Former KFI-AM 640 News Director Chris Little has launched a podcast, with a focus on helping improve the approach, writing, and newsgathering operations of local news staffs.
The Death of News focuses on how news media members can work more efficiently and effectively, while ensuring they get accurate information that allows for compelling and memorable stories.
The first episode of the show focused on a local news story from San Bernardino County after a sheriff’s deputy was killed in a helicopter accident. In the news story, a witness was used to describe the scene. However, the witness did not actually witness anything but the aftermath. Little went through how he would have coached that reporter to provide better context for the audience and how to gather more impactful stories.
Chris Little was originally joined the station in 1991 before being named News Director at KFI-AM 640 in October 2000. He held that position at the venerable iHeartMedia news/talk station until he, along with nearly two dozen news staffers, exited the outlet amid ongoing layoffs by the station’s parent company late last year. Little’s exit coincided with longtime Program Director Robin Bertolucci stepping down from her position leading KFI after 22 years last November.
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Sam Rosen, the play-by-play voice of New York Rangers hockey on MSG Networks for the last 40 years, officially signed off the air on Thursday night calling the regular-season finale for the team. As Igor Shesterkin and Mika Zibanejad led the Rangers to a 4-0 shutout victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, Rosen received plaudits throughout the contest from colleagues, fans and both organizations.
In fact, the Rangers took the ice for pregame warmups in custom Rosen jerseys with the No. 40 on the back and a patch reading his signature call for power-play goals. As the game concluded, Rosen exclaimed that the win was “a great way to go out,” and he took the time to thank the MSG Networks team and analyst Joe Micheletti, his broadcast partner for the last 19 seasons.
When Rangers public address announcer Joe Tolleson announced the three stars of the game, Micheletti hinted that he was not sure if the Rangers’ netminder would be receiving the top honor. As was the case, Tolleson announced that Rosen had been named the first star of the game, putting him on GardenVision as he saluted the crowd and expressed his gratitude. Throughout the night, the crowd chanted Rosen’s name and players from both teams displayed their respect and appreciation on the ice. Rosen spoke to MSG Networks studio host John Giannone on the postgame show about the significance of being honored throughout the night amid his final game broadcast.
“What a great feeling to know how many people care about what we’ve done, John, as a group and what I’ve done individually, and to feel the warmth and the love and the respect from everyone at every level is just so rewarding to me,” Rosen said. “It’s a great feeling – great, great feeling.”
Throughout the year, teams around the NHL have honored Rosen as he prepared to retire from calling Rangers games on MSG Networks. Moreover, the Rangers honored Rosen with a pregame ceremony from Madison Square Garden last month, during which he was joined by former analysts Phil Esposito and John Davidison. A few weeks later, Rosen reunited with Davidson, his broadcast partner of 20 years, on a TNT Sports national broadcast of a Rangers game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Rosen was also named the recipient of the Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States earlier in the year, and he is also a previous winner of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a broadcaster.
“You know how business can be tough, how our profession can be difficult, but I’ve been so lucky to call this my second home for 40 years,” Rosen said. “It couldn’t be any more pleasurable or rewarding for me.”
When asked about his future plans, Rosen divulged that he wants to stay active and was thinking about having meetings regarding potentially teaching a sports broadcasting course. On top of that, he conveyed that part of his family wants him to write a book while another wants him to take part in a podcast with Davidson. In addition to playing more of what he described as “mediocre golf,” Rosen stated that he will spend time with his grandchildren and family moving into the future.
“What this profession, what this job, which wasn’t a job, has given to me and the opportunities that I’ve been able to experience have been wonderful that will stay with me for a lifetime,” Rosen concluded.
Kenny Albert will be succeeding Rosen in the role as the lead television play-by-play announcer for Rangers hockey as the team prepares to celebrate its centennial season. As a result, it was Albert’s final night as the primary radio voice for the team on ESPN New York 880 and the MSG Radio Network. Albert has been working on Rangers broadcasts for the last 29 seasons with former Rangers captain and analyst Dave Maloney. Along with his role at MSG Networks, Albert is the lead play-by-play announcer for NHL coverage on TNT Sports and calls NFL matchups for FOX Sports.
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YouTube has grown to be the most popular podcast platform in recent years. Despite being the top dog on the block, usage for YouTube is only growing as Spotify has remained relatively steady, new data from Coleman Insights and Amplifi Media shows.
In August 2023, 60% of survey respondents shared that they used YouTube as a podcast platform. Meanwhile, Spotify was at 53% and Apple Podcasts rested at 30%.
In March 2025, 70% of those surveyed said they used YouTube as a podcast platform. The figure for Spotify dropped by 1% to 52%, while Apple Podcasts grew to 32%.
Amazon Music remained flat at 21%. The iHeartRadio app, meanwhile, slumped from 17% to 14% in the timeframe.
Additionally, respondents were asked which platform they used the most for podcast consumption. In August 2023, 31% said YouTube was their top platform. That figure grew to 41% in March 2025. Spotify, however, dropped one percent from its August 2023 percentage, from 27% down to 26% in March 2025. Apple Podcasts remained steady at 15% in each survey.
“Although they haven’t taken away consumption from other platforms,” Coleman Insights Vice President of Marketing and Consultant Jay Nachlis said. “YouTube is the only one that’s grown in any notable way in the last year and a half.”
Among audio-only podcast consumers Spotify grew from 34% in August 2023 to 37% in March 2025. However, YouTube also grew from 7% to 13% in that same time window.
When YouTube and Spotify were compared to the heavy podcast consumers, the differences were clear. When asked which was more enjoyable to consume podcasts on 70% said YouTube. Those same respondents were asked which platform between YouTube and Spotify was easier to use. 70% said YouTube was easier. An additional 63% said the Google-owned video platform made better podcast recommendations. Another 57% said YouTube had a better selection of podcasts compared to Spotify.
Some could question if YouTube has hit its peak with podcast listeners. However, the data suggests that’s not likely, as 36% of respondents that didn’t list the platform as one of their preferred methods of consumption didn’t know podcasts were available on the video service.
“The answer is no,” Nachlis said about whether or not the platform had topped out. “Because, first of all, you have 30% of podcast consumers that are not using it. And of those, 36% don’t even know that YouTube offers it yet.”
Other data showcased by Coleman Insights and Amplifi Media highlight the built-in advantage YouTube possesses over Spotify. For the first time, social media now tops the list of ways consumers find podcast recommendations. 57% of respondents said that was the most likely way to find out about new podcasts. That tops 54% of those who said they learn about new shows from friends and family.
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After nearly four decades, an era is ending in college football television. Lee Corso, one of the faces of ESPN’s College GameDay and a beloved personality to generations of fans, is retiring after the 2025 college football season opener. At 89 years old, Corso’s run with the program has been an amazing adventure filled with unforgettable catchphrases, bold mascot-head predictions, and a warmth that made him as much a part of Saturday mornings as the games themselves.
Corso joined GameDay in 1987 and helped transform it from a small studio show into a national phenomenon. His now-iconic tradition of donning the headgear of his chosen team each week—a bit that debuted in 1996—became a staple of college football fandom. Whether he was wearing Brutus Buckeye’s oversized noggin or plunging into a sea of LSU purple and gold, Corso brought theater, charm, and unpredictability to the show.
His retirement announcement, which comes just before his 90th birthday, is being met with celebration, reverence—and an honest question: did ESPN wait too long?
A Celebrated Farewell—or One That Came Too Late?
Corso suffered a serious stroke in 2009 that affected his speech and mobility. Despite the setback, he returned to the show later that year, and ESPN admirably adjusted his role. In the years since, Corso has been used more sparingly, often appearing from his home in Florida and taking on less of the fast-paced banter the show is known for. But even as his contributions slowed, his mere presence seemed enough to justify his place at the table.
As time marched on, the tone around Corso’s appearances shifted. Moments of awkward silence, missed cues, and forced transitions became more common. His colleagues—especially Kirk Herbstreit—have done a heroic job supporting and protecting him on-air, but it became increasingly clear that Corso wasn’t the same TV personality he once was. Viewers could feel it. Some watched with concern, others with gratitude. All understood that this was a man whose health had been compromised, but whose heart never left the game.
That’s what makes this moment bittersweet. There’s deep respect for the loyalty ESPN showed to Corso. They gave him the dignity of deciding his own exit. They allowed him to remain a symbol of the show’s spirit. But there’s also a sense that, for the show’s sake—and perhaps for Corso’s—this farewell could have come a few years earlier, when his energy and timing better matched the demands of live television.
Who Replaces Corso?
In truth, you don’t replace Lee Corso. You follow him. The charisma, showmanship, and affection he generated can’t be recreated by formula. But someone will have to sit in that seat—figuratively, if not literally—and try to capture a fraction of what Corso brought to the show.
Here are some of the names being floated, and what they might bring:
1. Pat McAfee Already a central figure on the show, McAfee brings big energy, brash humor, and growing influence. He’s polarizing, but undeniably charismatic, and he’s connecting with a younger audience ESPN craves. His unpredictability echoes the spirit of Corso, though in a more modern, edgy tone. He might not be a direct replacement, but if the show wants spectacle, McAfee’s their guy.
2. Booger McFarland A steady presence with SEC credibility and football intellect, McFarland would bring stability. He doesn’t match Corso’s flair, but could be the adult in the room if the rest of the panel leans more toward entertainment.
3. Dan Orlovsky or Greg McElroy Both are respected analysts with growing profiles. Orlovsky, in particular, is getting more high-profile assignments across ESPN. While neither are “characters” in the Corso mold, they’d bring a fresh, football-first tone—which might be the right pivot post-Corso.
4. A Rotating Cast Rather than anoint a single heir, ESPN could lean into the spectacle by featuring different high-profile guests—former players, celebrities, and coaches—for the headgear segment. It would keep things unpredictable and honor Corso’s legacy with a sense of fun and spontaneity.
What Comes Next for GameDay?
As ESPN looks ahead, it faces a delicate task: honoring Corso’s legacy without trying to carbon-copy it. GameDay will go on. The fans will still gather in droves. The signs will still wave. The band will still play. But something will be missing—something intangible, something heartwarming.
More Than Just a Broadcaster
Corso wasn’t just a broadcaster. He was the fun uncle, the circus ringmaster, the wise elder. He gave college football a face that smiled, joked, and genuinely loved being there. For nearly 40 years, he made the sport feel bigger, more human, more joyful.
Whether ESPN waited too long to let him go is a fair question. But there’s no doubt that when he walks away this fall, he’ll do so as one of the most cherished figures in sports television.
The Best/Worst Thing I’ve Heard/Watched/Read Recently
The worst thing I have read recently is the press release from Audacy announcing they had elevated Bob Mackay to Senior VP/Market Manager for their Dallas market. Congrats to Bob on getting the promotion.
The press release Audacy sent out is a great example of why the industry and that company fails, a lot.
“Mackay will continue to serve as Vice President of Sales of Audacy Dallas. He succeeds Brian Purdy, who will continue as Regional President with oversight of 16 markets.”
Read that again.
A guy was promoted to run what amounts to 9 properties. In order to get that job he also has to keep his old one and do both. Impossible. Zero chance of success. Completely set up to fail.
Now, my biggest beef with radio generally lies with the corporate offices and the Regional Managers. Brian Purdy is going to oversee 16 markets. So really, he will oversee a mess of his own schedule. Marconi himself couldn’t manage 16 markets, certainly not effectively.
He will either spend every waking moment of his time traveling to markets – or more than likely, visit rarely and have absolutely no real connection as to what is going on in his region. He will simply be at the mercy of a Market Manager who is scared to death he/she is about to lose their job.
I’ve seen it, I’ve been there, it doesn’t work. Period.
More moves by Audacy. More mistakes. Rinse, repeat.
I always like John Molori’s columns as he looks in on different sports television shows and gives his opinion. John will tell you what he likes about different shows and people, but he also isn’t afraid to point out things he thinks can be improved. This week, he wrote about Unsportsmanlike from ESPN, which is their morning radio show, but is also simulcast on ESPN2 and ESPNU.
I had written about the show previously, but I really liked the way John described it:
“The word I use to describe Unsportsmanlike is balance. Cohen, Canty, and Smallmon effectively mix fun banter with hardcore sports chat. They let their personalities shine but not to the point where it blinds viewers and listeners.”
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As World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is heading into WrestleMania weekend, there are several storylines percolating around the sports and entertainment promotion that have captivated and intrigued fans. While there are riveting narratives pertaining to superstars, the annual gathering of wrestling grandeur will be headlined by Cody Rhodes defending his undisputed WWE championship against John Cena, who is planning to retire after this year. Brian Fadem, a vice president and line producer at the company, plays an essential part in ensuring the creative vision is actualized in the production itself and is on the precipice of executing the show for which planning commenced in January.
Fadem has worked several WrestleMania events in the past and values his previous experience, but he knows that strong communication and teamwork will facilitate success. Heading into the distinctive event, he is looking forward to implementing different elements of the physical set into the production itself.
“I look at the background, our backpiece, our center stage as another character in the whole story and in the show, and he or she, however you want to put it, is always the one that’s in every segment,” Fadem said. “So I think that this year, it’s going to be a little bit more of a return to seeing some unique display in terms of that set piece and just how we integrate it within the show and within the talent entrances especially.”
The two-night wrestling exposition will be available to stream exclusively on Peacock under its deal to serve as the exclusive streaming home of premium live events in the United States for the property. Whereas the event took place outdoors last year and had to combat chilly weather, WrestleMania will be inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., the home of the Las Vegas Raiders and venue utilized for Super Bowl LVIII.
“There is so much going on, but I think because we have such strong, talented people in so many positions, it’s able to be navigated accordingly,” Fadem said. “WrestleMania month comes and everybody knows it’s go-time, so I would just say there’s a different [feel] in the air with just everybody — you could feel it in Stamford as well at the office.”
A Changing of the Guard for a New Generation
This edition of WrestleMania will be the third under the direction of chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, a former wrestler with whom Fadem works in tandem. Being immersed in a collaborative environment with synergy between departments, Fadem discerns that the environment has assisted everyone with their responsibilities.
“I think [he has] really allowed and opened up ideas to come from talent, which wasn’t always the case in the past,” Fadem said. “I think that talent feels very empowered to be able to collaborate, offer suggestions, offer an idea, especially when it comes to things like WrestleMania entrances, which are so big, momentous, more so than usual, and I think those are where we really are able to kind of put our heads together and get ideas from not just the production end, the creative end, but directly with the talent.”
There are instances where the production team will contribute ideas to writing the show, such as suggesting a continuous shot from backstage into the arena tying together several storylines. Although they were unsure how and if it could fit, the WWE creative team ended up implementing and carrying it out during a show, indicative of the flourishing synergy and alignment in the overall mission.
“Our product is sometimes hard to shoot because a lot of us come from a sports background where we just read and react,” Fadem said. “Because a lot of times we have an idea about what the creative is or what’s supposed to happen, it can be harder to shoot for an audience that’s not supposed to know what’s going to happen, so it can be a little bit tricky in that regard.”
WWE will leverage technological innovation to capture the WrestleMania experience with a total of 21 cameras such as an RF steadicam, technocrane and jibs providing the audience with unique vantage points.
“The environment we live in is that if we mess something up, it’s not life or death, but at the same point, there’s also another segment usually coming right up after whatever went wrong,” Fadem said. “So there’s plenty of opportunities to continue to try new things, experiment, see what might fit with our brand, with our product and what doesn’t, and then, ultimately, using all these lessons that we’ve learned throughout the year to build on each other to really be able to execute the best possible show this weekend.”
Bringing the Excitement of WrestleMania Worldwide
WrestleMania will be streaming live on Netflix for international audiences, something that Fadem will be keeping in mind amid the production. Throughout the first season of WWE Raw broadcasts airing on Netflix under a 10-year pact reportedly worth a total of $5 billion, the company has experimented with new production elements and leveraged creativity to bolster the overall product for the viewers.
“I think that we’ve had a great partnership with Netflix,” Fadem said. “They’ve really been great to work with. I think it’s been mutually beneficial, as they’ve already discussed further sponsorships and just more integrations within the show, so it seems like it’s working on both ends.”
Jackie Redmond, who joined Monday Night Raw three years ago as a backstage interviewer and also hosts shows surrounding premium live event coverage, remembers the wave of people reaching out after the Netflix debut. Redmond, who has worked as a reporter covering the National Hockey League on TNT and NHL Network over the years, feels that Netflix has elevated the accessibility of the program. While some consumers were not interested in WWE beforehand, she has realized augmented curiosity and consumption of this content in recent months.
“We, of course, all knew that WWE partnering with Netflix would be big for the business and would put the product in front of more people, but to see that play out in real time pretty much immediately, that sort of hits you like a ton of bricks and you’re like, ‘Oh wow,’” Redmond said. “WWE has been global for a long time, but this is sort of taking it to a new level in terms of being able to reach people that don’t know what they’re missing.”
In addition to Redmond, the Raw broadcast team includes play-by-play announcer Michael Cole, analyst Pat McAfee, ring announcer Alicia Taylor and backstage interviewer Cathy Kelley. With the start of WrestleMania weekend on the horizon, Redmond is preparing to be immersed in a marathon and is planning on gaining more sleep while effectively pacing herself. Moreover, she is staying focused on fulfilling her storytelling responsibilities on the pre-show and post-show and within the primary broadcast itself.
“It was my first time in the role I’m currently in at WrestleMania last year, and so for me, I think it was all kind of a blur,” Redmond said. “I don’t know how much I was able to really step back and take it in and sort of appreciate the moment for what it was, and so hopefully this year, I’ll be able to do a little bit more of that and remember more of it.”
Cognizant of diminished attention spans and the modern media ecosystem full with multiplatform content, WWE Raw has worked on keeping its show run times tight despite having flexibility being on Netflix. Many of the episodes end with cliffhangers that set up future events, most of which Fadem knows ahead of time. When Cena unexpectedly turned heel and viciously attacked Rhodes to end the company’s most recent premium live event, Fadem only knew the storyline up to a certain point because of the surprise associated therein, providing a rare opportunity to lean into spontaneity on the broadcasts.
“I think a lot of the time, the nice part about our industry and the current projects is there is a lot of reaction in real time based on the audience reaction a lot of times,” Fadem said. “The audience will react in a way we weren’t expecting, so we’ll have to kind of pivot in the moment, or they’ll react way better than we expected and we’ll add to it a little bit.”
In the buildup to WrestleMania, WWE brought its shows overseas where it traversed countries in Europe for an 11-city tour. Due to the time difference, the programs were live during the afternoon in the United States, and while it altered the traditional paradigm, it was something Fadem thought was good to break things up during the year. Reflecting on the enterprise, he perceived the audiences trying to prove themselves akin to an audition and acknowledged the crowd having a significant impact.
“A Chicago crowd saw the European shows, and Punk teed them up and said, ‘Let me hear you!,’ and they showed how that they can be just as loud too,” Fadem said. “So I think that it just elevates the game for everybody, and I think that also doing those European shows gave us a pretty good baseline for getting into WrestleMania.”
Although Fadem is not directly tied to content disseminated on social media platforms, he witnesses how the company has leaned into the space more to offer shorter clips to the audience. The Netflix premiere of Raw elicited 223 million social views across platforms, and there is some content exclusive to this domain that breaks the proverbial fourth wall and prioritizes veritable authenticity with the public.
“I think it’s definitely come with the current times and just with the current regime because I think we’ve realized, ‘Reality sells,’ and when we’re able to blur the lines even more with reality and the characters, that’s what really sells,” Fadem said. “To me, that’s why last year’s Rock, Cody, Roman, Seth storyline was so impactful because it was like there were no points where nobody knew what was real versus what was scripted.”
Inside the broadcast truck, Fadem will be ensuring that WWE presents a strong on-air product that makes an impact and mesmerizes fans around the globe. With an eye towards making sure WrestleMania hits the proverbial jackpot, he and his group of teammates are embracing their responsibilities and ready to shine on the grandest stage of them all.
“We’re always trying to do more, and that is definitely the case this year for WrestleMania,” Fadem said, “and because I think we have such a strong group of people working on so many different products and collaborating so well together top down, it makes it enjoyable to be a part of.”
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Not many get to do what Lee Corso is about to do. And no, I don’t mean live until he’s 90, although that’s a testament in and of itself. The College GameDay analyst for ESPN is getting to say goodbye to his media job on his terms, in his way, as only he can.
ESPN announced on Thursday that longtime College GameDay broadcaster Lee Corso will have one final show coming up during Week 1 of the college football season on Saturday, August 30th. That will be the final time Corso is on the set as one of the original members, dating back to the show’s inception in 1987, and he will don the headgear for one final time.
From a broadcasting perspective, Lee Corso is a pioneer. Rece Davis put it best in his statement on Corso’s retirement: “He’s a born entertainer and singular television talent.”
Corso came from the coaching world, spending 28 years roaming the sidelines at Louisville, Indiana, Northern Illinois, and in the USFL.
But when he got to ESPN, he immediately understood that while Xs and Os knowledge is valuable, the show was — at its core — about entertainment.
This critical lesson from Corso should also be a constant reminder for news/talk radio hosts. What we provide is entertainment, first and foremost. This is not an excuse to overlook information or not be completely informed on an important topic. But if you’re a talk show host, you’re an entertainer. You’re not a conservative, republican, liberal, democrat, independent, Trump fan, Trump hater, etc. You are an entertainer. And all we do is use the news of the day to try and entertain for a quarter-hour at a time.
A talk show host entertains through the prism of their beliefs, but you’re more likely to win when people perceive you as the entertainer on the air, not just a conservative or liberal on the air. You will use your beliefs and ideology to form your opinions, but being viewed as an entertainer first means you will appeal to a broader audience with more depth, interest and topic variety.
Despite how his critics framed him, Rush Limbaugh was an incredible entertainer. His political beliefs didn’t make him great; his ability to entertain did. Don Imus was a great entertainer. In sports talk, you can go down the list of entertainers like Mike and the Mad Dog, Colin Cowherd, and Craig Carton.
They all had/have different styles and are personalities who know their stuff, but at their best, knew entertainment was mission No. 1.
Lee Corso didn’t beat you over the head with his coaching knowledge despite spending 30 years on the sidelines. And it’s not what he will be remembered for. He will be remembered for his ridiculous headgear picks, which began in 1996 prior to the Ohio State-Penn State game at Columbus, Ohio, when he got the idea to don the OSU “Brutus Buckeye” mascot head to show his pick to win the game. The rest is history. And entertainment.
Corso will also be remembered for his humorous banter with his co-hosts, engagement with the crowd and other general on-air antics.
Here are some of those highlights. {{{{EMBED VIDEO}}}}}
When you watched Lee Corso, you were watching someone who wanted to be exactly where he was at that moment. Does your audience hear you and feel like the only place in the world you want to be is behind that microphone at that moment?
Corso’s highlight reel is one of an entertainer who took his job seriously, but never took himself too seriously, which can be a common pitfall for News/Talk hosts in particular.
Corso wasn’t worried about being right, he was worried about being entertaining, even if that meant being on the wrong side of the thousands of fans sitting immediately behind him. In fact, that made for some of his best television moments. He knew how to play his audience. And he did it to perfection.
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Why does Country radio do contests? I know that sounds like a ridiculous question, right? But seriously, why are you doing contests?
Over the years, I have attended hundreds of promo meetings, where we tried to devise a clever hook to give something away. Most often, a client supplied a prize that “we had to give away to get the buy.”
One of my least favorite answers was “to force listening,” or it’s “a forced listening promotion.” If that’s the goal, you failed before airing the first promo. You cannot force listeners to do anything. Period. Full Stop.
I hope you enjoy the Monday Aircheck feature I publish on this site. Hearing some of the dated promotion tactics in classic airchecks each week is amusing.
My favorite last week was listening between 7 am and 7 pm for us to ring the cash register. Then, be caller number nine to win $1,000.”
There was a time that worked. No one will do that anymore. Your listeners are much better off going to your local Circle K and plunking down a couple of dollars for a lottery ticket. The prize is bigger, the effort is minimal, and the chances of winning are about the same.
Country Radio has a huge advantage when it comes to contesting. The availability of artists is a not-so-secret advantage often not fully taken advantage of. No other format has the relationship between artists, radio and listeners.
I consume a lot of Country radio in a week. Aside from the national efforts you hear on the big group stations, I try to hone in on what the station is doing locally.
There is no shortage of Country concerts, even in seasonal markets that feature outdoor venues, and summer is short.
I heard a promo the other day for a package tour coming to the market. The station had tickets and promoted the show with some well-produced audio. My good impression dropped when the station said, “Just listen for your chance to call in and win.” UGHH.
Why is anyone doing a call-in-to-win promotion in 2025? You must make your contests available on demand and, above all else, easy. A programmer recently asked me what I get from it if I don’t make people listen.
Again, old school thinking. Do you want to fail at trying to force listening, or the halo effect of being the station that introduced listeners to Blake Shelton and sat them in the front row?
I recently heard from someone whose daughter had won a backstage event with Taylor Swift from my station ten years ago. She reached out because the girl was graduating from high school, and the picture collage showed her with Taylor at the meet and greet.
She went to all the trouble of looking me up and DMing me on social media to share that. Those are the associations with your brand that you cannot buy.
I once had a general manager in radio who drilled into my head that it’s an asker’s world. Aside from the regular ticket giveaways and meet-and-greets, what else can you do that will leave that impression?
Concert tickets are expensive. Very expensive and are a great prize. What can you do to create that long-term memory?
If you have stage announcements, can you take a winner onstage with you? Can you get them on the jumbotron? Can you arrange for them to have dinner at the backstage catering? How about seating them in a skybox?
My point is that there is much more to be had than a call-in to win tickets. And haven’t we always complained that the same “prize pigs” call and win over and over?
Take advantage of technology. Use your connections on Music Row. They will work with you and, in some cases, have some solid ideas of their own.
Up the game. Stand out and make a lasting memory. That experience will create a better brand ambassador than the staff member who believes they are the ultimate influencer.
Set the ego aside. Let the listener and winner have the spotlight. And don’t forget to create a long tail with follow-up promos. The follow-up to promotions has always been lacking, but that can be for another day.
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When Newsmax host Carl Higbie replaced Sean Spicer as the host of the 5 PM ET timeslot on the cable news network in 2023, he set out to make sure one thing was clear: he wanted cable news to be simpler.
“I see something and I say what I mean and I don’t really hold back,” Higbie said of his approach to his Newsmax show. “I don’t try to make it pretty with big words. And I just try to get my point across and how I feel. I think it resonated. I think there’s a lot of people out there that are like ‘I’m so sick and tired of being spoon-fed placid niceties of these big words with people trying to be the story.’ I’d rather just tell the story.”
That approach has certainly worked. Carl Higbie Frontline saw the biggest growth of any Newsmax show in the first quarter of 2025. During January, February, and March, Higbie’s 5 PM ET program saw a 45% year-over-year increase.
Higbie was quick to disperse credit for the success of the show.
“We have a very collaborative team,” he said when asked about the ratings bump in recent months. “One of the things I take pride in is being involved in literally every segment. I write a lot of the show, but I have a fantastic team that really really backs me up. The cohesiveness of our team is fantastic.
“The other thing is, I’m not a fancy guy. I’m pretty much a normal dude. And I think that resonates. I’m not a journalist. A lot of people on TV have a career in journalism. My career background is in war, construction management, private equity, and a variety of different things. So I bring a very different point of view.”
The Newsmax host served in the United States Navy from 2005 to 2012, which included two tours in Iraq and ultimately rising to the rank of Special Warfare Operator, First Class and served as a Navy SEAL. He pointed to that experience, as well as his experience in construction management, as how his worldview and his approach to his cable news show was shaped.
“It makes me back up my opinion,” said Higbie. “If you’re building a bridge — which is what I was, in infrastructure construction management — it doesn’t matter what someone’s opinion is. It doesn’t matter if there’s an excuse or a reason for something not getting done. Is the bridge built or not? Is the building built or not? Can you move into the top floor of this building? Is it ready to move into? If the answer is no, then you haven’t done your job.
“And with journalism, if I don’t know what I’m talking about, if I don’t have the information, if I give a faulty report or a partial report, I haven’t completed the job … It’s like I need to give the full story to the best extent, and when I report on something, is there a deliverable? … That is something that my career previously has been tuned to, is a deliverable result. As a Navy SEAL, you go out, you kill the bad guys, or the bad guys kill you. It’s that simple. So everything has to be made into a very simple scenario.”
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for Newsmax. On March 31st, Newsmax began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The price soared to more than 700% of its opening price of $10. While the price has come back down to earth, the network was in the news as founder Chris Ruddy became an overnight billionaire.
Carl Higbie shared his belief that investors have viewed the outlet as a movement, putting their belief behind conservatism and the place Newsmax occupies in that ecosystem.
“I don’t think conventional investors understood that we are a movement,” said Higbie. “Newsmax is not as accessible as some of the other networks out there, yet we are beating some of those networks in ratings. The reason is because I think people who find Newsmax had to go looking for it, and they found it on YouTube TV, on their cable box for their provider, or they downloaded the app. They are specifically dedicated to our flow of information because I think we do a really good job.
“These are people that didn’t necessarily invest in Newsmax to make money, they invested in Newsmax because they believed in something, in a product they enjoyed and they wanted to be a part of it. And to have investors, to have people put their own money forward to do that, that makes me come to work every day,” Higbie admitted. “I feel like ‘Holy (expletive), these people put up their personal money because they believe in the mission that I’m trying to fight for every single day.’ It makes me work really hard … That’s a humbling experience for me.”
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Denise Plante is currently the midday host on 106.7 The Bull, Denver, and has been for about seven years now. She’s also Co-Host of KWGN’s “Great Day Colorado” and Fox 31’s “Weekend Vibe,” in Denver.
She is the perfect example of what anyone in this industry would dream to achieve: moving to a community, raising a family, and building a long-standing brand that has allowed her to entrench herself in the Denver community for almost 30 years. She’s been married to her teenage sweetheart, Michael, for just as long, with whom she shares two sons, Austin and Wyatt.
Plante says the secret to achieving that dream is “giving back to her community.” “I’m a big believer in helping where I can. I enjoy donating time to nonprofits and emceeing events,” she says.
She helped raise $1.2 million for the American Cancer Society in honor of her dad and close to $1 million for Make-A-Wish. She’s a big advocate for the American Heart Association and has been recognized by Volunteers of America for her genuine desire to make a positive impact.
“I know this may sound funny,” says Plante, “But I taught my two boys to take pride in donating time to lift the community and help others. You don’t wait until you’re in an orange jumpsuit getting your hand slapped and are forced to do it. It’s very rewarding to pay our blessings forward in life, and it makes living in that community so much more rewarding.”
Plante also knows how important it is to build and maintain quality and profitable client relationships for her stations, which provide her major platforms. “I endorse companies I truly believe in, so I can talk from experience and the client can hear the faith and excitement I have for their business. Most of my clients have been with me for years and have become close friends.”
Also, Plante isn’t lost on the fact that Denver is such a great place to build a career and family. “I’m so lucky,” she says. “I’ve made incredible connections with others in the media; it’s been fun to watch each other grow and succeed. Being supported and feeling appreciated is important. I’ve been lucky to have the support of some really important decision makers here in Denver.
“They know I have worked hard at times, juggling multiple jobs and taking care of my family, and I appreciate that support. Denver has definitely grown, and the talent here is amazing, some of the absolute best in the industry. It’s always great to pick up the phone and ask questions. I never stop learning from my Denver colleagues.”
“Another reason I am so lucky is because ‘live and local’ is so important in a radio market like Denver, and I get to do that,” says Plante. “I’ve received so many letters from listeners/viewers that say they can relate to what I’m going through and share on air. Many parents have laughed over the years at my crazy stories about raising my boys, and they have sent notes of support during the difficult times.”
Plante has had to balance a successful career, being a wife, mom, and caregiver for her mom before she passed away. Finding balance has got to be a challenge for her overall.
“It does take a village, in my case, an incredible family of four,” she says. “My husband and boys are extremely helpful and supportive. After my dad passed, my mom ended up having three strokes. She lived with us full-time, and at least one of us had to be home at all times.”
“My boys learned that we all need help in life, and family is the most important thing, including faith. I’m lucky enough to have a GM and Senior Vice President of Programming and PD who also share the same beliefs and support the past struggles I’ve had with the changes in life while losing my parents.”
Speaking of her sons, Plante recently celebrated a big win with one of them. The Colorado Association of Broadcasters awarded her “Best Midday Show” during their ceremony on April 5th. She’s won this award several times, but this year was so much more rewarding because she got to share it with her son Wyatt.
Plante posted on Facebook, “Tonight was a special one! This was the first time my son Wyatt was my escort to the awards; it was a special moment when he gave me a giant hug after I won Best Middays.”
“It was so exciting for me to celebrate with Wyatt,” says Plante. “He’s seen all of the hard work I’ve put in over the years, and it was amazing to see the joy on his face when I won. He was so happy for me, and that is everything.”
“Radio is still so fun to me too; I love having a live show each day,” says Plante. “Interacting with live callers, doing local giveaways, and sharing my life with listeners who have listened over the past 30 years. It’s like therapy for me. I feel like it is ‘Denise’s time.”
Plante And Wyatt
Follow Denise Plante on Facebook, Instagram & and Twitter @Deniseplantedenver
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The first week of April was not kind to many in the cable news world. However, Newsmax saw the biggest increase of anyone in the genre.
In the first week of April, Newsmax saw a 12% increase in the primetime ratings, as it jumped to just shy of 300,000 total viewers in the 8-11 PM ET timeslot.
During the week of April 7th, Newsmax saw its highest ratings for the week since the week of President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on March 4th.
Additionally, Newsmax saw an even larger jump in the key Adults 25-54 demographic during the week in primetime. It finished with an average audience of 34,000 in the sector, a 47% increase compared to the previous week.
CNN and NewsNation were the only other cable networks besides Newsmax to see an increase in the primetime ratings during the week of April 7th. CNN saw its average audience size grow by just over 2%, up to 584,000. Meanwhile, NewsNation grew to 96,000 — up from 95,000 the previous week — during the first week of April. Both networks featured the slightest drops in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
In week-over-week comparisons, Fox News was down 2.5%, but still finished on top of the cable news rankings with an average of 2.7 million viewers.
MSNBC, meanwhile, also dropped just under 3%, down to 1.2 million viewers.
Both of those networks also saw declines in the key demo, with Fox News dropping just under 4% to 321,000. That marked the lowest figure in the key demographic for Fox News since the first week of 2025. Meanwhile, MSNBC fell by more than 10% to 101,000 total viewers from that category during the first week of the month.
In the total day ratings, Newsmax was the only cable news network to see growth in the total viewership category. It rose more than 5% to finish the week with an average audience of 185,000 total viewers in that sector. That bounceback came on the heels of the lowest finish of the year for the network in that category, however.
CBS Evening News Continues Slide, Under 4 Million Viewers for 2nd Straight Week
The ratings for the CBS Evening News have continued to decline since the departure of anchor Norah O’Donnell.
O’Donnell anchored her final show on Thursday, January 24th. Beginning on Monday, January 27th, the show began being anchored by John Dickerson, Maurice DuBois, with appearances by Margaret Brennan. It also featured a revamped presentation that included a more news magazine-like approach with smaller story counts and a focus on long-form storytelling and analysis.
In the weeks preceding O’Donnell’s exit, the CBS Evening News averaged 5.1 million viewers. Since O’Donnell left the show, the program has continually slid.
In February, the show averaged 4.5 million viewers. The following month, it dropped to 4.1 million.
To begin April, the program has failed to eclipse 4 million viewers on average. During the week of March 31st, the network saw 3.9 million total viewers. Most recently, that figure dropped to 3.7 million. CBS Evening News has seen a decline in each of the past four weeks.
That drop isn’t contained to the total viewership category, either. In the weeks leading up to O’Donnell’s departure, the nightly newscast averaged 726,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic. Last week, the show averaged 491,000 viewers from the key demo. It has only reached 600,000 viewers from that sector once since the week of President Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress.
CBS News isn’t alone in seeing its nightly newscast ratings fall in recent weeks, though. ABC News’ World News Tonight saw a slight decline during the week of April 7th, down to 7.5 million viewers. NBC Nightly News also dropped just under 1.5% to 6.1 million viewers for the week.
CNBC Scores Best Week in Over 3 Years
While the volatility of the financial markets has wreaked havoc on 401ks, it has been a boost to the ratings at CNBC.
During the week of April 7th, CNBC saw its highest-rated week in more than three years. In the business day category, CNBC averaged 233,000 total viewers for the week. That category was a tight battle, as CNBC bested Fox Business Network, which featured an average audience of 221,000 viewers in that window. It marked the second consecutive week CNBC earned the top spot in the business day window.
In the key Adults 25-54 demographic, CNBC averaged 62,000 viewers from that sector. It marked the highest-rated week for the key demo since 2021.
The ratings increase for both CNBC and Fox Business Network comes on the heels of President Donald Trump announcing, and subsequently rescinding the overwhelming majority of, a new tariff plan.
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