up to bring every single game, plus exciting new programming, to more fans than ever before,” said Becky Domyan, Senior Vice President and Market Manager for Audacy St. Louis and Wichita.

The station’s veteran broadcast team—John Rooney, Ricky Horton, and Mike Claiborne—will remain behind the mic, continuing to deliver the familiar sound that Cardinals fans have come to rely on.

“We know how much this team means to St. Louis, and we’re dedicated to providing the most in-depth, passionate coverage for our loyal listeners,” said Domyan.

For the Cardinals, the partnership represents more than just a media deal—it’s a continuation of a nearly century-long relationship between the team and one of the most historic radio stations in baseball.

“St. Louis Cardinals baseball has been synonymous with KMOX radio since they began broadcasting Cardinals games nearly 100 years ago,” said Anuk Karunaratne, the team’s Senior Vice President of Business Operations. “We are excited to continue this longstanding partnership with our flagship station and carry on the great tradition of broadcasting Cardinals baseball on the Voice of St. Louis.”

With the deal in place, St. Louis fans can expect familiar voices, broader reach, and expanded programming as the Cardinals and KMOX continue their shared legacy.

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.

CNN Headlines FAST Channel Relaunches, Brad Smith Joins As Anchor

BNM Staff
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CNN Headlines FAST Channel Relaunches, Brad Smith Joins As Anchor

CNN has relaunched its CNN Headlines FAST (free, ad-supported television) channel and is beginning the process of adding anchors like Brad Smith.

The network quietly relaunched the channel with updates to its streaming channel to expand its digital reach. The channel had previously existed as a breaking news video service, with other content curated throughout the day. It mostly featured clips and interviews that had previously taken place on various shows on its linear cable network, however.

More live and original programming is expected to be produced for the updated version of the channel, with a new show called CNN Headline Express to air at 7 AM and 11 AM ET. That offering will be exclusive to the FAST channel.

The network joins a growing field of 24/7 FAST channels from news networks, as outlets like NBC News NOW, CBS News 24/7, and ABC News Live already exist in the space.

Brad Smith has joined the FAST channel as its first dedicated anchor. He had previously worked as an anchor at Yahoo! Finance, where he hosted Morning Brief. Additionally, he spent time at Cheddar News and Cheddar Business, where he hosted the daily live Opening Bell show from the New York Stock Exchange. Before his media career, he worked as a marketing specialist for Nasdaq. In this new role, he’ll be based in Atlanta.

The expansion and renewed focus on the network’s FAST channel come as CNN continues to evolve its digital offerings under the tutelage of CEO Mark Thompson. Thompson has continually stated his goal is to revolutionize the network’s digital products. A planned weather app is also expected to be launched by the end of the year, in addition to a dedicated streaming service for the news network.

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.

Ben Shapiro, Charlie Kirk, Vince Coglianese, NPR All See Top 20 Finishes in June Podtrac Rankings

BNM Staff
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Ben Shapiro, Charlie Kirk, Vince Coglianese, NPR All See Top 20 Finishes in June Podtrac Rankings

The June rankings from Podtrac have been released, and hosts like Ben Shapiro, Charlie Kirk, Vince Coglianese, and shows from NPR saw top finishes.

In the latest U.S. Unique Monthly Audience rankings, three shows from NPR were in the top 20. NPR News Now earned the top spot, while Up First from NPR was third. Meanwhile, Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! from NPR was 16th.

The Daily from The New York Times was in second place during June, while Dateline NBC was fourth, Fox News Hourly Update finished fifth, Shawn Ryan Show was sixth, Pardon My Take earned seventh, and This American Life was eighth. Every show in the top eight remained unchanged from the previous month.

The Ben Shapiro Show was in 13th place during the month. That position was also unchanged from the May rankings from Podtrac.

Meanwhile, The Charlie Kirk Show was the biggest mover in the rankings, jumping up 12 places to finish 19th. Additionally, VINCE — the podcast from Vince Coglianese — earned 20th, which mimicked its result from May.

In the Top U.S. Podcast Publishers & Networks rankings, iHeartMedia held the top two spots as iHeart Audience Network was first, followed by iHeartPodcasts. NPR Sales Network was third, while Acast and Libsyn rounded out the top five.

Also, Fox Audio Network finished eighth, while Paramount finished 10th, Barstool Sports was 11th, The Daily Wire earned 12th, and CNN finished 14th in the overall rankings.

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.

ESPN, Big East Agree to New Multi-Year Streaming Rights Agreement

BSM Staff
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ESPN, Big East Agree to New Multi-Year Streaming Rights Agreement

After more than a decade apart, ESPN and the Big East Conference are back in business—this time in the digital space. The two sides have reached a six-year agreement that will bring a substantial package of Big East sports to ESPN+, the network’s current direct-to-consumer streaming platform.

First reported by Sports Business Journal, the deal includes a wide array of Olympic sports content along with men’s and women’s basketball games, starting with the 2025–26 academic year.

Unlike the conference’s existing television deals with FOX Sports, NBC, and TNT Sports—which were signed last year—this new agreement is streaming-only and does not involve any linear component. The report states the rights deal is direct between the conference and ESPN and is not a sublicense.

Under the terms of the new pact, 25 non-conference men’s basketball games will stream exclusively on ESPN+. In addition, the deal calls for a minimum of 75 women’s basketball games and 200 Olympic sports events, all of which will be produced by the Big East.

While financial terms were not disclosed, sources close to the negotiations confirmed to the Sports Business Journal that a rights fee is involved. Proskauer’s Benjamin Freeman represented the Big East, with Commissioner Val Ackerman leading the discussions for the conference. ESPN’s SVP of Programming & Acquisitions Nick Dawson and Director of Programming & Acquisitions Mallory Kenny handled negotiations on the network’s behalf according to the report.

The deal marks a return to familiar territory. ESPN and the Big East have a long history, dating back to 1980 when the network signed its first national deal with the conference. That partnership ended in 2013 when the Big East shifted to Fox Sports following the departure of its football-playing members.

This new agreement further expands ESPN+’s college sports offerings and provides the Big East with greater visibility across a broad range of sports—just as ESPN prepares to formally launch its standalone streaming service (called ESPN) this fall.

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.

FOX Sports Concacaf Gold Cup Final Sets New Viewership Record

BSM Staff
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FOX Sports Concacaf Gold Cup Final Sets New Viewership Record

The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Final delivered big for FOX Sports, with and average of 3.73 million viewers tuning in to watch Mexico defeat the United States 2-1 on Sunday night. The broadcast set a new benchmark as the most-watched Gold Cup telecast in English-language U.S. television history.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the match peaked between 8:45 and 9:00 p.m. ET with 5.21 million viewers, cementing its place as the most-watched English-language soccer telecast on any U.S. television network since the 2024 Copa America Final, which also aired on Fox.

Even more impressive was the growth from the 2023 Gold Cup Final. The 2025 final saw a staggering 239% increase in viewership over the 2023 Gold Cup Final on Fox, which drew 1.1 million viewers for the Mexico vs. Panama matchup.

In front of a sold out NRG Stadium in Houston of 70,925 fans whom heavily favored Mexico, the final delivered not only for the attendance in person but also for the viewer. Historically Spanish-language broadcasts of international soccer tournaments often compete with or exceed their English counterparts in the United States, which could have caused some viewership to switch away from the English-speaking broadcast on FOX Sports.

While the final delivered a massive audience, the entire tournament also saw significant gains. Across 31 matches televised on FOX, FS1, and FS2, the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup averaged 474,000 viewers—up 21% from the 2023 tournament average of 393,000 viewers. That makes this year’s edition the most-watched Gold Cup tournament in Fox Sports history.

For Fox Sports, the tournament’s success adds another milestone to a growing resume of soccer wins. Following strong performances with the 2024 Copa America and ongoing MLS coverage, the network continues to solidify its position as a go-to destination for major international and domestic soccer content.

As streaming and digital platforms reshape sports consumption habits, live events like the Gold Cup Final prove that traditional television—especially when delivering marquee matchups—still has the power to unite millions of viewers.

Now with heightened anticipation for international soccer as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the USMNT have two more friendly matches this calendar year where it can work on their game ahead of hosting the event next year across the United States.

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.

KXnO Reveals New Programming Lineup

BSM Staff
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KXnO Reveals New Programming Lineup

iHeartMedia’s KXnO in Des Moines has unveiled a new weekday lineup following the promotion of longtime host and producer Sean Roberts to Program Director of 106.3 KXnO and the statewide Iowa Sports Radio Network.

The changes, which took effect Monday, reshape the station’s on-air structure across morning and afternoon drive. Heather Burnside and Alec Busse debut as co-hosts of The 1st Quarter from 6–9 a.m. Burnside previously co-hosted The Drive in afternoon drive, while Busse arrives from Cyclone Alert, where he covered Iowa State athletics.

The updated schedule also sees The Dan Patrick Show shift one hour later to 9 a.m.–noon, trimming the final hour of The Herd with Colin Cowherd. Ken Miller and Trent Condon remain in place from noon to 2 p.m., followed by a rebranded 2–5 p.m. afternoon show titled Off The Bench, hosted by Lucas Strain and Roberts himself. The 5–6 p.m. hour, now dubbed Overtime Iowa, will feature replays and additional Fox Sports Radio content.

Roberts shared his thanks to be returning to afternoon drive.

These moves are part of a larger evolution following iHeartMedia’s November layoffs that impacted multiple KXnO contributors, including former morning host Ross Peterson and producer Justin Miller. Peterson has since launched a streaming show alongside Travis Justice. Meanwhile, Roberts stepped in as interim morning host and helped maintain operations through the transition.

Now formally named Program Director, Roberts will oversee content strategy for KXnO and its extended reach across the Iowa Sports Radio Network, which simulcasts on stations in Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, Iowa City, and the Quad Cities.

Erik Johnson, iHeartMedia’s Area SVP of Programming, stated last month in an internal memo about the promotion of Roberts, “Sean has been an important member of our Des Moines team for over a decade. He’s stepped up during staffing changes without missing a beat, and we look forward to his leadership.”

Roberts joined iHeartMedia in 2013 and began co-hosting The Drive with Burnside in 2022. He also serves as the in-game host for Drake men’s basketball and will begin his new leadership role immediately.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.

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