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ESPN 98.9 Host Bobby Hartin Returns to Station After Missing Months Due to Medical Issue

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ESPN 98.9 Host Bobby Hartin Returns to Station After Missing Months Due to Medical Issue

ESPN 98.9 afternoon host Bobby Hartin has returned to the Charleston sports radio station after being away for several months due to a medical issue.

In January, Bobby Hartin was injured in a fall during a rare snowstorm in South Carolina. However, after surgery to replace his knee after the fall and his subsequent rehab, Hartin returned to his afternoon show on Monday.

During his return episode, Hartin took calls from listeners who were excited to welcome him back to the show.

“It means a lot. It really does,” Hartin told ABC 4 News. “These people have been good to us. Been good to the station. Everything we do for the Ronald McDonald House. I’ve missed talking to them. And glad to be back.”

Hartin is the host of Fantalk, which is heard from 4-6 PM on ESPN 98.9. It is the second time in the past few years that he has been absent from his show due to a medical issue. In 2020, Bobby Hartin missed nearly two months during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 71-year-old has been a sports talk radio host for nearly 35 years.

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.

2025 Radio Mercury Awards Finalists Named

BMM Staff
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2025 Radio Mercury Awards Finalists Named

One hundred seven radio and audio spots have advanced to the final round of the 2025 Radio Mercury Awards. These submissions were crafted by a diverse group, including advertising agencies, audio companies, brands, production companies, radio stations, and students.

The 2025 competition finalists include regional and large advertising agencies, radio stations, and national and local advertisers. These participants represent various business categories, including consumer packaged goods, entertainment, healthcare, nonprofits, quick-serve restaurants, retail, telecommunications, and travel.

Chad Broude, co-founder/co-chief creative officer, Highdive Advertising and Radio Mercury Awards chief judge, said, “To me, radio is one of the purest forms of award shows. Where most other categories require complex case studies just to explain the idea… Radio is simple. You play the spot, and the room is either impressed or not. It removes inflated results and lets the creative do the talking.”

Mike Hulvey, president and chief executive officer, RAB, and chair of the Radio Creative Fund, added, “The Radio Mercury Awards showcase audio at its best. This year’s final round judges were judicious and thoughtful, and we look forward to awarding this year’s winning work and celebrating the craft.”

The winners will be announced at a live event on Thursday, June 5, at SONY Hall in New York City. For a full list of finalists visit radiomercuryawards.com.

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.

Charlamagne Tha God And Basil Iwanyk Launch New Company

BMM Staff
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Charlamagne Tha God And Basil Iwanyk Launch New Company

According to reporting by Variety, Charlamagne Tha God and “John Wick” producer Basil Iwanyk are joining forces to launch Southland Stories, a new production company that will showcase Southern voices.

“True Threat,” a revenge thriller starring Jonathan Majors, will be the roll-out project and begin production this summer.

Charlamagne told Variety, “Films like ‘True Threat’ are exactly why we created Southland Stories,” said Charlamagne Tha God. “It’s vital to show that Black creatives can thrive across all genres. Gerard McMurray and Jonathan Majors are extremely talented individuals.”

“True Threat” tells the story of a special forces operative as he seeks vengeance after gang members kill his teenage son.

The film is scheduled to begin production this summer and is one of several in the company’s queue.

In a March cover story, Charlamagne told Variety that he feels that the life and culture of the American South is overshadowed by urbanity in pop culture.

“I feel like we live in a country that’s focused on a lot of the same stories. Coming from where I come from, I just always felt like we didn’t have people amplifying our voices, amplifying our stories, the way that the New Yorks and the Los Angeleses did.”

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.

Disney CEO Bob Iger Reveals New ESPN DTC Product Info To Be Released Next Week

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Disney CEO Bob Iger Reveals New ESPN DTC Product Info To Be Released Next Week

Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed during an investors call on Wednesday morning that the new ESPN direct-to-consumer product, referred to as “Flagship,” will officially be unveiled next week, with a planned launch in the fall. ESPN has been discussing the Flagship DTC product for nearly a year as it looks to grow added revenue streams, utilizing partnerships with Accenture, Microsoft, and Meta in developing the innovations on the new platform.

Although Iger did not officially announce the official name of the new DTC product, he expressed the company’s approach for what will be revealed in the coming week.

“The plan would be to basically be somewhat agnostic from a subscriber perspective, so that we can still do our best to preserve the multi-channel ecosystem,” said Iger. “At the same time, we obviously want to grow our DTC business.”

Nevertheless, one of the biggest questions many have is whether a customer who already has a subscription to consume ESPN on a linear platform would need to purchase the additional DTC product from the company. In response, Iger noted that if a consumer has a subscription to the linear ESPN brand, they will automatically get access to the new DTC product.

Furthermore, the official name for the DTC product that has been referenced as “Flagship” will be released next week by the company, along with pricing details.

Regarding content, Iger noted that there will be a different experience for the DTC customer compared to what is currently available on linear. According to him, the traditional linear product “will not have the bells and whistles and those additional features that the DTC service will have.”

In addition, the goal for the company is to capture the on-demand video experience with personalization technology that can surface on an interactive streaming platform, with a lean into wagering and fantasy sports as well.

“That service will have many more features than the linear service will have,” Iger said.

Moreover, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro has discussed how the company is taking “parallel paths” with the new functionality and how ESPN networks are going to continue remaining available on cable television.

Finally, the most recent earnings report from The Walt Disney Company projected a 13% rise in operating income within the sports division amid the ongoing fiscal year. ESPN as a whole generated revenue of $4.8 billion and operating income of $228 million for the quarter, the latter of which is indicative of a 15% rise from the previous 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.

TNT Sports Officially Unveils NASCAR on TNT and In-Season Challenge Broadcast Crews

BNM Staff
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TNT Sports Officially Unveils NASCAR on TNT and In-Season Challenge Broadcast Crews

TNT Sports has officially released its entire NASCAR on TNT broadcast crew for when the cable network begins its portion of the schedule next month.

As previously announced, the main broadcast booth will feature Adam Alexander on play-by-play duties, with analysts Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte completing the booth.

Alexander previously served in the same role for TNT Sports when the network held the midseason NASCAR rights from 2010 to 2014. Meanwhile, both Letarte and Earnhardt Jr. previously worked in the NASCAR on NBC booth together. Additionally, the duo teamed as a crew chief-driver combo from 2010 to 2014, earning a win in the 2014 Daytona 500 in the process.

That trio will also serve as the broadcast booth during the Amazon Prime Video portion of the NASCAR schedule.

Marty Snider, Danielle Trotta, and Alan Cavanna will serve as pit reporters for the TNT Sports broadcasts. All three have previously worked on NASCAR broadcasts between NBC Sports and FOX Sports, respectively.

Pre-race and post-race coverage will be anchored by Shannon Spake. She will be joined by analysts Jamie McMurray and Parker Kligerman.

An alternate broadcast will be available during the NASCAR In-Season Challenge, which will take place between June 28th and July 27th. Larry McReynolds and Jeff Burton will be featured in that alternate broadcast booth, which will air on truTV.

Amazon Prime Video will take over the NASCAR schedule for five races, beginning with the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 25th. NASCAR on TNT will begin on Saturday, June 28th with the Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and include races on the streets of Chicago, Sonoma Raceway, Dover Motor Speedway, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before handing the broadcasting duties for the remainder of the season to NBC Sports.

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.

KSL NewsRadio Debuts Midday with Maria Shilaos

BNM Staff
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KSL NewsRadio Debuts Midday with Maria Shilaos

KSL NewsRadio has announced the launch of Midday with Maria Shilaos to its daily lineup.

Shilaos has been at KSL NewsRadio since 1991. She anchored Utah’s Afternoon News until stepping away from the show in 2016 to helm the station’s noon newscast and its gardening show.

“This new show gives us the opportunity to spend more time with thought-provoking stories and zero in how they affect you and your family,” says Shilaos. “The news can often seem heavy, so this gives a chance to lighten the load a bit and bring listeners heartwarming stories.”

Midday with Maria Shilaos — which will air from 12-3 PM — will replace Inside Sources and Utah’s Noon News in the KSL NewsRadio lineup. Inside Sources — which was heard from 1-3 PM — had utilized a rotating group of six hosts to replace Boyd Matheson, who departed the station last year. All six of those hosts had previously been a part of KSL at Night in some capacity before being elevated to the midday timeslot.

“As a respected journalist, Maria Shilaos has earned the trust of listeners across Utah,” said KSL Executive Producer Andy Cupp. “This new show isn’t just about the news—it’s about the people behind it. We’re excited to connect with listeners and know we’ll add value to their lives as they tune in each day.”

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.

‘Rowdy On The Rise’ New Offering From Rowdy Yates

BMM Staff
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‘Rowdy On The Rise’ New Offering From Rowdy Yates

As previously reported in a Barrett Media interview with Rowdy Yates, SuiteRadio’s “Rowdy on the Rise” new one-hour program is now available for syndication. Hosted by the 2025 Country Hall of Fame inductee, the program is designed as a daily morning show warm-up, wrap-up, or stand-alone.

SuiteRadio describes the program as timely, topical, irreverent, and off-beat content with high-end presentation and production value and a plug-and-play option.

Also available is “The Otis Advisory,” a daily 90-second news cartoon featuring comedic takes on today’s political climate. The feature is not a requirement to carry “Rowdy on the Rise.” It is a bonus, optional feature.

Yates hosts “Country Gold” and leads Houston-based Syndicated Media LLC. He is also the Operations Manager and afternoon host for RFC Media/SuiteRadio’s 24/7 country formats, “The Brand” and “The Legend.”

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.

Beasley Media Group Sees 10% Revenue Decline During 2025’s 1st Quarter

BNM Staff
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Beasley Media Group Sees 10% Revenue Decline During 2025’s 1st Quarter

Beasley Media Group has reported its first quarter financial results, and the company is dealing with a loss of revenue of during the first three months of 2025.

During January, February, and March, Beasley Media Group saw its revenue sit at $48.9 million. That’s down 10.1% compared to the $54.4 million the company saw last year during the same timeframe.

Audio revenue slipped to $38.2 million, a drop of 12% compared to last year. Digital revenue accounted for $10.8 million of the total figure, down just slightly from the $10.9 million it saw during 2024’s first quarter.

Beasley Media Group reported an operating loss of $2 million during the first quarter. That figure is an increase compared to the same window in 2024, when it lost $1.1 million.

The company’s Adjusted EBITDA was $1.1 million during the first quarter, compared to the $900,000 in the first quarter last year.

“Our first quarter results reflect the strength of our ongoing transformation and the resilience of our core strategy,” CEO Caroline Beasley said. “While revenue was impacted by persistent macroeconomic headwinds, we mitigated this through disciplined cost management, operational streamlining, and continued momentum in our digital business, resulting in an Operating Loss of $2.0 million and year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA growth. Digital revenue now represents over 20% of total revenue, and the meaningful expansion in digital segment operating income underscores the scalability of our platform and the impact of our strategic investments.

“As we look ahead, we remain focused on unlocking margin expansion, accelerating our digital evolution, and driving long-term value for our stockholders through thoughtful execution and innovation. We are particularly encouraged by the continued growth in our high-margin digital offerings and the early success of new digital and content initiatives. With a more agile operating structure, a differentiated content portfolio, and deepened advertiser engagement, we believe Beasley is well-positioned to navigate short-term market challenges while building a more durable and diversified revenue base.”

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.

NBA Playoffs First Round Viewership up 4% Year Over Year

BSM Staff
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NBA Playoffs First Round Viewership up 4% Year Over Year

The final first-round NBA playoff game on TNT was the network’s most-watched in more than a decade. Sunday’s Game 7 matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets averaged 6.63 million viewers across TNT and truTV, marking the largest opening-round audience on cable since 2009, when the Chicago Bulls-Boston Celtics Game 7 averaged 6.99 million viewers. Golden State’s win also drew the third-largest audience of this year’s postseason, trailing only two games on ABC: Game 4 between the Lakers and Timberwolves, which attracted 7.35 million viewers, and Game 1 between the Magic and Celtics on Easter Sunday, which drew 6.69 million.

Overall, the first round of the NBA Playoffs averaged 3.27 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV — up 4% from last year. Excluding NBA TV, the average viewership rose to 3.7 million, a 6% increase. ESPN/ABC saw a 14% year-over-year gain, rising from 3.91 million to 4.46 million viewers, while TNT recorded a 3% bump, increasing from 3.22 million to 3.35 million.

Unlike cable broadcasts, ABC’s playoff games are fully exclusive, whereas first-round games on cable are often shared with regional sports networks. This Game 7 was the last first-round co-exist broadcast, as beginning next season, all playoff games will be exclusively televised on national networks.

For comparison, the last time the Warriors played in a first-round Game 7 — against the Sacramento Kings two years ago — the matchup averaged 9.84 million viewers in an exclusive Sunday afternoon window on ABC. That remains the most-watched first-round NBA playoff game since 1999.

Golden State’s only other first-round Game 7 — a 2014 late-night matchup against the Clippers — averaged just under 6 million viewers on TNT. That game aired close to 11 p.m. ET, and since out-of-home viewing wasn’t tracked at the time, its true audience may have been higher.

Other highlights for the NBA playoffs from the weekend include the Denver Nuggets’ blowout win over the Clippers in Saturday’s Game 7 averaged 4.21 million viewers across TNT and truTV. That figure marked a 15% decline from last year’s second-round Game 1 between the Timberwolves and Nuggets in the same Saturday night window, which drew 4.93 million viewers. Notably, last year’s game was exclusive to TNT, while this year’s was subject to co-exist coverage with local networks.

Also on Sunday, Pacers-Cavaliers Game 1 opened TNT’s doubleheader with 4.38 million viewers. Both TNT games outperformed ABC’s lone window from the same day last year — Game 7 between the Magic and Cavaliers, which averaged 4.32 million viewers. ABC did not air any NBA games this weekend, instead dedicating its Sunday schedule to Formula 1 coverage. The F1 race drew 2.17 million viewers.

Earlier in the week, TNT’s Thursday night Game 6 doubleheader averaged 4.02 million viewers for Knicks-Pistons and 3.93 million for Nuggets-Clippers. Those numbers represented a 51% increase and a 29% decline, respectively, compared to last year’s equivalent doubleheader — which featured Bucks-Pacers (2.66M) and Knicks-Sixers (5.09M).

On Friday, ESPN’s coverage of Game 6 between the Rockets and Warriors averaged 4.61 million viewers, an 18% increase over last year’s comparable matchup between the Clippers and Mavericks, which drew 3.90 million.

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 Wisconsin program ‘Jen, Gabe, And Chewy’ Win WBA Best Morning Radio Show Award

BSM Staff
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ESPN Wisconsin program ‘Jen, Gabe, And Chewy’ Win WBA Best Morning Radio Show Award

The annual Wisconsin Broadcasters Association gala was held over the weekend as ESPN Milwaukee’s morning show Jen, Gabe, and Chewy were named the best morning radio show in the large market radio news and talk category. The trio including Jen Lada have been hosting mornings on ESPN Milwaukee since August of 2020, while Gabe Neitzel and Mark Chmura have been hosting mornings since June 2019.

The awards were handed out at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton, WI with a total of 1,493 award entries and a total of 125 stations participating. Monday morning the program discussed winning the award.

“We didn’t think we were going to win,” said Lada. “I was pleasantly surprised, but I was also shocked.”

ESPN Milwaukee content manager Jesse Nelson was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the program who were unable to go. Jen, Gabe, and Chewy didn’t attend the festivities this year’s as all had other matters to attend to unfortunately over the weekend.

WBA president and CEO Michelle Vetterkind was extremely proud to honor not only ESPN Milwaukee’s morning program, but also all those who submitted entries for the year.

“This year’s awards gala was a fantastic showcase of the great work radio and TV stations did in 2024,” said Vetterkind. “Wisconsin’s broadcasters are proud to serve their local communities, and it shows.”

Jen, Gabe, and Chewy beat out Truth Be Told which is hosted by DT and Telly on Good Karma Brands’ 101.7 The Truth. They also defeated crosstown rival and Good Karma Brands’ Wisconsin’s Morning News on WTMJ hosted by Vince Vitrano, Erik Bilstad, Debbie Lazaga, and Adam Roberts.

To view a full list of the 2025 WBA Awards winner, click 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.

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