Jennifer “Hemmy” Hemmer, PD and afternoon host at Country 94.7 KTTS Springfield, MO, is adding middays at sister station Country 104.7 WZZK Birmingham, AL.
Hemmer takes over the slot vacated when Mike Sanders, Program Director and midday host, was let go in April, as part of the SummitMedia layoffs. (BMM 4/28)
Hemmer joined KTTS in January of 2025. She has had previous career stops at 93.7 The Bull in St. Louis and 100.5 The Wolf in Springfield.
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The volume of programming available on the world’s leading subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platforms continued to climb in the second quarter, according to a new report from Gracenote, a content data business unit of Nielsen. From February to May, the combined number of unique TV, movie and sports titles offered by Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix and Paramount+ grew by approximately 4,500 titles, a 5% increase. The findings, published in the latest release from the Gracenote Data Hub, underscore how streaming services are ramping up their content offerings to stay competitive in a crowded marketplace.
When broken down by content type, sports programming experienced the most rapid growth. Sports titles rose 7.8% in Q2, nearly doubling the rate of movie content expansion and outpacing TV show growth by nearly a full percentage point. Currently, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Netflix dominate in this area, together hosting 92% of all available streaming sports content, including live games, sports news, highlight shows and documentaries.
“In the big picture for SVOD, overall content volume continues to rise but the CTV apps making this content available continually shift,” said Bill Michels, Chief Product Officer at Gracenote. “Regardless of program type or any other attribute, effective content discovery helps streamers connect viewers to the entertainment they’ll enjoy most and get the most value out of each of the assets in their catalogs.”
Netflix led the charge with an 18.2% increase in available content, far surpassing its rivals. In comparison, Apple TV+ saw a 3.7% rise, followed by Amazon Prime Video at 3.2%, Disney+ at 1.6% and Paramount+ at 1%. As a result, Netflix now accounts for 20.1% of all programs across the five major services, up from 17.9% the previous quarter.
Meanwhile, TV programming overall increased 6.9% across the platforms, while movie titles rose by 4%.
Drawing from Gracenote Global Video Data, which encompasses content in 35 languages across more than 80 countries, the hub serves video services, content owners and advertisers with insights for strategic planning. Additionally, the resource aids media professionals and analysts in navigating the evolving streaming landscape.
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The Florida Panthers are headed back to the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight season as south Florida prepares for the challenge of winning a second straight Cup. Keith Yandle played for the Florida Panthers for five seasons of his 15-year career in the NHL as made a guest appearance on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Wednesday to discuss the Panthers chances of winning another Stanley Cup. This caught the eye of Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy as the Le Batard Show posted a clip of the interview on social media.
Portnoy co-hosted his weeklyThe Unnamed Show with Ryan Whitney and Kirk Minihane and questioned why Yandle, who now works for Barstool, would appear on Le Batard’s program in the first place.
“Dan Le Batard hates our guts, right?” Portnoy asked. “Isn’t he a notorious hater of Barstool? I’m pretty sure he’s on the record as totally hates us. Well, I’m scrolling across social media, and what do I see? Yandle’s face pops up and he’s chopping it up like he’s best friends. This guy hates us.”
Minihane agreed with the question that Portnoy posed during the segment saying that Le Batard has called Barstool Sports “every name in the book” and would bet his “life” that Le Batard hates the digital content company.
“I’ve never gone on the offense with them,” noted Portnoy about the lack of attacks he’s personally done against Le Batard. “He just hates us and mentions it all the time.”
Yandle received word that the program was discussing his appearance on the Le Batard program and apologized to Portnoy for not knowing there was any beef between the two companies. The former Panther said he was invited by one of Le Batard’s producers to join the program and wasn’t aware of anything previously between the two companies.
Portnoy continually stated that any bitterness between the two started from Le Batard’s side as the Barstool founder said “I’ve never said a word. Le Batard is irrelevant to me.”
Minihane continued to share his experiences with Le Batard when he once worked for WEEI in Boston when his program would play clips of other radio stations that rated better in the Boston market better than Le Batard’s program which aired on 850AM. The former WEEI host said that Le Batard complained to his former program director and was a “baby” about the situation.
The Dan Le Batard Show did not address the comments during their Thursday program.
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Country’s Radio Coach John Shomby checks in with news that a celebration of life for Mark “McKay” Cummingham will be held June 7 from 1 to 4 pm at Three Notch Brewery, 4561 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA.
McKay passed away recently from cancer at the age of 55. (BMM 5/27)
He spent 20 years with Max Media’s Eagle 97.3 in Virginia Beach.
If you have photos that you would like to share, please send them to Maurisa Pasick here.
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Ethan Jackson has signed on with Saga’s Des Moines Media Group as Production Director and midday host on Rocker Laser 103.3.
Jackson arrives from Cumulus Topeka, where he served as both on-air talent and APD and Production Director. He fills the midday slot on Laser 103.3, vacant since the April retirement of longtime host Suzy Colling. (BMM 4/1)
Stephanie Heide, VP/GM of DMMG, said, “We are excited for the experience, knowledge, and talent that Ethan brings to the Production Director position as well as Middays on Lazer 103.3. He is a fantastic addition to our team here at Des Moines Media Group.”
Jackson added, “Thank you to Stephanie Heide, Leigh McNabb, and Wes Styles for giving me the opportunity to join the team at Des Moines Media Group. Lazer 103.3 is a powerhouse, and I could not be more excited to join an already incredible on-air lineup. I can’t wait to rock with everyone in Des Moines!”
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The Financial Exchange with Michael Armstrong and Chuck Zodda, a business radio show currently heard across 14 stations in New England, will expand to a national audience beginning Monda. The program will join SiriusXM Business Radio Channel 132 and air weekdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The addition marks a significant milestone for the show, which debuted in September 2010 as a one-hour broadcast on Boston’s WRKO-AM 680, The Voice of Boston. Over the years, it has become a trusted source of financial news and insight, featuring interviews with top executives, market analysts, and business leaders from across the country.
“I’m thrilled to have The Financial Exchange join the superb lineup on Sirius XM’s Business Radio Channel,” said Jason Wolfe, Chief Operating Officer of Money Matters Radio. “In a world where listeners have numerous ways to consume the content they love the most, adding an incredible brand like Sirius XM will help us expand our reach to a new audience that we’re excited to be a part of. We can’t wait to get started.”
Michael Armstrong has eight years of experience in the financial services industry. He graduated from Hobart College with a B.A. in Economics and is the senior managing partner of the Armstrong Advisory Group, an SEC-registered investment adviser which he joined in 2013. Outside of hosting The Financial Exchange Show alongside Chuck Zodda, Armstrong is a regular contributor to WCVB TV Channel 5 in Boston.
Chuck Zodda has been the full-time co-host of The Financial Exchange since 2015 after spending several years participating in a guest role. He has been in the financial services industry for seven years, spending his time focusing on bottom-up analysis of various companies. Chuck is also a regular contributor on New England Cable News, and has also been seen on WCVB TV Channel 5, WFXT Fox 25, and WHDH TV Channel 7 in Boston. He has also appeared for radio interviews on WTAG, WGIR, WELI, and WHJJ.
Zodda graduated from Dartmouth College in 2009 with a B.A in History, while competing on the football team as a placekicker. Chuck is a managing partner with the Armstrong Advisory Group, an SEC-registered investment adviser.
Currently, the show is broadcast across a network of stations throughout New England, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Oregon on the west coast.
With its mix of timely financial reporting and expert commentary, The Financial Exchange continues to build a reputation as a go-to source for business news throughout New England—and now, across the country.
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Cumulus Media has launched Classic Hip Hop and R&B, The Vibe 95.1, in Montgomery, AL. Previously, a simulcast of News/Talk WLWI-AM, the format went live on May 19.
Core artists include The Notorious B.I.G., Ginuwine, Aaliyah, 2Pac, Salt-N-Pepa, Missy Elliott, and Sir Mix-A-Lot.
Paula Divello, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Montgomery, noted: “We are excited to offer unique, new programming on HD that airs chart-topping Classic Hip Hop and R&B. We believe the listeners in Montgomery and Central Alabama will enjoy hearing all their old favorites – and the station will be a benefit to both the community and our advertisers. Not only will listeners love the sound and feel of The Vibe, but advertisers will find a new home and great opportunities to connect to audiences.”
Paul Horton, Program Director, The Vibe/95.1 HD3 FM, said: “The Vibe will attract listeners in the River Region who grew up with all the Classic Hip Hop and R&B favorites. It’s a blast from the past that brings nostalgia for the good old days back to Gen Xers and Millennials. And will surely become a favorite radio spot for every generation.
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Pat McAfee has never shied away from his passion for supporting all things Indianapolis. The former Colts punter turned sports media commentator has been ever-present at nearly every Indiana Pacers’ playoff game this season.
On Monday, McAfee was asked by the team to fire up the hometown crowd, and the former Colts punter decided to point out the celebrity New York Knicks fans in the crowd, including actor Ben Stiller. Consequently, the Oscar-nominated actor was called out by McAfee, only to then be lumped into McAfee’s messaging to fans as “send these sons of bitches back to New York with their ears bleeding!”
Subsequently, Stiller appeared on The Putback podcast, hosted by Ian Begley of SNY, and was asked about the moment when he was called out by the host of The Pat McAfee Show.
““I have to say, I was not familiar with his game. I did not know that was coming. I’m a casual football fan,” Stiller said. “I get it, it was fun. He was just trying to get the crowd riled up. It was a little bit out of the blue. It’s also like, are we really doing the narrative of Hicks versus Knicks? Like the bigwigs from New York? It just seems a little cartoonish.”
Afterward, the actor recommended that McAfee should attend a game at Madison Square Garden, because the hometown Knicks faithful will give him a “nice cheer,” said Stiller with a laugh.
“When that happened, I was a little bit like, ‘Whoa.’ But the WWE aspect of it, I get it,” said Stiller. “It’s just not the way it happens in New York. He should come to the Garden for Game 5.”
Earlier in the day on Wednesday, Stiller took to social media, calling the moment “weird” but also explaining that the Indiana Pacers’ fans were “awesome.”
As of now, there’s no word on if McAfee will take up Stiller’s offer to attend Game Five of the series tonight at Madison Square Garden.
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FOX Sports recently secured record ratings for the Indianapolis 500, attaining an average of 7.09 million viewers for the event in its first year with the media rights for the NTT IndyCar Series. Yet leading up to the race, some viewers of Major League Baseball broadcasts by FOX Sports observed that fans were dumping milk on themselves after monumental moments in the games, resembling the tradition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where the winner indulges in a drink of the beverage after the race. The apparent cross-promotional effort drew the attention of fans on social media in addition to various sports media personalities, including SiriusXM podcast host Katie Nolan.
During a recent edition of her Casuals podcast, Nolan discussed how she observed that a fan poured milk on his face after Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran hit a home run. Similar occurrences took place after the New York Mets defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in a broadcast window that ended up garnering an average of 2.3 million viewers, the most-watched baseball telecast of the season for FOX thus far. Participants of the stunt also wore Indianapolis 500 shirts, and a highlight video detailing the instances was featured on social media by the FOX MLB broadcast property.
“Pretty obviously a plant, right?,” Nolan said. “Maybe I’m from an era – I’m from the truth era. I know we’re post-truth now, I know nothing matters anymore, but I just feel like in a building full of fans, did you really need to plant a fake fan to try to promote [the] Indianapolis 500? Couldn’t you have just done that and highlighted the actual fans instead of having somebody pretend to be a fan and to care so much that they, what, brought their own milk?”
Nolan questioned how a fan could get a jug of milk into Fenway Park similar to the kind used at the Indianapolis 500. In the end, she concluded that it had to have emanated from a production truck, and while she understood the allure of television magic, she underscored that fans were watching the broadcast and could not relate to what was taking place.
“I always have bristled against it because I always have been, ‘There is a world of people interacting with our content. We should engage those people in the content that we’re making,’” Nolan said. “It’s obviously much easier – like they say it’s hard to work with babies and animals – it’s hard to work with internet commenters, sure, but it’s like kind of the job, and working with fans is kind of the job, and I just feel like faking it implies that the real thing isn’t interesting enough on its own, and then what would this all be for.
Nolan did not like what transpired and accentuated how diehard sports fans are being priced out of going to games because they are too expensive, including regular-season MLB games. As someone who used to work at FS1, Nolan also contended that some of the tweets displayed on shows she worked on said to have come from fans allegedly came from producers making new accounts.
“I’ll take a stand and say don’t show me a fake fan celebrating a home run because you want me to watch a different property that you have the rights to. Talk to me about the race and why it’s cool. I would love to see the numbers on the ROI of how many people tuned in because they saw a guy at the Sox game chug milk. I would love to know.”
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Justin Schaflander has been promoted to Vice President/Market Manager for Cumulus Atlanta. Schaflander rises from Vice President of Sales for Cumulus Atlanta and will report to Dave Milner, President, Operations, Cumulus Media.
Schaflander joined Cumulus Atlanta in January 2024 from Good Karma Brands/ESPN Los Angeles, where he served as Director of Sales. He previously spent time in Atlanta with iHeartMedia, serving as Region President over the Atlanta/Georgia markets, Market President – Atlanta, and Vice President of Sales – Atlanta.
Milner said, “Justin is a proven leader with deep roots in the Atlanta media landscape and a strong track record of driving results and developing high-performing teams. His passion for the business, strategic mindset, and commitment to our people and brands make him the ideal person to lead Cumulus Atlanta into its next chapter of growth.”
Schaflander added, “It’s an honor to step into this role. My focus is clear: drive revenue, serve our partners and listeners well, and lead with urgency. We’ve got the talent, the tools, and the mindset —and there’s real opportunity ahead. Now’s the time to capture it, have some fun, and deliver great results.”
Cumulus Atlanta includes New Country 101.FIVE/WKHX-FM; Classic Rock 99X/WNNX-FM; Top 40 Q99.7/WWWQ-FM; and Urban/Classic Hip Hop OG 97.9/WWWQ-H3.
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