Zann Fredlund has been named Program Director for iHeartMedia’s Hot AC The New Mix 102.9, Dallas. She will retain programming duties for Top 40 KHFI, Austin.
Fredlund arrived in Austin after stops in San Antonio, Seattle, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Westwood One.
Fredlund commented, “This is an incredible opportunity to lead such an iconic brand and team in Dallas. I’m super excited to expand my role with the Texas region and continue my work at iHeartMedia.”
She replaces Jay Shannon, who left earlier this month.
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Rocker 95.5 KLOS Los Angeles has tapped Nik Carter as the new afternoon host beginning February 3.
Carter will take the spot created by the departure of Kevin Ryder and Doug ‘Sluggo’ Roberts last September. (BMM 9/30/24)
Previous stops include SiriusXM, WXRT, Chicago WBOS and WFNX, Boston, and WRXP, New York.
Carter said, “95.5 KLOS is the Mount Olympus of rock radio. It’s a thrilling and intimidating opportunity, and I’m eager to connect with Los Angeles’ vibrant community of music lovers and pop culture enthusiasts.”
Pio Ferro, Senior Vice President of Audio Brands, added, “Nik Carter is the shot of adrenaline KLOS has been waiting for. With his passion and deep connection to rock ‘n’ roll, he’s the ideal choice to lead our afternoon programming into a new era.”
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FOX Sports is preparing to broadcast Super Bowl LIX live from Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La. and will have extensive coverage surrounding the championship broadcast. The company is embarking on the game with a new pairing in the broadcast booth featuring play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt and analyst Tom Brady. While Burkhardt has called one Super Bowl previously, it will be Brady’s first time behind the microphone for the game that he won seven times throughout his illustrious career. Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi will report live from the field, while Mike Pereira will deliver rules analysis for the game in his sixth Super Bowl with FOX Sports and 18th overall.
The pregame show will offer five-and-a-half hours of live coverage emanating from the FOX Sports set on Bourbon Street beginning at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 9. This broadcast will combine both casts of FOX NFL Sunday and FOX NFL Kickoff for insights and analysis before kickoff. Curt Menefee will host FOX Super Bowl LIX Pregame, marking his seventh assignment in the role for the company, along with analysts Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Jimmy Johnson and Rob Gronkowski. Insiders Jay Glazer and Peter Schrager will also take part in the program, along with Charissa Thompson, Charles Woodson, Julian Edelman and Michael Vick. Outside of the traditional pregame show casts, FOX NFL reporter Kristina Pink and host Cooper Manning will be on the air as well.
The game will also stream live in 4K on compatible devices through Tubi, marking the first instance the platform will present the championship matchup. A special Tubi Red Carpet at Super Bowl LIX show will take place live from the Caesars Superdome at 3:30 p.m. EST with host Olivia Culpo. FOX Sports will also present on-site digital coverage throughout the week, including articles from Henry McKenna and Greg Auman. Dave Helman will host the NFL on FOX Podcast, while Keyshawn Johnson will broadcast an episode of the All Facts No Brakes podcast from Ticklers Bar on Bourbon Street.
FOX Sports averaged 18.43 million viewers for its regular-season broadcasts of NFL football and registered five of the top 10 telecasts this season. In addition to having the most-watched game of the season on Thanksgiving Day (Giants-Cowboys, 38.8 million viewers), the America’s Game of the Week broadcast property averaged 23.9 million viewers. The company presented the NFC Championship Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders on Sunday, ratings for which have yet to be divulged.
The network averaged 115.1 million viewers for its last broadcast of the Super Bowl two years ago from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., the first of two consecutive championships by the Kansas City Chiefs. As the team looks to become the first franchise in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowl championships, the company will seek to surpass the record-breaking average of 123.7 million viewers attained by Paramount Global (CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, Univision) last season.
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Rene Alegria has joined Nueva Network as Chief Innovation Officer.
Alegria was most recently President and CEO of MundoNow, where he significantly elevated the digital-first platform, leading it to achieve 36 Emmy Awards over four years, including one recognition for his exceptional leadership.
Under his direction, MundoNow also launched Oyenos Audio, an innovative Latino podcast network that transformed storytelling for bilingual and bicultural audiences throughout the United States.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rene to Nueva Network,” said Jose Villafañe, Founder and CEO of Nueva Network. “Rene’s unparalleled expertise and vision will be instrumental as we continue to expand our reach and redefine the audio media landscape. His innovative approach and passion for amplifying Latino voices align perfectly with our mission to connect audiences and brands in meaningful ways.”
“I’m excited to join Nueva Network at such a pivotal moment,” added Alegria. “Latino audiences are reshaping the cultural landscape, and Nueva Network is uniquely positioned to lead in delivering compelling, authentic content that speaks to the heart of our community. Together, we will push the boundaries of what’s possible in media innovation.
Alegria has played a pivotal role in enhancing the visibility of Latinos in media throughout his career. He founded Mamiverse Media, a digital platform aimed at empowering Latina mothers, and has led Rayo/HarperCollins, a recognized publishing imprint.
His initiatives have celebrated the diverse experiences within the Latino community. Notably, his strategic contributions have garnered over 100 International Latino Book Awards and helped reshape the narrative surrounding Latinos as a vibrant, content-savvy demographic with substantial cultural and economic impact.
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The Hill has announced the addition of NewsNation host Chris Stirewalt as its new Political Editor.
In the newly created role, Stirewalt will help oversee the editorial content of the digital outlet, while also contributing a weekly column and also hosting live events.
He will continue in his role as the political editor of NewsNation, in addition to serving as the host of The Hill Sunday on the cable news network.
“I started work as a political columnist covering the 2004 presidential election,” said Stirewalt. “A great deal is different in both politics and the news business now. What hasn’t changed is that a great many Americans still are looking for straightforward, fair-minded analysis but too often find partisanship masquerading as punditry.
“I am thrilled to be part of the team at The Hill, where journalists are working hard every day to provide tough, fair, incisive coverage that opens Washington up to the citizens it is supposed to be serving,” Chris Stirewalt concluded.
“We are thrilled Chris will be joining The Hill,” said The Hill and NewsNation President of News and Politics Cherie Grzech. “His expansive knowledge of Washington, and signature wit and delivery will be an enormous asset to the newsroom.”
Chris Stirewalt joined NewsNation in 2022 after previously working at Fox News. The Hill Sunday on NewsNation was launched last year.
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As the green flag waves over its exclusive coverage in May, Prime Video’s first season of NASCAR Cup Series will welcome racing fans with familiar faces. Danielle Trotta and third-generation racer Corey LaJoie will lead the streamer’s pre- and postrace coverage live from each race location. The coverage kicks off at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 25th.
Joining Prime Video’s previously announced broadcast booth is seasoned race announcer Adam Alexander alongside Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte. “We are thrilled to have Danielle and Corey join our Prime Video team,” said Alex Strand, Sr. coordinating producer for Prime Video in a release. “Their dedication to NASCAR and energy for the sport will bring a unique perspective to our inaugural season this summer.”
Trotta, a veteran NASCAR journalist with 15 years of broadcast experience, will serve as host alongside LaJoie. She has covered various sports including NFL, NBA, MLB, and NASCAR for major broadcasting companies worldwide and currently hosts On-Track on SiriusXM’s NASCAR channel.
“I am honored to be chosen as the host for Prime Video’s inaugural season,” said Trotta. “Having followed Corey throughout his driving career, I am excited to join him at the desk and share our knowledge and experience with millions of fans starting with one of NASCAR’s biggest races, the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte Motor Speedway.”
LaJoie, whose father and grandfather are members of New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame, brings recent track experience to the team. He has earned his spot in NASCAR’s top series through wins in both the K&N Pro Series East and ARCA Menards Series. In 2023, he had a career year with two top-5 and three top-10 finishes before joining Spire Motorsports for the Daytona 500 in 2024.
“I never thought I would have the opportunity to be part of Prime Video’s coverage of our sport’s inaugural season,” said LaJoie. “Combining my part-time competition in the Cup Series with hosting alongside Danielle Trotta will be a unique experience. I am excited to help Amazon deliver fresh and creative coverage that our fans want.”
Prime Video says more details and additional talent will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
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It’s a homecoming for Jeremy Fenech on February 10 when he launches “The Cars’ Morning Drive with Jeremy Fenech” at Cars 108 WCRZ, Flint, Michigan. Fenech began his 30-year radio career at the station at age 15.
Fenech arrives from cross-town Classic Rocker 103.9 The Fox, WRSR, where he spent nine years as PD/PM Driver.
On Facebook, Fenech wrote, “I’m so excited to stay in my hometown and return to the station where it all began back in 1994!”
Fenech takes over for Lisa Marie, who departed last October to take on a new role at a local non-profit organization. (BMM 10/28/24)
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Nielsen has revealed it will end its panel-based television ratings later this year, ending a decades-long practice that served as the industry standard.
In the fourth quarter, Nielsen will stop selling its panel-based ratings, instead focusing on its Big Data + Panel measurements. Last week, the company revealed the Big Data + Panel measurements had been accredited by the Media Rating Council. The new measurement metric combines figures from the company’s consumer panel data with those supplied by third-party vendors, namely smart TV manufacturers.
The decision from the ratings agency comes after years of stating its intention to move away from the panel-based formula. In 2020, Nielsen revealed it would move away from the system by 2024. However, due to pushback from advertisers that claimed the move was rushed, the company continued to operate as normal.
The change from Nielsen comes on the heels of increased digital measurement competition from companies like iSpot, Comscore, and VideoAmp, among others in a growing field.
According to a survey released by Advertiser Perceptions last year, 60% of advertising firms used an alternative to Nielsen in 2024. That does not mean those same advertisers didn’t also utilize data from Nielsen, but it does show the rise of challengers to the field dominated by the company.
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Sponsorships are a big deal in sports. They’re one of the reasons why sports fans get to enjoy top-tier events with massive budgets and incredible productions. They’re also the primary reason why sports clubs can afford to pay players the amounts they pay, so they are a major factor in the level of sports we get to watch.
Gambling companies have been some of the largest sponsors of sports teams and events lately. From football stadiums bearing the names of betting giants to having their logos on jerseys – the influence of gambling operators on sports events is hard to miss. But is it a good thing? Are there any potential drawbacks in having gambling companies like Ohio casino sitessponsoring sporting events? That’s what we will discuss in this article, so stay tuned.
The Benefits of Gambling Sponsorship in Sports
We will start by pointing out the benefits of having gambling companies sponsoring sports teams and events. Some of them are obvious, but some go beyond the sport itself, so let’s check them out.
Financial Support for Sports Teams, Players, and Events
It’s no surprise that sponsorship deals with gambling companies bring in massive amounts of money to sports teams. Many of them rely heavily on this financial backing to cover their basic expenses, like player salaries, travel costs, and stadium maintenance. Simply put, without this funding, even big clubs would struggle to stay competitive. Smaller teams might even struggle with their daily operation. Betting companies have deep pockets, and their support helps teams remain solvent, just like Roulette77 France helps users learn all about roulette, and allows them to invest in their growth.
Let’s take the English Premier League as an example – one of the most-watched sporting leagues in the world. More than half of the 20 teams that participate in the league currently have sponsorship deals with betting companies, with all of them counting in the millions.
Perks for Fans
Gambling companies that sponsor sporting events often offer perks for these events, like free tickets, giveaways, or contests where fans can get free merch from the teams the company sponsors. These are all marketing strategies used by gambling companies to lure more users to their platforms, but they add entertainment for fans that goes beyond the game itself.
Job Creation and Economic Boost
One major benefit of the gambling industry’s partnership with sports is job creation. No, it’s not just the jobs of players, coaches, and team staff, but also for many marketing professionals, event organizers, media companies, and more. Here, we have the so-called ripple effect that contributes to local economies and contributes to the overall sports ecosystem. For example, many major tournaments that are sponsored by betting companies attract thousands of tourists, which boosts local hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses.
Increased Sports Popularity
Yet another obvious benefit is the increased popularity of sports. When more money flows into sports through sponsorships, it means better marketing campaigns and bigger events. The bigger the event, the wider coverage it gets, which, in turn, means a higher-quality experience for fans. A great example of this analogy are darts and snooker – two sports that have benefited massively from gambling sponsorships, which have played a large part in promoting these sports.
Potential Downsides of Gambling Sponsorship in Sports
We’ll take a look at some of the potential downsides that come with gambling sponsorships in sports.
Promotion of Gambling to Vulnerable Audiences
The primary concern is that gambling sponsorships may expose young and vulnerable individuals to betting. Sporting and gambling regulatory bodies have been trying hard to limit this exposure, but seeing betting logos on jerseys or ads during games normalizes gambling for younger audiences, which may potentially lead to problem gambling.
Dependence on Gambling Sponsorships Money
Relying too much on gambling sponsorships can create dependency for clubs. If, for example, regulations tighten, the public sentiment shifts or the gambling company simply decides to cut back on its sponsorship, the clubs and sports organizations that have been heavily funded by these gambling companies could find themselves in trouble.
The UK is currently debating stricter advertising rules that would apply to gambling company sponsorships, particularly about having their logos on the fronts of jerseys, and this new regulation could impact the clubs that depend on betting sponsorships.
Pros of Gambling Sponsorships in Sports
Potential Cons
Financial support for teams
Promoting gambling to vulnerable audiences
Job creation
Financial dependency for clubs
Boosting the popularity of smaller sports
Fan engagement
Comparing the Pros & Cons of Gambling Sponsorships for Sports
While gambling sponsorships have some drawbacks, the benefits are so big they’re hard to ignore. But, the key is to find a balance. One solution that has been proposed is to impose regulations that limit exposure to younger audiences and promote responsible gambling. Many betting companies already promote initiatives that encourage safe gambling and support gambling addiction programs.
77 WABC has become a powerhouse in New York. Station owner John Catsimatidis knows that and is seeing it up close as hosts Curtis Sliwa, Anthony Weiner, and Frank Morano are all reportedly mulling runs for political office.
During an appearance on Sid and Friends in the Morning on Monday, Catsimatidis shared that the station will likely see some attrition in the coming months.
“We have a good team,” John Catsimatidis said. “We’re gonna have to make some changes, maybe by March 1. Some people are running for office. I don’t know how that’s gonna be handled.”
While Catsimatidis didn’t directly say which of the station’s hosts would be running, Sid Rosenberg chimed in by saying that Curtis Sliwa, Anthony Weiner, and Frank Morano were who the owner was speaking of.
Sliwa, a Republican, is likely to vie for the party’s nomination in the upcoming Mayoral race, which will take place in November. He earned the nomination in 2021 before losing the election to Eric Adams (D).
Meanwhile, both Anthony Weiner — a Democrat who previously served on City Council, as well as in the U.S. House of Representatives — and Frank Morano, a Republican, are likely to enter a race for City Council in The Big Apple. Morano officially announced his intention to run for office on Sunday, stating he had the blessing of outgoing councilman Joe Borelli.
John Catsimatidis has also publicly shared an interest in running for mayor. However, it does not appear as if the billionaire, who ran for the office in 2013, will not launch a campaign to earn the Republican Party’s nomination for the role.
Currently, Curtis Sliwa hosts on 77 WABC weekdays from 12-1 PM. Morano hosts the nationally syndicated The Other Side of Midnight, while Weiner hosts a pair of weekend programs for the news/talk station.
Primary elections in New York are currently scheduled for Tuesday, June 24th.
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