Westwood One has announced a new timeslot for America at Night with Rich Valdes, with 25 new affiliates airing the show in some major markets.
The program will now air live from 9 PM to Midnight ET, moving up one hour from its previous live window.
Additionally, the station has added 25 new affiliates like WMAL in Washington D.C., KSEV in Houston, and KKAT in Salt Lake City. The new affiliates now mean America at Night with Rich Valdes airs in each of the top 10 U.S. markets.
“Thank you, Jesus! I’m super excited to be on all of these new stations in great cities, and welcome all of our new listeners to join our live late-night national town hall conversation and encourage them to call in on Open Phone across America,” said Valdes.
The addition of the new affiliates comes after a deal between Westwood One and digital outlet The Daily Wire came to an end at the conclusion of 2024. The company’s shows hosted by Ben Shapiro, Michael Knowles, and Matt Walsh departed national syndication, leaving dozens of stations looking for programming to fill the one-hour blocks The Daily Wire programs occupied.
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.
Stephen A. Smith, featured commentator and executive producer of First Take on ESPN, is in the midst of contract negotiations with the company before his current deal expires on June 30. Even though there was a report surrounding the value of a potential deal being $120 million, he had denied that figure on a previous radio appearance and divulged that the money was there. Smith appeared alongside Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show ahead of the Wednesday edition of First Take. Within the interview, Smith was asked directly by Stern whether or not he would re-sign with ESPN, to which he replied, “I believe so.”
During his explanation, he cited having recently been with ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro and extolled him for having always been good to him and keeping his word. Moreover, Smith mentioned Bob Iger, the chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, as another person who keeps their word when they tell him things. Outside of ESPN, Smith owns and operates his own company, Straight Shooter Productions, hosts a multiplatform digital show and appears on news networks to discuss politics.
“Especially in the case of Jimmy Pitaro, there are things that I have been able to do, allowed to do talking politics and doing a lot of things,” Smith said. “He came to me and gave me his word years ago, and he followed through, and so when you have a boss like that, you learn to have a lot of love and respect for people in positions of power who could exercise their power for the negatives and they don’t do it – they do it for the positive. In this case, he does that for me.”
Earlier in the segment, Stern reminisced on when Russo revealed that he was paid $10,000 per appearance on First Take. Russo divulged that he got in trouble for that statement and that his agent received a text that read “Not helpful.” Smith also added that while Russo had gotten in trouble, he was also taken care of and opted to leave it at that. Russo signed multiyear contract extensions with ESPN and SiriusXM last year through which he continues to deliver content to national audiences on radio and television.
“You like to peel out stuff that nobody else gets, and nobody, nobody is better at it than you,” Smith said of Stern. “I’ve done thousands upon thousands of interviews over the years. No one has generated as much buzz from an interview they did on me than when I was on your show. It is unbelievable – people still talk about it.”
As it pertains to Smith’s contract discussions, Russo believes that there is more to do with the freedom to do other things beyond the money. When asked if his ESPN colleague was working too hard, Russo divulged that he is competitive and wants to be a major component in American culture. Stern then surmised that one of the reasons Smith got sick was because he was trying too hard.
“Yeah, but it was a combination, guys, of doing that and not taking care of myself,” Smith said. “I wasn’t in the gym, I didn’t work out, I didn’t take my vitamins and supplements, I didn’t eat right. All I did was work, and then I ate fast foods and sugared cereals and sodas and all of that stuff. I was in terrible, terrible condition, and I don’t have that problem now.”
At a different point in the segment, Russo discussed how he was initially asked to come on First Take to discuss Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens not being selected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in their final years of eligibility. The very next morning, he remembered receiving a call from Smith asking if he would be interested in doing the show once a week, and it has led to him expanding his reach in sports media.
“What I will say about Stephen is that Stephen allows you to shine,” Russo explained. “He wants the show to be good, he doesn’t have to be the only guy doing the show, and I told Steve a long time ago. I said, ‘Stephen, put me on the Wednesday. It’s the hardest day of the week because it’s off the football, and I can help you that day get through the [show],’ and he said, ‘You know what? It’s a good idea,’ but he has brought me to an audience that I never had before.”
Russo also mentioned how Smith ostensibly does not enjoy the early morning meetings for First Take and asks if they are done and if he can leave. Yet when the red light turns on at 10 a.m. EST, he is prepared and ready to disseminate his thoughts to the viewers. The morning program has achieved several viewership milestones in the last few years, and it continues to serve as a destination for sports fans to hear compelling opinions and debate.
“I don’t compare myself to legends in the business, pioneers who paved the way for people like myself,” Smith said. “But outside of that – I’m not going to lie – I think I’m the best in the world. When I’m in front of the camera, I don’t believe that anyone can touch me. I’m ready for everybody, and even my colleagues have always said when the lights come on, it’s something different that happens to me.”
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.
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.
Nashville Public Radio CEO Steve Swenson has announced his plans to retire from the organization later this year.
“It has been an incredible privilege to lead Nashville Public Radio as it has enhanced its public service to this community,” said Swenson. “I’m excited to watch the company’s next chapter and its continued growth.”
“Steve was exactly what we needed six years ago to transform Nashville Public Radio into the trusted public news and music source that Nashville deserves,” said Neil Thorne, Chairman of Board. “With his team, he has positioned the organization to continue to grow and serve the city in exciting new ways. We wish him the very best in his retirement.”
Swenson joined the outlet in April 2019 and has overseen significant growth during his tenure. Before joining Nashville Public Radio, Steve Swenson served as a News Director, Program Director, and Senior Vice President/General Manager at stations like 1010 WINS, WCBS 880, and WTOP for nearly four decades.
During his tenure, the outlet has added a live, one-hour news show, tripled its reporting beats, added editorial staff, and launched a new music station WNXP. Additionally, the organization’s news efforts have earned Peabody and Edward R. Murrow Awards under his tutelage.
Swenson plans to retire in either late spring or early summer. No firm date for his departure was set.
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.
After 15 years at CNN, Anna Coren is departing the cable network to join CBS News as a foreign correspondent based in Hong Kong.
Coren will cover the Asia-Pacific region for CBS News, with a focus on how the region pertains to the United States as President Donald Trump begins his second term. Heighten tensions in the region with China and North Korea continue to be a focus for both government leaders and news media outlets.
During her tenure with CNN, Coren covered numerous world events, including war zones in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine. She was on assignment in Afghanistan in 2021 when the United States troops withdrew from the country as it fell back into the hands of the Taliban.
Additionally, she’s covered the aftermath of severe weather events in Japan, Bangladesh, and The Philippines.
A native Australian, Coren had previously worked in her home country before joining CNN in 2008.
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.
Christopher “Boomer” Layfield has been named Operations Manager and Program Director for VOX AM FM in Burlington, VT.
He will oversee programming and operations for seven stations and serve as an on-air talent across the company’s footprint.
Layfield comes from Cumulus Media Indianapolis, where OM and PD were for Country 95.5 WFMS and AC 107.9 The Mix.
According to his LinkedIn, previous stops include Charlotte, Richmond, St. Louis and San Diego.
VOX AM FM stations include Star 92.9 WEZF, 95 Triple X WXXX, News Talk WVMT 96.3/620, Country 101.3 WCPV, Country 92.1 WVTK, and Oldies 96.7 WXZO.
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.
Mike Tirico has officially been named the lead play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports coverage of the National Basketball Association starting with the 2025-26 season. Tirico, who is also the voice of Sunday Night Football and host of Olympics coverage, will be taking on this responsibility as the network builds out its complete broadcast team. Comcast, the parent company of the NBCUniversal subsidiary, agreed to an 11-year media rights contract reportedly worth $2.45 billion per year.
Tirico is expected to work one or more games a week following the conclusion of the NFL season and the Olympic Games Milan Cortina 2026 next February. Until that time, he will be calling select games, one of which includes the NBA season opener in October 2025. NBC Sports will also have media rights for the NBA All-Star Game, the subsequent Saturday night and up to 100 NBA regular-season per year. Furthermore, the division will also broadcast one of the two Conference Finals series in six of the 11 years under the deal.
Tirico previously called NBA and college basketball games for ESPN, ABC and ESPN Radio, where he broadcast approximately 375 regular-season and playoff games across the platform. Throughout his time with the company, he worked with several analysts, some of whom included Hubie Brown, Doris Burke, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson and Jalen Rose. The last time he called an NBA game for the network was in 2016 for the final game of the storied career of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, during which the basketball superstar scored 60 points on 50 shots in a victory over the Utah Jazz from then-Staples Center.
“I could not be more thrilled about returning courtside to call NBA games,” Tirico said in a statement. “My 15 years of chronicling the best basketball players in the world still stands as one of the highlights of my career. Like so many others, my love of the league took hold during the unforgettable days of the NBA on NBC back in the ‘90s. The chance to be a part of the team bringing that iconic partnership back to life has our team incredibly excited.”
It remains unknown who Tirico will be working with in the lead broadcasting booth for these games as NBC continues to prepare for coverage commencing in the fall. The network announced that Jamal Crawford would be joining its coverage as a game analyst and that Frank DiGraci would be the coordinating producer. More information surrounding NBA coverage on NBC for the 2025-26 season will be announced soon.
“We are excited that Big Event Mike Tirico will be returning to his courtside seat as the NBA returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock,” Sam Flood, executive producer at NBC Sports, said in a statement. “From the Olympics to Sunday Night Football to major golf championships and now the NBA, Mike is the most versatile voice in sports.”
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.
The opening doubleheader slate of games for Unrivaled Basketball, the new three-on-three women’s basketball league, averaged 312,000 viewers on TNT and truTV. The first game between the Lunar Owls and Mist averaged 313,000 viewers, while the backend of the doubleheader with the Vinyl and Rose drew 311,000 viewers. Viewership peaked during the first game in the 8:15 p.m. EST quarter-hour with 364,000 viewers. Moreover, the matchups were the two most-watched women’s basketball games to ever air on TNT Sports platforms.
This marks the first broadcast under a six-year media rights deal between the league and Warner Bros. Discovery reportedly worth $100 million. TNT and truTV are broadcasting Unrivaled Basketball games during the season, airing on Warner Bros. Discovery platforms on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays. The first night of games featured several WNBA stars, including co-founders Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, along with Rhyne Howard, Aliyah Boston and Angel Reese.
According to Jon Lewis of Sports Media Watch, the opening games outpaced the average WNBA regular-season game viewership on cable by 50% excluding those featuring Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. The WNBA garnered an average of 657,000 viewers for its regular-season matchups, including 22 games that attained an average surpassing 1 million viewers. The company airs these broadcasts as it prepares to lose U.S. live game rights to the National Basketball Association at the conclusion of the season.
TNT Sports announced the on-air talent taking part in broadcasts of Unrivaled Basketball prior to the first matchup, featuring a game crew of Brendan Glasheen, Lisa Leslie and Sarah Kustok. The team will be joined by a rotation of sideline reporters, some of whom include Taylor Rooks, Allie LaForce, Stephanie Ready and Ros Gold-Onwude. Leslie will also take part in studio coverage for select broadcasts with Candace Parker, Renee Montgomery and Lauren Jbara.
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.
Day 3 of Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2024 presented by Radio.Cloud begins with a look at the Top 20 Classic Rock radio shows of 2024. We’ve also announced today the Classic Rock format’s Top 20 program directors. Stay updated on all of the results by visiting the website, following BM on X, Facebook or LinkedIn or signing up for our newsletters.
Our Top 20 series has highlighted the Sports and News/Talk formats for years, but this is our first entry for music radio. It’s by far the largest project we’ve ever done. 173 program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants voted in this series. 250+ were invited to be a part of it. Though some brand leaders and company executives didn’t make time to vote and some didn’t respond, I’m ecstatic with our turnout. I wasn’t sure what to expect when this 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 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 – 77 Classic Rock radio shows appeared on ballots turned in by our voters. Executives were asked to rank their Top 10 selections using the following criteria: Quality of Show (ear test), Originality, Ability to Entertain-Inform-Connect Across Multiple Platforms, Ratings Success, 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. This means that 39 programmers, consultants, and executives voted on the Classic Rock category, not managers from other formats with less knowledge of Rock radio’s best shows and leaders.
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 Rock Radio Shows of 2024.
Additional Notes:
Jim Kerr cruised to a first place finish by 96 points. Kerr led all programs with a category high 11 first place votes.
Spots 21-25 were held by Karen Dalessandro, Carter Alan, Rick Lewis, The A.D. Show, and Ty Bailey.
The closest battles saw Paul Castronovo, Bob Stroud, and Maria Milito each separated by 1 point for spots 7-9.
Of the 77 shows to receive votes, 15 received at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media Top 20 of 2024 in Music Radio Upcoming Schedule:
Thursday January 23 = BMM Top 20 Adult/Classic Hits Radio Shows and Program Directors
Friday January 24 = BMM Top 20 Country Radio Shows and Program Directors
Monday January 27 = BMM Top 20 Urban/Hip-Hop Radio Shows and Program Directors
Tuesday January 28 = BMM Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows and Program Directors
Wednesday January 29 = BMM Top 20 CHR/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors
Day 3 of Barrett Media’s Top 20 of 2024 presented by Radio.Cloud begins with a look at the Top 20 Classic Rock radio shows of 2024. We’ve also announced today the Classic Rock format’s Top 20 program directors. Stay updated on all of the results by visiting the website, following BM on X, Facebook or LinkedIn or signing up for our newsletters.
Our Top 20 series has highlighted the Sports and News/Talk formats for years, but this is our first entry for music radio. It’s by far the largest project we’ve ever done. 173 program directors, corporate executives, and format consultants voted in this series. 250+ were invited to be a part of it. Though some brand leaders and company executives didn’t make time to vote and some didn’t respond, I’m ecstatic with our turnout. I wasn’t sure what to expect when this 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 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 – 53 Classic Rock radio program directors appeared on ballots turned in by our voters. Executives were asked to rank their Top 10 selections using the following criteria: Quality of Shows (ear test), Originality, Ability to Entertain-Inform-Connect Across Multiple Platforms, Ratings Success, 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. This means that 39 programmers, consultants, and executives voted on the Classic Rock category, not managers from other formats with less knowledge of Rock radio’s best shows and leaders.
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 Rock Radio Shows of 2024.
Additional Notes:
Keith Hastings won a tightly contested race against Eric Wellman by 10 points. Wellman captured more first place votes (10 to 8) but Hastings received more total votes from the voting panel.
Spots 21-25 belonged to LA Lloyd, Chris Crowley, Matt Spatz,Joe Calgaro and Robby Bridges.
The closest finish saw Garner Goin finish 3 points ahead of Dustin Matthews for 13th place.
Of the 53 program directors to receive votes, 12 received at least one 1st place vote.
Barrett Media Top 20 of 2024 in Music Radio Upcoming Schedule:
Thursday January 23 = BMM Top 20 Adult/Classic Hits Radio Shows and Program Directors
Friday January 24 = BMM Top 20 Country Radio Shows and Program Directors
Monday January 27 = BMM Top 20 Urban/Hip-Hop Radio Shows and Program Directors
Tuesday January 28 = BMM Top 20 AC/Hot AC Radio Shows and Program Directors
Wednesday January 29 = BMM Top 20 CHR/Top 40 Radio Shows and Program Directors
