Podtrac has released its May podcast rankings, and shows from NPR and The Daily from The New York Times continue to reign supreme on the charts.
NPR News Now and Up First From NPR took the first and third positions in the rankings, while The Daily was sandwiched between the two in second.
Also finishing in the top five were Dateline NBC and Fox News Hourly Update, according to Podtrac’s U.S. Unique Monthly Audience rankings.
The Shawn Ryan Show finished sixth, while Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take moved up one position to seventh. That marked the first movement of any show from the April to May rankings, as the first six programs remained unchanged.
True crime podcast Rotten Mango was the biggest mover inside the top 20, as it jumped 10 positions to finish 17th overall. Other movers included 48 Hours from CBS News, up three places to 12th, and another NPR podcast, Fresh Air, climbing four spots to 19th.
VINCE, the podcast helmed by Vince Coglianese after the high-profile departure of Dan Bongino, dropped two positions to 20th in the rankings from Podtrac.
In the Top U.S. Podcast Publishers & Networks rankings, iHeartMedia held the top two positions as iHeart Audience Network and iHeartPodcasts finished first and second, respectively. NPR finished third, followed by Libsyn (4th), Acast (5th), The Walt Disney Company (6th), Vox Media (7th), Fox Audio Network (8th), PodcastOne (9th), and Paramount (10th).
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The FCC has reversed course and reinstated the licenses for 94.3 KYKM in Yoakum and 99.9 KTXM in Hallettsville, Texas, collectively known as Texas Thunder Radio.
Earlier this week, the commission announced that they were pulling the licenses for nonpayment of $14,222.60 over fiscal years 2017 to 2024. (BMM 6/2) The commission gave no reason for the reinstatement.
Both the stations’ licenses and renewal status have been returned to pending. The status has been pending since 2021. The FCC alleges that the stations failed to respond to a payment demand issued in February.
Kremling Enterprises owns both stations.
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Kyle Bailey and Wes Bryant, a pair of hosts from Charlotte sports talk station WFNZ, have been tabbed by USA Football to broadcast the organization’s Summer Series.
The Summer Series includes the Junior International Cup (June 20-22), Select Bowl (June 20-21), and the International Bowl (June 21-22). The event will be held at Dignity Health Sports Park — home of the MLS’s LA Galaxy — and will feature football teams from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Panama, and the United States. The International Bowl will also pit the men’s and women’s teams from the United States against national teams from Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, and Japan.
“Ever since last year’s final game, I’ve been looking forward to getting back to LA in 2025,” Bailey said. “The atmosphere and level of competition were incredible, and USA Football delivered a world-class event in a global city. The different styles and unique flavors of flag football from each national team were awesome to witness and created an environment unlike any I’ve experienced in my broadcast career. Now we’re adding new countries into the mix – Australia, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, and South Korea.
“Over the past year, friends and colleagues keep asking me about USA Football and the growth of flag football. Between the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics and the NFL’s recent decision to allow player participation, flag football has never been hotter in the sports world. That’s a testament to the passion and vision of the people at USA Football. Wes and I are excited and grateful to bring the action to viewers all over the world once again.”
Bryant played football as a three-year letterman at Wake Forest. He has previously provided analysis for ACC Football broadcasts on the CW Network in addition to his work with WFNZ.
“I was blown away by my experience at USA Football’s event last year, and I absolutely can’t wait to get back to LA to call another exciting weekend of flag football action,” said Bryant. “I went in with high expectations, but I was amazed by the intensity, teamwork, strategy and sheer skill on display. With every game we called, my excitement grew. It wasn’t just about watching the action. We saw how different players stepped up and made their mark. The energy from the athletes and fans was electric and made me want to get out there and play myself.
“Now, with the Olympics one year closer and the addition of international matchups between some of the best adult National Teams from across the world, Summer Series is going to be something even more special.”
“As flag football gets ready for its Olympic debut in 2028, USA Football is excited to have Kyle and Wes back for our HomeTeam Network broadcasts,” said USA Football Director of Corporate & Strategic Partnerships Joe Banach. “After calling our premier events in 2024 and immersing themselves in the game, they’re the perfect team to bring our viewers into the action and showcase the fast-paced intensity of our elite competitions.”
At WFNZ, Kyle Bailey hosts afternoon drive on a solo basis, while Wes Bryant hosts Wes & Welker from 12-3 PM.
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ESPNSportsCenter anchor Jay Harris has announced he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The veteran ESPN personality shared the news in an exclusive interview with Good Morning America co-host Michael Strahan Thursday morning.
In making the announcement, Harris said he plans on fully recovering and returning to the SportsCenter desk in a short amount of time.
“I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I’m having surgery on Tuesday,” said Harris. “I’ll be away from SportsCenter for about a month to recover, and then I’m coming back better than ever.”
Furthermore, Harris explained that his doctor is “quite optimistic” about the prognosis of the cancer because the cancer has not spread, per Harris’ last scan. Additionally, he explained that the reason he was making the announcement in such a public forum is because men don’t talk about personal medical items too often.
“We all need to talk about these things because we all have them in our families,” explained Harris. “By not talking about them, I hate to be morbid, but we sentence ourselves to death by not talking.”
ESPN hired Harris in 2003 as an ESPNEWS anchor. Since then, he has continued to evolve and grow with the SportsCenter program. He’s also hosted Outside the Lines, NFL Live, Baseball Tonight, and NBA Finals coverage.
Moreover, Harris has more than 30 years of experience in television and radio news. His career includes time as a morning news anchor at WAMO-FM and national news reporter at American Urban Radio Networks, both in Pittsburgh, as well as at WOWI-FM in Norfolk, Va., and as a weeknight anchor at WPGH-TV in the Steel City.
Among his other honors, Harris has contributed to multiple SportsCenter Emmy Awards. He is also a recipient of a Silver World Medal from the New York Festival Awards, the Robert L. Vann Award from the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, and an EXCEL Award from the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals.
Finally, Harris explained to Strahan the massive amount of support he has received from colleagues and friends who have dealt with—or know someone who has dealt with—prostate cancer.
“Folks have been great,” said Harris. “Every time I talk to someone, they go ‘my uncle had it’ or ‘my cousin has it’ or ‘my father-in-law has it. You want me to give them your number so they can talk to you.’ Everybody’s been so welcoming, I love that part.”
JUST IN: ESPN @SportsCenter anchor @JayHarrisESPN shares prostate cancer diagnosis: “I’m having surgery on Tuesday. I'll be away from SportsCenter for about a month to recover. Then I'm coming back better than ever.” pic.twitter.com/CUM92LMRif
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After months of negotiations, there could be hope for Chicago sports fans to watch the Chicago White Sox, Blackhawks, and Bulls games on CHSN for those who subscribe to Comcast cable in the Windy City. According to a report by 670 The Score host Laurence Holmes Wednesday night, due to the upcoming rights agreement with the NBA and NBCUniversal, Comcast subscribers could soon have the option to purchase broadcasts on the “ultimate tier” package in the coming months.
Additionally, the Chicago Sun Times is reporting Thursday morning that CHSN is expected to launch on Comcast cable locally in Chicago this Friday. The Sun-Times is reporting that Comcact/Xfinity customers will pay an additional $20 per month for the tier in which CHSN will be part of.
CHSN launched in October of last year following the closure of NBC Sports Chicago and still has no carriage deal in place with the distributor. However, it is available on other Chicago-area providers such as DirecTV and Astound/RCN. Additionally, CHSN is also available in the Chicago market via over-the-air broadcasting.
More recently, Bulls President Michael Reinsdorf joined Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz at a Crain’s Chicago Business real estate event in April and expressed his frustration. He stated that he believes Comcast is acting in bad faith during negotiations with the network.
“It’s disappointing you can’t go to bars and restaurants to get games,” Reinsdorf said. “They’re costing people money, they’re costing people enjoyment, and to me, that’s not right.”
According to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times, Reinsdorf believed he had a deal in place with Comcast back in December. However, he said it fell apart at the corporate level.
Furthermore, Reinsdorf noted that the teams involved had previously enjoyed a great relationship with Comcast while their games appeared on NBC Sports Chicago. Reinsdorf’s family are the majority owners of the White Sox and Bulls.
“To me, it’s bad faith,” Reinsdorf said. “It’s discriminatory. It doesn’t make sense.”
Additionally, according to the report from Holmes, the issue could be corrected with the NBA set to begin its new 11-year agreements with The Walt Disney Company (ESPN/ABC), Comcast Corporation (NBC/Peacock), and Amazon (Prime Video), reportedly worth a collective $77 billion.
Good news #WhiteSox fans who are Comcast customers.
Sources had indicated things could move soon because of the new NBC/Peacock deal with the NBA.
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In 1995, I was a promo jack-of-all-trades at Alice 105.9 in Denver when our PD made the call to air the OJ verdict live. I didn’t know if it was smart. In hindsight, it was — because it was the cultural moment. Now, nearly 30 years later, Diddy’s trial is testing how we think about coverage all over again.
Most RockTernative brands won’t be broadcasting the verdict, but the question is how the formats should cover the trial, if at all.
For some brands, this is an easy answer – run to the hills and avoid.
For others, there’s more to it. Strong arguments can be made on both sides, so let’s play this out in the Barrett Media courtroom. Below are opening arguments, featuring hypothetical but realistic dialogue that could be heard inside a morning show meeting.
Prosecution Argument (anti-coverage):
We don’t play Diddy, P. Diddy, Puffy, Puff Daddy or Sean Combs. This doesn’t fit our audience profile or the brand’s music strategy.
On our show, celebrity news and TMZish segments sound like bad shots clanking off the rim as the buzzer sounds.
This isn’t one of those Britney is off the rails stories; there are innocent victims and gross, NC-17 allegations. We can’t discuss this when kids are in the car.
Hip-Hop can have it. They have history with Diddy; it makes more sense for their shows or cable news – it’s not our lane.
Defense Argument (pro-coverage):
Don’t we want to be the epicenter for what people need or want to know each morning? There’s no pandering or exploitation. What Diddy is accused of is disgusting. If he’s found guilty, let’s feed him to the crocs and do whatever we can to help the victims heal.
This is a wide Cume story. Everyone knows Diddy; who hasn’t heard about this trial? Our listeners are being exposed to it, they have their opinions and are discussing it. Do we want to be in the conversation or not?
This trial has everything a blockbuster movie wants, but it’s real life. A villain, shocking allegations, sex, drugs, celebrity, violence, and even rumors of high-ranking U.S. officials attending “Freak-Offs.”
The True Crime category is huge right now.
Strong opposing arguments.
At RockTernative, this comes down to two simple things:
Brand/Listener expectations
Treatment (if covered)
The audience for a brand or show that is highly music-centric isn’t expecting or wanting Diddy coverage when they strap in to blast some Rock. It’s like putting apple sauce on burgers (IYKYK), so move on to that killer Foo Fighters song and live to fight another day.
For talk or content-heavy shows, content expectations often transcend the appeal of what the brand starts cranking at 10 am. It doesn’t mean Diddy is a no-brainer; it could go badly, but the discussion could be had.
That’s when treatment takes the stand — not whether you talk about it, but how you talk about it.
This is critical, not much is exclusive these days. No one needs a prep sheet to read Diddy testimony or about rednecks driving their mowers to the bar. The difference is how the great ones treat shared information or topics.
Any show can do phone pranks, but War of the Roses treatment is the gold standard
Most shows talk to listeners about dating, but Second Date Update makes it sound more interesting
Ironically, long ago, Fark.com made one of Diddy’s home states, Florida, more infamous than ever. Big morning shows followed suit with their unique treatment like Florida or Anywhere Else, Germany or Florida, Morons on the March, etc.
I wouldn’t expect musicologists or niche-format talent to touch Diddy. Most will play it safe – and that’s fine. But for brands with confidence and the creative clarity to own a major cultural moment with smart treatment, this trial isn’t a risk. It’s a runway.
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.
When others outside our industry control the narrative, it’s easy to see why many listeners and advertisers overlook the power of radio and audio. If you’re a fan of “The Wizard of Ads” as I am, you already know that audio remains one of the most compelling forms of communication, especially when it comes to advertising.
Radio ads in particular harness the most unique “power of sound” that connects with people, evokes emotions, and leaves a lasting impression, which we all hope to deliver to all our clients and listeners.
I was lucky enough, many years ago, to attend a gathering of a large broadcasters’ general managers and programmers. There were scores of us in the hotel ballroom. Much to my surprise, the introduction was made and Roy H. Williams himself walked out on stage. For the next 45 minutes, I was mesmerized. He explained things I already “felt” were true, but he put it all into real science.
Williams is a best-selling author well known for his Wizard of Ads trilogy. He is also the founder of the Wizard Academy institute and lives in Austin with his wife. He is my age, but when he walked out on stage, he looked like the most learned professor I ever had in college. Williams produces and publishes a free, compelling weekly column and podcast titled the Monday Morning Memo.
Williams began by talking about the human brain and how it processes sound faster and more clearly than images. This gives audio an immediate and visceral impact. This quick processing speed allows humans to form emotional connections almost instantly.
When we hear a voice, a catchy jingle, or a familiar sound, it triggers emotional responses and memories, often without us even realizing it. This psychological phenomenon makes audio an incredibly effective tool for advertisers, as it can bypass rational thinking and appeal directly to a listener’s feelings.
Unlike visual media, where viewers might tune out or skip the ads, radio and other audio-based ads succeed and thrive because of their ability to captivate attention in real-time. When we listen to something, our brains engage in a deeper processing of sound. Creating vivid imagery and evoking emotions, even if we don’t consciously realize it.
This emotional engagement is crucial for creating ads that resonate with audiences, making radio ads highly successful. Try something at home.
Find the scariest movie you can imagine and then watch it without the sound on. What happens on the screen loses its power. Next, try listening to the sound without looking at the screen. The impact can still be felt.
Do yourself another favor and listen to your station’s commercials. If you’re a GM, GSM, or PD, listen to every new spot and see if it has what you believe is needed to move someone. Does it deserve to exist in its current form?
I know when I listen to the radio, I often hear spots that are all derivative, and I can literally tell who wrote them. All too often, they have the same basic content. Name of the company, what they do, their phone number (which I really dislike) and perhaps their website.
They lack any real creativity and uniqueness. The kicker to me is when they say, share the same tagline, “For all your roofing needs” or “for all your insurance needs”. You get the idea. They all say, “For all your [insert business category here]. It’s not the seller’s fault. They’re not copywriters, but we can help improve the process and results.
Besides the inherent power of audio, radio is often heard where people are actively engaged. Driving, working, or commuting. Meaning they are more likely to absorb the message. The more compelling, the more absorption.
When I was GM in a previous market, I was always dumbfounded how one of the major fast food burger chains didn’t advertise on radio and used TV. When I’m driving around at lunchtime, thinking of a place to eat, would it not make sense to target me in the car rather than in the evening? After I have had dinner, I won’t be going out again. I understand the purpose of branding using radio. But sometimes, you can make it all about transactional business, too, and that just seemed like a natural.
So, what do we need to focus on to create successful radio ads?
For me, the most important element is creative copy that elicits some emotional response. Ads that tap into emotions like humor, urgency, drama, and conflict. Humor and/or nostalgia are often the most compelling. It’s the “tale as old as time”! (I know you started singing “Beauty and the Beast” in your head.)
The goal is to make the listeners feel something. It could be joy, excitement, desire, FOMO, or anything that moves the heart that is most likely to be remembered and take action.
One of my favorite quotes from brand strategist Scott Talgo says, “A brand that captures your mind gains behavior; a brand that captures your heart gains commitment.”
Another strategist, Scott Bedbury, said, “A brand is a story never quite completed.” Simply put, we need to tell great stories using sound that compels the heart.
Let us all take control of the narrative again and stop letting others usurp our incredible position in the world of advertising.
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.
For the first time in his broadcasting career, Richard Jefferson will be on the call for the NBA Finals. Jefferson was named to the top crew in February and will join Hall of Famers Mike Breen and Doris Burke when the series between the Pacers and Thunder gets going tonight. He’s come a long way in a pretty short period of time on ESPN. Now he gets the call on the sport’s biggest stage.
Jefferson was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Phoenix. His mom was very involved in their church, and when the family left LA, it moved with 8 or 9 different families who were also with the church and trying to get away from their rough neighborhood.
The 17-year NBA veteran insists he was late to playing basketball. “I was actually … a late bloomer. I didn’t start getting recruited until my junior year because I didn’t really play organized basketball. I just played in the park and hung out with my boys,” Jefferson told NBA.com in 2015. “My parents would go to work at 8 a.m., I’d wake up, nobody’d be in the house. I’d call my boys up: ‘Wanna go play some basketball?’ And we’d go play, all day every day – and just hoop, joke around, talk trash.”
Things turned out all right for Jefferson in Arizona. He attended Moon Valley High School in West Phoenix, where he was part of the varsity basketball team that won the 4A State Championship in 1998.
College & NBA Career
Jefferson played college basketball at the University of Arizona under Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson from 1998 to 2001. During his 84-game career, Jefferson averaged 11.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He was part of the Wildcats team that advanced to the 2001 national championship game, where Arizona fell to Duke. Along the way, Jefferson was an All-Midwest Regional and All-Final Four selection. He was inducted into the Pac-12 Basketball Hall of Honor during the 2012 Pac-12 Conference men’s basketball tournament.
From Arizona, Jefferson was drafted in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft as the 13th overall selection by the New Jersey Nets. He played seven seasons in New Jersey, reaching the NBA Finals in each of his first two seasons. After the Nets, he went on to play for the Bucks, Spurs, Warriors, Jazz, Mavericks, Cavaliers, and Nuggets. Jefferson won an NBA Championship with Cleveland in 2016. His résumé also includes a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Jefferson was a fixture in the NBA Playoffs from 2001–2017, playing in 140 postseason games. He averaged just under 11 points and nearly 4.5 rebounds per game.
The Road To ESPN/ABC
Jefferson started his media career while still playing. He was a hit on social media and had a Snapchat account that earned him awards. He received For The Win’s “Best Sports Snapchatter of the Year” in 2016.
During the 2017 season, Jefferson began co-hosting the podcast Road Trippin’ alongside former Cavaliers sideline reporter and Lakers host Allie Clifton and teammate and friend Channing Frye. The podcast was known for giving fans a humorous, behind-the-scenes look at life on the road in the NBA.
His first real gig came just months after retiring from the NBA. On October 16, 2018, he joined the YES Network as the Nets’ game and studio analyst, working with Ian Eagle. He also appeared as an analyst on FS1 and the Pac-12 Network.
Jefferson then joined ESPN in 2019 as an NBA analyst. He worked on NBA Today, editions of NBA Countdown, and began calling games consistently in the 2023 season.
What Makes Him So Good?
Jefferson hasn’t been broadcasting for a long time, but he’s made his mark at ESPN and has climbed the ranks quickly. He certainly has the credentials to make a great game analyst.
During his long NBA career, he played in 140 NBA Playoff games, averaging just under 11 points. Jefferson played with many players and learned under countless coaches, which has contributed to his high basketball I.Q. Having been in so many of the situations he’s analyzing, he’s able to break things down easily. As a result, he can put the viewer right there in that spot and make things understandable.
Jefferson has worked with a lot of personalities, whether in the studio or courtside at a game. No matter who he’s with, he holds his own. He’s not a loud “hey, I’m here, listen to me” type, but he makes his points within the flow of a show or a game and isn’t lost in the shuffle.
Jefferson brings some comedic value with him, but it doesn’t get in the way of his basketball knowledge. He has personality and knows when to use it. During a game, it can’t all be “X’s and O’s,” because that can be a little tedious. Proper use of humor and sarcasm can loosen you up, along with the folks you’re broadcasting with.
Case in point: this interaction between Jefferson, play-by-play man Ryan Ruocco, and former colleague, now Lakers head coach, JJ Redick at halftime of a game last November.
Ruocco: And we get to chat right now with our old partner, the head coach of the Lakers, JJ Redick. There was a lot of pressure on him to have the lead at the half, so he could have this conversation with us.
Reddick: I just want to be clear on this, guys. There’s nothing I’d rather be doing less than talking to the two of you. I want everybody to know. I want to be very clear on this. I do not like these two gentlemen. I couldn’t even drop my ATO coming out of the half because I had to do this.
After a couple of questions from Ruocco and Jefferson, Reddick then thanked the broadcasters and took off the headphones.
Jefferson: I’m glad the feeling’s mutual because I’ve truly never liked him as a professional. Yes, we work together, but you know.
Ruocco: When you say this, there’s a subset of the audience that thinks you’re being serious.
Jefferson: And there’s a subset of the audience that knows I’m telling the truth.
Ruocco: And now everyone’s confused. They love each other. Don’t worry.
Jefferson told GQ a few years ago that he has a love for comedy. The interviewer followed up by asking if that love made him want to get into broadcasting and be on TV.
“Yes and no,” Jefferson toldGQ. “I think my love for comedy is probably what keeps me here. And I say that because I love the game of basketball. I love it. But for me, I can only talk so much about this stuff,” he said.
“So, I’m finding ways to add entertainment or humor or a shtick or just something. When you listen to comedians and they say a joke and it bombs, they’re like, ‘Hey, guys, sorry, I don’t care.’ You learn that comedy is about failure. It’s about trying things out. It’s about getting out of your comfort zone. And that’s why I love it.”
Often, when someone is new to the game and replacing well-liked analysts, the response is mixed. There have been some fans who haven’t exactly fallen in love with his commentary. Many accuse him of “shilling” for the team theirs is playing. Some don’t appreciate his “hot takes” on things. He’s had high-profile feuds with Bill Simmons and Ben Stiller regarding some of his calls. He’s also called out everyone from Charles Barkley to his own co-host, Kendrick Perkins.
Still, others just say, “he’s bad,” and offer nothing else. All of this means Jefferson has made it as a game analyst. If you’re stoking this much reaction for each game, he’s doing something right. The vitriol isn’t an indictment on his abilities — it’s more that fans are still getting adjusted to a new style, voice, and view.
Every time I’ve heard him call a game, the information seems fair and accurate, even when talking about former teammates. Eventually, I think Jefferson will find a good comfort zone and grow on people because he has the potential to be really good.
Did You Know?
Growing up, Richard Jefferson’s favorite player was David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs.
“When I first really started watching basketball, it was him and Sean Elliott,” he told CavsNation.com in 2015. “I can remember my second year in the league, when we were down by 10 and they were about to win the championship. On the free throw line, I looked over to him (Robinson) and sort of said, ‘Now that this is all over, I can tell you, you were my favorite player growing up.’”
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For the first time since the turn of the millennium, the Indiana Pacers are in the NBA Finals. A team built on grit, hard work, and dedication to their craft, representing a city of blue-collar people that mirror the traits of those who wear the navy blue and gold. The past couple of months for the city of Indianapolis have been filled with big headlines, grabbing the collective consciousness of the country and putting a spotlight on the Crossroads of America. The Drive with JMV on 93.5 & 107.5 The Fan has been enjoying the ride.
“This is exactly why you get into this business. It’s why I have so thoroughly enjoyed 25 years of doing this job,” said JMV, who hosts afternoon drive on Indianapolis’ top sports radio station, The Fan. “It has been absolutely rapid fire. This is why you enjoy the work you do so much.”
JMV, also known as John Michael Vincent, has been the defining voice of sports talk radio in Indianapolis for nearly a quarter century. He’s an Indiana native who grew up in the small town of Owensburg, where he found a love for sports and music from a young age. Over his time with The Fan, he’s been the guiding voice through “The Malice at the Palace,” a Super Bowl Championship, and countless Indianapolis 500 races—a local voice that listeners can trust in the content he provides.
“I always tell people who do this in and around Indy how important we are,” said JMV. “We’re basically the only people that consistently care about what the people listening around here care about. That’s an important job.”
Live & Local Is Not an Option, It’s a Requirement
The community of Indianapolis has had plenty to care about—and celebrate—recently. The Indiana Pacers are beginning a quest for an NBA Championship, while Caitlin Clark is igniting massive interest in the Indiana Fever. If you took those two elements alone, most markets around the country, large and small, would have plenty to care about, discuss, and talk about.
“Most of the time, the stuff people around here care about, sports-wise, nationally they’re not going to. They won’t give it the time of day,” noted JMV. “I always tell people that do this job: you have a level of importance to make sure you are dialed into everything local, because it is a resource that we are allowed to give them content-wise that they’re probably not going to get anyplace else.”
JMV is a student of his craft because he feels the audience demands it. He takes pride in “not half-ass’ing” anything he represents, working six days a week between a weekday talk show and an all-live, local music program filled with live requests from listeners on B105.7. It’s an old-school approach of listener interaction and connection through music, in an era of overly researched playlists and recorded talent.
“I don’t voice track. I don’t tape. I’m 100% authentic and 100% live. That’s what people around here care about,” JMV said of his work on B105.7, which he hosts once a week. “There is still a target audience that absolutely wants this content, and you must continue to give it to them.”
A passionate patriarch in the belief of live and local, JMV is cognizant of the challenges in the radio industry today, as layoffs and cost-cutting rob local audiences of what makes radio more unique than podcasting or streaming. He stands for what he believes in and enters each new day energized to represent the community he speaks with, and the culture of being the destination for Indy sports fans.
“It’s like you’re being an athlete. You have some days that are better than others. Some days you’re going to be more dialed in than others. The special days for me are when I’m five words ahead in my mind of what I’m saying at that time,” noted JMV. “Everybody kind of understands that I’m not the brightest light bulb in the pack. I like to think of myself as the most authentic. I’m just like the listener out there. I’m just like the person listening. I’ve always found myself to be that.”
The Pat McAfee Effect on Indianapolis Sports
While the Pacers and Fever have been dominating the sports narrative of the city as of late, the storylines have been even more elevated by a former Indianapolis Colts punter turned broadcaster. Pat McAfee has not been shy about sharing his love and admiration for the city of Indianapolis since the very beginning of his program. The show emanates from Indianapolis and has been a lightning rod of attention for many different reasons.
JMV considers what McAfee has built an incredible example of placing Indy sports on a national platform. He notes that he doesn’t attempt to promote McAfee’s content on his program out of respect for his teammate Jake Query, who hosts middays on The Fan. Although JMV knows it’s hard to ignore most of the headlines from McAfee’s show, he respects the product he has built.
“He (McAfee) gets to do on a national level exactly what I would do and how I would do it if I were on a national level. He’s out there to have one hell of a good time. I could not have more respect for him than that,” said JMV. “It’s fun-loving radio, and he’s going to continue to do that his way until the end. That’s something to be admired in a business in which we’re in, where that’s very difficult to do.”
A Golden Era On Indy Sports
When the Indiana Fever drafted Caitlin Clark with the first overall selection in the 2024 WNBA Draft, the immediate impact on interest in the women’s professional basketball league was massive. Locally, the effect of Clark’s arrival elevated a franchise left dormant for a decade into the stratosphere. JMV notes that interest in Fever basketball is on par with interest in the other four major sports among fans in Indianapolis. He believes the market is on the verge of a “golden era” of basketball greatness—both with the Pacers and Fever—and he’s ready for every step of the ride.
“If you don’t truly realize that moment, by the time you look at it, that moment is gone,” said JMV. “You must make sure you take the right steps and measures to fully soak up what is something that is incredibly special around here, that not anybody else has at this level around America.”
Spanning a career that has seen legends of the past to the superstars of tomorrow, JMV remains passionate about the work he puts into his product—celebrating the good times, while being critical when deemed necessary. The recent highs of the Pacers’ and Fever’s success, mixed with the emotions of the passing of Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, have prevented every show from being the same. Being the voice that represents the Indy sports fan comes with its challenges, making it tough to have friendships with those in organizations because of the criticisms he is tasked to dish out when necessary.
“In this market, you basically see everybody all the time. You see the people that sometimes you have to be critical of. You see the people that you’re talking to out there that may not exactly enjoy your angle,” explained JMV. “At the same time, I always want to go away feeling like I’m incredibly fair but also having a good time in the process.”
As the opening tipoff commences this evening in Oklahoma City, JMV will be glued to his television, preparing for the flood of reaction to come tomorrow afternoon—capturing the moment, win or lose, with the people he grew up alongside and shares a connection with through the love of sport. Something, in reflection, he wouldn’t have any other way during the single greatest time to be a sports fan living in Indy.
“As long as I can deliver with the energy, fun, content, and the interest—while never half-ass’ing what I do,” prefaced JMV, “If I’m just adequate, that’s not going to be good enough. That’s probably when I decide (to walk away), but hopefully that’s still a long time away.”
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Tom Cook is Director of Music Programming for Audacy Baltimore and Program Director for Hot AC Mix 106.5. He also does the daily music logs for 94.7 The Drive in Washington, DC.
“I was also pleasantly surprised by that. I certainly didn’t expect it. That was a nice honor to be in the Top 20.”
The history of Mix 106.5 includes being Hot AC since 1986.
“We’ve had big Heritage morning shows, amazing talent the rest of the day, and that continues to this day.”
The Baltimore market has allowed the station to carve out a specific niche and sound.
“The station has always been able to get away with a little bit more rhythm than a lot of Hot ACs. We’re pretty heavy on Nelly and Eminem, Fat Joe and Ashanti and Aaliyah. Some of the stuff from ’98 to 2005 that our audience grew up with. That you might not find on a lot of typical Hot AC stations in other markets, but we embrace that, and it works well for us.”
“We have all the other things you expect on Hot AC stations, everything that’s from today. The station truly is a mix of various sounds and genres. I think we do a pretty good job of super-serving the people who grew up with that music from 25 years ago and making sure that they stay up to date with everything new, too.”
And what does super serving mean to Cook and Mix 106.5?
“It’s the music for sure. But then it’s also lifestyle content. We start the day with “Kramer & Jess,” a morning team that I brought in from San Diego. We worked hard to figure out what kind of content resonates with the audience here. I call it episodic content.”
“Kramer and Jess Photo station website
“I’ve always been a big believer in, you take a mirror and hold it up to your audience. Whatever’s going on with your audience, we need to reflect. And that’s something that we do really well, starting in the morning and continuing all day.”
Social media helps reflect that content back to listeners.
“Kramer and Jess do great social media content. It’s not just about what’s on the air anymore. I want to shout out Jess. When she came here, she immediately helped us step up our social media game. She grew up with it. It’s a normal thing to her. It’s not something she had to learn to do for this job.”
Cook also oversees Top 40 Today’s 101.9, where on June 26 morning, hosts “Greg and Gina” will celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary.
“On WLIF, we have a great heritage airstaff, two of whom have been in the market 25+ years. We start the day with “Greg & Gina.” Greg came to Baltimore in 1994 on Mix 106-5 and eventually moved to WLIF. Gina has been here for 10 years and is still recognized for her time on WHFS. Both are quick-witted and fun. Greg brings Dad sensibilities, and Crash brings one-liners with a lot of randomness. Maria Dennis does middays and has been in Baltimore since 1997. Every programmer should be so lucky to have a lineup like this! I do afternoons and have been on since late 2019.”
“Greg and Gina” Photo station website
With all the competition for the ear, how do we reignite passion for radio among young people and get them to use it again?
“Authenticity is number one. Just being real and transparent about what’s going on in your life. You can get anything from anywhere.”
Because of the ability to access anything nearly anywhere, Cook views some of the old notions about programming stations as outdated.
“It’s foolish of us to promote that we play the most music, or we need to shut the air talent up and play the most music. That’s an outdated concept.”
“If you’re paying 10 bucks a month on Spotify, you’re not getting 12 to 15 minutes of commercials to hear that music. We have to connect. We have to do that in the proper way. And figure out a way to make our stories about them so that they’re connected.”
“We take our experiences that are hopefully universal, and if they’re not, how do we make our experiences about the audience?
“Jess got married a little over a year ago. She got married on May 4th. She lives her life on the air. From everything that led up to her wedding to the stuff that happened at the wedding.”
“She has pee anxiety. She freaks out if she thinks she won’t be able to use the bathroom. She’s very transparent about that on the air. There’ve been times when I’m like, how many times did we talk about pee in that break? But it’s connective and I can’t tell you how many women have called, texted or DM that feel the same way”
“Kramer has gone through some stuff here. A couple of years ago, he was assaulted downtown, and he had a concussion. It probably took a year and change for him to navigate all of the health struggles. The doctor’s visits and the dizziness, one step forward, two steps back, as far as his health goes. He lived all of that on the air and people bond with that because everybody has their shit.”
Finding talent and people who are interested in radio content creation is becoming difficult. How does the Top 20 voted PD handle this?
“We have an intern who has been in here the last couple of weeks. I want to find a place for her because she’s so damn good at TikTok and Instagram and figuring out ways to get eyes on our content. I look at that and go, we need that, not only in this cluster, but we need that in this business.”
“There’s still some talent out there that we could bring in and teach the basics of radio. We can teach them mechanics. We can learn just as much from people like that as they can from us. Here’s another good example.”
“Our promotions director here makes some pretty good hires. One guy was out at an appearance before the Jonas Brothers show. I was on the air, and this kid was new on the promo team, who was looking over my shoulder at Wide Orbit.”
“He started asking good questions about it. I said, Tell you what, I don’t have time to talk to you about it now, but let’s talk on Monday, and I’ll answer all your questions.”
“I eventually started to use him to fill in as a board op on our sports station and as a fill-in traffic reporter. That happened because he was there asking great questions. He’s turned out to be a phenomenal part-time employee for us.”
What advice would Cook give to young people in the industry or thinking of coming into radio?
“You can’t be afraid of taking the next step. I think that coming to Baltimore has been the best move of my career. From a personal perspective, it’s been good. And quite frankly, I didn’t want to like it as much as I do here. I love Baltimore.”
“It’s a great city. The people are great. The city’s great, and the culture and diversity are great. Entertainment options are great. I love it here. And I didn’t want to love it.”
Mix 106.5 recently hosted its 36th Annual Radiothon benefiting the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Cook has found inspiration in association with the charity, including from a keynote speaker at a recent conference.
“The message was, we spend so much time obsessing over everything that we think is wrong, that we don’t spend enough time appreciating what is right. She put up a graphic, and I’m like, wow, that’s so good. Gratitude is underrated.”
“We just don’t spend enough time appreciating because we’re not necessarily wired to be that way. Be grateful for where you are, and be grateful for the opportunities. Everything is what you make it.”
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.
