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NBC Sports Sunday Night Kickoff Delivers Largest Viewership Since 2015

John Mamola
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NBC Sports Sunday Night Kickoff Delivers Largest Viewership Since 2015

NBC Sports’ Sunday Night Football kicked off strong. Season-opening weekend delivered its biggest audience since 2015.

What We Know: Sunday’s Cowboys-Giants opener averaged 25.7 million viewers on NBC and Peacock. That’s the most-watched Sunday Night Football season opener since 2015, and it topped last year’s opener by 4%. Combined with Wednesday’s Kickoff Game between the Patriots and Seahawks, which drew 25.1 million, both of NBC’s opening-weekend NFL games cleared 25 million for the first time in a decade. Viewership peaked at 29.0 million in the second quarter of the Dallas New York matchup.

What The Data Shows:

2026 NFL Viewership Data — Opening Weekend Games Featuring Top Broadcast Teams

Event / TeamsAverage U.S. Viewership
NBC Wednesday Night Kickoff (Patriots vs. Seahawks)25.1 million
Netflix Australia Opener (Rams vs. 49ers)18.5 million
NBC Sunday Night Kickoff (Cowboys vs. Giants)25.7 million
FOX NFL Sunday Game of the Week (Eagles vs. Commanders)TBA
CBS Sports Afternoon Game (Packers vs. Vikings)TBA
ESPN Monday Night Football (Chiefs vs. Broncos)TBA

What Remains Unclear: The release doesn’t detail market-by-market numbers beyond the national average. FOX, CBS, and ESPN have yet to release their data in regards to viewership from opening weekend.

What It Means: The results extend SNF’s run as primetime’s top show for a 15th straight year. Strong early numbers give NBC a good showing following added changes to how Nielsen records viewership data. Overall, a very positive weekend for NBC Sports with two games eclipsing over 25 million viewers.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

New Point-to-Point Marketing, Strategic Solutions Research Data Shows Why Podcast Listeners Tune Into Favorite Shows

Garrett Searight
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New Point-to-Point Marketing, Strategic Solutions Research Data Shows Why Podcast Listeners Tune Into Favorite Shows

Listeners are deeply connected to podcast hosts, according to new research presented at the Sounds Profitable Business Summit. Point-to-Point Marketing and Strategic Solutions Research examined how audiences discover, engage with, and monetize podcasts.

What We Know: The research, part of The Podcast Study, examined the relationship between podcast audiences, hosts, advertising, and listening habits. Notably, the findings suggest that individual hosts remain a significant factor in driving podcast loyalty. Meanwhile, the research also explored how listeners respond to advertising and how much room exists for additional commercial inventory.

What the Numbers Show: According to the study, 82% of respondents said the host represents either a big part or the only reason they listen to their favorite podcasts. Additionally, 88% spend at least half of their podcast listening time with one favorite show. At the same time, 45% believe podcast advertising loads have increased over the past year. However, 46% said the current ad load is acceptable or that they could tolerate more advertising.

What They Said: “Every podcaster is asking how to turn audience into revenue. This study tracks the entire engagement funnel: discovery, loyalty, and the point where a follower becomes a Superfan, so producers can stop guessing. The findings we shared today are only the beginning, and I’m excited that The Podcast Study will again provide a unique look at how to move the industry forward.” -Strategic Solutions Research Partner Hal Rood

“We had ten minutes today to share some of the headlines, but there is far too much in this research to stop there. The relationship with the host, or a familiar and trusted voice like NPR utilizes, shows up again and again in listening, advertising effectiveness, willingness to pay, and opportunities beyond the episode. There are actionable ideas here for publishers, advertisers, and creators, and now we want to take the time to explore what the data really means.” -Point-to-Point Marketing CEO Tim Bronsil

What It Means: The findings point to the host as a central component of podcast loyalty and engagement. Furthermore, the data suggests that advertisers may have additional room to reach listeners, even as a sizable portion of the audience believes ad loads have grown. For publishers and creators, the research offers data around audience loyalty that could help shape content, advertising, and revenue strategies.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

60 Minutes Ratings Drop 21% in 59th Season Premiere

Garrett Searight
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60 Minutes Ratings Drop 21% in 59th Season Premiere

The season premiere of 60 Minutes drew 7.94 million viewers, according to Nielsen. That represents a 21% decline from last year’s season opener.

What We Know: 60 Minutes entered its 59th season following widespread changes behind the scenes. Nick Bilton replaced Tonya Simon as executive producer, while longtime correspondents Anderson Cooper, Scott Pelley, Cecilia Vega, and Sharyn Alfonsi all exited in high-profile moves. The changes also brought new contributors and correspondents to the CBS newsmagazine.

What the Numbers Show: Nielsen measured 7.94 million viewers for Sunday’s premiere, down from the 10 million who watched the 58th season premiere a year ago. Meanwhile, the 25-54 demographic dropped 33% to 1.6 million viewers. The audience decline came despite the program airing after NFL football, which provided a sizable lead-in.

What They Said: “We are so proud of the exceptional journalism on display in our season premiere, and we can’t wait to bring our audience another amazing show this coming Sunday.” -CBS News spokesperson

What It Means: The season premiere gives CBS an early measure of how viewers responded to the program’s new era. However, the audience could change as the season progresses and viewers become more familiar with the revamped lineup.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Ryan Clark Feared Not Being Content With Debut Of The Pivot Sports Program

John Mamola
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Ryan Clark Feared Not Being Content With Debut Of The Pivot Sports Program

Ryan Clark has officially turned the page on his sports media career. He reflected on the journey to establishing The Pivot Sports on the latest episode of The Pivot on Netflix.

What We Know: Clark exited ESPN this summer after more than a decade at the network. ESPN let him go during a live edition of NFL Live, rather than through a standard layoff notice. Now, Netflix has signed The Pivot to a multi-year deal. In addition, Clark also helped form a new weekly football program alongside co-hosts and former NFL players Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor. The Pivot Sports made its debut on Monday via YouTube.

What They Said: (All quotes via The Pivot *Netflix*):

Ryan Clark thankful for Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor is helping him launch The Pivot Sports: Thank you both from the bottom of my heart. Y’all know what doing that job meant to me, and the people that got to see me do it. Y’all know what Mondays meant to me. I know it’s a sacrifice. Both of you guys have younger kids than me. To be in the day before we shoot and study. To be up late and be here early in the morning. Like it was, it meant the world to me that we got to sit here and do it our way today.”

Ryan Clark is happy with how they landed The Pivot Sports: “When I realized we’d get to the show, I thought it would work. I don’t have a fear that it wouldn’t work. The fear I had was it would work, it’d be really good, and I still wouldn’t be content. But I’m content, like I’m actually happy.”

Ryan Clark on the uncertainty of taking on new projects in media following ESPN departure: “I just wanted to do a podcast. I want to be really good at that. And when we started this endeavor, I was like, man, I think it’d be really cool to have a show. I’ll be honest, I thought super small. Every time somebody brought up a big idea to me, I was like, I don’t know if we’re gonna be able to do that.”

Ryan Clark hopes to make The Pivot Sports into a bigger project: “We were waiting for the right thing. We were just working, and we got to the right thing. Y’all could have been like, shoot, we didn’t pay. Like I ain’t tripping. But for y’all to want to build this and do this, and I do think this becomes something bigger. I do hope we can do multiple days, and this becomes a job, like not just an endeavor, not just a hobby. Not just something we’re doing because we don’t have another thing, but something we’re doing because it’s great, and we want to be a part of it.”

What Remains Unclear: Financial terms of the Netflix deal remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, Netflix holds first-negotiation rights on future projects from Pivot25 Productions, Clark’s production company. How those projects will ultimately take shape is still unknown.

What It Means: Ryan Clark won the post-ESPN career elevation award. Following his exit from the network, he’s arranged deals with Netflix and NFL Films in order to build and expand his sports commentary distribution. For Clark, the Netflix partnership turns a turbulent exit into an expanded independent platform that likely drew the project millions. Ultimately, it shows athlete-built media can rival traditional networks on their own terms.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Townsquare Media Exec Kelly Quinn to Exit

Garrett Searight
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Townsquare Media Exec Kelly Quinn to Exit

Townsquare Media Chief Growth Officer Kelly Quinn will leave the company after 25 years. Quinn plans to depart at the end of October and consider what comes next.

What We Know: Quinn has spent 25 years with Townsquare Media, holding numerous leadership positions during his tenure. He began his career as a seller before moving into market leadership and becoming the company’s first Corporate VP of Sales. Quinn later helped lead Townsquare’s digital business before serving as Chief Revenue Officer and, ultimately, Chief Growth Officer. He announced that he’ll leave Townsquare at the end of October. However, Quinn hasn’t announced his next professional move. Instead, he’ll step away from the company and evaluate his options for the future.

What They Said: “It feels surreal to even be typing this, but the timing is right to close this chapter. During my time at Townsquare, I’ve had the opportunity to wear a lot of hats. I started as a seller with no account list and somehow ended up leading markets, becoming our first Corporate VP of Sales, helping lead our digital business, and ultimately serving as CRO and CGO. I was fortunate enough to travel around the country, working with teams in dozens of our markets (and staying in more Hilton Garden Inns than I care to mention!). But everywhere I went, the most rewarding part was the incredible people I had the opportunity to work alongside, share ideas with, and learn from. Those relationships will last forever.” -Kelly Quinn

What Remains Unclear: Quinn hasn’t indicated where he’ll go after leaving Townsquare Media. He said he’ll “take some time away and think about what I want the next chapter to look like.” For now, that suggests Quinn plans to take a break before determining his next professional opportunity.

What It Means: Quinn’s departure marks the end of a 25-year run with one of the country’s largest local media companies. His career has included roles spanning sales, market operations, digital media, revenue, and growth. As a result, Townsquare Media will lose an executive with extensive experience across multiple parts of its business. The company has not yet announced who will assume Quinn’s responsibilities following his departure.

Predictable with Stu Burguiere Replacing I’m Right With Jesse Kelly on The First TV

Garrett Searight
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Predictable with Stu Burguiere Replacing I’m Right With Jesse Kelly on The First TV

Stu Burguiere is bringing Predictable to The First TV, replacing Jesse Kelly in the network’s 9 PM ET slot. The move gives Burguiere another television platform as he expands the prediction-market-focused program.

What We Know: Predictable will air at 9 PM ET on The First TV, replacing I’m Right with Jesse Kelly. The show made its debut on Monday. Kelly’s final appearance on The First appears to have been on Wednesday, August 5th. Burguiere launched Predictable earlier this year after leaving The Glenn Beck Program, where he spent nearly 30 years. Meanwhile, the show is also slated to join BlazeTV, as Barrett Media reported last week. Kelly continues hosting his nationally syndicated news/talk radio show through Premiere Networks.

What They Said: “This is a show that looks at the world and current events through a lens of prediction markets. This is a project for both beginners and pros in the prediction market space to take information and turn it into opportunity.” -Stu Burguiere

What Remains Unclear: The First TV hasn’t detailed how the network plans to position Predictable within its broader primetime lineup. Additionally, it remains unclear whether the program will be exclusive content for The First or if it will be the same show seen on both BlazeTV and YouTube.

What It Means: Burguiere continues expanding Predictable across conservative media platforms just months after leaving TheBlaze founder Glenn Beck’s radio program. The First TV move also places the show in a prominent evening slot, while Kelly retains a national radio platform. As prediction markets continue attracting attention, Burguiere is building a media brand around the growing category.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Prime Video Adds Interactive Broadcast Enhancements To NFL Presentation

John Mamola
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Prime Video Adds Interactive Broadcast Enhancements To NFL Presentation

Thursday Night Football officially kicks off September 17 on Prime Video. New AI features and bet tracking headline the 2026 season new viewing experience.

What We Know: Prime Video returns with Thursday Night Football, building on the most-watched season in the franchise’s 20-year history. The opener pits the Buffalo Bills against the Detroit Lions at the brand-new Highmark Stadium. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit anchor the booth again. Host Charissa Thompson, alongside analysts and former NFL stars Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth comprise TNF’s celebrated pregame, halftime and postgame coverage for the fifth-straight year. Taylor Rooks provides features with the game’s brightest stars, and NFL reporter James Palmer delivers news from around the league. Marshawn Lynch and his Emmy-nominated ‘N ‘Yo City segments also return.

What’s New For 2026: Prime Insights adds five AI tools: Defensive Alerts flags blitz threats pre-snap, and Pocket Health visualizes pocket pressure. Coverage ID reveals defensive schemes in real time, while Pressure Alert tracks backfield penetration. An End of Game Suite maps comeback paths and clock scenarios. Elsewhere, Key Moments curates highlights instantly, and Rapid Recap catches late-joining fans up in minutes. A FanDuel bet-tracking integration also debuts this season.

What Remains Unclear: The release doesn’t specify how quickly Prime Insights features move from the Prime Vision test stream to the main broadcast. It’s also unclear how broadly FanDuel’s bet-tracking tool will roll out beyond this season’s initial launch.

What It Means: AI tools like Defensive Alerts and Pocket Health push NFL broadcasts further into predictive, real-time analytics. Moreover, personalized bet tracking deepens the tie between streaming platforms and legal sports betting. Together, the additions aim to hold both casual and hardcore fans through every Thursday night window.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

John Catsimatidis: ‘Only Way to Get Fired From WABC is Being Fake News’

Garrett Searight
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2
John Catsimatidis: ‘Only Way to Get Fired From WABC is Being Fake News’

John Catsimatidis says he plans to address an issue involving Worldwide News Network coverage of the Republican National Convention. The 77 WABC owner made the comments while appearing on Sid & Friends in the Morning.

What We Know: The comments came during a discussion about reports of empty seats at the Republican National Convention. Catsimatidis, who owns 77 WABC, said someone at Worldwide News Network made a similar observation about the convention. The discussion centered on coverage of the event and the reaction from Catsimatidis and former President Donald Trump.

What They Said: “The only way you can get fired from WABC is being fake news … Somebody from our Worldwide News Network — who I’m gonna deal with — said the same thing. They said there were empty seats. At one o’clock in the morning. I was listening. I heard it. Trump heard it. We’re gonna deal with it. You wanna be woke? Go work someplace else.” -John Catsimatidis

What Remains Unclear: Catsimatidis didn’t identify the Worldwide News Network employee he was referencing. He also didn’t explain what action he plans to take or whether the employee could face disciplinary measures. Additionally, he didn’t provide further details about the specific report or comment that prompted his reaction.

What It Means: Catsimatidis’ comments indicate the convention coverage has drawn scrutiny within his media operation. However, he hasn’t publicly detailed what changes, if any, will follow his stated intention to address the matter.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

97.5 The Fanatic Adds Former Barstool Sports Personality Adam “Smitty” Smith in Rotational Role

John Mamola
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0
97.5 The Fanatic Adds Former Barstool Sports Personality Adam “Smitty” Smith in Rotational Role

Adam ‘Smitty’ Smith is joining Philadelphia sports radio 97.5 The Fanatic. The former Barstool Sports personality joins the station as a part-time contributor.

What We Know: Smith spent more than a decade building his name at Barstool Sports, becoming one of its most recognizable Philadelphia voices. Moreover, he’s adding 97.5 The Fanatic to his plate, appearing on Marks & Salciunas and other programs throughout the week. According to Smith, the move reflects a shift away from Barstool’s reality-show content toward Philly sports coverage. Now, he wants to focus on the city’s four major teams full-time.

What They Said: (All quotes via 97.5 The Fanatic)

Adam Smith on coming to 97.5 The Fanataic: “Scott’s [Masteller] given me the opportunity. He’s been great. I’m very grateful for that. I’m going to start out just being in the mix and pop it in here and there, being a utility player. We’ll see where it goes.”

Adam Smith on the excitement of Philadelphia sports right now: “We are in the midst of one of the greatest Philadelphia sports runs in history. I know Bill [Colarulo] and Ricky [Bottalico] had this segment on a couple weeks ago. When have you seen all four teams have a shot every single night to tune in and something to play for? Something to get excited about? We are here, we are alive, and I’m ready to get back in the mix. I’m pumped.”

Adam Smith on why he decided to join 97.5 The Fanatic on a part time basis: “I am excited to be talking Philly sports 24/7. Now, there’s a lot of stuff that goes on at Barstool [Sports] that’s reality show related. This is where I want to be. I’m in the Philly suburbs living the dad life. I’m ready to get back into the weeds, and I’m ready to go.”

What Remains Unclear: Smith’s exact role and schedule remain undefined for now. He called himself a “utility player,” but how often he’ll appear beyond weekly hits is still unknown.

What It Means: Smith’s arrival adds a familiar voice to Philadelphia’s crowded sports-talk scene. Consequently, 97.5 The Fanatic gains built-in social reach and star power with Smith’s brand awareness with his Barstool Sports following. In addition, for Smith, the shift signals a pivot toward hometown sports coverage. Moreover, the move reflects Philadelphia’s booming appetite for sports content right now.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

Bob & Sheri Discontinues Syndication for Direct-to-Consumer Model

David Hill
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Bob & Sheri Discontinues Syndication for Direct-to-Consumer Model

Bob & Sheri discontinues syndicated distribution on December 31. The pioneering morning show pivots to direct-to-consumer instead.

What We Know The 30-year syndicated morning show will depart approximately 50 affiliates at year’s end. Tony Garcia and Sheri Lynch founded the program starting in 1996. The show earned 10 Marconi Award nominations including this year. Meanwhile, the program received induction into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2025.

What They Said “We were among the first shows to syndicate successfully,” Garcia explained. “The first AC morning show and the first to feature a woman in the lead role.” Both founders invested heavily in audience research. Lynch noted that “data from Edison Research, Tom Webster at Sounds Profitable, and our commissioned research determined this is the right time to become a direct-to-consumer brand.”

What Remains Unclear The specific direct-to-consumer platform hasn’t been announced yet. Additionally, subscription pricing and launch timing remain undisclosed. Furthermore, the complete distribution strategy awaits clarification. Finally, affiliate transition details still require disclosure.

What It Means This move signals a major shift in syndicated radio economics. Therefore, other long-running shows may reconsider their own distribution models. Moreover, the trend toward direct-listener engagement continues accelerating. Ultimately, Garcia and Lynch prioritize creative control over traditional syndication.

Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.

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