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For The Ryan Gorman Show, The Future Is Now After Expansion From Newsradio WFLA to 610 WIOD

Garrett Searight
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For The Ryan Gorman Show, The Future Is Now After Expansion From Newsradio WFLA to 610 WIOD

The Ryan Gorman Show has been in mornings for several years at Newsradio WFLA in Tampa. And in August, it expanded to 610 WIOD in Miami, too.

The iHeartMedia news/talk stations made the move official earlier this month as Gorman — and co-host Dana McKay — were officially named the new morning show in Miami. The move was a welcome one in Gorman’s eyes.

“It’s really thrilling and it’s an honor to be on two such legendary stations in the state of Florida,” Gorman said of his show’s expansion. “It’s really great opportunity. (We’re) really looking forward to building that out and seeing how it grows in the new year.”

The are — in some aspects — stark differences between the Tampa and Miami markets. And yet, the hope for The Ryan Gorman Show is that it will find the stories, topics, and angles that will unite the two listener bases.

“Florida is the center of politics these days, and there’s so much news that impacts the entire state, so a lot of stuff is very relevant for both markets,” said Gorman. “And then when there are more localized stories that are big news in either Miami or Tampa, generally, there’s always a way to connect with the audience in both markets on those topics.

“So, for example, early in the school year, there’s a big issue in both markets when it came to cell phone use in schools. That’s something that’s relatable everywhere. So it’s finding those different angles — even if the story is more localized to one market in particular — to make it interesting, and relevant, and entertaining to everybody who listening.”

“I think in news/talk, you have a really great connection with your listeners, no matter where you are,” said Gorman. “It’s a little different coming from the music side. Mornings always led to the biggest connection with listeners. On the news/talk side, they’re coming to you for information in your case. So I think you could do it in middays. You could do it in afternoons. When I did it in evenings to start, there was a great connection.

“But there’s something about being part of everyone’s morning routine, and especially, I think people are waking up and they’re wanting to get a sense as to what’s making headlines that morning,” continued Gorman. “And there’s so much in the news these days, so being able to provide that for them, first thing, it’s a really special bond that you get the build.”

And thus far, Ryan Gorman has been excited by the reaction he has received from Miami-area listeners after the show expanded from only airing on Newsradio WFLA to also including 610 WIOD.

“It’s been a really great response. And I think part of it has to do with the style of the show,” he shared. “You know, we’re not trying to beat people over the head first thing in the morning with such sharp takes on everything. We’re trying to present the information and what’s happening — whether it’s locally, at a state level, or nationally — trying to have some fun with it, inform and entertain, and we’re also coming at it from a perspective where, think whatever you want about these stories, we’re just kind of telling you what’s happening.

“So we’re not trying to persuade anybody. I’ll share my opinion. But I’m not trying to tell people how to think, or anything like that. I think that’s really caught on,” he admitted. “And I think it’s only going to grow as more people come to us.”

Like many around this time of year, Ryan Gorman is optimistic about what 2025 could bring.

“There’s going to be so much news in the new year. It’s such a great time,” he concluded. “I couldn’t have asked for a better time to add in a market like Miami. We got to do it right before the election. And then now going into an exciting year in 2025. It’s just really awesome.”

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.

A Look Back To The Beginning of WAXQ, Q104.3 New York

Jeff Lynn
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A Look Back To The Beginning of WAXQ, Q104.3 New York

Q104.3 WAXQ, New York, launched 31 years ago this month. The station signed on as a “narrow pure hard rocker” sent in to “shake $h*t up.”

Ron Valeri was the Program Director following Bob Eliot, who signed on the station.

Valeri’s version of Shake $h*t Up was, “We needed to put the big fun house mirror up against the station image to make sure we were seen and heard as extraordinary, not just as another ordinary rocker. As a new station – it was imperative to find ways every day, big and small, to make market noise in order to get a spotlight on the call letters.”

The station had some serious word-of-mouth endorsements, “Word-of-mouth advertising is so powerful because it’s so credible. When your friends, family, colleagues, and even celebrities start talking up your station, you tend to act on their suggestions,” said, Valeri.

“When David Letterman was at his peak, he more than once opened his TV show telling the audience that he ‘listened to Q104.3 on his way to work.’ That’s priceless advertising and incredible cred for any station. There were other celebrities as well who endorsed us along the way – all unpaid. I realize my findings are anecdotal when I say this, but I think it’s safe to conclude that our buzz-building tactics worked. “

Mark Razz hosted afternoons and said the station wasn’t afraid to take on the established stations.

“The station had vision. There was a hole for that kind of music, just a little bit harder than your general rock radio stations at the time. It was considered active rock. And we made noise. We made noise for about two or three years. And we were not afraid. We were not afraid to take on the established radio stations in the city.”

Valeri said the station’s playlist was made up of songs you couldn’t hear anywhere else.

“Introducing musical genres and songs that hadn’t been heard in New York for years, if ever. Our format was truly chock-full of GREAT tunes you could not hear anywhere else. In fact, just our approach as a Rock/Alternative hybrid was extremely unique back in the early 90s and it printed fast with the public.”

“While the station signed on as a narrow pure Hard Rocker, by year two, it was time to broaden some so as not to be overly focused on the core at the expense of attracting enough cume to make the math work to garner a respectable rating share. We also wanted to be accessible enough for media buyers’ ears,” said Valeri.

Station personalities were encouraged to be just that, personalities.

“Station Talent were encouraged to be personalities as well as musicologists and lifestyle opinion leaders,” said Valeri. Have something substantive to say every time you key the mic. No ordinary jock talk allowed. Hyperfocus on the station’s key zip codes and be their hometown station. I was blessed to inherit fantastic air talent: Trent Tyler and Christine Nagy (now a star at Lite FM), Ida Hakkila, (Letterman damn near hired her to replace Bill Wendell), Mark Razz, (former rock star at WAAF/Boston and now King of Country as PD of WXTU, Philly), Eddie Trunk (TV and Radio Star, ’nuff said) and many more.”

Valeri continued, “Promos and branding between songs from Brian Kelsey (here’s a guy who has run with Howard Stern and Martha Stewart; who else can say that? Maybe Snoop Dogg!). Promotions that consistently rewarded station listeners, whether it be a FREE Listener Appreciation Concert in one of Manhattan’s crown jewel parks such as Bryant Park (Marketing Director, Miriam Allenson, how did you secure that venue for us?!) or Street Blitzes handing out hundreds of free tickets for upcoming shows. We forced them to listen to find out when and where, but always strived to make it worth their while.”

Celebrity guest DJ’s and stunting added to the stationality,

“Regularly scheduled celebrity guest DJ’s including, but not limited to: OZZY, Billy Corgan, Jon Stewart, Van Halen (doing an on-air “Can” Halen food drive for us). Stunting such as Razz busting the balls of an NYPD officer who missed a 30-yard field goal in a halftime contest during a big NFL Telecast. Next thing you know, the entire Police Dept is calling Razz on the air, telling him to prove it. We set up at St. John’s, covered it live on-air, and yes, Razz missed with his kick in front of the cops and fans. Got great press. Fast and timely implementation, inexpensive, easy but effective stupid stunt = classic guerilla marketing,” said Valeri.  

Razz added that he loved the music, “I love rock. Rock and Roll radio in New York City is in my bones. And I think that the city was raised on Rock and Roll, which is not taking anything away from WABC, WNBC, and all those other radio stations.”

“It was so awesome being a part of promotions, and Joey Ramone shows up at your promotion. I mean, that’s pretty cool $hi&.”

I reminded Valeri of a time early in the 90s when I was sitting in his office at WAAF, Boston, where he told me as much as he loved AAF, Q104.3 was the one job he would leave there for, and of course, he did.

“Why? A few reasons: Number 1) As the song goes, ‘If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere!’ I loved challenging myself. 2) I was very familiar with the New York Metro landscape and competitive field. My many trips and stays on Long Island (where my wife was from) facilitated this education.” 

“I listened constantly to virtually every station, studied Arbitron maps and data, and through osmosis, learned a great deal. My own mental SWOT of the market. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). This btw, is precisely how I discovered Opie and Anthony and subsequently hired them for WAAF. Opie was on nights at WBAB, and Anthony was often on the phone with him while I listened. 3) If I got hired at Q104.3, I would get to work for the legendary Randy Bongarten. What a fantastic mentor. I still owe him one of those “Best Boss” mugs. 4) Bonus reason… I learned the station was owned by Sam Heyman – he’s featured in the book “The Predator’s Ball.”  How perfect is that for our radical rock station?

So, could a moment in radio time happen in today’s radio landscape?

“Some of the key differences for radio now versus then. PPM driven. Too many stations lack any real element of surprise, but in fairness, probably due to too many hours and too few staffers. Spoken word formats and shows dominate. Personalities matter more than ever now. Listener Events now exist almost purely as non-traditional revenue generators for radio stations.”

“Does a super-sized radio station drone fly anywhere yet? If you’re a NYC station today, at least claim those big drones over Jersey are yours.”

L-R: Razz, Marilyn Manson, Ron Valeri, unknown, Twiggy Botton L-R Karen Rait, Vinny Marino
Razz in studio with Alanis Morissette.
Candy Martin, Christine Nagy, Razz, and Ida Hakkila at Q first Anniversary party

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.

JR SportBrief Is Excited About His Contract Extension with Infinity Sports Network and the New AI Version of Himself

Dave Greene
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JR SportBrief Is Excited About His Contract Extension with Infinity Sports Network and the New AI Version of Himself

JR Jackson, better known to sports fans as JR SportBrief was a very early adopter to the YouTube platform, starting his channel at the end of March in 2009 with his sports blog, ‘JRSportBrief’. Today his YouTube channel has over 100,000 subscribers and has amassed over 80 million views.

Jackson grew up around entertainment. His uncle, the world-renowned artist Fatman Scoop, was a musician who then got into radio and was an on-air talent at Hot 97 in New York. Later, his uncle ended up doing records with the likes of Mariah Carey and Missy Elliott, traveling all over the world. JR was much more interested in the marketing and business sides of entertainment.

“At one point in time, I helped my uncle produce one of his TV shows that aired on MTV. I had TV producer Fred Seibert tell me I needed to start my own show. He knew I liked sports and so my partner, and still my manager today, Charlie Stettler, we started JRSportBrief in 2009.”

Jackson ended up doing work for NBC in New York and was on CNN Headline News as a contributor. CBS offered him a podcast opportunity which was his first entry into their building. Later, WFAN Program Director Mark Chernoff found out about JR and put him on the air. From there he was recruited to V-103 in Atlanta for their morning show and started doing some work for the cluster’s sports station, 92.9 The Game. Eventually, CBS put him on nationally on their sports radio network which is where he is today, on what is now known as Infinity Sports Network.

While he still makes appearances on WFAN, he is also getting ready to add more regular work on 92.9 The Game as he said a new weekly show would launch on the station as soon as February. All of this in addition to recently signing a contract extension with Infinity Sports Network to continue his national radio show.

Getting back to Jackson’s interest in the business and marketing side of things, he has also used his connections from being a content creator to develop new, forward-thinking technology through a partnership with Google and Morgan State University. JRSportBrief Productions has been working in the artificial intelligence space and has created SportBrief AI Solutions. According to the company, the purpose of the technology is “to bring greater efficiencies to traditional sports journalism by creating automated post-game content such as audio and video news reports in multiple languages.” 

Because of his long background producing content on YouTube, Jackson was invited to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year and was able to share the work he has done and the work he is currently doing.

“I’ve always been an advocate of being able to utilize digital media and YouTube, specifically, to earn a living which is how I started my career,” he said. Thinking back to his beginning days, he said, “I used to go outside and record myself and people would walk by me in the street like I had an issue. But now, you can’t walk through an airport without a selfie stick or a tripod and now everybody is a content creator, and everybody is vlogging. It’s just the way the world is, but when I started it wasn’t like that.”

About his new project, JR said, “Last year my partner and I were just kicking around thoughts and ideas. We thought about AI and of course everybody’s interested in AI whether they’re afraid of it or they like it or they don’t, whatever the case might be. We thought about it, and we played around with some of the technologies that were there. We said what if we utilize AI to produce more JR content. And then we got to thinking and wondered how do could make it sound like me and think like me? So, we found a part-time engineer who built a spec. So, the basis of what I’m doing is I’ve created a virtual me. It can create and look at a box score. It can understand the game and it can provide commentary in audio and/or video format the same way I would.”

Jackson gave an example of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers coming back to beat the Memphis Grizzlies. He said the AI technology would be able to give the score, tell you what happened, winning or losing streaks, the team’s next opponents and all of the other relevant information. It also can give the information the way JR would deliver it from the sound of his voice to expressions he might use to describe a game in a certain wat.

“We’re developing it as well for baseball and other sports,” Jackson said. “So, eventually you’ll push a button, and you can get a preview or a postgame of a sporting event.”

Ultimately, Jackson said it is more about the advertising inventory which will be connected to the technology which will make it valuable to potential customers. Additionally, it will be like having someone performing sports updates on a radio station for a fraction of what that would normally cost.

“The reality is, this is a tool just like everything else we see…things always change, and I view this as a tool especially in regard to content as opposed to this is something that’s going to just go ahead and replace people.”

As he and his partner looked into the cost of developing something, they realized it would be incredibly expensive to get a prototype developed. However, Jackson used contacts he had made at Morgan State University while on tour with the Special Olympics, to start conversation about partnering on the development.

“I knew Morgan State had a journalism program that I was fond of, and I knew they just started a brand-new AI Program,” he said “I reached out and I told them what I was doing. I wondered if there was a way we could work together on this where I could work with an HBCU, give back and have this be beneficial for everybody. After talking for a few months, the answer was yes. I reached out to Google, and they paid for the completion of this project.”

Jackson said he obviously wants to make money on the project, but that he also wants to have fun and to give back through the school. “I’m already happy that the engineers and students that I’ve worked with, I’ve already been able to connect them with people in the NBA. They’re talking to other engineers, and so the experience that they’ve gotten this year is pretty cool.

JR said he is talking with various teams and leagues about the technology as well as various events and distributors. “By the time we get to the spring and especially the summer we’ll be talking with sponsors. That’s the next step on the launch, we’re just about ready to go and we’re testing it out.

With everything he has going on JR SportBrief is very busy these days, but he says, “I enjoy what I do, and I love sports, so that’s not work. I love technology, that’s not work. I love business, that’s not work. And I really have reached the point over the past few years that I love sharing what I know. Everything is so nasty online. Everybody has to fight with each other.

“AI excites me and it doesn’t feel like work to go do what I do and to know that students at Morgan State are benefiting. And, in the future, with the success of my business, more students will get to do this. Google is very excited about this because they love the model. The model of what I’m doing, a business working with a school in the technology field, I really think it can help set a blueprint for other businesses. This is not just money that goes to Morgan State and the tool is created and everybody goes along their way. This can really change and open people’s minds and I just want to give back. If I can talk and make a living and then help other people out, that’s the end game. I’d be very happy with that. That’s legacy.”

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What is Pardon the Interruption in a YouTube World?

Demetri Ravanos
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What is Pardon the Interruption in a YouTube World?

Podcasts will never completely kill radio. They will seriously impact listener habits though and really disrupt younger generations’ relationship with audio entertainment. I think the same is true for YouTube and television. So much of what is on YouTube is self-indulgent garbage, made only to entertain its creator. The website, as currently constructed, will never replace all of television, but in some categories, YouTube is just as powerful as any cable or broadcast network.

The area that springs to mind immediately is sports talk. Radio stations already have their own channels. ESPN plucked its most valuable asset right off of the platform. FS1 hired Emmanuel Acho after he raised his profile with his Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man series.

YouTube’s impact on sports talk is not just at the highest end. So many people have learned that if you have a good mic and decent production value, you can cut through and reach the audience that would be most interested in what you have to say.

Go to the website right now and search any sport or any team you want. You will find plenty of quality content being produced for less than a fraction of what others are paying.

It’s not a commentary on the quality of those shows or on the skill of those that make them. It’s just a fact. Good cameras and microphones have never been cheaper and editing and uploading video has never been easier. The explosion of sports talk on YouTube is the result of all of that.

All of this has been swirling around my brain since I first read that ESPN was considering filling the void that will be left when Around the Horn ends its more than two-decade run on TV by extending Pardon the Interruption from 30 minutes to a full hour. 

What even is PTI in the age of YouTube? And why do we need more of it when the two hosts can’t even be bothered to be in the same city half the time? There was certainly a time when the show was as important to the ESPN lineup as SportsCenter, but those days are more than a decade old at this point.

I remember watching the show’s very first episode in 2001. It felt fresh and different. It played against expectations with the younger, more active Michael Wilbon serving as the curmudgeon that hated the world changing around him while the older and more reclusive Tony Kornheiser was eager to point out and laugh at absurdity in the sports world.

Back then, there was nothing like it, but as is bound to happen with every revolutionary show, years of copycats coming out and finding varying degrees of success means that now so many sports talk programs are just like Pardon the Interruption. Its success robbed the show of its unique identity. 

It’s a testament to just how much Wilbon, Kornheiser and the entire PTI family have accomplished. But it’s also a reason the show doesn’t need to expand to an hour.

I’m not in the meetings. I don’t have access to the research. There could be all kinds of metrics that say expanding PTI is the perfect solution to ESPN’s upcoming 5 p.m. problem. But in a world with a surplus of sports talk – on TV, on the radio and on YouTube that all looks and sounds like PTI, surely there is something cheaper and more interesting ESPN could do.

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La Ley 92.1 Houston Launched With Raul Brindis In Mornings

BMM Staff
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La Ley 92.1 Houston Launched With Raul Brindis In Mornings

The long-anticipated acquisition of Gospel station “Praise 92.1” KROI Houston has been finalized. Spanish Broadcasting System has officially launched Regional Mexican format “La Ley 92.1.”

La Ley 92.1 has launched with 50,000 songs available commercial-free. The station features core artists, including Grupo Frontera, Carín León, Julión Álvarez, Banda MS, Intocable, and Los Ángeles Azules.

SBS President/Chairman/CEO Raul Alarcon Jr. said, “As we expand our footprint into Texas, we are thrilled to bring the SBS legacy to Houston with the launch of La Ley 92.1. Houston’s diverse and dynamic Hispanic community deserves a station that is LIVE and hyper-local local which not only delivers exceptional music but also reflects their culture, pride, and traditions. With Raúl Brindis joining our team, we are confident that La Ley 92.1 will quickly become a favorite among listeners.”

Raúl Brindis, formerly the host of a syndicated show on Univision’s “Que Buena 102.9” KLTN Houston and Program Director, has joined KROI as the morning host. This transition follows his departure from the station in January.

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Charissa Thompson: My Answer is Always ‘Yes’ Helping Young Women Looking to Work in Sports Media

BSM Staff
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Charissa Thompson: My Answer is Always ‘Yes’ Helping Young Women Looking to Work in Sports Media

Charissa Thompson has become a regular part of football coverage across multiple networks, hosting FOX NFL Kickoff and contributing interviews and features to its pregame shows. Outside of the company, she also works on studio coverage for Thursday Night Football on Amazon’s Prime Video, a role she has held since the property launched during the 2022 season. Throughout her time in the media business, Thompson has become a prominent host and reporter across the sports and entertainment spaces, but her assimilation into the industry had its challenges.

During a recent appearance on the Not Gonna Lie podcast with Kylie Kelce, Thompson was asked about people who had a positive influence on her career. Thompson answered by stating that it was the women who were rude towards her that ended up leaving the biggest mark. Thinking back on her career, she remembers times in which there would be jealousy and competition and how she never wanted to be like the people who were rude. In fact, it inspired her to be different and serve as a catalyst for assisting the next generation of media professionals.

“The young woman that comes up to me or the young woman that reaches out to me on Instagram that says, ‘Hey, I want to do what you do one day. Can you help me?,’ my answer’s always, ‘Yes, of course I can help you,’ because there is going to be a time where you have to pass the baton, and I hope that I get to do this job for a long time,” Thompson said. “But my goal is when that next person gets this opportunity, they can look back and have an answer to your question, which is, ‘She helped me,’ not tried to get in the way or be jealous of an opportunity.”

Thompson emphasized the importance of growing up and having experience playing sports, something she believes is the best thing parents can give their children. Becoming involved in these spaces fosters collaboration, teamwork and sportsmanship while also conveying important life lessons that can be applied elsewhere.

“You want your kids to fail so that they can enjoy the success,” Thompson said. “You want your kid to be a good teammate and not a brat, and by the way, you’re not going to get a participation ribbon. You’re either first, second or third.”

Over her years with FOX Sports, Thompson developed a friendship with FOX NFL sideline reporter Erin Andrews and would frequently converse on the phone. Thompson and Andrews started the Calm Down podcast with iHeartMedia in 2021 where they discuss topics surrounding sports, pop culture, entertainment and lifestyle. The venture allowed the colleagues to bring their conversations to a public forum and give their opinions outside of football programming.

“I think for Erin, especially in her role, it’s so limited to a 30-second hit at the start of the game, injury reports, a couple sit-down interviews, but she doesn’t really get that longform platform that I do on an hour pregame show, an hour postgame show, to really show her personality,” Thompson explained. “I mean, you see it in her reports and stuff like that, but I think ,at least the response that I get a lot is like, ‘Oh my gosh. I didn’t know that Erin was so funny. I didn’t know that Erin was this,’ all these things because you get to see her in a different space.”

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Star Country 104.5 And News/Talk 1400 Pueblo Are Going Dark At The End Of The Year

BMM Staff
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Star Country 104.5 And News/Talk 1400 Pueblo Are Going Dark At The End Of The Year

Royal Gorge Broadcasting has announced that it will shut down operations for “104.5 Star Country” KSTY in Pueblo and News/Talk 1400 KRLN in Canon City, Colorado, effective at the end of this year.

Jointly as a team, the station wrote in part on Facebook, “It’s is with heavy hearts that I am announcing that the owners in Nebraska of Star Country and KRLN have made a choice to close down our beloved radio stations beginning January 1st. The staff here at Star Country and KRLN are grateful for the years of dedication from all of our amazing clients who have made our local radio possible.”

Norton Warner and his family have owned the stations since 1965. Before this, they held ownership of stations throughout Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska.

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Mike Muraco, Dan Manucci to Join ESPN 620 AM Phoenix

BSM Staff
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Mike Muraco, Dan Manucci to Join ESPN 620 AM Phoenix

Longtime sports radio duo Mike Muraco and Dan Manucci will be bringing their program to ESPN 620 AM Phoenix, airing on weekdays from 1 to 4 p.m. EST beginning on Monday, Jan. 6. The Bonneville International-owned station will add Roc & Maunch with Jimmy B. to the lineup just after the new year, offering a livestream and podcast on the Arizona Sports website and application. In addition to the local program, ESPN 620 will continue airing ESPN Radio network programming as well, including play-by-play broadcasts of seminal sporting events such as the NBA Finals, World Series and College Football Playoff.

“Our commitment to delivering local, compelling, multichannel content to Valley sports fans could not be stronger,” Ryan Hatch, senior vice president and market manager of Bonneville Phoenix, said in a statement. “Roc and Maunch have built a loyal following in the Valley over the two decades and we are excited to add their show to the ESPN 620 lineup.”

The duo first started working together on ESPN 860 KMVP as Calling All Sports before the show was renamed upon an affiliate change to NBC Sports Radio. Since that occurrence in 2013, the show had been known as AZSportsTalk and remained on the frequency until it moved to KQFN 1508 CBS Sports Radio four years later. The program expanded nationally in 2019 on SB Nation Radio and locally on the AM 1060 frequency. Muraco and Manucci will begin taking the airwaves of ESPN 620 AM along with Jim Brinson, who is in his second stint with the program.

“We can’t wait to bring our show to one of the biggest signals in the Southwest,” Muraco said in a statement. “ESPN 620, Arizona Sports 98.7 and ArizonaSports.com dominate the market when it comes to local sports coverage, and we are thrilled to be joining the team.”

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Shannon Sharpe Issues Warning to Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit After ‘First Take’ Comment During Broadcast

BSM Staff
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Shannon Sharpe Issues Warning to Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit After ‘First Take’ Comment During Broadcast

Even though a majority of the first-round action in the College Football Playoff ended with large margins in the final score, there was considerable intrigue surrounding comments made by ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. During the fourth quarter of the Ohio State game against Tennessee, in which the Buckeyes secured a 42-17 victory, play-by-play announcer Chris Fowler asked Herbstreit how much this considerable victory would soften the loss to Michigan. In his response, Herbstreit emphasized that he cannot “speak on behalf of the lunatic fringe” and is not sure how it operates, estimating that it encompasses between 15 and 20% of the overall fanbase.

From there, he spoke about how this cadre of fans may want to fire head coach Ryan Day again if the team loses to Oregon in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl. Fowler classified that this was not reality and added that when people hear pundits on the network and at other places discuss it with a sense of certainty, it is representative of nonsense. Herbstreit subsequently addressed First Take on ESPN and how the show purportedly handled the situation.

“First Take tried to fire him,” Herbstreit said. “They thought he was done, so I’ll be excited to see what they talk about on Monday after this performance. They had him out, they’re trying to find replacements, but there he is. He’s still got his hat on, he’s still coaching.”

In the first hour of Monday’s edition of First Take, executive producer and featured commentator Stephen A. Smith addressed the matter and implored Herbstreit to quote him accurately. Smith reiterated that he believes if Day does not win a National Championship, he should go from his head coaching job at Ohio State. Before he started the discourse about his take, Smith asked for an iso shot and told his colleagues to step aside.

“Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit – outstanding, dynamic duo,” Smith said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to call them my colleagues that we work here at the same network, alright. And I say this in front of the both of them. Stop – stop it. Chris Fowler, ‘It’s ridiculous’? No, it’s not. Kirk Herbstreit, ‘First Take got to get him fired.’ That is not true. I did – not First Take. That was me, Stephen A., I’m going to own that.”

Smith explained that if Ohio State had lost to Tennessee over the weekend, he would have been on television calling for him to be fired. Since the team won the game though, he did not take that route and instead asked what the Buckeyes would do against Oregon in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl. Shannon Sharpe, who was making his Monday appearance for First Take, followed up by stating that he would move past the situation, presumably deeming that Smith spoke about what took place adequately. Yet he also issued a warning to the commentary team should it discuss something in which Sharpe is involved down the road pondering about negativity on the show.

“Everybody at ESPN because had you not taken the route you’d taken, I would’ve lit their ass up, but I’m going to let it slide,” Sharpe said. “You know what guys? Congratulations Ohio State, you won the game, but hey, if we’re going to be on the same team, if we’re going to work for the same network, don’t do that. Kirk, Chris Fowler, I promise you. If you ever mention any platform that I’m on again and talking about, ‘I wonder what they’re going to say in negativity,’ I promise you ESPN ain’t got enough bosses to keep me off y’all for what I’m going to say.”

Sharpe cautioned Fowler and Herbstreit not to play with him and turned it over to analyst Dan Orlovsky before he could get himself in trouble. Orlovsky was unsure of how he could follow what Sharpe had just said and spoke about how two things can be true pertaining to Day. Later in the conversation, Orlovsky referred to Herbstreit as one of the “founding fathers” of college football coverage and has been part of the sport’s growth, resulting in Smith affirming that it does not make what he said right.

“And he didn’t quote me right,” Smith said. “We didn’t say, ‘First Take thought Ryan Day was done.’ No, we said, ‘If he doesn’t win, he should be done.’ Quote me accurately. That’s what I said. I ain’t stuttering, but I love you Kirk.”

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.

NBC News Ends 2024 as #1 American News Network Across TV, Digital, and Streaming; Reached 137 Million Americans Per Month Across Platforms

BNM Staff
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NBC News Ends 2024 as #1 American News Network Across TV, Digital, and Streaming; Reached 137 Million Americans Per Month Across Platforms

NBC is slated to end 2024 as America’s number one news network according to data provided by Comscore Xmedia, backed by a double digital year-over-year increase, including +40 percent in two years, in viewership across broadcast TV, digital media, and streaming platforms.

On the broadcast side, NBC reported wins for many of its top shows, including Today, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, Meet the Press with Kristen Welker, Dateline, and NBC News Daily:

TODAY ends the year with seven straight weeks of across-the-board wins, its best streak in five years. Season-to-date, TODAY is the number one morning show in total viewers, A25-54 and A18-49 for the first time in 13 years. This is the ninth consecutive year leading the A25-54 demo.

Meet the Press with Kristen Welker outperforms ABC’s This Week for the first time in three years among key A25-54 demo viewers in 2024 and has ranked atop the demo for five consecutive weeks for the first time in over two years.

Dateline is the most-watched newsmagazine franchise and true crime franchise in total linear minutes watched.

NBC News Daily is the number one afternoon news program on TV in the key A25-54 demo and is posting total viewer growth for the second consecutive season.

NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt regularly ranks among the top five programs in total viewers on TV each week and improved its A25-54 demo gap vs. ABC’s World News Tonight to its strongest level in five years.

Digitally, NBC News reports victories from its legacy properties like TODAY and Dateline, and also its social media presence:

NBCNews.com is averaging 87 million monthly unique visitors in 2024 so far, good for more year-over-year growth. Most recently, NBCNews.com reached 120 million unique visitors in November 2024, fueled by the network’s 2024 election coverage. It was the site’s second-best month on record, with a 51 percent year-over-year increase. NBCNews.com has ranked ahead of The New York Times brand for the past five consecutive months and ends the year as a top news site. NBCNews.com has also improved its monthly gap with CNN.com to its closest level on record.

The company’s social media accounts drove a record volume of video views in 2024, up 14 percent year over year. NBC News recorded its best year ever on TikTok, up 158 percent year over year.

TODAY had its best year ever on TikTok and Instagram, with a record number of video views across social platforms, up 34 percent year-over-year. 

TODAY.com, the show’s website, ranks as the second largest individual publisher among leading lifestyle and entertainment brands. It has held this position for the last 15 quarters, averaging 50 million monthly unique visitors in 2024.

Dateline’s podcast is Apple’s fourth most popular show of the year and remains number one in true crime.

Lastly, NBC’s free ad-supported TV channel NBC News NOW is on pace to have its best year ever in 2024, marking its sixth consecutive record year since launch, with double-digit, year-over-year growth. NBC News NOW is also on track to achieve its strongest quarter on record in Q4. The monthly hours watched on the streaming network have grown more than three times over the last four years.

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

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