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Stu Burguiere Bringing ‘Predictable’ Show to BlazeTV

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Stu Burguiere is taking his prediction-market show to BlazeTV. The move brings Burguiere back to the streaming network founded by Glenn Beck.

What We Know: Burguiere spent nearly three decades as a member of The Glenn Beck Program before leaving to launch Predictable. The program centers on prediction markets, giving Burguiere a platform to discuss events and probabilities through the rapidly growing market-based format. Now, he’s bringing Predictable to BlazeTV, the streaming network Beck founded. Burguiere announced the move in a social media post, but offered few additional details about the upcoming transition.

What’s At Stake: The move reunites Burguiere with the media company where he spent much of his career. Additionally, BlazeTV gains a program built around a format that has drawn increasing attention as prediction markets expand into political, economic, and cultural conversations. For Burguiere, the partnership provides another opportunity to grow Predictable with an established digital audience.

What Remains Unclear: Burguiere hasn’t announced an exact launch date for Predictable on BlazeTV. Likewise, details about the show’s schedule, format, distribution, and whether the move will change its existing availability remain unknown. He only said the program would move to BlazeTV sometime in the near future.

What It Means: The announcement marks a notable return to Beck’s media orbit for Burguiere after nearly 30 years working alongside him. Meanwhile, BlazeTV can add a familiar voice while expanding its programming around prediction markets and emerging digital media trends.

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Magellan AI Data Shows Host-Read Ads, Video Podcasts Perform Better on Response Rates

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Podcast host-read advertisements continue to outperform other forms of podcast advertising, according to new data from Magellan AI. The findings suggest advertisers may get stronger consumer responses when hosts personally deliver their messages.

What We Know: Magellan AI found in its Podcast Measurement Benchmark Report that host-read podcast ads generated a 3.22% response rate. That performance represents a 54% increase over produced podcast advertisements, which recorded a 2.09% response rate. Meanwhile, the data shows podcasts that include video also perform better than RSS-only programs. However, the difference between the two formats remains smaller than the gap between host-read and produced advertisements.

What The Numbers Show: Podcasts featuring video generated a 2.05% response rate, compared to 1.88% for RSS-only shows. That gives video podcasts a 9% advantage in response rates. Globally, the median response rate stood at 2.23%, while the average reached 2.39%. Additionally, the average global response rate increased 4% during the second quarter compared to the first quarter.

What Remains Unclear: The data doesn’t explain why host-read advertisements generate substantially stronger responses than produced spots. Factors such as audience trust, host familiarity, ad placement, message relevance, and creative execution could influence the results. Likewise, the findings don’t indicate whether video’s smaller advantage comes from increased engagement or other differences among shows that produce video content.

What It Means: For podcast advertisers, the findings reinforce the value of putting hosts directly into the advertising message. While video can provide another performance boost, host-read spots delivered the clearest advantage in the latest Magellan AI data. Therefore, advertisers looking to improve response rates may want to prioritize the personal connection between podcast hosts and their audiences.

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News Media Share Memories on 9/11’s 25th Anniversary

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25 years later, journalists continue sharing memories of covering the 9/11 terrorist attacks as they unfolded. Their recollections highlight the fear, responsibility, and lasting impact of that historic day.

What We Know: News media figures across television and print are revisiting their experiences for the 25th anniversary. ABC News veterans Diane Sawyer and David Muir reflected on covering the attacks and the responsibility of telling the stories of families affected by the tragedy. Meanwhile, Associated Press journalists recalled the chaos of documenting the attacks, including photographer Richard Drew’s experience capturing the iconic “Falling Man” photograph.

What It Means: For many journalists, 9/11 remains more than an important story from their careers. Instead, their memories reflect a moment when television provided Americans with their primary window into an unfolding national tragedy.

What Remains: As the anniversary passes, journalists continue emphasizing the importance of preserving firsthand accounts for younger generations. Muir said remembering the victims also means remembering how Americans came together to care for one another after the attacks.

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Judy Markey, Longtime WGN Radio Host, Dies

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Judy Markey, one half of WGN Radio’s legendary Kathy and Judy show, has died at 82. The popular midday program ran for 20 years and routinely ranked as Chicago’s most-listened-to midday show.

What We Know: Judy Markey built a lengthy career in Chicago media before becoming a household name on Kathy and Judy. The program, which she co-hosted with Kathy O’Malley, spent two decades on WGN Radio and became one of the station’s signature shows.

What They Said: “Judy Markey was a well-established voice in Chicago media long before the Kathy and Judy. For 16 years she wrote a slice-of-life column for the Chicago Sun-Times. She wrote two novels. The first, The Daddy Clock, was published by Bantam Books in 1998. Her introduction to WGN came with regular appearances on The Bob Collins Show. Which led to the first Kathy and Judy show, which ran opposite the Super Bowl in 1989. From there, it was a 20-year run at the top. They twice won the Gracie Award for Best Major Market Talk Show by the National Association of Women in Radio and Television.” -Former WGN Radio anchor Steve Bertrand

What Remains Unclear: Details about memorial services and tributes could emerge in the coming days.

What It Means: Markey’s death marks the loss of a major figure from Chicago radio history. Together, Markey and O’Malley helped establish Kathy and Judy as a dominant midday program. Their two Gracie Awards recognized the show’s impact. Her work also extended beyond radio through newspaper columns and novels, giving Markey a lasting presence across Chicago media.

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Damon Bruce Slams Cumulus Media, KNBR for “Ridiculous” Saga Involving Greg Papa

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Former KNBR host Damon Bruce isn’t holding back. During a live stream on his YouTube channel, Bruce says Greg Papa’s rocky exit and quick return expose a deeper problem with KNBR and the radio industry as a whole.

What We Know: Cumulus Media laid off Greg Papa last month as part of a companywide programming shakeup. At the time, Papa was recovering from complications tied to a March bone-marrow transplant following his leukemia diagnosis. The move drew fierce national backlash. Yesterday, KNBR announced his return in a new part-time role. He’ll co-host Lunch With Papa with John Lund and deliver twice-weekly 49ers updates during both drive-time shows. While Bruce says he’s happy for Papa to make his return, his says the station shouldn’t have cut Papa in the first place.

What They Said: (All quotes via The Damon Bruce Show):

Damon Bruce on KNBR bringing back Greg Papa after laying him off: “I guess [Greg] Papa’s going to be worked back into the fold over at KNBR. Which makes me think KNBR, why did you go about doing it that way in the first place? Ridiculous. We wonder why an entire medium is losing touch with the way the world works.”

Damon Bruce questions why Cumulus Media and KNBR even cut Greg Papa in the first place: “If you’re going to do that, why did you put him through the stress of the layoff. [Why] all the bad PR that you invited to your doorstep if you knew that he’s coming back? Why make the announcement in the first place? It’s like radio is being run by people who don’t understand how to run radio stations. Have you noticed that? I sure have.”

Damon Bruce is happy Greg Papa is back on the airwaves at KNBR: “I’m very happy for Greg [Papa]. I just want Greg to be healthy and happy the rest of the way. That’s all we’re looking for.”

What Remains Unclear: Why KNBR reversed course so quickly remains unexplained. The station hasn’t detailed what changed internally between the layoff and the reinstatement.

What It Means: Bruce’s criticism echoes a broader industry unease with how radio handles talent decisions. Meanwhile, listeners get their answer: Papa is back, even if the path there wasn’t smooth. For Papa, the return offers stability during ongoing recovery. However, for KNBR, the episode leaves lingering questions.

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Xtreme Radio Moves to 107.9, Ends 107.5, Rebrands as X1079

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Xtreme Radio is leaving 107.5 after nearly three decades. Christian broadcaster EMF purchased the frequency and will launch programming soon.

What We Know Xtreme Radio will simulcast on 107.5 and 107.9 starting Monday, September 14. The station moves to 107.9 permanently, rebranding as X1079—The Vegas Alternative. EMF acquired 107.5 for Christian programming. The frequency transition concludes near month’s end.

What’s at Stake Alternative radio loses a defining Las Vegas institution. The station launched careers and shaped generations of listeners during three decades on air. This move reflects broader consolidation hitting radio markets nationwide. Community-focused outlets face mounting pressure from religious and corporate formats.

What Remains Unclear Exactly when EMF takes control of 107.5 hasn’t been confirmed. No official statements detail X1079’s future programming strategy. How the station manages listener retention during the frequency move remains unanswered. Long-term viability for the relocated format stays uncertain.

What It Means Vegas’s alternative landscape just experienced a significant shift. Independent stations continue disappearing as corporate buyers consolidate frequencies strategically. This closing underscores how quickly radio markets transform. However, Xtreme Radio’s legacy lives on—just on a different frequency and under new circumstances. The culture survives even as the callletters change. Ultimately, markets evolve and stations move forward. That’s the nature of radio today.

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Timothy “Buc Wild” Joseph Dead: Hot 97 Legacy Remembered

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Timothy “Buc Wild” Joseph passed away this week at 47. Star Troi Torain announced the news on September 6.

What We Know Joseph co-hosted the iconic “Star & Buc Wild” duo with Torain. The pair first gained prominence through The Source magazine’s “Reality Check” column. Subsequently, they hosted MTV’s “Beat Suite” before landing Hot 97 (WQHT) mornings in 2000. Eventually, they worked at Power 105.1, WNYZ-LP, and WPHI Philadelphia across their careers.

What’s at Stake The duo fundamentally shaped New York hip-hop radio during its most influential era. Their partnership defined late-1990s and early-2000s radio culture with undeniable impact. Notably, Torain described Joseph as a son he raised from the beginning. Consequently, multiple generations of radio listeners grew up with their show as a staple.

What Remains Unclear Torain noted possible fentanyl involvement during the livestream announcement. However, authorities have not yet confirmed this information officially. Investigators are currently examining the exact circumstances surrounding his death. Additionally, Torain mentioned experiencing difficulty contacting Joseph in recent months.

What It Means Hip-hop radio loses a pioneering voice this week. Joseph’s death reflects challenges affecting entertainment professionals nationwide. The radio community must honor Star & Buc Wild’s irreplaceable cultural impact. Torain’s tributes revealed both professional achievement and profound personal loss.

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Connoisseur Media Cuts Storm N Norman, Paul Pacelli in Connecticut Cluster Reshuffle

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Longtime WEBE morning host Storm N Norman and afternoon personality Paul Pacelli have departed Connoisseur Media’s Connecticut cluster. The cuts reflect ongoing market adjustments affecting established radio personalities.

What We Know Connoisseur eliminated Norman’s mornings role at WEBE 108 Westport. The station hired him in 1984 at launch, retained him until his 2013 retirement, then brought him back in May 2019. Pacelli’s WICC afternoon shift ends as well. He joined Connoisseur alongside Norman in 2019 after stops at Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and Las Vegas stations.

What’s at Stake These departures strip experience and listener familiarity from WEBE’s morning drive. Norman built four decades of Connecticut radio relationships. Meanwhile, WICC loses afternoon presence during a critical daypart. The moves also signal Connoisseur’s willingness to restructure marquee roles across its cluster despite recent personnel investments.

What Remains Unclear Will Norman return to WEBE in a different capacity, as programming SVP Keith Dakin suggested to CTInsider? What role does Connoisseur envision for him going forward? Additionally, the company hasn’t detailed whether morning slot changes spark broader format adjustments at WEBE.

What It Means Jon Kamal inherits WEBE mornings while maintaining his WICC afternoon co-hosting duties and WPLR night tracking role. “The Download” airs 12–2pm weekdays with 5–7pm repeats. Compass Media Networks’ “Markley, Van Camp & Robbins” fills 2–5pm afternoons. These moves suggest Connoisseur prioritizes show consolidation and multi-platform hosting over traditional single-station talent models.

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Sophie Cunningham Dismisses Tension With West Wilson After Rebranding Podcast

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Sophie Cunningham says the speculation is wrong. Instead, the Indiana Fever guard insists no feud ended her podcast partnership with West Wilson.

What We Know: The Volume distributed Cunningham’s Show Me Something podcast, which went quiet for some time after Wilson posted a TikTok disputing Cunningham’s stance on transgender athletes in women’s sports. Speculation grew that the pause signaled a falling out between the two childhood friends. However, Cunningham addressed the gap Friday on The Colin Cowherd Podcast. She confirmed the show simply underwent a rebrand as she launched a new project, No Hesitation, alongside trainer Drew Hanlen.

What They Said: (All quotes via The Colin Cowherd Podcast):

Sophie Cunningham on why she ended working with West Wilson: “I loved West [Wilson]. I think we had a really fun time together. I know that he’s off doing great things, too. But he was going through some stuff, then I was going through some stuff. Everything was very main media for both of us for a little bit. So, I think a lot of people thought that we were going at it. We really weren’t. We were just rebranding.

He was going to do his own thing. The Volume was going to take care of him. I wanted to go more basketball. So, when I first saw it, I was like, ‘This is so goofy.’ We sent stuff back and forth. Me and West [Wilson] were like, ‘These people are just dumb.’ So, it was fun. I still love West to death, and I had a great time with him.”

Sophie Cunningham on speculation regarding “Show Me Something” podcast ending: “It’s just dumb. Before you have this platform and before you’re in the spotlight, maybe I would have believed some of those stories or would have got caught up in the gossip. But now that I’m on this side of it, all these news outlets are just fake. They’re all fraud[s]. Nothing is real.”

Sophie Cunningham on why she rebranded her podcast at The Volume: “I thought of a great business opportunity with the WNBA. There is no really good WNBA podcast that strictly talks about basketball and all the great things that it has in the WNBA. So, I was [asking] why are we not talking more like this?”

What Remains Unclear: For now, Wilson hasn’t publicly commented on Cunningham’s remarks. It remains unclear whether he’ll return to podcasting with her down the road.

What It Means: Cunningham’s comments aim to close the door on rift speculation for good. Her new pairing with Hanlen signals a shift toward basketball-only content. Meanwhile, Wilson has yet to speak following leaving the podcast. It also could be an effort to drum up interest in a new project of his own by remaining silent. However, Cunningham framed the speculation as fake news and rumor more than truth. Ultimately, it remains to be seen if Cunningham does stick to basketball with her new project No Hesitation.

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WGR Debuts New Lineup Monday Featuring Brad Riter Hosting Middays

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Audacy’s WGR Buffalo debuts a revamped schedule Monday. Sabres broadcasts stay put, even as the Bills exit.

What We Know: The new lineup will not change the morning drive duo as Jeremy White and Joe DiBiase hold their morning slot, 6-10am. Brad Riter returns to WGR and will host middays from 10am-2pm alongside Tim Graham (10am-12pm) and Owen Parker (12pm-2pm) in split segments. Mike Schopp and Chris Parker shift an hour earlier, now airing 2-6pm, followed by Zach Jones and Derek Kramer from 6-8pm. Sabres Live moves from its former noon slot to 8pm as a delayed broadcast.

What’s At Stake: Inserting local programming with a stable rotation of hosts is a major plus for WGR heading into the NFL and NHL seasons. Riter, a respected name in the market, returns to WGR while also provided added opportunity for Graham and Parker in the daypart.

What Remains Unclear: Agreement terms and financials with Riter’s return to WGR are unknown.

What It Means: The new lineup provides WGR a fresh look ahead of the NFL season getting underway in Buffalo later this week. Placing established names with consistent rotation will provide listeners more reasons to return to the station throughout a very important year for the Bills with a new stadium opening and exceedingly high expectations. It also keeps in place the station’s morning voices while shifting slightly the afternoon drive daypart and expansion at night. Overall, keeping WGR live and local from 6am-8pm was vital following a summer of several changes with the WGR brand.

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