Barrett Media
Brian Shactman is a weekly columnist for Barrett News Radio. In addition to writing for BNM, Brian can be heard weekday mornings in Hartford, CT on 1080 WTIC hosting the popular morning program ‘Brian & Company’. During his career, Brian has worked for ESPN, CNBC, MSNBC, and local TV channels in Connecticut and Massachusetts. You can find him on Twitter @bshactman.
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Sports Radio
NASCAR Racing Network Forms From Partnership with MRN, PRN
“Working side by side, MRN and PRN have built one of the largest radio networks in sports,”
iHeartMedia, San Diego FC Announce Radio Broadcast Partnership
“We are thrilled to welcome iHeartMedia and Grupo PSN as our official radio broadcast partners,”
Ken LaVicka to Call Inter Miami CF Radio Games on ESPN West Palm
"The standing that they’re in with the Messi brand – the fact that they are chasing a championship this season. It’s just a great opportunity all around for me.”
Sean Pendergast: Lack of Baseball Coverage on ESPN Outside of Game Broadcasts is ‘100% True’
"If you watch shows like 'First Take' and 'Get Up,' there’s no baseball coverage on there."
Tom Tolbert “Knew Something Was Going On” Day Of KNBR Cuts
“I went, ‘We’re probably screwed.’ And, oh God, he’s wearing a collared shirt too? Oh man, we’re toast.”
Sports Columns
Does Anyone Want to Own a Radio Station?
In April of 2012, ESPN began leasing an FM...
PBR Professional Bull Riding the ‘Perfect Remedy’ Following the Super Bowl
"The 2024 season averaged 1.4 million unique U.S. viewers per 2024 telecast, up from 1.1 million in 2022"
Finding a First is Crucial for Talent Before Its Your Last
"I’ve been in your shoes, and I’ve walked a mile if not an entire marathon or two in them."
SNL50 Presented The Best Way To Celebrate Your Brand
“Saturday Night Live celebrated itself and its influence by reminding its biggest fans what it does best and by showing everyone what they fell in love with in the first place.”
If You Cannot Sell Yourself, You Should Not Be in the Sports Content Business
If anyone is going to work for me in any capacity, I need to be sold they can sell.
Sports Television
US-Canada 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game Averages Over 16 Million Viewers Across Both Countries: Report
Connor McDavid scored a game-winning goal in overtime, resulting in a 3-2 victory for Canada over the United States.
St. Louis Blues Airing Three Games on Free Television for First Time in 15 Years
“Broadcasting these Blues games is another great way for us to give local viewers what they want.”
Former NBA Guard Gilbert Arenas Confirms Meeting With NBC Sports
“It's a good crazy that people want me, and I'm very thankful for just the opportunities that I put myself back in position to be wanted,"
ESPN Signs Quentin Richardson as NBA Analyst
The addition of Richardson comes shortly before The Walt Disney Company commences a new 11-year media rights deal with the NBA.
MLB, ESPN Agree To End Current Broadcast Agreement Following 2025 Season
“We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and proud of how ESPN’s coverage super-serves fans,”
News Radio
Former ‘Opie & Anthony’ Host Anthony Cumia to Join 77 WABC
"Looking very forward to my triumphant return to broadcast radio in NYC. Thanks to everyone at WABC Radio."
John Catsimatidis: Curtis Sliwa, Frank Morano, Anthony Weiner ‘Crossed the Line’ on 77 WABC
"Everybody was running their mouths, trying to get away with as much as they can get away with."
Dennis Prager Receives ‘Encouraging’ Update on Health and Recovery After November Fall
"He has one goal: to get back to all of us and to talk to the world again."
Dan Bongino Stays Near Top of January Triton Digital Podcast Rankings as Shawn Ryan Climbs Into Top 5
The Dan Bongino Show only trailed NPR News Now and Up First from NPR in the Top Podcasts By Weekly Average Downloads category.
WBAP Adds The Joe Pags Show to Daily Lineup
Joe Pagliarulo steps into the timeslot previously occupied by Chris Krok.
News Columns
It’s Time for News/Talk Radio to Strike While the Iron’s Hot
Every show, every segment, and every piece of imaging can be viewed as an audition for a potential new listener.
Will the Success of ‘The Will Cain Show’ on Fox News Lead Cable News to Consider a YouTube-Like Approach to Shows?
Cain's show presents something different and unique to virtually everything else in cable news. Shouldn't other channels take notice?
Why News/Talk Radio Hosts and Stations Need to Dive Head First Into Winning Topic A
If you are discussing the education subcommittee vote while your community is receiving a foot of snow, you have failed.
Does The News Industry Think Anything Makes Being a Reporter in 2025 Enticing?
The glamour of the Woodward and Bernstein days (or the Walter Cronkite days, or the Ernie Pyle days) is long gone. If you’re just starting out, no, you don’t want to be a reporter.
Nielsen Well Intentioned For Changing Qualifying Time, But Still Missing the Mark By Wide Margin
It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s miles away from how major digital outlets are calculating their metrics.
News Television
Newsmax: ‘We Fear A Future Administration May Not Like Something’ We Report, That’s Why We Support Associated Press in Standoff With Donald Trump
“We can understand President Trump’s frustration because the media has often been unfair to him, but Newsmax still supports the AP’s right, as a private organization, to use the language it wants to use in its reporting.”
Sean Hannity Interview with Donald Trump, Elon Musk Earns More Than 5 Million Viewers for Fox News
The conversation marked the first time both Donald Trump and Elon Musk sat down for a televised interview.
CBS Evening News Switches Away From News Magazine Style Weeks Into New Format
The ratings have continued to slide in the weeks following the change from Norah O'Donnell to the new format.
Ratings Roundup: Meet the Press Earns NBC News Top Spot in Key Demo With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Interview
In the total viewers sector, NBC News saw a 7% increase compared to the Sunday, February 9th edition of the long-running network news program.
CNN Promotes Marshall Cohen to Senior Reporter in Washington D.C.
Cohen joined CNN in 2015.
Music News
Mix 104.1 Boston’s Steve Salhany Believes In ‘Real Local Radio’
“I've been doing this so long, and this is all about doing great local radio. I'm only as good as the people who work with me on each individual station."
‘The Country Top 40 with Fitz’ Marks Five Years With Fitz At The Mic
“It is an absolute dream every single weekend when I get to play the hits,” said Fitz. “When I walk into Bob’s studio, it feels like Christmas."
KRST Albuquerque Dedicates ‘The Juan Velasco Studio’
Earlier this week, co-workers, friends, and family gathered at the station to commemorate the studio's naming, “The Juan Velasco Studio.”
Music Columns
It’s Time for News/Talk Radio to Strike While the Iron’s Hot
Every show, every segment, and every piece of imaging can be viewed as an audition for a potential new listener.
Will the Success of ‘The Will Cain Show’ on Fox News Lead Cable News to Consider a YouTube-Like Approach to Shows?
Cain's show presents something different and unique to virtually everything else in cable news. Shouldn't other channels take notice?
Why News/Talk Radio Hosts and Stations Need to Dive Head First Into Winning Topic A
If you are discussing the education subcommittee vote while your community is receiving a foot of snow, you have failed.
Does The News Industry Think Anything Makes Being a Reporter in 2025 Enticing?
The glamour of the Woodward and Bernstein days (or the Walter Cronkite days, or the Ernie Pyle days) is long gone. If you’re just starting out, no, you don’t want to be a reporter.
Nielsen Well Intentioned For Changing Qualifying Time, But Still Missing the Mark By Wide Margin
It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s miles away from how major digital outlets are calculating their metrics.
Podcasting
CNN Launches Chance Encounters Podcast Hosted by Francesca Street
CNN, under the direction of CEO Mark Thompson, has made digital media efforts a priority, including the podcasting space.
The Volume Adds ‘New Rory & Mal’ Podcast in First Entertainment Show on Colin Cowherd-Founded Network
“The Volume has built a community of creators and personalities that align with the New Rory & Mal brand."
Audacy EVP of Podcasts Jenna Weiss-Berman Departs to Join Amy Poehler-Led Company
Weiss-Berman is the latest executive to depart Audacy since the company emerged from its pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
Former Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers Badan Launches Podcast with Lemonada Media
Lemonada Media will handle both distribution and ad sales for the new venture.
Fox News Contributor Raymond Arroyo to Launch Show with iHeartPodcasts
Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo has announced the launch...
Brian Shactman is a weekly columnist for Barrett News Radio. In addition to writing for BNM, Brian can be heard weekday mornings in Hartford, CT on 1080 WTIC hosting the popular morning program ‘Brian & Company’. During his career, Brian has worked for ESPN, CNBC, MSNBC, and local TV channels in Connecticut and Massachusetts. You can find him on Twitter @bshactman.
Sports Radio
NASCAR Racing Network Forms From Partnership with MRN, PRN
“Working side by side, MRN and PRN have built one of the largest radio networks in sports,”
iHeartMedia, San Diego FC Announce Radio Broadcast Partnership
“We are thrilled to welcome iHeartMedia and Grupo PSN as our official radio broadcast partners,”
Ken LaVicka to Call Inter Miami CF Radio Games on ESPN West Palm
"The standing that they’re in with the Messi brand – the fact that they are chasing a championship this season. It’s just a great opportunity all around for me.”
Sean Pendergast: Lack of Baseball Coverage on ESPN Outside of Game Broadcasts is ‘100% True’
"If you watch shows like 'First Take' and 'Get Up,' there’s no baseball coverage on there."
Tom Tolbert “Knew Something Was Going On” Day Of KNBR Cuts
“I went, ‘We’re probably screwed.’ And, oh God, he’s wearing a collared shirt too? Oh man, we’re toast.”
Sports Columns
Does Anyone Want to Own a Radio Station?
In April of 2012, ESPN began leasing an FM...
PBR Professional Bull Riding the ‘Perfect Remedy’ Following the Super Bowl
"The 2024 season averaged 1.4 million unique U.S. viewers per 2024 telecast, up from 1.1 million in 2022"
Finding a First is Crucial for Talent Before Its Your Last
"I’ve been in your shoes, and I’ve walked a mile if not an entire marathon or two in them."
SNL50 Presented The Best Way To Celebrate Your Brand
“Saturday Night Live celebrated itself and its influence by reminding its biggest fans what it does best and by showing everyone what they fell in love with in the first place.”
If You Cannot Sell Yourself, You Should Not Be in the Sports Content Business
If anyone is going to work for me in any capacity, I need to be sold they can sell.
Sports Television
US-Canada 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game Averages Over 16 Million Viewers Across Both Countries: Report
Connor McDavid scored a game-winning goal in overtime, resulting in a 3-2 victory for Canada over the United States.
St. Louis Blues Airing Three Games on Free Television for First Time in 15 Years
“Broadcasting these Blues games is another great way for us to give local viewers what they want.”
Former NBA Guard Gilbert Arenas Confirms Meeting With NBC Sports
“It's a good crazy that people want me, and I'm very thankful for just the opportunities that I put myself back in position to be wanted,"
ESPN Signs Quentin Richardson as NBA Analyst
The addition of Richardson comes shortly before The Walt Disney Company commences a new 11-year media rights deal with the NBA.
MLB, ESPN Agree To End Current Broadcast Agreement Following 2025 Season
“We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and proud of how ESPN’s coverage super-serves fans,”
News Radio
Former ‘Opie & Anthony’ Host Anthony Cumia to Join 77 WABC
"Looking very forward to my triumphant return to broadcast radio in NYC. Thanks to everyone at WABC Radio."
John Catsimatidis: Curtis Sliwa, Frank Morano, Anthony Weiner ‘Crossed the Line’ on 77 WABC
"Everybody was running their mouths, trying to get away with as much as they can get away with."
Dennis Prager Receives ‘Encouraging’ Update on Health and Recovery After November Fall
"He has one goal: to get back to all of us and to talk to the world again."
Dan Bongino Stays Near Top of January Triton Digital Podcast Rankings as Shawn Ryan Climbs Into Top 5
The Dan Bongino Show only trailed NPR News Now and Up First from NPR in the Top Podcasts By Weekly Average Downloads category.
WBAP Adds The Joe Pags Show to Daily Lineup
Joe Pagliarulo steps into the timeslot previously occupied by Chris Krok.
News Columns
It’s Time for News/Talk Radio to Strike While the Iron’s Hot
Every show, every segment, and every piece of imaging can be viewed as an audition for a potential new listener.
Will the Success of ‘The Will Cain Show’ on Fox News Lead Cable News to Consider a YouTube-Like Approach to Shows?
Cain's show presents something different and unique to virtually everything else in cable news. Shouldn't other channels take notice?
Why News/Talk Radio Hosts and Stations Need to Dive Head First Into Winning Topic A
If you are discussing the education subcommittee vote while your community is receiving a foot of snow, you have failed.
Does The News Industry Think Anything Makes Being a Reporter in 2025 Enticing?
The glamour of the Woodward and Bernstein days (or the Walter Cronkite days, or the Ernie Pyle days) is long gone. If you’re just starting out, no, you don’t want to be a reporter.
Nielsen Well Intentioned For Changing Qualifying Time, But Still Missing the Mark By Wide Margin
It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s miles away from how major digital outlets are calculating their metrics.
News Television
Newsmax: ‘We Fear A Future Administration May Not Like Something’ We Report, That’s Why We Support Associated Press in Standoff With Donald Trump
“We can understand President Trump’s frustration because the media has often been unfair to him, but Newsmax still supports the AP’s right, as a private organization, to use the language it wants to use in its reporting.”
Sean Hannity Interview with Donald Trump, Elon Musk Earns More Than 5 Million Viewers for Fox News
The conversation marked the first time both Donald Trump and Elon Musk sat down for a televised interview.
CBS Evening News Switches Away From News Magazine Style Weeks Into New Format
The ratings have continued to slide in the weeks following the change from Norah O'Donnell to the new format.
Ratings Roundup: Meet the Press Earns NBC News Top Spot in Key Demo With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Interview
In the total viewers sector, NBC News saw a 7% increase compared to the Sunday, February 9th edition of the long-running network news program.
CNN Promotes Marshall Cohen to Senior Reporter in Washington D.C.
Cohen joined CNN in 2015.
Music News
Mix 104.1 Boston’s Steve Salhany Believes In ‘Real Local Radio’
“I've been doing this so long, and this is all about doing great local radio. I'm only as good as the people who work with me on each individual station."
‘The Country Top 40 with Fitz’ Marks Five Years With Fitz At The Mic
“It is an absolute dream every single weekend when I get to play the hits,” said Fitz. “When I walk into Bob’s studio, it feels like Christmas."
KRST Albuquerque Dedicates ‘The Juan Velasco Studio’
Earlier this week, co-workers, friends, and family gathered at the station to commemorate the studio's naming, “The Juan Velasco Studio.”
Music Columns
It’s Time for News/Talk Radio to Strike While the Iron’s Hot
Every show, every segment, and every piece of imaging can be viewed as an audition for a potential new listener.
Will the Success of ‘The Will Cain Show’ on Fox News Lead Cable News to Consider a YouTube-Like Approach to Shows?
Cain's show presents something different and unique to virtually everything else in cable news. Shouldn't other channels take notice?
Why News/Talk Radio Hosts and Stations Need to Dive Head First Into Winning Topic A
If you are discussing the education subcommittee vote while your community is receiving a foot of snow, you have failed.
Does The News Industry Think Anything Makes Being a Reporter in 2025 Enticing?
The glamour of the Woodward and Bernstein days (or the Walter Cronkite days, or the Ernie Pyle days) is long gone. If you’re just starting out, no, you don’t want to be a reporter.
Nielsen Well Intentioned For Changing Qualifying Time, But Still Missing the Mark By Wide Margin
It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s miles away from how major digital outlets are calculating their metrics.
Podcasting
CNN Launches Chance Encounters Podcast Hosted by Francesca Street
CNN, under the direction of CEO Mark Thompson, has made digital media efforts a priority, including the podcasting space.
The Volume Adds ‘New Rory & Mal’ Podcast in First Entertainment Show on Colin Cowherd-Founded Network
“The Volume has built a community of creators and personalities that align with the New Rory & Mal brand."
Audacy EVP of Podcasts Jenna Weiss-Berman Departs to Join Amy Poehler-Led Company
Weiss-Berman is the latest executive to depart Audacy since the company emerged from its pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
Former Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers Badan Launches Podcast with Lemonada Media
Lemonada Media will handle both distribution and ad sales for the new venture.
Fox News Contributor Raymond Arroyo to Launch Show with iHeartPodcasts
Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo has announced the launch...
Brian Shactman is a weekly columnist for Barrett News Radio. In addition to writing for BNM, Brian can be heard weekday mornings in Hartford, CT on 1080 WTIC hosting the popular morning program ‘Brian & Company’. During his career, Brian has worked for ESPN, CNBC, MSNBC, and local TV channels in Connecticut and Massachusetts. You can find him on Twitter @bshactman.
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