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Brooke Ryan Named Program Director At Mix 95.9 Charleston

BMM Staff
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Brooke Ryan Named Program Director At Mix 95.9 Charleston

Brooke Ryan has been named Program Director at Mix 95.9 in Charleston, SC. Ryan assumes the role left vacant following Mike Edwards’s death this past December. (BMM 12/5/24)

Charleston Media Solutions President Paul O’Malley said,” Brooke has demonstrated a true passion for the business and combined with her incredible ability to entertain audiences, she is the perfect fit to lead Mix 95.9.”

Ryan is part of the “Two Girls and a Guy Morning Show” along with Tanya Brown and Jay Shadix. Shadix joined the long-running show following Edwards’ passing.

“The ability to program in a company like Saga who believes in live and local radio is truly an honor and I will carry on the legacy of Mike Edwards who built this station into a powerhouse,” added Ryan.

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.

Pac-12 Football Home Games to Be Broadcast by CBS, ESPN and The CW in 2025

BSM Staff
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Pac-12 Football Home Games to Be Broadcast by CBS, ESPN and The CW in 2025

The Pac-12 Conference has revealed that all 13 home football games from Oregon State and Washington State will be broadcast by either CBS, ESPN or The CW. The conference has agreements with these broadcast entities to provide national coverage of matchups throughout the season, which commences on Saturday, Aug. 30.

As the power conference is attempting to rebuild after losing 10 of the 12 schools to other conferences in a mass departure, it has signed these media rights deals and is preparing to add Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State next year. The Pac-12 is currently operating under a two-year grace period to continue existing below the minimum eight members required in a Football Bowl Subdivision conference.

“Having Pac-12 football featured across three leading broadcasters in CBS, The CW and ESPN in 2025 will provide tremendous exposure to showcase Oregon State, Washington State and our brand in the Pac-12’s final season before expansion,” Teresa Gould, commissioner of the Pac-12 Conference, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with The CW, to welcome a new partner in CBS Sports and to see a return of Pac-12 football on ESPN.”

Two games in the 2025 season will be televised on the primary CBS broadcast channel – Washington vs. Washington State on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Oregon State against Washington State on Saturday, Nov. 1. The primary ESPN channel will broadcast two games during the season as well – Cal at Oregon State on Saturday, Aug. 30 and Houston facing Oregon State on Friday, Sept. 26. ESPN previously showcased Pac-12 football games under a 12-year media rights deal that, combined with FOX Sports, was reported to have a combined annual value of $250 million.

“The addition of the two Pac-12 games expands our primetime college football schedule this season, further strengthening our robust portfolio of marquee and meaningful matchups airing across our CBS Sports platforms,” Dan Weinberg, executive vice president of programming for CBS Sports, said in a statement.

“Adding these games strengthens ESPN’s industry-leading college football slate,” Kurt Dargis, senior director at ESPN, said in a statement. “They deliver meaningful exposure for Oregon State and align well with opportunistic time slots across our platforms.”

The other nine games as part of this deal will air on The CW and be produced by Pac-12 Enterprises. Eleven Pac-12 home games aired on The CW last season and the other two were televised by FOX, which is not part of the media rights deal this time around. All dates and start times for the home football schedule have also been revealed concomitant with this announcement and features games both in the afternoon windows and in prime time.

“We are excited to continue our relationship with the Pac-12 for a second year and bring more Oregon State and Washington State games to our growing audience of sports fans,” Mike Perman, senior vice president of sports at The CW, said in a statement. “Last season’s matchups were some of the most thrilling and most-watched football games on CW Sports Football Saturdays, and we look forward to building on that momentum in 2025 alongside a packed fall sports schedule that includes ACC football games and NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff races.”

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.

Charlie Dixon Out at FS1 Amid Allegations of Sexual Battery: Report

BSM Staff
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Charlie Dixon Out at FS1 Amid Allegations of Sexual Battery: Report

Charlie Dixon, the executive vice president of content at FS1 who is currently a co-defendant in two lawsuits where he was accused of sexual battery, is no longer working at the network. Dixon was named in a lawsuit filed in early January by former network hairstylist Noushin Faraji that included alleging that he had taken part in “unsolicited touching.” Later in the month, former FS1 anchor Julie Stewart-Binks filed a lawsuit alleging that Dixon sexually assaulted her in a hotel room following a meeting in 2016. According to a report by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, Dixon was placed on administrative leave by the company this past February.

“Charlie Dixon is no longer with Fox Sports,” a spokesperson for Fox Sports told Barrett Media. “There is no further comment at this time.”

Dixon started working at FS1 in 2015 and has been involved in key decisions surrounding the programming lineup with shows such as Undisputed, First Things First and Speak. In addition to Dixon, former commentator Skip Bayless and current host Joy Taylor were also named in the lawsuit filed by Faraji, and it also included a class-action provision affirming FOX Sports had not paid all employees minimum wage or sufficient overtime wages. It has been reported that FOX Sports is in discussions to settle both lawsuits involving Dixon, but no resolutions have yet to be publicly divulged in this regard.

“Charlie Dixon is deeply saddened by the decision of Fox Sports to terminate his employment,” read a statement from his attorney obtained by Front Office Sports. “After nine years in positions of increasing responsibility at the network, Mr. Dixon was told that he was being let go for violating company policy. According to the network, Mr. Dixon did not disclose to human resources or the legal department that a third-party production company had hired his wife as a temporary freelancer.

“But the reality is that Mr. Dixon had asked his supervisor about the hire and was told that there were no objections. It is noteworthy that a Fox spokesperson made no reference to the company investigation of sexual harassment claims in announcing Mr. Dixon’s departure. Mr. Dixon has cooperated fully with the investigation and denies engaging in any inappropriate conduct.”

Katie Nolan, who is a former host for FS1, recently told The Cut in an email, “Charlie Dixon sucks. On the record.” Dixon reportedly being placed on administrative leave in February took place shortly before FOX Sports coverage of Super Bowl LIX, which ended up setting a new record with an average of 127.7 million viewers on FOX, FOX Deportes, Telemundo and NFL digital properties. Before working for FOX Sports, Dixon was a senior vice president of development for MSNBC and oversaw content development and integration in a vice president role with NBC News.

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.

Chris Cuomo Relishes the Opportunity to Host Town Hall With Donald Trump, and Deliver a Balanced View on NewsNation

Garrett Searight
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Chris Cuomo Relishes the Opportunity to Host Town Hall With Donald Trump, and Deliver a Balanced View on NewsNation

NewsNation is set to host a town hall event centered on the first 100 days of the Donald Trump administration. Chris Cuomo is set to host, and he’s relishing the opportunity.

On Wednesday, April 30th at 8 PM ET, Cuomo will be joined by Bill O’Reilly and Stephen A. Smith for a live event originating from New York City. During the conversation, President Donald Trump will join the two-hour program for a live phone interview.

Other guests scheduled to join the town hall are Sarah Palin, along with Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Democratic Party leaders.

The NewsNation town hall in New York City will include a live studio audience. Those in attendance will be Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

The NewsNation event will be available as a simulcast on The CW and will also be made available to radio stations through a partnership with Key Networks. Additionally, it will air on SiriusXM’s P.O.T.U.S. Channel 124 on Wednesday evening.

In a wide-ranging conversation, we asked Chris Cuomo about the town hall, why he enjoys live events, his thoughts on the cable news landscape, if political office is in his future, and whether or not he’s been satisfied by his ratings growth on NewsNation.

*Editor’s note: Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Garrett Searight: You’ve got the town hall coming up. It’s not the first time you’ve done something like this. What is it about doing live events that excites you and makes you want to keep doing them? 

Chris Cuomo: I think that it is one of the fundamental services to the audience is to provide, at NewsNation, a broad perspective on what’s going on. When it comes to the presidential administration, the 100 days is not a real number, right? Like, 100 is no different than 90, or 70, or 130.

But, traditionally, it was just if the administration had kind of gathered itself in any fundamental way, and with this term in particular, I think the question is whether or not what was expected is being executed. And I think that’s a very big question right now. So, it’ll be interesting to get a range of perspective on it from people who are reasonable about what the expectations were, positive and negative.

GS: You mention that it’s one of the fundamental services of NewsNation. I assume that you recognize how vastly different that is compared to some of the other cable news channels?

CC: By design. The problem is obvious in media right now. You get the same question I do, which is “Where do I go to find out a balanced view on what’s going on?” That’s what people want and that’s what NewsNation is. The idea of “We report, you decide” is really not — rightly — the mantle of Fox News anymore. That is the Trump home team.

And I understand the choice. I understand the attraction that choice gives you these days. It’s certainly harder to be commercially successful if you don’t pick a side. But I think ultimately there’s the neglected side, which is the majority — people who aren’t motivated by the fringes, people who aren’t extreme, people who are independent and critical thinkers.

That’s the bet that NewsNation is making. We’re betting on the majority and that the parties are fading. The partisan outlets are fading and they’re getting lost in the noise. That there is a need and an appetite for people who are doing the work, the rigor, of balancing perspectives because it’s much easier to get just one side.

GS: From both a personal and professional aspect, how refreshing is that, that that’s the way you get to, or want to, operate?

CC: It’s not refreshing. It’s hard. (laughs) Everything is against you. The media, first of all, does not like disruptors. We are fundamentally a disruptor. Not just in the ‘If you can’t make it, break it’ mode. We are doing something that is definite, deliberate, and difficult. It’s much easier to say ‘Here’s why Trump is wrong’ or ‘Here’s why Trump should be praised.’

So I don’t see it as refreshing because it’s so (expletive) hard. But it is meaningful. And there’s a difference when you’re working hard on something that matters and has meaning to you versus it’s just marketable and that is a valuable distinction to me at this stage of my career.

GS: Are you a disruptor at heart?

CC: Yeah, 100%. Organically so. It’s not a strategy, it’s a disposition. I am not a good follower. I’m not a joiner. I’m hard to manage. That is the nature of the beast. It’s a corporate — it’s news business, right? And there is something oxymoronic and challenging about that, but I really believe that there is a service element of this. Or there should be. And that’s what I’m really focused on.

I have what they call these days a following. People know who I am and what I do, so I don’t have any desperate sense to be noticed. It’s about the value that I can provide. And what NewsNation wants is exactly what I want, which is to talk to independent, critical thinkers and give them a balanced view of what’s going on so that they can make decisions for themselves about what they like and don’t like, and want and don’t want.

GS: How important is it at this stage of your career to be in lock step with the mission of the outlet that you’re working for?

CC: Well, it’s not a coincidence. It’s what I’m building. NewsNation is a start-up. And that’s its design, so it’s the “If you build it, they will come” model. That’s what we’re doing. That’s tricky, and challenging and — again — commercially difficult because we would be way ahead … if tonight, I decided I’m gonna be the new lion on the left or I’m gonna be the man for MAGA. I think that I would become a dominant presence in a matter of days.

But why? What satisfaction is there in that? It’s disingenuous. The idea that one side has it all figured out and the other side is the enemy is preposterous. So, how can you see yourself as having any real meaningful sense of purpose if you’re just playing the game?

GS: You mentioned that it’s hard to be down the middle and fair. Do you ever encounter burnout?

CC: Yeah. I’m 54 years old. I experience burnout every day in 10 ways. The whole trick of it is to coach yourself that it’s worth it to keep keeping on. And then that’s what Let’s Get After It (his podcast) is all about. It’s that you have to have an aggressive disposition. You have to go out and take what you want in life.

You want to be a good partner? Work on it. Do you wanna be a good parent? Work on it. If you wanna be smart? Work on it … I always tell my kids “Choose your hard. It’s hard to be smart. It’s hard to be dumb. Choose your hard.”

GS: As a non-partisan media…

CC: I’m not non-partisan. I’m anti-partisan.

GS: Fair.

CC: I am against partisan. I think that the biggest difference in my professional disposition from ABC or to fox is I know parties are the problem. People just accept it like “This is what we have.” They used to say separate but equal. That’s what they used to say about non-discrimination. That’s what they used about Jim Crow. “Yeah, that’s the way it is, you know?”

That’s what the political parties are. They’re a tradition. That’s not my thinking, that’s the Supreme Court of the United States in the 1970s. They ruled that a political party is just a tradition. They’re not in the law. They’re not in the constitution.

It’s just a tradition. And the problem is is that they only work for the people in power. The division only works for them. It doesn’t work for the majority. There’s a reason that (George) Washington took all that time in his farewell address — that was written by (James) Madison and (Alexander) Hamilton, don’t forget, so that was a real consortium of intelligence. They took all that time to say “Avoid anything sectarian, specifically parties, which will be populated by a few powerful men, and will ultimately be bent to their own interest.” Here we are.

GS: Knowing that the cable news audience expects some partisanship, what was the experience like for you trying to win people over who expected to hear strictly one side or the other?

CC: I believe that the outlets, the digital outlets, the pod people, they are focused on fringe followings and playing to extreme ideas, and us versus them, and picking a side. I believe that there is an unsatisfied and significant majority in America that is on the sidelines because they know everything they’re seeing is crazy and doesn’t comport with anything that they see anywhere else in ther lives. There’s no workplace that works like our politics, there’s no relationship, there’s no dynamic in your life that’s anything like what you allow for social media political resistance. And those independent, critical thinkers are who I’m looking for.

They’re there. And the more that people come to the conclusion that the parties are just different flavors of the same crap, the better it will be for NewsNation. And I have to be right. Because that’s why we’re growing. Why are we growing in a stratified market where everybody is reducing their share? I think it’s because of exactly what I’m saying. It takes people time to find you.

And it’s a noisy environment, and people have their habits, and people have their confirmation bias and their comfort food. But, especially when it matters, especially when people know that what’s going on doesn’t make sense, there’s an opportunity. And that’s the space for NewsNation.

GS: Has the show grown at the rate you expected when you joined NewsNation?

CC: It is better than I expected and less than I want.

GS: That makes sense, actually.

CC: It happens every once in a while.

GS: What’s been the most rewarding moment or aspect for you at NewsNation?

CC: I’m not there yet. I’m very grateful for the opportunity. As the song taught us “You don’t know what you got until it’s gone.” I don’t know that I valued being the number one show on the most known platform the world over. And when you don’t have that, especially when you lose it for petty reasons and concerns, there becomes a real question about the nature of your purpose, and how you make a difference, and what value you can provide now that what you had is gone. And the opportunity to do it in a different, better way — in my opinion — is a real blessing. I take it as that.

I’ve always been a grinder. People may beat me, but they’ll never outwork me. It’s not even a close call. So the opportunity to be able to put the effort into something that I know is fighting the good fight is great. People tear you down, people in the media don’t like that I’m back. They want to cancel me. They don’t like that I’m saying what they’re doing is wrong or self-serving. There’s so many different reasons for rejection. I get it. I signed up for it.

So that’s why I say whatever they’re gonna do, let it come, and you just keep doing what you believe is right. You keep fighting the good fight. You work very hard, and then you work harder, and if you’re doing the right things the right way, good things come.

GS: Being in the media now has become a pipeline to working in the government or running for elected office. That runs in your family. Has that ever or will it ever be in the cards for you?

CC: Oh, yeah. I plan on announcing my run for President in about three to five months. (laughs). I run from office and not for office. You got the wrong brother for that. But I have a real dislike for what the process is about and what’s rewarded. It doesn’t work for me.

Frankly, the choice that I’ve made already with my life is too much of a burden on my family. There’s something shameful in that because having grown up in public life and knowing what it cost us, I had kind of always assumed myself that I wouldn’t do that with my own family. And yet here I am here. So I guess, in some ways, you do what you know.

GS: How much does having that intricate knowledge of what the public life looks like, how does that shape the opinions in the way you talk about some of the most famous leaders in the country on your show?

CC: I wish this weren’t the case, and it’s certainly not a point of arrogance, but I just know more and better than most people who cover politics. They haven’t been in the room when it’s off the record, really off the record. Meaning, there’s no media person there that everybody knows they can’t trust. Which is always the case.

And it should be. The media is not to be a friend to people in power. That is not the job. That’s why I won’t go to nerd prom. And that’s why I think it’s shameful that these people pretend that they’re fair brokers when they’re hanging out with these people.

The most interesting thing of the cable news segment is what happens in the commercial. You see people go from going at each other’s throats to shaking hands. Why? Because it’s a game. And that’s why I don’t have competitive yappers on my show. I don’t have many political pundits. They gotta be players. They gotta be stakeholders.

For me, you know Neo in The Matrix? You know when he has that moment, where all he does is see the code? I’ve been seeing the code in the political matrix for 20 years. I was raised in it. I sat and listened to some of the greatest Democrats and Republicans of the modern era talking among intimates and among their own, and understanding what was going on. And why, in a way, that was completely divorced from any spin.

That’s invaluable in understanding the mentality and the culture of campaigns, and of individuals in power.

GS: Going back to the town hall, how different is that preparation compared to just a normal nightly show?

CC: It’s all an extension of the life. I mean, I’m doing this all the time. This is in the town hall. You have big names, big guests, smart people. All of the better minds weigh in on all of this stuff. This is a treat for me.

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.

Why Mel Kiper Jr. Deserves More Credit for the NFL Draft’s Success Than He’ll Ever Receive

Demetri Ravanos
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Why Mel Kiper Jr. Deserves More Credit for the NFL Draft’s Success Than He’ll Ever Receive

Mel Kiper Jr. took a few shots this weekend. Whether it was fellow media members or just dudes on the internet, his rant in the wake of Sheduer Sanders’s slide into round 5 drew some harsh rebukes. Let’s be fair to the people calling Mel out, their criticisms were not off base.

I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t think Sanders was a quarterback worthy of a day one pick. I also didn’t think Cam Ward, the consensus best quarterback in the 2025 class, was worthy of being picked on day one either. I feel like the Titans, Giants, Browns and anyone else that thinks they got their franchise QB in this draft will be doing the same dance in two years.

Sanders’s slide didn’t feel authentic, but it also didn’t feel like he was the prospect worth that much ire from Kiper. Something is getting lost in the criticism though. If you want to say Mel Kiper ruined this draft for you, fine. I think you’re exaggerating, but fine. I just hope you remember that he is the only reason any of us care about the NFL Draft in the first place.

Did Kiper Kickstart the NFL Content Machine?

I am not going to recount Kiper’s professional history. Plenty of others have written about how he went from a virtual unknown to a TV institution and along the way, did the same for the event he has dedicated his life to covering.

Earlier this month, Dan Patrick told Kiper that he intended to do all he could to make sure the ESPN draft guru is honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. To Patrick’s mind, the NFL owes Kiper a debt of gratitude. I would add that many football fans do too. As someone that would always choose to watch a college game over an NFL game, the Draft has become my favorite graduation party.

In 2025, we think of the NFL as a money printing machine. Whether it’s the draft, the combine, or the schedule release, the league has proven that it can take anything and turn it into a made-for-TV event. That wasn’t always the case though. 

It could be argued that no one has done more for the NFL as a media business than Kiper. If that’s true, then no broadcaster deserves induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame than him.

When the NFL was still a regional TV product, he saw the vision of what the Draft could be. His analysis could have more value than just explaining to GMs what the best and worst traits of these prospects were. Kiper recognized there was something fans could connect with. 

The NFL Draft was on TV before Mel Kiper, but it wasn’t the content behemoth that it is today. There was no industry devoted to mock drafts and tracking what analysts got the most picks right. The whole affair was contained to a single day. 

Now the NFL Draft is so big that ESPN VP and Executive Producer Seth Markman once said it was part of the network’s DNA – an integral piece of what makes ESPN ESPN. That doesn’t happen without Kiper.

It’s Okay To Be Human

Mel Kiper Jr., like any mortal, is not without flaws. I can’t say what he is thinking, but I know if I had an outburst like the one he did on Saturday, I’d wish I could have a mulligan. 

These flaws aren’t new. Kiper is sensitive and that lead to a string of awkward drafts in the 2010s. Watching him and Jon Gruden on TV together was like an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm – entertaining, but incredibly uncomfortable.

He can also be difficult. While I have not had any interaction with him myself, the list of people that have told me Kiper can be standoffish with local press is long.

Nothing I just listed negates what Kiper has done for the NFL. Criticize him all you want. That can be valid, but the second you tell me he is irrelevant or a net negative in some way, I am tuning you out, because it’s simply not true.

The Power of the Kiper Brand

Projecting the NFL Draft is hard. Every draft insider has a phone full of sources and every single one of those sources has a vested interest in lying to them. So, of course, Mel Kiper doesn’t project every pick correctly. Neither does Todd McShay or any of the other of literally hundreds of people publishing mock drafts.

Kiper misses on evaluations. People were quick to point out the huge expectations he had for Jimmy Clausen and Jamarcus Russell after he shouted that the NFL has no idea how to evaluate quarterbacks. But again, everyone misses on evaluations. I remember the late Gil Brandt comparing Zach Wilson to Patrick Mahomes and Trey Lance to Josh Allen ahead of the 2021 Draft.

The difference is Kiper is a brand unto himself. A Kiper mock draft is treated with more weight than others. 

Kiper’s blessing also carries more weight than others. ESPN has hired a slew of draft experts throughout the years. Plenty of them have shared the stage with Kiper. He and Todd McShay seemed to get along and work well together. He went to bat for Matt Miller to have him added to the ESPN draft broadcast.

The NFL Draft media world keeps getting more and more crowded. Kiper keeps getting older. He knows he won’t be doing this forever and he seems to be keenly aware of who is worthy to have this very specific niche of analysis left in their hands and he wants to give them real credibility.

We’ve all had a bad day at work. Plenty of us have been publicly corrected or challenged by our colleagues and had to figure out how to move on from the embarrassment so that we can continue living a normal life. 

Kiper had a bad day. It does not tarnish his legacy or diminish his case for enshrinement in Canton one bit.

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.

Chuck Knight And Randi West Examine ‘The State of Adult Contemporary Radio’

Kevin Robinson
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Chuck Knight And Randi West Examine ‘The State of Adult Contemporary Radio’

Predictions are tricky things. For example, in the early 1970s, media outlets predicted the advent of a new Global Cooling period, which we all know didn’t age well.

Last week, we covered the roots of Adult Contemporary and the powerhouse it became. This was followed by a brief history of the dismantling of those most powerful brands.

This week, we called to enlist the opinions—and predictions—of two thought leaders who have collectively been in and around Adult Contemporary for nearly three quarters of a century: Randi West and Chuck Knight.

Randi West is not only a thought leader in Adult formats—she’s been an active, successful performer for decades. When you build a race car AND successfully drive it, you’re leading by example.

Chuck Knight is a highly sought-after programmer who has built blue-chip brands for major radio companies throughout America. He is a multi-format winner everywhere he builds teams.

We asked the following questions of both Randi and Chuck, untethered from a company flag or corporate filter.

First up – Randi West:

What is the state of Adult Contemporary?  

Adult Contemporary always stands the test of time. The music cycle is improving, as the last few years’ music product has not been as strong. It is certainly looking better in the contemporary space. The format has always been a lifestyle-driven format with a strong focus on community and personalities, and that remains consistently strong.

Where do you see AC in the next five years? 

The challenge is not just for AC but for ALL brands: overconsumption and distractions. Strong personalities and content cut through, but with so much available at everyone’s fingertips, it’s a real challenge for AC brands to remain front and center in every platform and space. 

AC has always dominated in an “At Work” space as well, and the distractions of online meetings, hybrid work, and now the return to office mandates for in-person collaboration mean less time to spend with our products. I do believe AC will be strong in five years because it will stand the test of time, but how we execute and connect will evolve.

How do we get there? 

Detailed, focused attention to CONTENT creation, and that is on air and online.  Training and innovation in the space to be as community-minded as we can will make the difference. When we say “community,” we mean our local community and our online communities of fans. 

Create special groups and events focusing on your “communities” that don’t create obstacles for them to participate or listen, but a willingness to be a part of a life group just like them. Find and retain talent that has a commitment to that ethos that entertains them and cuts through.  

Randi West is a 30-year+ programming veteran and talent with a demonstrated history of success as a programmer, on-air talent, and content creator. Randi currently does shows in three markets: Chicago, West Palm Beach, and Lexington, KY. She hosts the Sandals Resorts “Palmcast” and is a voice-over talent. West offers consulting work through Randi West Media and can be found at  www.randiwestmedia.com 

Randi West Photo Randi West Media Website

Now – Chuck Knight:

What is the state of Adult Contemporary?

Is there any format left in radio that isn’t struggling? The answer is yes. It’s Adult Contemporary. Here’s why. Even though the state of the industry has changed, the role of the Adult Contemporary format hasn’t changed much in our audience’s lives and expectations.

It’s a dependable, trusted, friendly companion playing familiar music from the ‘80s through today. The music is upbeat. Ironically, for many years, the AC format has delivered more tempo than the CHR format. The textures and genres are varied.

Mornings are the standout personality daypart. Music is the focus of the other day parts, with contemporary, localized talent complementing it. The imaging is playful and localized. Topical contesting can help change a station’s otherwise consistent audio landscape.

The Adult Contemporary format continues to be driven by its massive 6 am-7 pm weekday Cume and Average Quarter Hours. In the latest Edison Research Q1 2025 Share of Ear report, AM/FM Broadcast + Streaming At-Work listening has rebounded an awesome ten points in the past year to 63%.

It’s the sweet spot where AC stations deliver. Look no further than the AC stations dominating at the top of the March PPM 6+ rating releases. The demo successes are broad-based, with many ranking highly, even with 18-34s, which speaks to their at-work usage.

Where do you see AC in the next five years?

As my research friend Bill Moyes always said, “Don’t mess it up”. It seems like we’re always trying to fix something that isn’t broken in our business. I see Adult Contemporary stations confidently and successfully staying on our basic course. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the format can be put in autonomous driving mode. See below. At some point, we’ll probably have to whittle away at the early ‘80s.

How do we get there?

In the NFL, a team can have the greatest game plan in the locker room, but if it isn’t executed on the field, it will not win many games or the Super Bowl. The same is true in radio. The toughest part of any radio station’s success is also execution—daily team execution. We need to be focused on every element of our product.

Music. Talent. Imaging. Promotion. Distribution. How do we get there? Have a great game plan. As my programming friend Steve Goldstein said, “Be brilliant at the basics”. Do the right things. Don’t be sloppy. Be consistent and dependable. Collaborate. Learn. Teach. Give confidence. Pay attention to detail. Work hard. Do it every day. Celebrate successes. Have fun. Great execution or sloppy execution? It’s the difference between you and your station winning or losing.

Chuck Knight has successfully programmed heritage AC radio stations, including WBEB Philadelphia, WSNY Columbus, OH, KQXT San Antonio, and WINK Fort Myers, FL. He has programmed multiple formats for iHeart, Emmis and Saga. He is the President of Chuck Knight Media.

Chuck Knight Photo Facebook

Predicting the future on the sidelines is tough.

Getting your hands dirty building the future is a much better bet.

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.

Why Mark Schlereth Feels No Pressure While Building an Audience on FS1 ‘Breakfast Ball’

John Mamola
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Why Mark Schlereth Feels No Pressure While Building an Audience on FS1 ‘Breakfast Ball’

When FOX Sports announced their new lineup of studio shows on FS1 back in August of 2024, the network was in a state of transition. Working away from the era of Skip Bayless and Undisputed and into becoming a network utilizing a dynamic roster of sports talk personalities from around the country. Mark Schlereth was added to the new daily programming lineup hosting the network’s two-hour morning show Breakfast Ball, alongside co-hosts Craig Carton and Danny Parkins.

The announcement positioned FS1 to provide sports fans another option for daytime sports television with a shift away from the hot take and sports debate model in the mornings the daypart had become known for. Now nearly a year after the network’s announcement, Schlereth says that Breakfast Ball is continuing to aim for a different style of program that allows the audience a choice for sports on morning television.

“What we’re trying to present is an alternative. Something new, something fresh. Building a show and finding an audience it just takes time,” said Schlereth. “I don’t feel pressure if we don’t make this happen, or if we don’t get a certain rating by this time. I just think of it more from the standpoint of let’s just keep getting together. Let’s just keep having fun, keep creating good content, and eventually my hope is that we find a large audience.”

Schlereth joined FOX Sports in 2017 after 16 years at ESPN following a 12-year career in the NFL. While serving as a game analyst on the NFL on FOX broadcasts, Schlereth also hosted a weekday radio program on Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan alongside co-host Mike Evans.

When he was contacted by FOX about Breakfast Ball in early August of last year, the show launched just weeks after the pitch was made which left no large amount of time to develop a working relationship with either of his new co-hosts. While Schlereth says that he took an offer he couldn’t refuse from FOX, he understands he’s still growing into the role of host on the program.

“It’s been a real challenge for me because I never hosted anything. Part of it is figuring out a system that works for me,” Schlereth said. “I don’t know how much Breakfast Ball has evolved, it has to some degree. I think from a chemistry standpoint for me as a host learning that business and learning how to do something I’ve never done 25 years of television. That was a real challenge for me, but it’s getting to be very comfortable.”

Schlereth says he works with a producer on Breakfast Ball every morning who writes out his scripts for him to use on camera, only to have work through them and re-write if needed for air as Schlereth has battled dyslexia for his entire life.

He felt a lot of anxiety as he was finding himself struggle to read elements during the show, but leaning on the hosting experience of Carton and Parkins from their previous radio backgrounds in New York and Chicago is helping with his transition into the host role.

“Those guys are awesome, and they’re so young. Both of them are so good at what they do, and honestly when you look at it, you’re like why do you guys have me in this role,” Schlereth joked. “They’re incredible when it comes to the value they bring to the show.”

Balancing Breakfast Ball With 104.3 The Fan In Denver

The biggest question about Schlereth’s role with Breakfast Ball was what that would mean for his morning radio program in Denver, which he has hosted for nine years on Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan. While he has adjusted his schedule to only work the final two hours of the program, he now joins the program immediately following his television duties and dials in for the radio program from his New York studio space.

With Schlereth not solely focused on the Denver sports scene like he once was, the prep for the radio program surrounds a text chain where talent and producers can share ideas for topics, guests, and show content. By working in his role with the NFL on FOX and Breakfast Ball, it allows him time for a similar amount of prep but the aim for the radio show in Denver is more geared for entertaining the listener.

“Most people who listen to us while driving in Denver in the morning, I would say there’s a majority of people that are driving to a job that they don’t like,” noted Schlereth. “My job I’ve always felt is to entertain those people. My hope would be at some point during the course of the day, after whatever they do for a living, laugh and say to themselves that dude is an idiot. That’s my goal, I want to entertain.”

What helps drive the entertainment of the morning show on 104.3 The Fan has been the addition of former Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley, who joined the program in September of last year. Schlereth said he loved the addition of Stokley to morning show as he brings another valuable perspective and attitude to the program being a former NFL player himself.

“‘Stoke’ is a great guy. He plays the role of the Cajun idiot, he plays that role really well,” said Schlereth. “‘Stoke,’ like me, spent his entire adult life in a locker room. He’s really good at busting balls, and he’s great at taking it as well. There is there’s a great give-and-take, it’s very much a locker room kind of environment.”

Working alongside another former pro athlete on the radio is something that Schlereth doesn’t take for granted. Through his experience in radio, he sees how the challenges with the current Nielsen PPM ratings setup have had a major impact on how sales teams and stations can determine their level of investment in talent.

A Warning For Television Networks Regarding Athlete Analysts

Schlereth also is a student of media, and how the current landscape of television media is shaped. As current athletes continue to begin their own media careers, he noteed this could be an issue for television networks in the very near future when it comes to recruiting talent.

“It’s going to be hard to find analysts that are really devoted to the craft that are really gonna work. That’s an industry issue,” said Schlereth. “If you can just go and create a podcast like Micah Parsons or the Kelce brothers, and sell a podcast for $100 million, that’s incredible. It’s going to be harder find guys that are going to go to the studio, fly across the nation, and do whatever when they look at it like ‘man I can just catch on with a podcast and do it from my house. I’ll get the equipment, sponsors, and it becomes very popular. Plus, I got a network of guys that play currently that will come on. I can make I can make more money doing that.”

Despite the grind of two weekly programs with one on television and one on radio, a twice a week podcast and weekly duties traveling the country calling games for the NFL on FOX; Schlereth’s mindset going into every one of his ventures has always surrounded having fun.

As competitive as Schlereth was on the football field, he is as competitive off it as long as it all revolves around fun. At 59-years-old with over 20 years of experience in the media, Schlereth is not looking to slow down anytime soon.

“The football season becomes really tiring, call me in November and I’ll tell you yeah I’m thinking about cutting black,” joked Schlereth. “But bottom line, man life is good.”

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 inbo

93Q’s Lo Sessions Understands the Importance of Live and Local Radio

BMM Staff
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93Q’s Lo Sessions Understands the Importance of Live and Local Radio

Lo Sessions is Assistant Program Director, Music Director & Afternoon Drive Host for Houston’s legendary Country Monster, 93Q Country. “I like to say I’m responsible for juggling playlists, personalities and promotions,” she says. She’s been there since December 2022. Shortly after her arrival in 2023, the station changed hands from Cox Media Group to Urban One (Radio One) as part of the company’s acquisition of four Houston radio stations.

Sessions launched her career in 2012 at 93.3 FLZ in Tampa, FL. Over the years, she built an impressive portfolio of major market experience across multiple formats, with notable stops at WVAQ in Morgantown, WV, KBFF in Portland, OR, and KTFM in San Antonio, TX.

She’s been recognized as one of Radio Ink’s 30 & Under Superstars (2021), an MIW Mildred Carter Mentoring Program alum (2022), and the CRS & Country Aircheck Large Market Personality of the Year (2024). Most recently, she has been nominated for an Academy of Country Music Award for Major Market Personality of the Year (2025).

With Radio One being predominantly an Urban company, I was curious to know how things were going, and if they “Got it,” the “Country Lifestyle.” “Things are going really well,” insists Sessions. “Radio One has always had a great pulse on the Houston market, and adding Country to their portfolio only strengthens that. We’re in a great place and continuing to build momentum.”

The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is hands down the biggest event in Houston. It happens annually in March. The show is preceded by a Bar-B-Que Cook Off, which happens the week before and officially kicks off rodeo season.

Despite its mass appeal, you could argue that 93Q Country is the perfect station for this event as it lives and breathes the lifestyle year-round. “The Houston Rodeo is truly our Super Bowl,” says Sessions. “It’s incredible to see such a massive cultural celebration unfold right here in Houston, year after year. No matter your background or music taste, everyone shows up in their best western wear and comes together to celebrate the spirit of Texas.”

“At 93Q, we dive in headfirst, showcasing the music, our on-air talent, and the unforgettable experiences we create for our listeners. We’re proud longtime sponsors of both Rodeo Houston and the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, and it’s an honor to be a small part of something so iconic—not just in Texas, but across the world.”

In addition to Rodeo, 93Q Country serves its community of listeners in so many other ways. “I always say my show feels like you’re riding around with your bestie in the passenger seat and I’m your radio passenger princess,” says Sessions.

“It’s all about bringing love, laughs, and girl boss energy to Houston every afternoon. And as far as the station is concerned, 93Q is Houston’s go-to for Country music. We’re fun, dependable, and real, just like the city we serve.”

“What makes Houston really special is the way it blends big-city energy with small-town heart. From tailgates to cook-offs to rodeo season, this city lives and breathes the Country lifestyle, and we get to celebrate that with our listeners every single day. It’s more than just playing the music; it’s being part of a community that truly feels it.”

In one of the world’s biggest and most diverse cities, it’s hard to imagine how the 93Q team stays true to the constant change while maintaining its consistency with the legendary brand.

“Honestly, it’s all about staying connected to Houston, our listeners, and each other,” says Sessions. “This city is ALWAYS growing and changing, and we’re right there with it out in the community, listening, and having fun with our audience while staying true to who we are.”

“Live and local radio is such a rare gem these days, and we’re super lucky to have a full team from top to bottom and full control of our playlist. That means we get to show up for our listeners in real-time, keep things fresh, and still stay consistent with the vibe they know and love from us.’

That being said, I asked about the use of AI and if they (the station) were tapping into it as it begins to slowly infiltrate everything we do these days. “We’re not all-in,” says Sessions, “But I think it can be a fun tool for brainstorming and sparking ideas. I’m all about anything that helps us stay creative and ahead of the curve, as long as the heart and human connection of radio stays front and center. That’s the only way to maintain the consistency of the brand.”

As for the new three-minute PPM rule change, “We’re always keeping a close eye on any changes in the landscape and making sure we’re serving our audience in the best way possible,” says Sessions. “While the three-minute PPM shift is definitely something we’re aware of, our focus remains on creating a strong, engaging listener experience.”

As for what’s missing in the industry right now, “I think the radio industry is in an exciting place, but there’s always room to grow, especially when it comes to investing in fresh talent and innovation,” Sessions says. “We’ve got incredible stories to tell and powerful platforms to tell them on. Sometimes, it’s just about creating more space for new voices and ideas and evolving how we connect with audiences, especially in a digital-first world.”

“To fix this, we need to start with mentorship, creative freedom, and giving the next generation of talent the tools and wait for it…. the trust to shine. We’ve got to keep evolving how we engage with listeners beyond the dial, too. More creative social media, events, and on-demand content. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel…pair strong local connection with forward-thinking strategy, that’s when radio really thrives.”

As for what’s next for Sessions, “I was recently nominated for an ACM, which is still wild to say out loud,” she says. “Just three years into the country format, that feels like a pretty massive goal already achieved. Professionally, I’m focused on continuing to grow my show here in Houston and expanding my volunteer work in the community.”

“On a personal level, I’m getting married at the end of May, so enjoying newlywed life with my cutie and starting our forever life together, maybe a few little munchkins in a couple years, God willing. Lots of exciting things ahead, both on and off the air!”

Follow Lo Sessions on all platforms @itsLoRadio 

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Is Senator Ted Cruz Misguided in His Approach Advocating for AM Radio?

Dr. Ed Cohen
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Is Senator Ted Cruz Misguided in His Approach Advocating for AM Radio?

While I was “supporting the home team” last week, in other words, reading all the news from Barrett Media, I saw Garrett Searight’s conversation with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). Garrett interviewed Sen. Cruz about his podcast that is now available from Premiere Networks as a one-hour weekend show and already has over 100 affiliates.

He talked about the advantages of the podcast format among other things, but Garrett asked him about his sponsorship of The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025, a bill introduced by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), hardly an ideological stablemate.

Ted Cruz offered four reasons why he backs the AM bill:

  • Lower barriers to entry on AM, meaning greater diversity of ownership
  • Emergency communications
  • Coverage in rural areas (Texas has a lot of wide-open spaces)
  • Free speech, especially for conservative talk radio

One thing that stood out, for me, in his list was that emergency communications was not the first item. Doing all you can in an emergency is standard practice for broadcasters (or at least, it should be). We’ve heard wonderful stories of broadcasters stepping up when needed, so there’s no need to offer specifics here. But for most of us, this is a once in a lifetime need and other options may be available as well.

In my view, what matters most is day-to-day broadcasting and the need to keep AM stations economically viable, in other words, the need to attract an audience such that owners can make a profit and continue to serve their communities.

The question is whether AM, even if access is required in vehicles, will still be viable. We know the percentage of AQH audience to AM is low, and even if you see a Nielsen estimate, it will be overstated thanks to the thousands of FM translators as well as some FM HD subchannels being utilized by AM broadcasters.

In PPM, translators carry the same code as the originating station (translators can only originate 30 seconds of unique content per hour, so Nielsen rightfully sees no reason to use a separate code for translators). A panelist listening to an AM station on an FM translator is credited to the originating AM station. In the diary service, the same thing happens when a diarykeeper writes in the FM translator frequency of an originating AM station.

While this FM audience to AM stations helps to keep an AM operation viable, it raises the question of whether listeners would know where to find the AM broadcast or even have access if an emergency arose and the translator or HD subchannel went down.

This is a research column, so I did some research by actually reading the Senate bill. Take a look at the bill itself is short, and it won’t take you more than a few minutes to read. The version in the House is essentially the same.

If you don’t want to read the actual bill, here are some highlights:

  • The Secretary of Transportation will have one year from the date of enactment to issue a rule regarding AM in cars after consulting with the head of FEMA and the FCC.
  • The effective date of that rule will be at least two years out but not more than three years in the future.
  • The rule can allow vehicles to pick up digital AM stations instead of analog AM.
  • AM should be “easily accessible to drivers”. (It should be interesting to see how that phrase is interpreted with today’s complicated infotainment systems.)
  • If a company sold fewer than 40,000 cars in the US in 2022, they would have at least four years from the date the rule is issued to add AM. (When you pick up your new Bentley, Lamborghini, or Aston Martin, it may not have an AM radio even if this becomes law.)
  • Until the rule is issued, dealers will have to inform buyers that a vehicle does not have AM radio. Also, they cannot charge extra to install AM. (“It’s $200 extra for the floor mats, but we’ll throw in an AM radio for free!”).
  • The Secretary of Transportation must send a report to Congress at least every five years about how the rule is working with respect to public safety.
  • The law goes away after ten years.

Assuming the bill pitched by Senators Ted Cruz and Ed Markey becomes law (and it has support from both sides of the aisle as well as NAB lobbying for it), will anything change for AM? Do we have too many underpowered and poorly engineered AM stations? Do listeners expect better sound quality than analog AM can deliver? Most vehicles on North American roads today have AM built-in, but that hasn’t stopped the decline in the band’s popularity.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 feels good, but assuming it becomes law this year, will anything be different when the law sunsets in 2035?  I doubt it. What do you think?

Let’s meet again next week.

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.

How the Radio Industry Should Handle Skeptics and Naysayers About Its Future

Peter Thiele
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How the Radio Industry Should Handle Skeptics and Naysayers About Its Future

I was informed that nobody listens to the radio anymore. I can be a friendly sort, so while I was in the line ordering coffee on Saturday morning, I was informed that no one that the woman behind me knows listens to the radio. You have heard this story. I am guessing that this woman was in her 50s. It is really tough to tell people’s actual ages. I meet people who look old as hell, and they are 30. Are people listening to us?

In my further discussion, this woman works at the local hospital where my radio station, along with the other brands in my building, raised $456,000 for her employer’s programs. Since no one is listening to the radio, people accidentally found out that they can help this cause by random chance. They called the phone number given out on the air and donated big money by not listening to the radio. It mush have been a miracle!

I am sure that you have had the opportunity to meet these radio deniers. They seem to know the behavior of every single person in the area. These people have no understanding that the most effective and efficient way for an independent business to grow its enterprise is by advertising on local radio.

If no one is listening to the radio, how come business owners are renewing their advertising? One of my hosts received a call from some random person who didn’t listen to the radio saying that he tried one of the businesses that advertises on my radio station and was so impressed with the service and value. It was a great mystery how that person knew how to call a radio show, and that this random roofer was an advertiser.

If no one is listening to the radio, how come radio personalities are in demand as hosts for charity events? It is crazy. My station’s morning guy just hosted an event because the group thought that he was nice and had zero connection that he is a radio host. I am shocked that this even occurred following the coffee shop customer’s confident declaration that radio is dead.

If no one is listening to the radio, why do I hear radio stations playing at businesses throughout my community? It is totally nuts. I walked into a local restaurant and the eatery was playing one of the radio stations from my company. Did anyone inform that restaurant?

If no one is listening to the radio, did anyone inform my mail carrier? I came home for lunch and she was listening to the radio while making her rounds! Does she know that radio is passe and no one uses it anymore?

There is the lesson here: radio has committed self-inflected damage. The news inside industry websites can be very negative. From stats found online, 82%-90 % of Americans listen to radio every week. Considering the segmentation for consumer attention, this is a phenomenal statistic. There are millions of websites, streaming services, podcasts, Xbox or PlayStation, TV, books, and other distractions.

We are not touting our huge footprint and success. Radio fails to tell our amazing story. I am not being naïve, there are huge challenges. But the messaging needs to be addressed.

I have been working in the radio industry for a decade or two and have noticed that the competitive pressures have certainly hurt our business. I know that the massive corporate debt by our largest companies has been crippling. And I can complain about these things or offer a few ideas.

Content is king. I don’t know the answer here, but music radio is basically operating in the same template that they have used since the year 2000. Considering that for a very modest fee, you can play your favorite music without commercials wherever you go. The challenge is to provide unique listener experiences. That is tough to do if the jocks are limited to speaking less that 30 seconds each time that they are on the air.

Realize that, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, up to 50% of Americans say that they regularly feel lonely. Radio has been a connection to real people for over a century. Radio is an intimate medium that connects with listeners in ways that TV, social media, and other forms of media fail to do regularly. Speak with listeners about things in their community and lives.

Radio must brag about our important work. When an emergency hits your community, radio is there. Radio stations seek unique ways to benefit their communities. It must also tell their story. When is the last time that your station complimented listeners? Thinking through this, and I have failed in ways to complement the brilliant people who are listening to my brands. In the writing of this article, I found something that I could do better. We can always learn new things and examine ourselves.

If people are not listening to us, why are we here? It is because people are listening to us! I am challenging myself and challenging you. If someone tells you that no one listens to the radio anymore, call them out. Tell that individual about the fundraiser that your station completed. Tell them that they’re wrong. Radio is as vital as ever. Like all media sources, we have growing competitive pressures. Here is the amazing thing: radio is thriving. I am enthusiastic about our place in the media landscape.

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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