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Why Stephen A. Smith Should Be the Person News/Talk Radio Hosts Emulate

Pete Mundo
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Why Stephen A. Smith Should Be the Person News/Talk Radio Hosts Emulate

Stephen A. Smith continues to own the media’s news cycle, whether by his own doing or not. There was the back-and-forth between Stephen A. and Michelle Beadle after SiriusXM announced plans to replace Beadle and her co-host Cody Decker with ESPN’s biggest star. 

Then, there was Stephen A.’s continued dabbling into the political arena. He appeared on a highly rated President Trump Town Hall on News Nation a few weeks ago with Chris Cuomo, Bill O’Reilly, Steve Bannon, and others. And he has continued to be a vocal critic of the Democratic Party in recent days on his podcast, which is garnering enormous attention, most notably on social media.

Stephen A. Smith has wisely played in the political sandbox, with little evidence to suggest it’s hurting his brand as a sports commentator. In fact, Stephen A.’s brand is now growing beyond the world of sports, which is to his benefit.

“I am not a politician,” Smith recently told The Hollywood Reporter. “I don’t believe I’m qualified to be a politician. I don’t have any experience, nor have I ever had any interest. But I do love talking about issues that matter to the everyday American citizen. The way things are looking right now, it’s nothing but chaos and it’s going downhill. The binary system that we are living in can’t come together on a damn thing. Let’s call balls and strikes and let’s get back to doing what’s in the best interest of the country instead of in the best interest of ourselves. That’s why I believe people have been trying to coax me into joining the fray of politics.”

This is brilliant commentary from Smith. He’s not diving head-first into one side of the political pool but rather branding himself as someone who is criticizing the “binary system” and is interested in calling “balls and strikes” while getting back to doing “what’s in the best interest of the country.”

Who does that sound like to you? Donald Trump circa 2010-2015. Trump, while now the face of the Republican Party, was once viewed as someone who was an outsider and didn’t identify with either political party. He then elected to run as a Republican, and the rest has been history, which we continue to live through today.

Now, I’m not predicting Smith to become the next President of the United States. He has $100 million reasons from ESPN not to bother. And I’m not convinced he could pull it off. However, for the purpose of expanding his brand beyond the sports world, the narrative Smith is creating for himself is one that generates intrigue and enthusiasm among a growing audience outside of the sports arena.

Had President Trump not pulled off one of the great political upsets in American history in 2016, he likely would have gone back to a very lucrative media and business career. There was no downside for him.

Stephen A. Smith continues to play his cards perfectly to grow his brand beyond sports.

While on a much more minor scale, the lesson here for all talk show hosts is a simple one: be diverse in topics. Showcase your personality. At our core, we are not expert political advisors, we are entertainers. The best political consultants in America would likely be unable to host a multi-hour talk show. Some could, but most couldn’t.

When you attend any party or gathering, you discuss various topics with people from different backgrounds. At our core, we will always be discussing the national and local news scene, which incorporates the politics of the day. However, not every day is filled with the most dramatic, can’t-miss political stories. Use these days to your advantage. Keep the audience engaged. And branch out. Your P1s will be there.

But much like Stephen A. Smith has done with sports, showcasing your ability to entertain beyond news and politics will serve you well in growing your brand in your market, which will make you a more well-rounded host and just a more interesting person to listen to. I would also expect more opportunities to grow from it. Now, go be entertaining. 

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 NBA Finals Silence Is Golden For Sports Fans

John Mamola
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The NBA Finals Silence Is Golden For Sports Fans

Do you hear what I hear? The sound of silence during the Finals from the NBA is deafening, yet refreshing at the same time. I have always tried to separate politics from sports, as have most American sports fans. One is our collective escape from the realities of the other. No matter what side of the political fence you stand on, this is not meant to be a statement but rather a compliment—and a moment to celebrate.

It’s no secret that our country is not the same nation we once grew up in. There are more ways for people to consume, disseminate, and speak out about news and information than ever before. The fight for likes and the desire to go viral have taken over conversation and debate. We are more divided than ever, but all yearning for a day when we can regain respect for our collective differences—as they are what make our country the greatest in the world.

Recently, in times of despair, professional sports and athletes have found ways to use their platforms and share their voices. In times of crisis and social division, athletes and franchises alike have instantly shared their voices of support or dissent. With the recent events in Los Angeles and around the country—where protests are continuing to grow in disagreement with the actions of the current administration—do you hear what I hear? Am I seeing this right?

Has the NBA Decided Speaking Out Isn’t Always Best?

The NBA is considered by many as the most progressive sports league among the top four in the United States. The league has actively engaged in dialogue and actions related to social justice issues, with players and league officials speaking out on matters such as police reform and racial inequality. During his tenure, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has encouraged his players to speak out and has supported franchises in doing the same.

Following the death of Eric Garner in 2014, many players—including LeBron James—donned t-shirts in pre-game warmups stating, “I can’t breathe.” In the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, NBA players wore “Black Lives Matter” shirts, and during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the league had the same slogan painted on the court of play while players took a collective knee during the national anthem in protest.

We cannot forget that the actions of the league and its players caused further division among fans of the game. On one hand, the demonstrations showed support, while on the other, some were turned off by the league’s actions—leading to heated discourse on social media and divisive debate in sports media circles around the country.

Do you hear what I hear?

Do you see what I see?

Is it possible that we’ve accepted a new norm—that the NBA is inherently expected to speak out on all social issues—and that when they don’t, it leaves us questioning if they missed the memo?

The Sound of Silence From the City of Angels

The signature event of the NBA is here: the NBA Finals. Yet not a peep, tweet, slogan, or gesture from anyone associated with the NBA about the events of the past week in Los Angeles?

Do you hear what I hear?

Are sports—and particularly the NBA—back to being the collective escape from reality?

There are two teams in Los Angeles. Both the Lakers and the Clippers have been silent on social media, with no statements on the violence, actions and protests in their home city.

LeBron James, the face of the league and one of the leading NBA voices on political issues in recent memory? Silent.

ESPN and ABC commentators? Not a word about the events in Los Angeles, one of the NBA’s biggest markets.

Sports radio in Los Angeles taking a stance on the issue? Nope. Too busy with the Dodgers and NFL OTA activities.

The NBA communications department? Nothing.

Commissioner Adam Silver? He’s been asked more about logos that haven’t appeared for a decade on the NBA Finals court and what he expects from Michael Jordan with NBC Sports next season. Nothing on the events in Los Angeles.

The NBA Finals (so far) have been 100% clean of any political insertion into the discourse of the tournament. We’ve gone from “shut up and dribble” to “anything to add?”

That’s not a bad thing! Isn’t it refreshing to hear nothing and see nothing for a change?

Is ‘Sticking to Sports’ Back in Fashion?

In fact, the NBA should be getting more praise for not allowing the events in Los Angeles to cloud the celebration of crowning a new champion. If silence is golden, Adam Silver and the NBA are striking it rich.

It’s refreshing to hear Tyrese Haliburton talk about the excitement of playing for an NBA championship instead of his political ideology. It’s energizing to hear sports talk radio hosts debate whether television ratings matter to the NBA Finals, rather than what LeBron James tweeted about Donald Trump today.

It’s fantastic that First Take is not filled with Stephen A. Smith ranting about what the NBA and NBA players are saying about the events in Los Angeles. He’s now isolated to his podcast for those political views—because an option is preferred.

The NBA is making a statement by staying silent, and it should be celebrated. Sports are an escape from the tough realities of our day-to-day lives. Games are entertainment, and the players are entertainers whose efforts leave fans marveling at their talent—leaving the challenges of life aside. The NBA Finals are a perfect opportunity to bring people together for the love of competition, where one team will be crowned champion for the first time in their franchise’s history.

The NBA recognizes this. We all should be thankful that—if only for this NBA Finals—sports are back… to just being sports.

Do you hear what I hear? Do you see what I see?

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.

Steve Stone: ‘One Person Believing Can Start A Career’

Charese Fruge
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Steve Stone: ‘One Person Believing Can Start A Career’

There’s something to be said about hearing that familiar voice and personality on your hometown or favorite radio station. It gives you the feeling of nostalgia and familiarity.

That’s how I feel when I hear Steve Stone on a radio station. Even though I know his voice because he was on Alternative Rock, X107.5 in Las Vegas when I programmed it, I still get those feelings when I hear him on Sports Radio, News Talk, or any other format. He covers a wide range of formats in his station repertoire.

Stone is an Emmy Award-winning talent and audio producer. He’s heard daily on radio and TV stations all over North America, and he also produces his own audio branding fx libraries, AUDITORY FX.

Some of his more notable stations include 102.9 The Buzz in Nashville, KQRS in Minneapolis, WXRT in Chicago, 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, Z103.5 in Toronto, Altitude Sports Radio in Denver, CBS News in Miami, WCVB TV in Boston, and CNN.

Stone started in radio at 19 in Northern California and spent 13 years working all over the US in cities in Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New York. During his last three years in New York, he was creative director at 92.3 K-Rock. He left day-to-day radio in 2003 and started his own voiceover and production business, and has been full-time freelance ever since.

What separates Stone from the rest? “I feel like my experience and unique perspective allow me to convey emotional authenticity in some very specific formats.

“With Rock, I feel I can convey the various flavors. I voice AAA stations that are very relaxed and real, and all the way to Active Rock stations that are your party friend who is LOUD! Plus, with CHR, I amp up my youthful sound, just smile and keep the energy up. I have a lot of fun with all the different music formats. With talk formats, I feel like the voice of the fan when doing sports and the voice of a trusted confidant with news.”

“There are so many voice talents available that it’s a privilege when someone chooses me. I feel the biggest advantage I bring to my clients is service. I pride myself on quick turnaround and attention to detail. They know they can count on me!”

What’s missing from the industry right now?

“A robust talent development system,” says Stone. “There used to be levels of ‘working your way up’ in the business. Now? Because of the constant downsizing, it’s caused a huge void, and I’m not sure how we fix it.”

“While many new talent have broken in via social media, that has been a very different training ground and experience. I believe as an industry, broadcasting is still missing a focus on talent development both behind the mic and behind the scenes.”

“Cost-cutting has affected every part of radio and its services. I believe in radio imaging and its importance, and I feel that there is a future if we continue to create work that connects with the audience.”

“While radio itself has changed, the need for quality audio branding has only increased with podcasting and social media expansion. While the future of broadcast is uncertain, media communication will continue to increase in importance. It’s just the delivery system that changes.”

Stone’s advice to new talent who want to be as successful as he is: “I’ve been very fortunate. I learned early on to be a sponge,” he says.

“Learn everything you can about the business you want to be in. Everyone you meet has something from which you can learn. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, be curious. Reach out to people you admire and ask for advice. Remembering that while you may not always be greeted with open arms, you should always be kind and grateful, even to those who aren’t kind to you.”

“Work on your craft and skills every chance you get. Make peace with the fact that you may not be everyone’s choice, but that all you need is for one person to believe in you to start a career, to sustain it.”

“You need to convert those people into fans. Being dependable and easy to work with makes having fans the most valuable advertising you could ever have. As a freelancer, I am hired and fired every day.”

“Picking a talent to work with is an incredibly subjective process. Never take things personally. You will be remembered just as much for how you handle the goodbye as you do the hello.”

Follow Steve Stone on Instagram @stonevoiceovers and LinkedIn: Steve Stone.

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.

Country Radio Should Honor The Legends When They’re Still Living

Jeff Lynn
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Country Radio Should Honor The Legends When They’re Still Living

On Wednesday, we lost a great. Beach Boy Brian Wilson passed away at the age of 82. A troubled musical genius whose influence goes far beyond The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds,” his musical masterpiece.

Wilson’s influence extended to The Beatles, who were said to have been intimidated and felt the need to step up their game after the release of “Pet Sounds.” Wilson’s influence extended to the next generation with his daughters, Carnie and Wendy, and their band, Wilson Phillips.

The expected posts appeared on social media, with those lucky enough to have a photo with Wilson proudly sharing them. Tributes rolled across social media, and SiriusXM launched a Beach Boys pop-up channel.

I’ll bet you played all or at least some of “Pet Sounds” last night. I did.

Of course, losing an icon is not unique to the pop format. Sadly, Country radio has lost its share over the years. And every time, the reaction is the same as it was with Wilson.

Seeing how much artists like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and others meant to their fans and Country radio, it leaves me to wonder, why do we wait until someone dies to show our love and appreciation?

I posed the question to Country consultant Joel Raab.

“Great question, Jeff.  Are we in denial that these greats are as old as they are?  Do we not want to seem like we’re burying them before they’re ready?”

Raab believes that the Country format does a good job of recognizing its legends.

“I think the Country format does a pretty good job of honoring its legends while they’re still alive. The ACM and CMA Country Awards shows almost always have a segment devoted to a living legendary star.”

“But when someone like Brian Wilson passes, it’s final, and we want to, in real time, rekindle our thoughts and emotions (and our promo pictures with the artist) as if to bring them back. That said, I think it’s great to honor them while they’re living as much as possible. And we should do more of it.”

I’m not suggesting that we should engage in some sort of a sick death pool kind of game to guess who we will lose next.

The Country listener is loyal to their artists, and the artists, in turn, are loyal to them. Showing them love while they are still with us demonstrates depth and knowledge of the format.

Several high-quality imaging pieces were produced for Brian Wilson. Oldies stations will up the rotation, and people will say and post nice things on social media and the station website. Websites like Barrett Media will produce nice graphics and share the social media posts.

Stations can do the same thing with a Living Legend Weekend. The artists that are still loved and respected, but for some unknown reason, continue to be ignored by Country radio.

A Randy Travis Living Legend Weekend would let you play “Forever and Ever, Amen,” but would let you go deeper and play “Diggin’ Up Bones.” Let talent and listeners remember when Travis played at a local venue and share their pictures.

All the things that you do when someone passes, but when they are alive.

With some advance planning, you might even be able to get the legend themselves to participate. When Classic Country Y’all 106.7 Nashville was launched, Randy Travis himself came into the studio, flipped the switch, and started the station.

Photo Y’all 106.7 website

How could you possibly go wrong spotlighting Dolly Parton? A multimedia superstar who has touched music, TV and film. When I worked in Nashville, there would literally be an underground buzz on Music Row and in the city that “Dolly is in town.”

Tell me you have not, at one time or another, sung “9 to 5” at the top of your lungs.

Adding songs and imaging has a greater impact. Bonding the station with legends gives you depth and knowledge of the format.

You can go back to playing Morgan Wallen every 23 minutes on Monday, but for the weekend, a bonus is giving your playlist a chance to breathe.

I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on how Country radio can thank the legends while the circle is still unbroken.

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.

Hits On The Horizon: Teddy Swims, LOCASH And Flipturn

Jim Ryan
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Hits On The Horizon: Teddy Swims, LOCASH And Flipturn

Since it’s Friday the 13th, let’s see if we can make that number 13 lucky. Like Taylor with 13 hits you should get your ears on this weekend!

If your job is finding cool songs for Top 40 or Hot AC stations, let me get started this week with Jourdin Pauline / “Sugar. ” Early believers at Energy 92.1 in Myrtle Beach and Mix 105 in Salt Lake City. No streaming story to speak of so far, but it sounds like a potential hit!

Now, try this one on for size, Jennie / “Like Jennie” 3 million plus streams this week. Solid spins from majors such as KIIS/LA and 99.7 Now in San Francisco. Yes, I’ve mentioned this one before, but it’s worth another listen!

My favorite choice this week is from an artist I’ve loved for years. Teddy Swims / “God Went Crazy” is getting some early love from Alice 97.3 in San Francisco. Teddy has another solid song for the Hot-AC format.

I want to throw another shout at Role Model / “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” with another almost 3 million streams this week and over 45 million to date. I’m not sure what’s holding some Hot AC programmers back. This could be the summer song of 2025!

Moving on to the Country universe this week, just released this week, but sounds like a summer smash, Zach Top / “Good Times and Tan Lines.”  Another choice that sounds like a hit to me comes from John Morgan / “Kid Myself.”

This week, I have been listening to LOCASH / “Wrong Hearts” over and over, and New Country 96.3 in Dallas seems to feel the same way. Get your ears on this if they have not been! I have one more choice for this week from this category.  Be sure to give a few listens to Tiera Kennedy / “Somebody Like You,” it’s certainly catchy and has a fun vibe!

To the Rock world this week, and here’s my choices for your ears: Flipturn / “Rodeo Clown” has a cool sound for the Alternative world. For the AAA crowd, try out Big Thief / “Incomprehensible.” It’s getting some early love from WFUV in NYC and WXPN in Philly.

From the Active Rock world, give a listen to Volbeat / “Time Will Heal,” it has been stuck in my head for days!

Now, in the Rhythm world this week, I have just two points to point you toward. I will assume most Rhythmic stations are all over Mariah Carey’s ‘Type Dangerous” as they should be!

The two choices I have for the week are Sza / “Notice Me,” which sounds like another smash from this extremely talented artist. 

Also, get your ears on from the Dance world, Kaskade & Lipless / “State Of Mind” which has been getting a lot of love from “Evolution” on iHeartRadio Custom. So, there you go, the ear candy for the week.  Enjoy!  

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.

Ratings Roundup: NBC Nightly News Sees Slight Dip As Tom Llamas Takes Over For Lester Holt

Garrett Searight
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Ratings Roundup: NBC Nightly News Sees Slight Dip As Tom Llamas Takes Over For Lester Holt

The Lead

NBC Nightly News became the second network newscast to see a change in its anchor chair in 2025, as Tom Llamas replaced Lester Holt last week.

Holt led the show for nearly 10 years before stepping aside in late May. During his final week, NBC Nightly News averaged 5.7 million total viewers.

That figure declined during the first week of Llamas’ tenure leading the venerable newscast. For the first week of June and the first week of Tom Llamas anchoring the program, NBC News averaged 5.4 million viewers. That represents a decline of 4.7% in total audience compared to the previous week.

The network saw a wider audience loss in the coveted Adults 25-54 demographic. That figure fell from 831,000 viewers during the final week of Lester Holt anchoring the show to 771,000 viewers as Tom Llamas stepped into the chair. That’s a decrease of 7.2% in the demographic.

Despite the decrease in overall viewership, NBC News claims that 27% of the viewership during the first two nights of Tom Llamas anchoring NBC Nightly News had not previously watched the program in the preceding five weeks.

The decline for NBC News in total viewership is more significant than the immediate losses suffered by CBS Evening News as former anchor Norah O’Donnell departed the program earlier this year in favor of John Dickerson, Maurice DuBois, and Margaret Brennan.

In January, CBS News averaged 4.9 million viewers during O’Donnell’s final week. The following week, featuring the debut of the new anchors, saw 4.8 million viewers, a drop of just 1.6% overall.

However, since that week, CBS Evening News has seen a steady decline in overall viewership. During the final week of May, the network’s newscast fell to its lowest total of 2025, down to 3.6 million total viewers. That figure did see an 8% increase during the first week of June, as the newscast featured 3.9 million viewers on average.

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir reigned supreme during the first week of the month, as it averaged just under 7 million total viewers. Despite the victory, it was the second-lowest total for the newscast of 2025. The program also earned the top spot in the key demographic, widening the gap that NBC News had previously shrunk. The ABC News program finished the week with an average of 907,000 in-demo viewers.

Fox News, MSNBC, CNN Begin June on Stronger Footing

Ratings for Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN have declined — to various degrees — over the past few months compared to previous 2025 highs. But the first week of June was an encouraging one to the three cable news networks.

Fox News continued its domination of the space, finishing the week of June 2nd with an average of 2.4 million viewers in primetime. While that figure is down from the 3.9 million high it saw during the first week of March, it is a 4% increase compared to the previous week, which did include the Memorial Day holiday.

Additionally, MSNBC saw its best ratings performance since the final week of April, as it finished the first week of June with 965,000 total viewers in primetime on average. That’s a 34% increase compared to the previous week, when it dropped to its lowest total of 2025 with 718,000 total viewers.

Similarly, CNN also hit a new low during the final week of May, down to just 374,000 total viewers in primetime. That network roared back during the first week of June with 619,000 total viewers on average, according to figures from Nielsen. That’s a 66% surge compared to the previous week.

The finish is also the best performance for CNN since the first week of March which included the address by President Donald Trump to a joint session of Congress, a quasi-State of the Union speech. The 619,000 total viewership mark is the fourth best finish of 2025 for CNN, falling just shy of the same figures the network saw during the week of Trump’s inauguration in January.

CNN saw an even larger increase in the key demographic, finishing with a 77% increase in viewership week-over-week with 108,000 viewers. It also overtook MSNBC for second place in the coveted demo, while both networks are being more than doubled by Fox News, which finished the primetime category with 256,000 in-demo viewers. That figure represents a week-over-week increase of 7%.

Newsmax Sees Audience Growth with Streaming Platform

Newsmax has seen its ratings grow in recent years, and that isn’t contained to its cable television network.

The company’s streaming platform — Newsmax2 — saw a 25% year-over-year audience increase in total viewership, Newsmax says.

More than 21.5 million viewers tuned into the streaming platform during the fifth month of 2025, the network says. Additionally, it reports a 36% uptick in average time spent watching during the month compared to the previous year.

Newsmax2 features programs hosted by hosts like Ed Henry, Wendy Bell, and Rudy Giuliani, among others. It is available on over-the-air digital broadcast channels, OTT FAST platforms, and on the Newsmax app and website.

“Our strategy of offering free and paid channels is working well for Newsmax, and we expect to continue to see growth in these areas in the future,” Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy said.

While the streaming platform has seen growth, the cable ratings for Newsmax have slumped in recent weeks, aligning with nearly every other cable network during the months of May and June. The network — which had averaged as high as 382,000 total viewers in primetime earlier this year, averaged 208,000 for the week of June 2nd. That’s a slight decline from the previous week, which finished with 211,000 total viewers.

In the total day viewership category, Newsmax saw an increase during the first week of June, up to 146,000 total viewers from the previous week’s 142,000.

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.

How Paul W. Smith Moving to Middays at WJR 760 Gave Him a New Lease on Life

Garrett Searight
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How Paul W. Smith Moving to Middays at WJR 760 Gave Him a New Lease on Life

For nearly five decades, Paul W. Smith would wake up in the middle of the night to begin preparing his morning radio show, including for 27 years at WJR 760 in Detroit.

That can — and did — take a toll. To the point that Smith decided he no longer wanted to work in the daypart.

But that can be a tricky situation to navigate: wanting to leave your current daypart, but not leave the station — or radio, for that matter — either.

A talent like Paul W. Smith is worth the effort, though. So in June 2023, the station announced that after hosting mornings since 1996 — when he replaced legendary host J.P. McCarthy in morning drive– Smith would move away from morning drive and instead host in the newly created 12-2 PM window on the Great Voice of the Great Lakes.

“It’s been great to sleep in, I can tell you that,” Smith said of his move, with a chuckle. “Not having to get up at four in the morning now is spectacular.”

While he admits that hosting his new show, Focus, from 12-2 PM doesn’t compete with the “different kind of feeling doing a morning drive show” provides, the quality of life is significantly better.

“I think that I did buy myself a few more years of being on the air,” Smith said, noting that he also hosted mornings in Philadelphia and also worked at 77 WABC in New York City, too, leading to a little more than 50 years in mornings.

“I begrudgingly thought there were two ways to go: retire, which I did not want to do. I’ve interviewed too many people who have worked their lives real hard at a great job or a job they loved, and they have to retire because they’re aged out — I’m talking about other businesses — and they died,” Smith shared. “It’d be a great study, because it’s like, within two years, a lot of these guys die. So I thought, ‘Well, I sure don’t want to do that,'” he said with another laugh. “I love being on the air. So it’s worked out well for me. I am appreciative.”

Paul W. Smith gave credit to leaders at Cumulus Detroit and WJR 760 for finding a solution to his conundrum, adding that the timeslot has worked out well for him.

“When I told the radio station I was pretty much done — as I thought it was going to kill me if I kept going — they were kind enough to say, ‘Well, would you work another time period?’ And I said, ‘Well, as long as it’s not in the morning, I would certainly look at it.’ They came up with the noon to two, and I was happy to take that. It’s a really good time period for me. I’m enjoying it very much.”

In addition to shifting dayparts, Smith credited something else with adding to his career longevity: being able to host the show from home.

“It bought me years of being on the air to now do it from home,” he said of his show. “The quality is exceptional. You cannot tell the difference. I like to say my audio is better because it’s not digital. They put in some new digital studios, and there’s a little reverb and a little weirdness that I don’t like. They said ‘Well, your ears will get used to it. Your brain will get used to it.’ I don’t want my brain to get used to it,” he stated. “I want it to sound the way it sounds. That’s what I have with my home studios.”

Paul W. Smith added that the flexibility that doing the show from home provides is an unbelievable bonus. He and his wife, Kim — who he joked works as an unpaid producer for his program — now have the ability to spend winters away from the harsh, bitter cold climate the Detroit metro area provides.

The 72-year-old has had an impressive staying power in the news/talk radio world. At a time when some stations prioritize younger, less expensive talents, Paul W. Smith has remained the preeminent voice in the Detroit market. And he believes his understanding of the sales aspect — including his time as a radio account executive himself, which he said he loved — has aided that longevity.

He shared an anecdote that two former Detroit radio hosts had finished atop the market on an FM station, but didn’t see their contracts renew.

“And I thought, ‘What the hell?’ Then I found out they didn’t do what I do as a normal course of business: meet with clients or go to lunch or dinner with clients,” Smith — who joked that managers have called him “The Franchise” for his willingness to go above and beyond with current and prospective advertisers — said.

“I’ve always understood how important sales are, because I’ve been a salesman, and I know how hard it is to make a sale. And why it’s so important for those of us on the air to make sure we get those commercials in the way we’re supposed to.”

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.

Brian Rolapp Leaves NFL Media For PGA Tour CEO: Report

BSM Staff
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Brian Rolapp Leaves NFL Media For PGA Tour CEO: Report

A major shakeup is underway with NFL Media, as Chief Media Officer Brian Rolapp is leaving the NFL to reportedly take a position with the PGA. According to Sports Business Journal earlier this week, Rolapp is the favorite to land a position as the new CEO of the PGA Tour.

In a memo to NFL executives and presidents, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Rolapp’s departure, thanking him for his service to the NFL.

“After 22 remarkable seasons of dedicated leadership and significant contributions, Brian Rolapp will be leaving the NFL to pursue other opportunities,” noted Goodell. “We have spent time planning for this change and are confident we will successfully manage the responsibilities while we align our structure to meet our long-term strategic goals.”

Furthermore, Goodell thanked Rolapp for his “outstanding service and lasting impact on the NFL.”

Rolapp has worked for the NFL since 2003 and has held the role of CMO since 2014. In addition, according to the memo from Goodell, his accomplishments include negotiating several key media partnerships, overseeing NFL Media, NFL Films, 32 Equity, the Sponsorship and Consumer Products businesses, and leading major initiatives that expanded the league’s global media footprint and digital presence.

Meanwhile, according to Adam Schefter, it is expected that Rolapp will be named the new CEO of the PGA Tour. However, the PGA has not commented on the matter.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan announced last year that the tour would begin looking for a new CEO to work alongside him. Monahan has been the PGA Tour commissioner since 2017, when he replaced Tim Finchem. He has stated previously that the role of the CEO with the PGA Tour would be to grow the commercial side of the business.

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Mike Breen: ‘It’s Hard to Fall Asleep’ After Thrilling NBA Finals Game

BSM Staff
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Mike Breen: ‘It’s Hard to Fall Asleep’ After Thrilling NBA Finals Game

The Indiana Pacers pulled off a thrilling 116-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night to gain a one-game advantage in the NBA Finals. Mike Breen was on the call for the matchup airing on ABC, working alongside colleagues Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson and Jorge Sedano. Less than 24 hours after the conclusion of the matchup, Breen joined Dan Patrick on the Dan Patrick Show where he was asked about the fatigue he was feeling as the Pacers secured the victory down the stretch with an explosive fourth quarter.

“You’re tired because it’s a long day in terms of preparation, but you can’t go to sleep for hours,” Breen said. “It’s just you’re so wound up, especially when you see a game that good. You want to talk about it – you want to talk with the people you work with. It’s hard to fall asleep, but when you do, you’re out.”

The capacity crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse brought energy and enthusiasm to the arena throughout the night. Viewers from afar could gain a sense for the environment, resulting in Patrick asking Breen about the last time he could not hear himself. Breen noted that headphones mitigate this issue, but there are instances in which he needs to turn the volume up to a point where he can overcome the crowd. On top of that, the music at some of the arenas makes it difficult to preserve hearing, and while this was not a problem on Wednesday night, there was another shortcoming Breen needed to combat.

“Last night, there was only a couple of times that I just couldn’t hear the whistle,” Breen said, “and you’re looking for the ref to see if his hand goes up to see if a call was made.”

Part of the reason Breen delivers his signature ‘Bang!’ call, specifically on three-point baskets, is because of the crowds and how fans can risk drowning out the broadcast at times. Breen was recently criticized for omitting his signature call when Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton hit a go-ahead shot with three-tenths of a second remaining in Game 1 of the series. Breen addressed his rationale for deciding not to convey the moment in such a manner.

“Sometimes it’s a feel,” Breen said. “In many cases, I prefer it on a three-pointer. On this particular play, he was moving so quickly. Also sometimes too, I like doing it on a home team big bucket because the crowd overtakes it.”

Throughout his broadcasting career, Breen has delivered the ‘Double Bang’ variation of his call approximately 10 times. As a result, there has been speculation as to whether or not he would ever consider introducing the ‘Triple Bang,’ a question that Patrick asked towards the end of the interview. Breen outlined that while he believes he “would sound like an idiot” should he decide to do it, he explained that the call is not premediated. Patrick asked if he would do it if Haliburton were to hit a game-winning three-point basket to win the NBA championship.

“I have no choice but to do it then,” Breen said. “I’m under severe pressure to do it then.”

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Anthony Lima: NBA Viewership Down Due to Super Team Era Ending

BSM Staff
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Anthony Lima: NBA Viewership Down Due to Super Team Era Ending

As the predictably low television viewership figures continue to be released with each passing game of the NBA Finals, many in sports media are attempting to look for answers as to why the figures are so dramatically low. In particular, following the release of the figures from Game Two, Cleveland sports talk host Anthony Lima of The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima pondered today on 92.3 The Fan his reasoning why the viewership habits for this NBA Finals have been low.

“You’re getting less people now watching the NBA Finals than last year’s World Series,” said Lima. “That is concerning for the NBA. But as I say that I remember they just signed that TV deal last year that baseball would do very, naughty things to get a deal like that done.”

Lima then pivoted to a reason why he feels the ratings have dipped to near-record levels, which, according to him, has nothing to do with market size or logos not appearing on the hardwood.

“The problem goes back to the super team era that we were involved with. How can anything ever look like what was on the floor in 2017,” noted Lima as he then named off the players of the recent Cavs championship team and Golden State Warriors dynasty teams. “We have gotten away from the super teams now, which is what everybody wanted. Did anybody know the names of any of the guys on the floor last night that would be outside of SGA and Halliburton?”

Furthermore, the Cleveland co-host felt that the average NBA fan and casual viewer grew familiar with the star power of the super teams—including the Miami Heat, Cavaliers, and Warriors—for so long, that’s the difficult part for the league to garner the interest in the Finals this year. Lima said he believes that the NBA could potentially get back to a time where the NBA Finals had mass appeal, but it will take added time to get there.

“Our brains, it’s going to have to be further away from that era of Miami Heat, then the Cavs and the Warriors. Getting further away from those years to recalibrate,” said Lima. “These teams on the floor, despite analytics and what the numbers say. These teams don’t have five hall of famers on it as we sit today. It’s just not going to be as much talent. You’re never going to associate any of these finals’ teams with those teams.”

As evidence of this trend, Sunday’s Pacers-Thunder NBA Finals Game 2 averaged 8.76 million viewers on ABC, down 29% from Mavericks-Celtics and the least-watched Game 2 of the Finals since the Heat-Lakers in the fall 2020 bubble Finals.

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