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Knicks Play-By-Play Announcer Mike Breen: NBA Moving Local Early Round Playoff Broadcasts Next Year Is ‘Really Sad’

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The NBA playoffs are already underway, with first-round action taking center court. Local regional sports networks are currently providing a local play-by-play call for each of the local markets in the very early rounds. However, with the NBA’s new media deals with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon beginning next season, that local call for early-round playoff matchups will, unfortunately, be a thing of the past.

Meanwhile, Mike Breen, who calls New York Knicks games for MSG Network and serves as the lead play-by-play voice for ESPN nationally, told Newsday that he believes it’s a bad decision to take away the local call from the early-round matchups.

“It’s really sad,” said Breen to Newsday. “I think it’s so unfortunate, because for the fans, they want to hear their local broadcasters, at least for some part of the postseason, because broadcasters often are part of the fans’ family.”

Beginning next season, NBA games will be televised by The Walt Disney Company, Comcast Corporation, and Amazon under 11-year deals reportedly worth a collective $76 billion. These agreements will place games across broadcast and cable television along with streaming platforms. Importantly, as part of that arrangement, the league included exclusive broadcasts for all NBA playoff games.

“I say this as someone who does national games,” Breen said. “I understand the importance of what the regional announcers mean to the fans, and you’re taking that away from them. I get it later on (in the playoffs), but you can’t give them at least the first round?”

Furthermore, while Breen notes the regional broadcasts’ importance for local viewing audiences as significant to the league, he remains disappointed in the decision to include those games in the new media agreements.

“I think it was a bad decision from the league. You can’t blame the rightsholders, because they’re paying all this money,” said Breen. “The league should have said, you know what, we’re going to hold onto that first round.”

Ultimately, all regional sports network broadcasts will conclude with the beginning of the conference semifinals round of the NBA playoffs next week.

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Sinclair Adds to AMP Media Podcast Slate with ‘BFFR’ Series

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Sinclair Broadcast Group is expanding its slate of podcasts through AMP Media with the forthcoming addition of BFFR, a new weekly podcast being hosted by global soccer stars Sydney Leroux and Ali Riley. With their careers as accomplished athletes and vibrant media personalities, both co-hosts will take part in illuminating conversations surrounding athletes and friends, granting viewers an authentic view into their lives with the triumphs and tribulations. In addition, the show will be part of creating a space within the portfolio that amplifies and celebrates female voices.

“Throughout their illustrious careers, Sydney and Ali have been at the forefront of the conversation around women in sports and beyond,” Rich Cooke, vice president of audio programming at Sinclair Broadcast Group, said in a statement. “They’ve established a deep connection with their fans through BFFR on social media, and now we’re excited to expand their conversations and bring their authentic personalities to an even wider audience through AMP Media.”

Earlier in the year, Sinclair announced an evolution of its sales and content division as part of a transformation regarding its offerings for clients, audiences and partners. The AMP Media division, which features non-news original content from the company, has been presenting several podcasts over the last few months, some of which include The Triple Option, Throwbacks and Unfiltered Soccer. The premiere of BFFR will take place on Monday, April 28 across major podcasting platforms. In addition, exclusive clips will be shared across Instagram, TikTok and X.

“This is a show for anyone who’s ever been called ‘too much.’ Too loud, too real, too emotional, too honest-we’ve heard it all,” Leroux said in a statement. “But ‘too much’ is exactly the right amount. BFFR is where we get to be unapologetically ourselves-funny, bold, unfiltered-and say all the things we’ve been saying behind the scenes for years. If you’ve ever said, ‘I probably shouldn’t say this,’ we already did. Welcome to the chaos.”

“Syd and I have been through so many stages of life together, and while soccer is what we do, it’s definitely not who we are,” Riley said in a statement. “Women athletes have been put in boxes for way too long and this show is our opportunity to redefine what it means to be a woman in sports and media. We get to control the narrative, and our script is: there is no script. By being our authentic selves, we hope to empower our listeners to show up as exactly who they are.”

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Meaghan Mick To Depart ‘Mojo in the Morning’

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After eight years, Meaghan Mick is departing “Mojo in the Morning” at Top 40 Channel 95.5 in Detroit.

The show made the announcement on Instagram, saying:

“This morning, we shared the news that Meaghan has decided to leave the show. Meaghan has decided to pursue another career path outside of radio. Meaghan, thank you for being the bold, hilarious, and essential part of our mornings. For the past 8 years, you’ve given us moments we’ll forever cherish— the laughter, the honesty, and of course, the iconic Meaghan Minutes. You weren’t just part of the show — you were a part of our lives. And through your voice, you’ve impacted so many others in ways you may never fully realize. While this chapter comes to a close, your story is far from over. We can’t wait to see everything you do next — and we’ll be cheering you on the whole way. We love YOU, Meaghan Mick”

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SiriusXM Progress Adds ‘Young American with Dylan Douglas’ to Weekend Lineup

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SiriusXM Progress has announced the return of Young American with Dylan Douglas, with the Gen Z-focused political program being added to the channel’s programming lineup permanently.

After a limited-run edition of the program took place in the run-up to the 2024 election, the one-hour weekly show has been added to the lineup on Progress — heard on channel 127 — and will also be available on the SiriusXM app.

“I’m thrilled to be back on SiriusXM Progress,” said Douglas. “There’s no shortage of urgent, important conversations to be had – and there couldn’t be a better time to return to this platform. Young American isn’t just about politics; it’s about the people who are shaping the future of our generation. With the election behind us, I’m looking forward to diving in and talking to the changemakers driving real progress.”

The show hosted by Dylan Douglas, the son of Academy Award-winning actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, will be heard on Saturdays from 10-11 AM ET. It will re-air at 1 PM ET on Saturdays, as well as 9 AM and 2 PM ET on Sundays.

According to SiriusXM, the show will “continue to dive deep into the defining issues of Gen Z and feature candid discussions with politicians, activists, and thought leaders on a range of topics including reproductive rights, climate change, gun control, and other social and political matters.”

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‘The Johnjay & Rich Show’ Named 2025 ‘Kidd Kraddick Award’ Winner

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Morning Show Boot Camp (MSBC) has announced that The Johnjay & Rich Show will receive the Kidd Kraddick Award this year. The program is syndicated by Premiere Networks and originates from iHeartMedia’s 104.7 KISS FM in Phoenix.

The award, named after the late Kidd Kraddick, celebrates individuals who exemplify outstanding success and unique authenticity. It recognizes those who provide exceptional service to their communities while serving as a constant source of inspiration for other shows and personalities.

Traditionally, each year’s recipient is charged with selecting the following year’s honoree. Last year’s recipient, Kevin Rolston of “The KVJ Show” on WRMF-FM in West Palm Beach, said in selecting Johnjay and Rich.

“Kidd Kraddick’s contributions to the radio industry extend well beyond his show, and he trained many great talents of the next generation like Bert Weiss, Rich Shertenlieb, and Rich Berra. Acknowledging Kidd’s contributions makes Johnjay and Rich an obvious choice for this award.”

“They have dominated Phoenix for more than twenty years and are expanding their brand of entertainment nationwide. They are authentic, engaging personalities, and their work with the #LoveUp and #LovePup Foundations is extraordinary. I am honored to present them with the Kidd Kraddick Award at Bootcamp in Austin.”

Johnjay said, “The Kidd Kraddick Award holds so much meaning in our industry, and to be chosen by someone we respect so much, makes it even more special. We’ve always looked up to the legacy Kidd left behind – his talent, his heart, and the way he used his platform to truly make a difference. To be recognized in that same spirit is humbling beyond words. We’re so proud of the work we’ve done with #LovePup and #LoveUp, and many other events in the community, and it means the world that those things matter just as much as the show itself.”

Berra added, “My Italian immigrant grandfather used to say to me in his semi-broken English, ‘You sure do talk a lot for a kid that doesn’t know a lot about anything. Little did he know that would be the cornerstone of my career alongside Johnjay. We just celebrated our 25th anniversary together, and I feel like we are just getting started. What a crazy honor to step inside the same shoes of our radio IDOLS. We are so not worthy but honored to accept this very special acknowledgment.”

Past honorees include Bert Weiss of the syndicated ‘The Bert Show,’ The YEA Network Syndicated ‘The Kidd Kraddick Show,’ ‘The Ace & TJ Show,’ 97X Quad Cities’ ‘Dwyer & Michaels Show,’ Big 105.9 Miami’s Paul Castronovo, Seattle’s BJ Shea, ‘Brother Wease’ of Radio 95.1 Rochester, Mojo of Channel 955 Detroit’s ‘Mojo in the Morning,’ ‘The Roula and Ryan Show’ at KRBE-Houston and Dave Ryan.

The Kraddick Award will be presented during Talentmasters’ 37th Annual Morning Show Boot Camp (MSBC), August 7-9, at the Austin Marriott Downtown. Register now by clicking here.         

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‘The Greg Beharrell Show’ Adds Evenings At 98 Rock Baltimore

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Yea Media Groups “The Greg Beharrell Show” is adding evenings at 98 Rock Baltimore.

98 Rock Program Director Rick Strauss said, “Greg has the wisdom of youth and the energy of age.”

Beharrell added, “I have always adored the Charm City; Inner Harbor is in my top three harbors, next to David and resentment. I’m inspired by the work to live lifestyle of the apostrophe in Fell’s Point, or Fells Point. I’ve long championed Baltimore’s decision to name a football team after poetry (that said, I would have preferred the Baltimore Hideous Hearts), and I adore that the Domino Sugars sign is showcasing the bright side of simple carbohydrates.”

“The Greg Beharrell Show” is based at 95.5 KLOS Los Angeles and is heard on 85 stations in North America.

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Skyview Networks CRO Jeanne-Marie Condo Exits

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After more than 25 years with Skyview Networks, Chief Revenue Officer and President of Network Partnerships Jeanne-Marie Condo has departed.

Condo joined the company shortly after its founding. In 2014, she was selected to lead the national sales strategy for the reimagined ABC Radio. In 2018, she underwent the same process with CBS News Radio. After serving as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the company, she was later moved to the role of President of Network Partnerships and Chief Revenue Officer just over three years ago.

“I am writing to inform you that Jeanne-Marie Condo is no longer with Skyview Networks,” President/CEO Steve Jones said. “We appreciate her contributions and wish her all the best in her future endeavors. In February, I announced an adjustment of our organization to optimize the alignment of our business units. This structure has allowed us to better utilize the broad cross section of talent in our company.

“Since then, our exceptional team has improved business operations resulting in appreciable benefits for our customers,” he continued. “This week we’ll collaborate to further enhance these improvements across finance, research, and sales.”

“It has been an incredible journey at Skyview, and I wish all the employees the very best,” Condo said after her exit. “I look forward to sharing an announcement soon.”

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ESPN ‘Appears Likely to Renew’ NFL Draft Media Rights: Report

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With the NFL Draft taking place later this week being broadcast live on ESPN platforms, the network reportedly “appears likely to renew” the broadcast rights for the offseason event, which are said to expire after this year’s iteration. ESPN has presented the NFL Draft since 1980, becoming the first network to air the event live on television at the time.

ESPN currently produces various feeds of the event, broadcasting the proceedings on its primary cable channel and the ABC over-the-air network, along with additional coverage on ESPN2, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes and the company social media platforms. This will mark the 46th year in which ESPN will present the NFL Draft, and the coverage will be accompanied by several studio programs broadcasting live from Green Bay, Wis.

According to a report from John Ourand of Puck, the league is planning to sell international rights for the event to a streaming platform based in the United States. The deal would allow the rightsholder to air the NFL Draft concurrently with ESPN and ABC, and companies that have reportedly “kicked the tires” include YouTube, Netflix and Amazon. All three companies have entered into previous agreements with the NFL over the years across a variety of properties.

Netflix signed a three-year global rights deal to televise at least one Christmas Day game on its platform. The holiday doubleheader garnered an average minute audience of more than 30 million global viewers and attained significant social media engagement. YouTube is in the midst of a reported seven-year deal worth approximately $2 billion per annum for the distribution rights for NFL Sunday Ticket, the premium, out-of-market package to access regional NFL games. The company had a reported 1.3 million sign-ups for the service according to information from Antenna in October 2023, which is shortly after it made its season debut on the platform.

Conversely, Amazon’s Prime Video was in the midst of its second season as the home Thursday Night Football and unveiled a special Black Friday holiday broadcast as well. The streaming platform has reportedly been granted rights to a Wild Card game every year for the remainder of its media rights deal unless the league opts out. Amazon will also begin broadcasting the National Basketball Association under an 11-year media rights agreement set to commence in the fall.

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Why Dan Patrick Offered up to Campaign for Mel Kiper Jr. For the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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The Pro Football Hall of Fame recently announced that longtime The NFL Today pregame host Brent Musburger will be honored with the 2025 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award at the upcoming induction this year. Meanwhile, sports radio host Dan Patrick revealed—after the news became official—that he had penned a handwritten letter to the Hall regarding Musburger’s candidacy for the award. Furthermore, he even called a few years earlier to discuss how NFL Films voice John Facenda should also be considered for the honor.

During Monday’s Dan Patrick Show, ESPN NFL Draft insider Mel Kiper Jr. was a guest on the program. At that point, Patrick noted that he also feels Kiper belongs in the Hall of Fame.

“I campaigned for him (Musburger), I reached out to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Pete Rozelle Award,” recalled Patrick to Kiper. “I’d like to do the same for you. I think you should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

Notably, Mel Kiper Jr. has served as an analyst for ESPN’s annual NFL Draft coverage since 1984, providing in-depth scouting information on the nation’s most talented collegiate football players. In addition, he makes frequent appearances on several ESPN programs and is the president of Kiper Enterprises, which he founded while in college in 1981.

Kiper was flattered to hear the news from Patrick on the program. However, he said there are others he feels may be more deserving.

“I just believe there are so many people that just, you’re fortunate, you get a little luck on your side, you’re around great people,” Kiper said. “I was, Dan. I was around you all those years.”

In response, Dan Patrick then stepped in to explain why he believes Kiper is deserving of the award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“You changed an industry,” said Patrick. “What you have meant to the NFL, it’s a different version of John Facenda. Like, he was the voice, and you were the draft guy. It’s a cottage industry that you created. That is contributions to the game. I know you’re modest; I don’t care. I’m going forward with it. You deserve to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

Kiper continued to deflect the praise from Patrick, saying he’s a good friend and that he’s heard others say the same thing. Additionally, he credited several people behind the scenes who have helped him along his path at ESPN. He also noted that he didn’t bring the NFL Draft broadcast to ESPN.

“ESPN televised the draft before I got here,” said Kiper. “The draft was on ESPN before I became part of the telecast.”

Finally, Kiper went on to joke with Patrick to give up his quest and offer, noting that he has a lot of people in the NFL who hate him—so maybe a shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame may not be in the cards.

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77 WABC Expands The Anthony Cumia Show to 3 Hours

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Since debuting on 77 WABC last month, The Anthony Cumia Show has continued to see wild success, leading the station to expand the show to three hours beginning on May 4th.

The show will continue air on Sunday evenings, but will now be heard from 8-11 PM ET. The entire program will be available in national syndication from Red Apple Audio Networks, which added the show after one edition. Currently, 20 stations are broadcasting the program, with the company stating that others are expected to add the show in the coming weeks.

“The response from listeners and affiliates to Anthony’s return to radio has been astounding,” said 77 WABC and Red Apple Media President Chad Lopez. “Listeners and affiliates were clamoring for more Anthony Cumia, so we extended his show.”

The New York news/talk station reports that the station’s app usage jumped nearly 3000% compared to the previous year at the timeslot of Cumia’s debut.

“I missed radio as much — perhaps more — than radio missed me,” said Cumia. “I’m thrilled that WABC Radio gave me the opportunity to return to my radio fans.”

Cumia previously hosted afternoons at WNEW from 1998 to 2002, before Opie & Anthony were fired by Infinity Broadcasting for what the company considered an uncouth promotion. It was one of several times Cumia exited a broadcasting job under similar circumstances. Cumia was fired in 2014 by SiriusXM for sharing racially charged tweets after claiming to be the victim of an attack by a Black woman.

Anthony Cumia had spent a decade with the satellite broadcaster, joining then-XM Radio in 2004. Other radio stops include working at WAAF in Boston.

He was added to 77 WABC in early March.

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