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RAB ‘Rising Through The Ranks’ Accepting Applications

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RAB ‘Rising Through The Ranks’ Accepting Applications

The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) has announced the 17th annual “Rising Through the Ranks” seminar schedule. This event aims to foster leadership development among women in the broadcasting industry. RAB organizes the seminar, which is supported by Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW).

The upcoming event will begin with a virtual meeting on August 12, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (CT). This will be followed by in-person sessions in Nashville from August 19 to 21.

Mike Hulvey, President and CEO of RAB, stated, “Rising Through the Ranks provides a rare opportunity to not only learn and connect with our speakers but also build their own networks with their fellow classmates from stations and radio groups across the U.S.”

Sheila Kirby, President of the MIW Board, added, “Rising Through the Ranks has long been instrumental in shaping the leadership journeys of so many incredible women in our industry. This program perfectly aligns with MIW’s mission to champion and advance women in media. We’re proud to continue supporting this impactful initiative and look forward to welcoming and empowering the 2025 class.”

The initiative highlights RAB’s commitment to professional development in the industry, particularly for emerging female leaders. To enhance participation, RAB is providing scholarships that will cover the program’s total cost.

Details about this year’s agenda and speaker lineup are anticipated to be announced shortly. Interested individuals may apply for scholarships and register on RAB’s website until 5 PM CT on May 30. Scholarship recipients will be notified on June 23. Further information is available 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.

Common Man & T-Bone Announce Final Show Next Wednesday On 97.1 The Fan

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Common Man & T-Bone Announce Final Show Next Wednesday On 97.1 The Fan

97.1 The Fan today announced that the final Common Man & T-Bone program will be airing next Wednesday, after 12 years on the radio station. The program, hosted by Mike Ricordati and Jonathan Smith, announced the news today on the station, saying that while there will be more details to be revealed Tuesday, it will be in accordance with station management.

Ricordati made the announcement following a tease of a major station development via social media earlier in the day.

“Let’s rip the band aid off. Lots of speculation about what we’re going to announce,” said Ricordati. “We have hosted this show together for 12 years, thousands of shows, and our final one together will be next Wednesday, April 30.”

Following the announcement, the two hosts shared their mutual admiration for each other. However, they offered little more detail about what the next ventures for both talents will be. They both acknowledged that this split with the program has been in the works for a few months. In fact, the original idea was presented about a year ago. Even so, they will be revealing the rest of the details on Tuesday.

“This version of you and me together on the show, the show we’ve done for the last 12 years is coming to an end next Wednesday,” said Ricordati. “Now, neither of us is leaving the radio station.”

Additionally, Smith added that the duo felt this was the right time to try something new.

“We’ve been here long enough, and we have enough success and air quotes ‘pull’ where this type of stuff doesn’t happen unless we give it the okay,” said Ricordati. “We both felt like this was a good time to try other things.”

Ultimately, the details will be revealed on Tuesday’s Common Man & T-Bone program, which has been a ratings and revenue success story for The Fan since its beginnings.

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.

Former CNN and Fox News Hosts Alisyn Camerota, Dave Briggs Join Dan Abrams-Led YouTube Project

BNM Staff
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Former CNN and Fox News Hosts Alisyn Camerota, Dave Briggs Join Dan Abrams-Led YouTube Project

After leaving his NewsNation primetime show late last year, Dan Abrams has a new YouTube venture, including former CNN host Alisyn Camerota, former Fox News host Dave Briggs, and Jessica Yellin joining as well.

Camerota, Briggs, and former CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin will join the YouTube channel launched by Abrams.

Alisyn Camerota departed CNN late last year after spending a decade with the network, including a stint hosting mornings on the network. Previously, she spent from 1998 to 2014 at Fox News as host of the Fox & Friends franchise.

Like Camerota, Briggs also worked at both Fox News and CNN. He departed Fox News in 2012 before later joining CNN as host of its Early Start show in 2017. He helmed that show for just under two years before announcing he would step away from the program in late 2019.

Camerota and Briggs will team for a new show called Sanity with Alisyn & Dave. The show’s description says it aims to remove “partisan poison from podcasting,” and will feature a “curious, irreverent, and open-minded without finger wagging,” style.

Meanwhile, Yellin will bring her current News Not Noise project that host more than 1 million followers ons social media to the platform led by Dan Abrams.

“You don’t have to be a political extremist to see massive success on YouTube,” Dan Abrams said. “Alisyn, Dave, and Jessica are engaging and trusted voices. We’re excited to help them connect directly with audiences who crave independent thinkers offering smart and maybe unpredictable conversation and analysis.”

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.

WWE Paul Heyman Name Drops Shannon Sharpe on ESPN Hours After Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault and Battery

BSM Staff
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WWE Paul Heyman Name Drops Shannon Sharpe on ESPN Hours After Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault and Battery

The Pat McAfee Show wrapped up a whirlwind broadcasting schedule live from WWE WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas this afternoon, as the two biggest story makers from the annual event were live on set, broadcast live on ESPN television. Following a nearly hour-long sit-down with new WWE Universal Champion John Cena, WWE Hall of Fame manager Paul Heyman was a guest on the show, playing into the storyline of turning ‘heel’ against both CM Punk and Roman Reigns on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, as Heyman leaned into the narrative of why he turned heel against CM Punk, the Hall of Fame manager and commentator also shared a pointed line of comparison to Shannon Sharpe’s place with the network.

“CM Punk does as much as good to my reputation as Shannon Sharpe does to ESPN,” stated Heyman. “Don’t boo me, I’m not the one getting sued.”

Interestingly, that comment came on the same day news broke that Sharpe is being alleged to have committed assault, sexual assault, battery, and sexual battery. Additionally, he is accused of engaging in the intentional infliction of emotional distress by a woman who claims they had a “rocky consensual relationship” that lasted two years.

According to the 13-page civil complaint filed in a Nevada state court, Sharpe is alleged to have recorded their sexual activities without her knowledge. Furthermore, the complaint claims he shared the videos with others without her permission or awareness.

Nonetheless, Sharpe did appear on ESPN’s First Take on Monday after the news broke about the lawsuit, though he did not comment on the matter during the program.

It is worth noting that The Pat McAfee Show is not an ESPN-owned program. Although the show signed with the network in 2023 for a $17 million per year rights fee, ESPN does not have creative control over its content. In contrast, Shannon Sharpe signed a multiyear extension with ESPN last June to appear on First Take with Stephen A. Smith several days a week as part of a rotating group of contributors.

UPDATE: Shannon Sharpe through his attorney Lanny J. Davis released a statement saying they deny all allegations of coercion or misconduct and will look to clear his name through due process.

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.

Scott Anderson: WWE WrestleMania 41 Had A ‘Big Game Feel’ With Joe Tessitore Involved

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Scott Anderson: WWE WrestleMania 41 Had A ‘Big Game Feel’ With Joe Tessitore Involved

The WWE completed their 41st edition of WrestleMania this past weekend in Las Vegas from the home of the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. The two-day event was viewed for the first time by a worldwide audience, as the annual spectacle was broadcast on Peacock in the United States and Netflix internationally as part of the WWE’s new agreement with the streaming platform.

While many of the headlines surrounding the event stemmed from the results of the action in the ring, Scott Anderson of 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit found the feel of the event to be amplified by the pre-show programming, including commentator Joe Tessitore.

“WWE does things way better than AEW when it comes to their production,” explained Anderson. “They had Joe Tessitore, the play-by-play voice of college and pro football. Joe Tessitore, he was doing the pre-game festivities, and he was awesome at it.”

Moreover, Anderson said he didn’t expect the addition of Tessitore on the broadcast of the WWE’s WrestleMania event. However, he stated that Tessitore gave added life to the event.

“He gave a big game feel to the scripted outcome event. He knew who the wrestlers were. He knew what the moves were, and he knew the history of what was going on,” noted Anderson. “I was just very impressed to having a mainstream guy brought in to do what he did.”

Tessitore joined WWE in July of 2024 and has since bounced around in roles from lead play-by-play of the WWE’s Monday Night Raw product to Friday Night Smackdown. In addition, Tessitore has hosted several premium live event pre-show and post-show broadcasts streamed on YouTube and WWE’s social channels since his addition.

Furthermore, Anderson described how Tessitore’s presence brought an extra layer of excitement and authenticity to the production.

“He’s just kind of giving a sight-seeing thing, ‘Oh, this is what’s going on over here?’ Then he points out there’s Kirk Herbstreit. right there,” explained Anderson. “It was just cool to have that. It was this big game or big event feel to it, because it is a big event, but it’s scripted. It’s wrestling, and yet it’s still great.”

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Z104 Salt Lake City Lands Two Best Of Awards

BMM Staff
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Z104 Salt Lake City Lands Two Best Of Awards

Country Z104 Salt Lake City has been named Salt Lake City’s Best Radio Station of 2025, and the “Dave & Deb Show” was named the Best Radio Show of 2025.

The station wrote on social media, “To all of our amazing listeners — thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Your support, your calls, your messages, and your loyal listening have meant the world to us. Every song request, every shoutout, every time you tuned in! We’re here because of you, and we promise to keep bringing the music, the laughs, and the good vibes every single day. This is more than just a win for the station — it’s a win for our entire community!”

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.

Marketron Promotes Todd Kalman to Chief Revenue Officer

BNM Staff
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Marketron Promotes Todd Kalman to Chief Revenue Officer

Marketron has announced the elevation of Todd Kalman to the role of Chief Revenue Officer for the revenue operating and digital advertising firm.

Kalman has spent the past decade working with the company, where he’s overseen sales and revenue development amid an elevation to leadership of the marketing team last year.

“I’m honored to receive this promotion,” said Kalman. “Marketron has been an incredible environment for innovation and staying aligned with the industry’s evolving technology needs. The company is well-positioned to drive further growth for Marketron and our customers. I look forward to what’s next for radio and Marketron.”

Prior to his tenure at Marketron, Todd Kalman spent 20 years working in sales leadership roles for iHeartMedia and CBS Radio.

“Todd has been instrumental in shaping Marketron’s growth and success over the past decade,” said Marketron CEO Jimshade Chaudhari. “His deep industry expertise, proven leadership, and ability to build lasting relationships have consistently positioned Marketron and our customers for continued success.

“Todd’s innovative approach and commitment to excellence have enhanced our revenue strategies and empowered our customers to achieve exceptional results,” Chaudhari continued. “We’re excited to have Todd in this expanded role as we navigate the evolving landscape of the broadcast industry.”

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.

Rock 98.1 Flips To AC As ‘Abilene’s Feel-Good Station’

BMM Staff
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Rock 98.1 Flips To AC As ‘Abilene’s Feel-Good Station’

Cascading changes continue with the cancellation of seven Westwood One 24/7 formats.

Rock 98.1 The Phantom Abilene, TX, will switch to AC. The station previously carried Rock 2.0. Now, with the switch to AC, it is positioned as “Abilene’s Feel-Good Station.”

Previous reporting on format changes resulting from the Westwood One cancellations includes:

Cumulus Media is flipping station programming ahead of the discontinuation of the seven Westwood One formats.

In Youngstown, OH, Good Time Oldies affiliate Z104 will pick up Westwood One’s AC 24/7 format. While retaining the Z104 brand, the new positioner is Today’s Hits and Yesterday’s Favorites.

In Fayetteville, AR, Rocker 98.3 The Keg is shifting away to just 98.3 KKEG and positioned as NWA’s Classic Hits. The station will pick up the Westwood One Classic Hits 24/7 format.

Seven formats were eliminated from Westwood One’s 20 format offerings in March. Those include Variety Pop Hits, Variety Hits Rock, Hits Now, Classic Hits Gold, Classic Rock X, Rock 2.0, and Good Time Oldies.

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Netflix to Release 10-Episode WWE Docuseries This Summer

BSM Staff
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Netflix to Release 10-Episode WWE Docuseries This Summer

Netflix will be launching a 10-episode docuseries with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in which viewers will be granted a look inside of the writing room and outside of the ring with superstars within the promotion. The venture, which is titled WWE: Unreal, is the newest development announced between both entities, which recently started a 10-year media rights deal surrounding broadcasts of Monday Night Raw estimated to be worth a total of $5 billion. Netflix released a teaser for the docuseries on Monday demonstrating WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque explaining that the company is going to “lift the curtain.”

In addition to WWE, the docuseries features companies including Omaha Productions, NFL Films and Skydance Sports, and it is directed by NFL Films senior producer Chris Weaver. Erik Powers will be serving as the showrunner for the project, which includes various executive producers such as Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Lee Fitting and Ben Houser. Episodes will last 50 minutes each and premiere over the summer, although an exact date has yet to be determined.

During a recent appearance at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, Levesque spoke about the global appeal of WWE and the innovations across media platforms. While there, he discussed the partnership with Netflix and elaborated on how it has provided benefits for the consumers.

“This is the first time ever that it’s been simplified in a way that, globally, the world over, there’s one place, you know where it is, you know when it’s on and you can just go click on it and get there,” Levesque explained, “whereas before, it was multiple partners all over the place depending on where you were, depending on when it was on and what time and everything else under the sun.”

Rather than adhering to the practice of kayfabe, Levesque admitted that WWE is “a calculated, coordinated production” in the teaser. From there, the teaser goes on to demonstrate behind-the-scenes looks at the elements of production that were staged, including strapping a rocket to the back of Jey Uso. Wrestlemania recently concluded from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and it included several exhilarating moments over two nights that ended with John Cena winning a 17th WWE World Championship, breaking a tie with Ric Flair for the all-time record. Cena turned heel earlier in the year, and he teased viewers to tune in for Raw on Monday night streaming live on Netflix at 8 p.m. EST.

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, WCVB Channel 5 to Continue Televising Boston Marathon Under New Multiyear Broadcast Partnership

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ESPN, WCVB Channel 5 to Continue Televising Boston Marathon Under New Multiyear Broadcast Partnership

ESPN and WCVB Channel 5 will continue serving as the exclusive national and local broadcasters for the Boston Marathon through a new multiyear extension with the Boston Athletic Association. Under this deal, WCVB will be broadcasting exclusive year-round coverage for all B.A.A. events as well, some of which include the B.A.A. 5K, 10K and Half Marathon. Coverage of the 129th Boston Marathon taking place on Monday is airing on ESPN2 featuring the commentary team of Hannah Storm and John Anderson. In addition, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Nicole Briscoe and play-by-play announcer Drew Carter are competing in the race themselves.

“The B.A.A., ESPN, and WCVB have worked collaboratively to bring compelling stories and in-depth coverage around all our events, in particular the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America,” Jack Fleming, president and chief executive officer of the Boston Athletic Association, said in a statement. “We will build on our momentum, recognizing the efforts of those who hold Boston running in such high regard. Together, in fact, we are promoting our sport of running and showcasing the wide range of athletes we reach — no matter where they are on their athletic and fitness journey.”

ESPN had previously broadcast coverage of the Boston Marathon in the early 1980s and resumed its presentations of the action from 1997 until 2004. Two years ago, the network started broadcasting the Boston Marathon again and has been airing the races on ESPN2 with additional coverage on other platforms.

“The Boston Marathon is an iconic event, and we’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the B.A.A. and WCVB to showcase it across ESPN platforms,” Tim Bunnell, senior vice president of programming and acquisition at ESPN, said in a statement. “From the powerful stories to the incredible athleticism and endurance on display, this race inspires every year—and we’re proud to bring that experience to fans.”

Live coverage of the Boston Marathon will also be airing on WCVB starting at 4 a.m. EST and will be simulcast on Hearst Television-owned sister stations in the region. The Very Local platform will also stream live coverage of the race and other year-round content with the B.A.A. Furthermore, WCVB-TV is also going to become the first exclusive broadcast partner for the Distance Melody races and will provide year-round coverage surrounding B.A.A. races while being focused on the Boston Marathon.

“WCVB is honored to extend our exclusive partnership with the B.A.A. to carry the legendary Boston Marathon, as well as to highlight the remarkable fitness events and public service initiatives that they host all year long,” Andrew Vrees, president and general manager of WCVB, said in a statement. “WCVB has a long history of serving our community as well as covering the market’s beloved, signature events, and our partnership with the B.A.A. ideally suits that mission. We look forward to working with the outstanding teams at the B.A.A. and ESPN for years to come.”

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