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Streaming TV Reaches Record High as YouTube Dominates in April’s The Gauge from Nielsen

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Streaming TV Reaches Record High as YouTube Dominates in April’s The Gauge from Nielsen

Streaming TV reached new record highs in April, according to new data just released by Nielsen in its monthly report called The Gauge.

In April, streaming TV reached 44.3% of total television viewing. It marks the third consecutive month that streaming has set a new high watermark. That figure grew by a half-point compared to March and is up by 1.7 percentage points since the start of the calendar year. Cable viewership represented 24.5% of total television viewing, while broadcast TV saw a slight uptick compared to the previous month, up to 20.8%.

YouTube accounts for the lion’s share of streaming TV viewership. The Google-owned digital video platform saw 12.4% of streaming television time spent on the platform.

Netflix represented 7.5%, while Disney — which includes Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu — was at 5%. Amazon Prime Video was at 3.5%, The Roku Channel and Paramount — which includes Paramount+ and Pluto — were tied at 2.4%, while Tubi (2.0%), Warner Bros. Discovery (1.5%), and Peacock (1.4%) rounded out the list.

Both YouTube and The Roku Channel saw platform-best shares during the month. Meanwhile, like streaming TV as a whole, it marked the third consecutive month that YouTube set a new record for usage in The Gauge. The previous high for The Roku Channel was last month when it reached 2.2% of all streaming viewership. YouTube’s previous high was 12%.

Compared to the same month last year, streaming usage has increased 15% and gained 5.9 share points in the data collected by Nielsen. Broadcast television had declined by 7% and lost 1.4 share points. The news is worse for cable television, which has seen a drop of 16% and 4.6 share points year-over-year.

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.

850 WFTL Adds New FM Simulcast in West Palm Beach

BNM Staff
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850 WFTL Adds New FM Simulcast in West Palm Beach

850 WFTL has added a new FM simulcast that will see the station become the first news/talk outlet on an FM signal in the West Palm Beach market.

850 WFTL will now be heard on 96.3, replacing the Hot AC station Party 96.3 in the market. That format was adopted in July 2019 and featured no longer personalities or programming.

850 WFTL has a local morning show from 6-9 AM, featuring Stephen Deiner and Jennifer Ross. It also has a local afternoon show hosted by Joyce Kaufman. The Hubbard Radio news/talk station also has nationally syndicated programs hosted by Brian Kilmeade, Erick Erickson, Guy Benson, Will Cain, Joe Pags, and Lars Larson in its daily schedule.

The 96.3 FM signal is an FM translator, meaning it only has 201 watts of power. It covers the majority of the northern portion of the West Palm Beach market, and West Palm Beach proper.

The market is also served by iHeartMedia’s WJNO, which is heard on 1290 AM.

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.

Agenda Committee Named For Country Radio Seminar 2026

BMM Staff
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Agenda Committee Named For Country Radio Seminar 2026

Country Radio Broadcasters has announced the 2026 Country Radio Seminar Agenda Committee.

BMG/BBR Music Group’s Shelly Hargis returns to Chair the committee and is joined by BMG/BBR’s Krista Hayes-Pruitt and Pamal Broadcasting’s Kevin Callahan as Co-Vice Chairs.

This year’s committee members include, Andrea Burtscher (Audacy), Tanner Davenport (White Boy MGMT/Black Opry), Gideon Dean (Local Daily Media), Katie Dean (Leo33), Paisley Dunn-Banks (7 Mountains Media), Sarah Frazier (Audacy), Bridget Herrmann (Red Street Records), Jamice Jennings (RECORDS Nashville), Jess Jennings (iHeartMedia’s KSSN/KKIX), Ileana Landon(Megatrax Production Music), Bo Matthews (Super Hi-Fi), Charlie Maxx (Forever Media/Futuri Media), Nicole Michalik (Beasley Media), Jennipher Miller (Cumulus Media), Brooks O’Brian (Cumulus Indianapolis), Scott Roddy (Audacy), Lo Sessions (KKBQ/Houston), Jennifer Shaffer (BMG/Wheelhouse Records), Jimmy Steal (Collective Heads), Jude Walker (Townsquare Media), and Neil Wilson (Neil Wilson Voiceovers).

Hargis said, “Each year, I get more and more excited about the future of our industry! We continue to have record numbers of applicants for the Agenda Committee, and it’s so inspiring to see so many people invested and passionate about growing our industry and making it better! I’m thrilled with our team this year and can’t wait to get to work to bring you the best CRS Agenda ever!”

Brittani Johnson (The Core Entertainment) will head the agenda for the Digital Music Summit, which will include Sarah DeMarco (Amazon), Jared Meyer (Q Prime South), Ed Rivadavia (mtheory), and Bryan Webb (Apple).

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.

Fever-Sky WNBA Regular-Season Opener Most-Watched Game in 25 Years

BSM Staff
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Fever-Sky WNBA Regular-Season Opener Most-Watched Game in 25 Years

The opening weekend of the 2025 WNBA regular-season on ESPN platforms registered strong viewership, highlighted by a marquee matchup between Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. The game, which was broadcast on ABC, averaged 2.7 million viewers on Saturday afternoon, representing a 115% year-over-year rise from last season’s regular-season average for ABC games. This is also believed to be the most-watched WNBA regular-season game in 25 years, according to a report by Richard Deitsch of The Athletic, dating back to when NBC aired WNBA contests.

The lead WNBA on ESPN broadcast team of Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe were on the call for the matchup that ended in a 35-point victory for the Fever over the Sky. The viewership also marks the continuation of considerable interest in the games featuring Reese and Clark, who both faced one another in the National Championship Game of the 2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament. The ABC broadcast of the Sky-Fever matchup is the most-watched regular-season tilt between the superstars since their debuts in the WNBA last season, the previous high of which occurred last June with 2.25 million viewers tuning in on CBS.

Clark and the Fever are slated to be broadcast on national television for 41 of the 44 regular-season games on their schedule. Ten of these games are going to air on properties owned by The Walt Disney Company (ESPN/ABC), while ION will televise eight of the matchups. Prime Video, CBS/CBS Sports Network and NBA TV will also be presenting Fever games throughout the season as well. Prior to the regular season, TEGNA expanded its broadcast distribution of the Fever to 11 more markets in the midwest, providing 18 games for free over-the-air to 4.6 million households in the region.

The first half of the doubleheader on Saturday, which featured a rematch of the 2023 WNBA Finals between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces, averaged 1.3 million viewers on ABC. Emanating live from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and the Liberty raised their first championship banner in franchise history and proceeded to defeat the Aces by a final score of 92-78. These two games eclipsing an average of 1 million viewers continues momentum from last season when the league had 22 regular-season games achieve or surpass that benchmark.

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.

ESPN ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ Broadcast of Mets-Yankees Most-Viewed Since 2018

BSM Staff
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ESPN ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ Broadcast of Mets-Yankees Most-Viewed Since 2018

Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees defeated Juan Soto and the New York Mets in the rubber match of the first half of the Subway Series on Sunday night, and ESPN was there documenting the action and disseminating it to viewers around the country.

The prime time broadcast of Sunday Night Baseball featuring play-by-play announcer Karl Ravech, analysts Eduardo Pérez and David Cone and reporter Buster Olney is said to have attained record viewership numbers. Olney revealed on social media that the game averaged 2.54 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research, representing the most-watched broadcast for the Sunday Night Baseball property since August 2018. The audience for the game peaked with 3.02 million viewers at 9:45 p.m. EST and was up 69% compared to last season’s viewership average for the property.

The series was punctuated by a chorus of boos raining down on Soto, who was an All-Star outfielder for the Yankees last season after being traded to the organization from the San Diego Padres. Soto departed the team after losing in the World Series to sign a reported 15-year contract worth $765 million with the Mets during the offseason.

Although Soto was supposed to be the mic’d up player for the broadcast, he pulled out shortly before the game and was replaced by Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo. The Yankees will visit the Mets at Citi Field in July for another three-game set to conclude the 2025 regular-season iteration of the Subway Series.

ESPN previously announced that an April matchup between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers averaged 1.95 million viewers, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. At the time, it was the most-watched Major League Baseball game across all platforms for the season and was up 30% from the previous year’s season average. The 2024 regular-season slate of Sunday Night Baseball was its most-watched in five years, averaging 1.51 million viewers across 25 games. Viewership of MLB games on ESPN is up 12% from last year.

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.

1080 KRLD Wins Top Honor at Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards

BNM Staff
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1080 KRLD Wins Top Honor at Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) continues to award regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, and 1080 KRLD in Dallas took home one of the highest honors available.

In the Region 6 Awards, the Audacy Dallas news/talk station earned the Radio | Large Market award for Overall Excellence.

1080 KRLD was the only commercial station to win an award in the region, in either the small market or large market categories.

Public radio took home every other award in the radio categories. Texas Public Radio won five awards, while the public station in Austin, KUT, earned four wins. Texas Standard Radio, Houston Public Media, KERA in Dallas, and KOSU in Oklahoma City also earned honors in the large market category.

In the small market sector, Marfa Public Radio from Marfa, Texas, won eight of the nine honors. KTEP in El Paso was the only other outlet to bring home an award, winning the category for best feature reporting.

For the RTDNA, Region 6 is comprised of Oklahoma and Texas.

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.

Hot AC 105.7 The Mountain Set To Debut In Chico CA

BMM Staff
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Hot AC 105.7 The Mountain Set To Debut In Chico CA

Hot AC 105.7 The Mountain in Chico, CA, is officially set to launch Memorial Day at midnight. The station is on air now with a soft launch. Butte Broadcasting Company owns the station.

Rob Austin, the station OM, said, “We’re excited to introduce a truly modern radio experience to Chico. 105.7 The Mountain is about more than just music — it’s about bringing listeners closer to their favorite songs and artists in a way they can see and hear.”

The on-air lineup is made up of syndicated programming, including “The TJ Show” from 6 to 10 am, “The John & Heidi Show” from 10 am to 2 pm, “The Anna & Raven Show” from 2 to 6 pm, “Mason at Night” from 6 to 11 pm, “ClubJam” from 11 pm to 1 am and “Chico Nessa Overnight” from 1 to 6 am.

Congratulate Rob Austin here.            

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.

Tony Reali: ‘I’ve Written Scripts Five Months Ago’ for Final Around the Horn Episode

BSM Staff
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Tony Reali: ‘I’ve Written Scripts Five Months Ago’ for Final Around the Horn Episode

ESPN will air the final episode of Around The Horn on Friday, marking the show’s finale after 4,953 episodes. This is a longer run than Oprah and David Letterman. Host Tony Reali has been making the media rounds this week, including with our own Derek Futterman of Barrett Media, discussing the legacy of the program and what could be on the horizon for him.

As the final episode approaches, Reali shared how he’s preparing for the farewell during an appearance on Pablo Torre Finds Out.

“I’ve thought about it. I’ve written scripts starting five months ago. There’s a possible I’m going to bring a call back to one of my favorite things I’ve ever done on television,” Reali said. “It’s a surreal feeling. How do you say goodbye to a show? I’ve watched how shows have said goodbye.”

Additionally, Reali discussed how he’s watched final episodes of legendary television shows such as Frasier and Cheers to get clues on exactly how those programs treated their finales. He hopes to mold elements of those into the final episode of Around The Horn.

“I think there’s beauty in finale,” noted Reali. “I’m almost too actively thinking about it, but I’ve been a little bit strapped. I’ve said this before, dad’s got to find a job. I’m taking all the opportunities now to imagine what the future is. I want to go out on my terms on ‘Horn’ but I’m ‘Red Panda’ right now. I’m spinning plates—multiple plates—at one time. People in my life are also worried about that, or are you burning it too much right now.”

Moreover, Reali noted in an interview with The Dan Patrick Show Monday that his contract with ESPN is up in August, and he is open to talking with anyone about anything for his future. While Reali said he is “spinning plates” all at the same time, he admitted he has no idea what he’ll be like this Friday as the show goes off the air for the final time.

“I know I put myself out there in ways and I’ve shown the ability to be vulnerable on camera,” explained Reali. “I’m going to be surprised about how I am on TV that day. I think I am, because I have no idea. I don’t think I’m going to be a mess, but my kids are going to be there and I’m going to try to have the best moment possible. How do you say goodbye to something that is your heart outside of your body? I’m about to be showing people that in real time.”

Ultimately, the final episode of Around The Horn airs Friday at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time.

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.

The Daily Wire Hires Former Jeopardy! Executive Producer Mike Richards as President

BNM Staff
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The Daily Wire Hires Former Jeopardy! Executive Producer Mike Richards as President

Former Jeopardy! Executive Producer Mike Richards is set to join The Daily Wire — the conservative digital media outlet founded by Ben Shapiro and Jeremy Boreing — as its new President.

Richards will serve as President and Chief Content Officer of the Daily Wire’s entertainment operations. He joins after the resignation of Boreing — who had previously served as co-CEO of the company — to focus on other projects.

“We knew the answer was, ‘Who is Mike Richards?’ And now we can say ‘he’s an integral part of The Daily Wire’ was the question,” a spokesperson for The Daily Wire stated. “He’s won 5 Emmys, produced over 4,000 hours of network programming, and run some of the most iconic shows the world has ever known. Thank you to the purple hairs. Please ‘cancel’ more creative geniuses.”

Mike Richards has had a long career as a television producer, working mostly on game shows. In addition to his time spent at Jeopardy!, he also worked on The Price Is Right and Let’s Make a Deal. After the death of longtime host Alex Trebek in 2020, Jeopardy! underwent a cast of rotating hosts to find the legendary host’s successor. Richards hosted the program sporadically along with the likes of NFL star Aaron Rodgers, actress Mayim Bialik, and media figures ike Joe Buck, Robin Roberts, Anderson Cooper, and Katie Couric, among others.

At the conclusion of the trial runs, Richards installed himself as the permanent host of the program. However, he quickly vacated the role after past comments he had made on old podcast episodes which included mocking the weight of a contestant and using a derogatory slur towards a woman came to light. Ultimately, former contestant Ken Jennings was named the permanent host of the show, which he still holds today.

The appointment of Richards as President and Chief Content Officer for The Daily Wire comes after reports that co-founder Ben Shapiro has recently undergone meetings about the future of the company with either potential investors or even a potential sale. The last round of fundraising by the company in 2023 was down with a valuation of more than $1 billion.

Despite rumors of internal turbulence at the company, it continues to add. In addition to the appointment of Richards, The Daily Wire is also reportedly preparing to open a bureau in Washington D.C.

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.

Cox Media Group Sells Tulsa Stations To Local Optometrist

BMM Staff
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Cox Media Group Sells Tulsa Stations To Local Optometrist

Cox Media Group is selling its Tulsa cluster to the newly formed Zoellner Media Group, led by Dr. Robert H. Zoellner, a local optometrist.

It is the group’s first venture into ownership. Dr. Zoellner is known as a strong supporter of local radio. He has named market veteran Steve Hunter President and General Manager.

Hunter was previously with the cluster from 1994-2016, followed by a stint crosstown at Griffin Media.

The deal includes 102.3 FM and 740 AM KRMG, K95.5 KWEN, Mix 96.5 KRAV, and 103.3 The Eagle KJSR.

Dr. Zoellner said, “We’re thrilled to welcome these incredible radio stations into the Zoellner Media Group family. Radio has played a crucial role in my business success, and I have always been passionate about its ability to connect communities and drive meaningful engagement. This acquisition allows us to build upon a legacy of excellence while fostering innovation across broadcast and digital platforms. I couldn’t be more excited to get started.”

Cox Media Group President/CEO Dan York said, “One of the reasons Zoellner Media Group is the right transaction partner is their intent to invest in our Tulsa radio stations to build on the momentum the Tulsa team has established. We share the belief that there’s a strong future for our radio stations and our people serving the Tulsa community.”

No sale price is listed.

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

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