What They Said: “We’re leaning into live events, which include live sports. And we just did in Japan. We had the World Baseball Classic, broke all viewing records for us in Japan. So, these, again, leaning into the eventized event. We’re not bidding on whole seasons of sports, including the NFL. But we have found, by the way, the NFL to be a great partner. And they’re looking to innovate constantly. I feel like it’s a great American story. Because it’s a great American product. The fact they keep leaning into and investing in this thing that people love, and expanding reach to it by going to where the people are. As viewers move a little bit from linear more and more into streaming and on-demand, if the games aren’t there, it seems kind of ridiculous. You don’t run in the opposite direction of the American consumer.” -Ted Sarandos
What Remains Unclear: Whether or not Netflix will expand its NFL programming for the 2026 season. Netflix broadcast a Christmas Day doubleheader in 2025. It appears primed to broadcast a Thanksgiving Eve game in 2026, as well. The NFL has yet to announce whether or not that game will officially take place. It appears as if a second Black Friday contest has gone by the wayside. CBS Sports added a standalone primetime window on Saturday, December 19th. It is widely believed that it was previously viewed as the second Black Friday broadcast. Netflix is also viewed as the frontrunner to broadcast a Week 1 game from Australia.
What It Means: The loss of Netflix as a potential bidder has to be viewed as a negative by the NFL. It wants as many suitors as possible. And it certainly wants as many suitors with as much capital as Netflix can bring.
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CNN has officially launched its U.S. weather app on Tuesday. The app combines expert analysis with a user’s local data and forecasts.
What We Know: The CNN Weather app is currently free. However, the company may eventually place the content behind a paywall in its All Access tier, according to a report from Axios. The app is built in partnership with Amazon’s AWS.
What They Said: “We are creating this portfolio of lifestyle products to help our audience navigate a complex world. CNN Weather will not only prepare people each morning for the day ahead and keep them safe and informed during severe weather events, it will also help our audience appreciate and understand the natural weather phenomena around them.” -CNN SVP of New Business Ben French
What It Means: CNN’s weather app launch comes nearly one full year to the day of the announcement that it would debut the product. It marks the first lifestyle product introduced by the company since CEO Mark Thompson shared the vision of its digital strategy. The network isn’t the first to launch a standalone weather app. Fox Weather is both an app and a television network from the cable news giant Fox News. It debuted on television in 2021. That platform launched a premium, ad-free subscription membership last year.
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Podcasting has long positioned itself as one of audio’s most exciting frontiers. But for advertisers trying to justify budget commitments, the measurement infrastructure hasn’t always kept pace with the medium’s ambition. That gap is closing. Triton Digital and Nielsen announced a partnership that integrates Triton’s Podcast Metrics Demos+ data directly into Nielsen Media Impact. It gives planners access to podcast audience data alongside every other media channel in their buy.
The announcement carries real weight at a moment when programmatic investment has become a necessary driver of podcasting’s next growth phase.
“The marketplace is what makes this the right time,” said Tunkel. “There’s been a ton of investment in host-read ads and in specific podcast show-level advertising that has a ceiling it can hit. But for podcasting to grow the way it really needs to, it needs to grow programmatically. With access to all of the shows that are out there. Giving investment to new creators. And maybe mid-tier and smaller shows that have dedicated audiences, but don’t get surfaced in planners’ buying tools. When you put them all together, you have scale that can encourage more investment in the space.”
For Tunkel, the core barrier isn’t audience size — it’s planning infrastructure. Brands can measure podcast campaigns in isolation. But what they can’t currently do is show the total impact on reach and frequency within a media plan.
“Until you can get podcasting into the planning end of things, where budgets are initially allocated, podcasting is always going to exist in the experimental budget bucket,” stated Tunkel. “In conversations I’ve had with the major holding companies, they’ve told me they can always carve out a few dollars for podcasting. What they cannot do is tell the brand what the total impact is to their overall media reach, frequency, and incrementality.”
Bringing the Long Tail Into the Plan
The partnership’s architecture hinges on what both executives describe as the mid-to-long tail of podcasting. The hundreds of thousands of active shows that feature substantial audiences but rarely surface in a buyer’s planning tools.
“The main value proposition from Triton is our access to both the census-level download data that we collect from the various podcast hosting companies and content distribution networks around the world, and the nationally representative survey that we have fielded,” said Rosso. “It’s really the intersection of those two things that allows us to understand the audiences to podcasts. Not just the biggest shows, but the mid-to-long tail of podcasting. Which is going to be so important as the industry continues to scale up and where automation, like programmatic, starts to become the primary method marketers use to reach their audiences through podcasting.”
Rosso pointed to the fragmented nature of podcast listening as a critical challenge for advertisers. It’s also a major opportunity for measurement. Shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, The Breakfast Club, and The Daily draw massive individual audiences. But vast quantities of total listening happen across much smaller shows.
“As you start placing campaigns across these broad networks or shows programmatically,” Rosso said, “reach builds up quite rapidly to the point where there will be incremental reach coming from podcasting. This is where being able to see how that reach is incremental to the rest of your media plan, deduplicating that reach and understanding how these audiences between podcasting and your other channels interrelate and support each other, becomes increasingly important as the business scales.”
Tunkel reinforced what makes the data combination meaningful beyond either source alone.
“Big data on its own has limitations, just like panel data on its own has limitations,” stated Tunkel. “Bringing that first-party data to audio is really the first time Nielsen has had first-party data informing our audio audiences. And that’s really exciting and groundbreaking. Those things have to exist together. Paired with the survey data that exists in our core planning tool, getting the identity spine and the fusion that occurs when we bring the Triton Demos+ data into NMI allows it to be fused with all of our other media types.”
From Analytics to Measurement
Both executives drew a firm line between analytics and what this partnership aims to deliver. Publishers have long been able to pull download numbers from hosting platforms and drop them into a presentation. But Rosso says that’s analytics, not measurement.
“When you get into measurement, you’re aggregating across different platforms. Whether it’s different hosting companies or different content distribution networks, and creating a layer of added value where you’re normalizing all of that and making sure things are apples-to-apples comparable,” said Rosso. “Measurement also suggests a level of agreement at the industry level that this is a commonly understood metric. Whereas anybody can have analytics. Buyers like having a third party actually collecting that information, processing it, adding value to it, making sure any inhuman traffic activity is removed.”
The rollout targets later in 2026. Both teams are currently focused on getting publishers, agencies, and brands ready to act on the data when it debuts. Tunkel noted that 3.5 million media plans run through Nielsen’s planning tool each year. It spans five of the six major holding companies. Reach that could make the integration highly pervasive quickly.
“We’re going to spend a lot of time making sure the marketplace is ready for that data when it debuts and that publishers are aware of it as well and ready to be shown within that tool,” the Nielsen Audio Managing Director shared. “That’s what we’re focused on right now.”
Rosso echoed that sense of urgency, making clear the partnership’s goal isn’t to announce and wait.
“We are very much looking forward to actually going live and getting into the marketplace very, very quickly,” the Triton Digital CEO shared. “Our main focus is rolling out this partnership.”
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The states that won an antitrust verdict against Live Nation and Ticketmaster are moving fast. Proposed remedies go before a federal judge on May 21, officially launching the penalty phase.
What We Know: The jury found Live Nation operated as an illegal monopoly. Damages were set at roughly $150 million, tripling to $450 million under antitrust law. That figure aligns with the legal accrual Live Nation disclosed in its latest earnings report. Additionally, Judge Arun Subramanian will adopt a scheduling framework that stretches deadlines into early 2027.
What’s at Stake: The victorious attorneys general have signaled they want more than money. A structural breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster remains firmly on the table. Meanwhile, a separate federal settlement — covering fee caps, exclusivity restructuring, and an Oak View Group contract termination — has drawn sharp criticism. A group of Democratic senators, among others, called the deal too soft on Live Nation.
What Remains Unclear: Exactly when discovery begins after the May 21 filing is still uncertain. Subramanian also has a parallel obligation under the Nixon-era Tunney Act, requiring judicial review of the federal settlement. How those two tracks interact could significantly shape the timeline. A clearer scheduling order is expected once plaintiffs formally submit their proposed remedies.
What It Means: Settlement talks are dead, and uncertainty now clouds the entire live entertainment industry. A New York attorney confirmed the states are locked in on remedies — pushing for sweeping structural change. That kind of disruption could freeze venue deals, artist contracts, and touring plans for years. Before this process ends, the business of live music may get significantly harder to navigate.
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TKO and Arizona Sports & Events Alliance have announced a partnership to bring premium events to the state.
What We Know: TKO, the owner of UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing, will bring premier events to Arizona. The deal is for seven events over three years.
What They Said: “We’re excited to build this long-term partnership with the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance to bring some of our biggest events to the state. We look forward to creating unforgettable moments for fans across the region over the next three years.” -TKO EVP for Event Development and Operations Peter Dropick
“Arizona has proven time and again that we are built to host the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and we are proud to join forces with TKO on this multi-year partnership. This partnership reflects the momentum and innovative spirit of our community, and the dedication to creating high-impact experiences that drive tourism, economic impact and global visibility for our state.” –Arizona Sports & Events Alliance President/CEO Jay Parry.
What Remains Unclear: Which events, specifically, from which entities will be held in Arizona. The Phoenix area has several options to host major events. State Farm Stadium, the 63,000-seat home of the Arizona Cardinals, is one option. Other venue options include Chase Field (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks), and Mortgage Market Arena (home of the Phoenix Suns). The 20,000-seat Desert Diamond Arena also currently hosts a PBR event on the schedule.
What It Means: Arizona has been a major player for premium events for several years. The Phoenix area has become a major events hotbed. It has hosted the Super Bowl three times since 2008. It has also hosted two Final Fours since 2017.
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There is a new news/talk radio station in Spokane. KBNW has debuted in the Eastern Washington market.
What We Know: 1230 KSBN and 107.1 KBNW-FM will now broadcast a news/talk format. Washington State Association of Broadcasters President Keith Shipman owns the station. The company struck a deal to purchase the signals in February. KSBN-AM is a Class C signal with 1,000 watts of power. KBNW-FM is a Class C signal with 25,000 watts of power. The FM signal is licensed to nearby Deer Park, Washington.
Included in the station’s daily lineup are:
6-9 AM: Spokane’s Morning News
9 AM-12 PM: Armstrong & Getty
12-3 PM: The Lars Larson Show
3-4 PM: The Ramsey Show
4-6 PM: Spokane’s Afternoon News
6-9 PM: The Ramsey Show
9 PM-12 AM: America at Night with McGraw Milhaven
What They Said: “Local broadcasting is at its best when it informs, connects and serves the community. Our goal is to provide timely, relevant information that keeps the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene metropolitan area well informed, whether it’s breaking news, traffic slowdowns, severe weather or the stories shaping our region each day.” -Horizon Broadcasting Group President/CEO Keith Shipman
What It Means: There is now a competition in the market with iHeartMedia‘s 590 KQNT. That station, in the most recent Nielsen ratings, saw a 5.4 share in the 12+ category.
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The way fans engage with the NFL has changed. It’s no longer just about watching games on Sundays. Streaming, social media, and sports betting have opened new ways to follow the league, making the experience more interactive.
Still, for many people, one question keeps coming up: how does NFL betting work? It can feel confusing at first, especially when money is involved. But once you understand the basics, it becomes much easier to navigate.
What Is NFL Betting?
NFL betting is simply placing money on the outcome of games across the regular season, playoffs, and the Super Bowl. It can be done in person or online, depending on where you are.
Bettors who take it seriously don’t just pick teams randomly. They follow matchups, injuries, trends, and weekly performance across all 32 franchises before making a decision.
While betting used to carry a certain stigma, it has become more accepted over time. Even so, it should always be approached with some level of awareness. Knowing what you’re doing matters.
NFL Betting Explained for Beginners
If you’re just starting, the first step is understanding how bets are structured. This part of NFL betting explained for beginners is less about instinct and more about reading what’s in front of you.
Most betting platforms present the same core options. Once you learn how to interpret them, everything else builds from there.
Types of NFL Bets
There are several types of NFL bets, each with its own logic.
Moneyline: The simplest option. You pick which team wins the game. No point difference involved.
Spread (Handicap): This is the most common format. The sportsbook adjusts the score to level the matchup. For example, if the Chiefs are listed at -3.5 and the Patriots at +3.5, Kansas City needs to win by at least four points for the bet to hit. New England can lose by three or fewer, or win outright.
Totals (Over/Under): Instead of picking a team, you bet on the combined score of both teams. If the line is set at 45.5, the over hits at 46 points or more, and the under at 45 or less.
Parlays: This type of bet implies combining multiple bets into one. The payout is higher, but every selection must win, which increases the risk.
Prop Bets: These focus on specific events within the game. Passing yards, touchdowns, interceptions—details rather than final outcomes.
Futures: Long-term bets. For example, picking the Super Bowl winner before the season begins. Higher risk, but potentially higher returns.
How To Read NFL Betting Odds
Understanding how to read NFL betting odds is where things start to click.
Odds are presented as numbers tied to each team. A minus sign (–) indicates the favorite, while a plus sign (+) marks the underdog.
In spread betting, the number reflects the expected margin. Using the earlier example, Chiefs (-3.5) vs Patriots (+3.5), you already know what each side needs to cover.
Moneyline odds work differently. A team listed at -150 means you need to bet $150 to win $100. If a team is +150, a $100 bet would return $150 in profit.
For totals, the number represents the projected combined score. The concept stays simple—you’re betting on whether the actual result goes above or below that line.
Getting comfortable with odds takes a bit of repetition, but once you understand what the numbers represent, decisions become clearer.
How To Bet on NFL Games Online?
Placing a bet online is straightforward. First, you choose a sportsbook that is licensed and has a solid reputation. That part matters more than most beginners realize.
After setting up an account and funding it, you’ll see the same information we’ve covered in this NFL betting guide—spreads, moneylines, totals—laid out in a clean interface. Many bettors start with platforms like BetUS Sportsbook because of its wide NFL coverage and simple layout. It allows you to focus on the picks rather than figuring out how the site works.
At that point, the process becomes routine. Select your bet, confirm the amount, and track the result.
NFL betting doesn’t need to feel complicated. Once you understand the basics, it becomes another way to follow the league—one that adds a different layer to every game. The key is to keep it simple at the beginning. Learn how the lines move, understand the options available, and build from there.
The KickAround, the soccer show hosted by Andy Swift and Peter Welpton on 96.7/1310 The Ticket, is expanding for the 2026 World Cup.
What We Know: Each night during the World Cup, The KickAround will air at 7 PM. The show will feature an expanded focus on the U.S. Men’s National Team. Additionally, the show will continue its regular 2-4 PM timeslot on Saturdays. It will also air on select Sundays. The Ticket program is also adding longtime European soccer journalist Lars Sivertsen for the duration of the 2026 World Cup. On select match days, the show will feature live events tied to the USMNT games. The 2026 World Cup runs from Thursday, June 11th, through Sunday, July 19th.
What They Said: “This is our fourth year to cover World Soccer with expanded programming on The KickAround. Interest this year is at an all-time high with key tournament games being played in Dallas-Fort Worth. The KickAround will be a destination for Ticket listeners and both soccer fans and casuals.” -The Ticket Program Director Jeff Catlin
What It Means: It marks the latest expansion for the show during the World Cup. It featured similar expansions during the 2018 and 2022 events, too. The expansion features extra significance in 2026, however. Dallas is one of 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico hosting World Cup matches.
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The London townhouse where The Beatlesrecorded “Let It Be” is officially becoming a public museum. It opens next year — and the rooftop is part of the experience.
What We Know: The venue, formally named The Beatles at 3 Savile Row, will open across all seven floors. Visitors can explore a recreation of the Let It Be recording studio, rotating exhibitions, and extensive archival material. Notably, this is the first Beatles museum officially sanctioned by the band and Apple Corps. It sits in London’s upscale Mayfair district.
What They Said: Paul McCartney recently revisited the building and reflected on the experience. “It was such a trip,” he said. “There are so many special memories within the walls, not to mention the rooftop.” Apple Corps CEO Tom Greene added that fans photograph the outside daily — and soon they can go inside.
What Remains Unclear: An official opening date beyond “next year” has not been announced. Additionally, how the new museum distinguishes itself from existing unlicensed Beatles archives across the U.K. — including in Liverpool — remains to be seen. Ticket pricing and booking details have yet to surface.
What It Means: This is a significant cultural moment for Beatles fans worldwide, especially at a time when the band’s music — despite its enormous cultural significance — has slowly started to fade from many radio playlists over the years. The rooftop itself, where the band famously performed its final public concert in 1969, still retains the original railings, giving the experience an added layer of authenticity and emotional weight. With official backing from Apple Corps, the project carries a level of credibility no previous tribute has truly matched. More importantly, it’s another reminder that even decades later, The Beatles continue shaping their own legacy — and the broader story of popular music.
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The 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit presented by Point to Point Marketing is seven weeks away. If you love the media business and value staying ahead of the curve, this event belongs on your calendar. The lineup is packed. The News Media show kicks off on Tuesday, June 30th. Sports follows on Wednesday, July 1st. Our first-ever Music Radio show closes the Summit on Thursday, July 2nd.
All pertinent information regarding tickets, hotel accommodations, speakers, and sponsorships can be found in the Summit section at the top of our website. Companies interested in supporting the show should email Stephanie Eads at Stephanie@BarrettMedia.com. Twenty-four partners are already committed, and we appreciate every organization that has signed on to make this event possible.
The 2026 Mark Chernoff Award Winner
Barrett Media is proud to announce that Eric Spitz, Vice President of Sports Programming at SiriusXM, will receive the Mark Chernoff Award at the 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit. The presentation takes place on Tuesday, July 1st at the SVA Theatre during the Premiere Networks Awards ceremony.
Eric Spitz started as a desk assistant at WFAN in New York in 1987 — the same year the station launched. The fact that he receives an award named after WFAN’s legendary programmer Mark Chernoff on the same day WFAN celebrates its anniversary — and on his daughter’s birthday — makes this feel like more than just a coincidence.
Spitz ascending through the producer ranks at WFAN becoming Assistant Program Director and later its Program Director. In 2012, he took the reins of the newly launched CBS Sports Radio, overseeing programming for more than 300 affiliates. He led the network’s programming department for six years before joining SiriusXM in 2018.
At SiriusXM, Spitz leads the daily operation of the company’s sports channels — managing talent, programming development, and live sports scheduling. He runs the operation with the same attention to detail that defined every earlier stop in his career.
“I’m honored to receive this prestigious award as Mark represents the gold standard of sports programmers,” said Eric Spitz. “During our 25-year working relationship, Mark had a profound impact on me, both personally and professionally. That’s what makes this award so meaningful. My thanks to Barrett Media for the recognition. I look forward to seeing many colleagues on July 1st.”
Eric Spitz with Mark Chernoff at the WFAN Studios on Chernoff’s final day as program director
Mark Chernoff responded with equal enthusiasm. “I am very excited that Eric is receiving the Mark Chernoff Award — it’s so well deserved. At WFAN it always felt like we were two number ones. He was an amazing contributor to the station’s success and is doing the same today for SiriusXM. Eric has all the tools — he understands sports radio, has compassion for his on-air talent, pays attention to details, and knows how to work with management, agents, and through any situation. He was a great sounding board for me, and I’m looking forward to recognizing him on July 1st.”
We look forward to celebrating Eric during the Premiere Networks Awards ceremony. That presentation closes out day two of the event.
6 Speakers Join the Summit Lineup
Lee Abrams is one of the most influential executives and consultants in the history of radio, having worked with more than 1,000 radio stations, 12 major print publications, over 20 TV stations and cable networks, and serving as the designer of XM Radio’s programming architecture from the ground up. He is credited with inventing and building Album Rock, designing the first Classic Rock format at San Francisco’s KFOG, and creating the first FM Urban/Dance format at New York’s WKTU — a body of work that has shaped the rules every programmer in the country operates by today. On Thursday, July 2nd, Buzz Knight unites Abrams, Fred Jacobs and Mike McVay for the first time to examine those rules, challenge them, and discuss what programming excellence demands in 2026. Every programming executive in the room will leave with something actionable.
Buzz Knight has accumulated a lifetime of experience in the business of audio. He has served as a media executive for Beasley Media Group, Greater Media, CBS Radio, and Saga Communications. Today he is the founder of Buzz Knight Media Productions, a content creation company committed to storytelling and building audiences. He hosts the popular Taking a Walk Podcast and his company creates some of the most widely followed music podcasts in the United States. At the Summit, Buzz moderates our Consultants Conversation alongside Fred Jacobs, Lee Abrams, and Mike McVay.
John Rosso serves as President and CEO of Triton Digital and President of the iHeart Technology Solutions Group. In this dual role, he leads the development and execution of advertising and measurement technologies across iHeart’s global audio and digital platforms. Triton also provides ad tech services for all iHeart products while expanding those capabilities to serve the broader industry. John joins Rich Tunkel and Cameron Hendrix for our State of Measurement panel on Thursday, July 2nd.
Rich Tunkel was named Managing Director of Nielsen Audio in late 2023. His career includes time at Nielsen, Arbitron, and Scarborough Research, where he joined as VP of Radio Sales in 1999. He then began a 12-year run with Arbitron that carried through the company’s 2013 acquisition by Nielsen. Since joining Nielsen, he has served as Senior Vice President and Sales Director while managing the Advisory Council and co-leading business development initiatives. Under his leadership, Nielsen Audio has expanded partnerships with Triton Digital, Magellan AI, and Edison Research. Rich joins John Rosso and Cameron Hendrix for our State of Measurement discussion on Thursday, July 2nd.
Cameron Hendrix is the Co-Founder of Magellan AI. Since 2016, Hendrix has grown the company from a podcast advertising analytics startup into a powerful attribution and ad intelligence suite. Global brands including iHeartMedia, Spotify, Cumulus, TED, and Gamut rely on the platform today. Prior to launching Magellan AI, Hendrix held roles at Thinkful, Burning Barn Labs, and Goldman Sachs. He joins John Rosso and Rich Tunkel on our State of Measurement panel on Thursday, July 2nd.
Rob Weisbord is the Chief Operating Officer of Sinclair, Inc. and President of Local Media. He oversees operations across 185 television stations in 86 markets and manages revenue for all company divisions including the Tennis Channel. Rob has served as the primary architect of Sinclair’s transition from a traditional broadcaster into a multi-platform content business. He specifically led the launch and expansion of the company’s dedicated podcast division, which includes sports podcasts featuring Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Matt Leinart, Jerry Ferrara, and more. Rob speaks on Wednesday, July 1st at our Sports Summit.
The 2026 Barrett Media Audio Summit takes place June 30-July July 2 at the SVA Theatre in New York City. The event serves executives, managers, programmers, talent, sales and advertising professionals, digital leaders, and anyone committed to understanding the present and the future of the audio business. Tickets, hotel information, and sponsorship details are available in the Summit section on BarrettMedia.com. We hope to see you there!
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