Barrett Media
Perry Michael Simon is a weekly news media columnist for Barrett Media. He previously served as VP and Editor/News-Talk-Sports/Podcast for AllAccess.com. Prior to joining the industry trade publication, Perry spent years in radio working as a Program Director and Operations Manager for KLSX and KLYY in Los Angeles and New Jersey 101.5 in Trenton. He can be found on X (formerly Twitter) @PMSimon.
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Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Sports Radio
Stephen A. Smith: I Believe I Will Re-Sign with ESPN
"I’m ready for everybody, and even my colleagues have always said when the lights come on, it’s something different that happens to me."
Pete Medhurst Passes Away Following Battle with Brain Cancer
Audacy in Washington D.C. and 106.7 The Fan sadly...
Brian Long Named Program Director of KFI-AM 640, AM 570 LA Sports
The move marks a return to both iHeartMedia and Los Angeles for Long.
Dan Le Batard: Christopher ‘Mad Dog’ Russo is ‘Bought and Paid For’
"Again, I don’t like what you’ve become late in your career here where you are simply trafficking in all of the powers that you have to do things that satiate your ego."
WFAN to Broadcast Tuesday Edition of ‘Evan & Tiki’ Live from Barclays Center Ahead of Knicks-Nets
"Late in the show around 5:30 or so, Tiki Barber will pay off his, ‘He wasn’t good at NFL picks this year’ bet..."
Sports Columns
Is Market Mobility Still a Thing in Sports Radio?
Market mobility, when it existed, was the sign of a company and boss that took an interest in what came out of their listeners’ speakers.
Broadcast Agents are Focused on Digital Opportunities, Why Aren’t More Radio Stations?
You have zero opportunity to succeed in the future. Your station is what people commonly refer to as 'Dead Man Walking'.
NBA GameTime on NBA TV is Hoops Heaven for Any Fan of ‘The Association’
The show is a thorough and complete package for NBA viewers meting out a perfectly prescribed dose of highlights, analysis, news, and previews.
Is Access Losing Its Value in Sports Media?
We’re in an age where access comes at the expense of actual content. The decision makers have decided that it trumps quality, and that sucks.
3 Real Concerns For The Radio Industry
"This format used to launch the biggest and best shows in the business. Now, how many 'hit' shows exist featuring talent under 35 years old?"
Sports Television
Mike Tirico Named Lead NBA Play-by-Play Announcer for NBC Sports
""I could not be more thrilled about returning courtside to call NBA games."
Unrivaled Basketball Debut Averages 312,000 Viewers on TNT, truTV
Viewership peaked during the first game in the 8:15 p.m. EST quarter-hour with 364,000 viewers.
CBS Draws 42.2 Million Viewers for Ravens-Bills, Down 16% from Last Year Per Report
According to a report from Jon Lewis of Sports...
Netflix Focused on Delivering Can’t Miss, Special Event Sports Programming
"Our aim is to deliver big, memorable moments to our members."
Cleveland Cavaliers to Simulcast Five Regular-Season Games on Over-the-Air Television
"Airing these upcoming Cavs games on Rock Entertainment Sports and WUAB Channel 43 creates expanded local market access to the team."
News Radio
Westwood One Shifts America at Night with Rich Valdes to New Timeslot With 25 New Affiliates
"I’m super excited to be on all of these new stations in great cities, and welcome all of our new listeners to join our live late-night national town hall conversation..."
New Jersey 101.5 Morning Host Bill Spadea to Exit to Focus on State Governor’s Race
After Spadea's exit, the station's News Director -- Eric Scott -- will step into the timeslot on an interim basis.
Brian Long Named Program Director of KFI-AM 640, AM 570 LA Sports
The move marks a return to both iHeartMedia and Los Angeles for Long.
How News/Talk Radio Covered the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump
The radio coverage of the inauguration marks the 100-year anniversary of the first time the Oath of Office was heard live on AM/FM radio.
Paul Gallo, Longtime SuperTalk Mississippi Host, Dies
"Paul Gallo’s voice may be silent, but his stories, his legacy, and his vision will forever echo across the state he loved so dearly."
News Columns
How Will Donald Trump’s Second Term Impact CNN and MSNBC’s Ratings?
Ratings are down for MSNBC and CNN. Conventional wisdom says they won't just go down without a fight.
3 Ways News/Talk Radio Programmers Can Create Masterful Promos
Every news/talk station is a living, breathing, entity. You must demonstrate that fact every hour of each day.
The Lesson Radio Can Learn from the Latest CES Event in Las Vegas
Most of what you see and hear at CES isn’t at all what the future will be like, or it’s an overblown, overstated version of what’s coming next.
How News/Talk Radio Stations Can Localize Syndicated Hosts, And Why Those Hosts Should Want to Do the Same
While some of these hosts are serving hundreds of stations, others are only on dozens of stations, with plenty of room to grow in the years ahead.
Why News/Talk Radio — From the C-Suite to the Producer’s Booth — Should Lead the Push to Reverse TikTok Ban
If you like revenue, ratings, and relevance, TikTok is a tool, not a competitor, and not something to fear.
News Television
Norah O’Donnell Final Broadcast with CBS Evening News Moves Up One Day
O'Donnell began hosting the nightly news program in July 2019.
Anna Coren Departs CNN to Join CBS News as Foreign Correspondent
Coren will cover the Asia-Pacific region for CBS News, with a focus on how the region pertains to the United States as President Donald Trump begins his second term.
Newsmax to Debut New Weekend Show Hosted by Michael Savage
“For decades, Michael has been a leading conservative voice, and we are pleased to bring his insightful and thoughtful take on politics and culture to our audience.”
CNN Names Longtime Washington Post Exec Philip Rucker New SVP of Editorial Strategy & News
Rucker led teams that won three Pulitzer Prizes during his time with the outlet.
CNN Eyes Wolf Blitzer for Morning Role Which Would Move Jim Acosta to Overnights
Wolf Blitzer has hosted an afternoon show at CNN since 2005.
Music News
Shawn Knight Joins Hot 106.5 Jacksonville For Afternoons
Knight joins from AC Majic 107.7 Topeka where he co-hosted “The Majic Morning Show.”
Vox AM FM Names Christopher ‘Boomer’ Layfield Operations/Program Director
Layfield comes from Cumulus Media Indianapolis, where OM and PD were for Country 95.5 WFMS and AC 107.9 The Mix.
CJ Jackson Named PD/PM Drive At E93 And Nights At Magic 103.9 Savannah, GA
This move marks Jackson's return to Cumulus Savannah, where he was a top-rated nighttime on-air personality at E93 from 2012 to 2015.
John Peake Assumes KOST Los Angeles Programming Duties
Peake will continue to handle programming duties for 104.3 MYFM KBIG as well as EVP Programming and Hot AC Brand Manager.
Zack Jackson Returns to Mel Wheeler Broadcasting For Middays At 94.9 Star Country
Jackson previously hosted “The K92 Morning thing at Top 40 WXLK for 20 years.
Music Columns
How Will Donald Trump’s Second Term Impact CNN and MSNBC’s Ratings?
Ratings are down for MSNBC and CNN. Conventional wisdom says they won't just go down without a fight.
3 Ways News/Talk Radio Programmers Can Create Masterful Promos
Every news/talk station is a living, breathing, entity. You must demonstrate that fact every hour of each day.
The Lesson Radio Can Learn from the Latest CES Event in Las Vegas
Most of what you see and hear at CES isn’t at all what the future will be like, or it’s an overblown, overstated version of what’s coming next.
How News/Talk Radio Stations Can Localize Syndicated Hosts, And Why Those Hosts Should Want to Do the Same
While some of these hosts are serving hundreds of stations, others are only on dozens of stations, with plenty of room to grow in the years ahead.
Why News/Talk Radio — From the C-Suite to the Producer’s Booth — Should Lead the Push to Reverse TikTok Ban
If you like revenue, ratings, and relevance, TikTok is a tool, not a competitor, and not something to fear.
Podcasting
Fox News Contributor Raymond Arroyo to Launch Show with iHeartPodcasts
Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo has announced the launch...
‘Music Saved Me’ With Lynn Hoffman Joins iHeartPodcasts Network
The show features compelling stories of passion and resilience, showcasing musicians who have navigated their challenges.
YouTube ‘Investing Heavily’ to Support Audio, Podcast Content
“Google has lots of places where this content could live, and we’re talking with many of those teams, and we will look to integrate into all of those services as it makes sense.”
Brian Stelter to Exit ‘Inside the Hive’ Podcast with Vanity Fair
"Every week, I learned something new from the guests here at the table, and I hope you did as well."
SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz: Podcasting ‘Provides the Best Opportunity For Us to Monetize Through Advertising’
"We can look to pursue a slightly broader set of audiences, because we’re selling to advertisers across audiences and they want to make sure they have younger audiences as well.”
Perry Michael Simon is a weekly news media columnist for Barrett Media. He previously served as VP and Editor/News-Talk-Sports/Podcast for AllAccess.com. Prior to joining the industry trade publication, Perry spent years in radio working as a Program Director and Operations Manager for KLSX and KLYY in Los Angeles and New Jersey 101.5 in Trenton. He can be found on X (formerly Twitter) @PMSimon.
Sports Radio
Stephen A. Smith: I Believe I Will Re-Sign with ESPN
"I’m ready for everybody, and even my colleagues have always said when the lights come on, it’s something different that happens to me."
Pete Medhurst Passes Away Following Battle with Brain Cancer
Audacy in Washington D.C. and 106.7 The Fan sadly...
Brian Long Named Program Director of KFI-AM 640, AM 570 LA Sports
The move marks a return to both iHeartMedia and Los Angeles for Long.
Dan Le Batard: Christopher ‘Mad Dog’ Russo is ‘Bought and Paid For’
"Again, I don’t like what you’ve become late in your career here where you are simply trafficking in all of the powers that you have to do things that satiate your ego."
WFAN to Broadcast Tuesday Edition of ‘Evan & Tiki’ Live from Barclays Center Ahead of Knicks-Nets
"Late in the show around 5:30 or so, Tiki Barber will pay off his, ‘He wasn’t good at NFL picks this year’ bet..."
Sports Columns
Is Market Mobility Still a Thing in Sports Radio?
Market mobility, when it existed, was the sign of a company and boss that took an interest in what came out of their listeners’ speakers.
Broadcast Agents are Focused on Digital Opportunities, Why Aren’t More Radio Stations?
You have zero opportunity to succeed in the future. Your station is what people commonly refer to as 'Dead Man Walking'.
NBA GameTime on NBA TV is Hoops Heaven for Any Fan of ‘The Association’
The show is a thorough and complete package for NBA viewers meting out a perfectly prescribed dose of highlights, analysis, news, and previews.
Is Access Losing Its Value in Sports Media?
We’re in an age where access comes at the expense of actual content. The decision makers have decided that it trumps quality, and that sucks.
3 Real Concerns For The Radio Industry
"This format used to launch the biggest and best shows in the business. Now, how many 'hit' shows exist featuring talent under 35 years old?"
Sports Television
Mike Tirico Named Lead NBA Play-by-Play Announcer for NBC Sports
""I could not be more thrilled about returning courtside to call NBA games."
Unrivaled Basketball Debut Averages 312,000 Viewers on TNT, truTV
Viewership peaked during the first game in the 8:15 p.m. EST quarter-hour with 364,000 viewers.
CBS Draws 42.2 Million Viewers for Ravens-Bills, Down 16% from Last Year Per Report
According to a report from Jon Lewis of Sports...
Netflix Focused on Delivering Can’t Miss, Special Event Sports Programming
"Our aim is to deliver big, memorable moments to our members."
Cleveland Cavaliers to Simulcast Five Regular-Season Games on Over-the-Air Television
"Airing these upcoming Cavs games on Rock Entertainment Sports and WUAB Channel 43 creates expanded local market access to the team."
News Radio
Westwood One Shifts America at Night with Rich Valdes to New Timeslot With 25 New Affiliates
"I’m super excited to be on all of these new stations in great cities, and welcome all of our new listeners to join our live late-night national town hall conversation..."
New Jersey 101.5 Morning Host Bill Spadea to Exit to Focus on State Governor’s Race
After Spadea's exit, the station's News Director -- Eric Scott -- will step into the timeslot on an interim basis.
Brian Long Named Program Director of KFI-AM 640, AM 570 LA Sports
The move marks a return to both iHeartMedia and Los Angeles for Long.
How News/Talk Radio Covered the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump
The radio coverage of the inauguration marks the 100-year anniversary of the first time the Oath of Office was heard live on AM/FM radio.
Paul Gallo, Longtime SuperTalk Mississippi Host, Dies
"Paul Gallo’s voice may be silent, but his stories, his legacy, and his vision will forever echo across the state he loved so dearly."
News Columns
How Will Donald Trump’s Second Term Impact CNN and MSNBC’s Ratings?
Ratings are down for MSNBC and CNN. Conventional wisdom says they won't just go down without a fight.
3 Ways News/Talk Radio Programmers Can Create Masterful Promos
Every news/talk station is a living, breathing, entity. You must demonstrate that fact every hour of each day.
The Lesson Radio Can Learn from the Latest CES Event in Las Vegas
Most of what you see and hear at CES isn’t at all what the future will be like, or it’s an overblown, overstated version of what’s coming next.
How News/Talk Radio Stations Can Localize Syndicated Hosts, And Why Those Hosts Should Want to Do the Same
While some of these hosts are serving hundreds of stations, others are only on dozens of stations, with plenty of room to grow in the years ahead.
Why News/Talk Radio — From the C-Suite to the Producer’s Booth — Should Lead the Push to Reverse TikTok Ban
If you like revenue, ratings, and relevance, TikTok is a tool, not a competitor, and not something to fear.
News Television
Norah O’Donnell Final Broadcast with CBS Evening News Moves Up One Day
O'Donnell began hosting the nightly news program in July 2019.
Anna Coren Departs CNN to Join CBS News as Foreign Correspondent
Coren will cover the Asia-Pacific region for CBS News, with a focus on how the region pertains to the United States as President Donald Trump begins his second term.
Newsmax to Debut New Weekend Show Hosted by Michael Savage
“For decades, Michael has been a leading conservative voice, and we are pleased to bring his insightful and thoughtful take on politics and culture to our audience.”
CNN Names Longtime Washington Post Exec Philip Rucker New SVP of Editorial Strategy & News
Rucker led teams that won three Pulitzer Prizes during his time with the outlet.
CNN Eyes Wolf Blitzer for Morning Role Which Would Move Jim Acosta to Overnights
Wolf Blitzer has hosted an afternoon show at CNN since 2005.
Music News
Shawn Knight Joins Hot 106.5 Jacksonville For Afternoons
Knight joins from AC Majic 107.7 Topeka where he co-hosted “The Majic Morning Show.”
Vox AM FM Names Christopher ‘Boomer’ Layfield Operations/Program Director
Layfield comes from Cumulus Media Indianapolis, where OM and PD were for Country 95.5 WFMS and AC 107.9 The Mix.
CJ Jackson Named PD/PM Drive At E93 And Nights At Magic 103.9 Savannah, GA
This move marks Jackson's return to Cumulus Savannah, where he was a top-rated nighttime on-air personality at E93 from 2012 to 2015.
John Peake Assumes KOST Los Angeles Programming Duties
Peake will continue to handle programming duties for 104.3 MYFM KBIG as well as EVP Programming and Hot AC Brand Manager.
Zack Jackson Returns to Mel Wheeler Broadcasting For Middays At 94.9 Star Country
Jackson previously hosted “The K92 Morning thing at Top 40 WXLK for 20 years.
Music Columns
How Will Donald Trump’s Second Term Impact CNN and MSNBC’s Ratings?
Ratings are down for MSNBC and CNN. Conventional wisdom says they won't just go down without a fight.
3 Ways News/Talk Radio Programmers Can Create Masterful Promos
Every news/talk station is a living, breathing, entity. You must demonstrate that fact every hour of each day.
The Lesson Radio Can Learn from the Latest CES Event in Las Vegas
Most of what you see and hear at CES isn’t at all what the future will be like, or it’s an overblown, overstated version of what’s coming next.
How News/Talk Radio Stations Can Localize Syndicated Hosts, And Why Those Hosts Should Want to Do the Same
While some of these hosts are serving hundreds of stations, others are only on dozens of stations, with plenty of room to grow in the years ahead.
Why News/Talk Radio — From the C-Suite to the Producer’s Booth — Should Lead the Push to Reverse TikTok Ban
If you like revenue, ratings, and relevance, TikTok is a tool, not a competitor, and not something to fear.
Podcasting
Fox News Contributor Raymond Arroyo to Launch Show with iHeartPodcasts
Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo has announced the launch...
‘Music Saved Me’ With Lynn Hoffman Joins iHeartPodcasts Network
The show features compelling stories of passion and resilience, showcasing musicians who have navigated their challenges.
YouTube ‘Investing Heavily’ to Support Audio, Podcast Content
“Google has lots of places where this content could live, and we’re talking with many of those teams, and we will look to integrate into all of those services as it makes sense.”
Brian Stelter to Exit ‘Inside the Hive’ Podcast with Vanity Fair
"Every week, I learned something new from the guests here at the table, and I hope you did as well."
SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz: Podcasting ‘Provides the Best Opportunity For Us to Monetize Through Advertising’
"We can look to pursue a slightly broader set of audiences, because we’re selling to advertisers across audiences and they want to make sure they have younger audiences as well.”
Perry Michael Simon is a weekly news media columnist for Barrett Media. He previously served as VP and Editor/News-Talk-Sports/Podcast for AllAccess.com. Prior to joining the industry trade publication, Perry spent years in radio working as a Program Director and Operations Manager for KLSX and KLYY in Los Angeles and New Jersey 101.5 in Trenton. He can be found on X (formerly Twitter) @PMSimon.
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