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.
Advertisement
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Sports Radio
ESPN’s Jon “Boog” Sciambi: ‘MLB Made a ‘Major Mistake’
“I think the league probably needs ESPN a little bit more than vice versa"
Dan Le Batard: ESPN is ‘Not Paying Very Much Care to Baseball’
"...as the sport shrunk and regionally, cable networks bought things up, ESPN covered baseball a lot less than they used to – a lot less well, and just with a lot fewer resources."
Kevin Durant: ‘Fans and Media Have as Much Impact’ on State of Basketball Today as Anybody
"It’s kind of taboo to talk about the fans or criticize them."
‘ESPN Daily’ Podcast Comes to an End
The last episode of the show was posted just after Super Bowl LIX on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
Colin Cowherd: ‘I’ve Stopped Bringing on Certain NBA Reporters Who Are Good People, But It’s All Fluff’
"‘Everybody’s great.’ Well, let’s address load management."
Sports Columns
‘MLB Tonight’ Not Losing Its ‘Fastball’ During The Offseason
"Kenny and Plesac are the perfect snack for baseball-starved fans."
Breaking Barriers: What ESPN Did That Sports Radio Couldn’t
"I challenge any radio broadcasting company with any media rights partnership to attempt to replicate how Jimmy Pitaro built and positioned ESPN "
Sports Radio’s Mistake From the User Generated Content Boom
“When everything’s a math problem, creativity and quality don’t matter. If creativity and quality don’t matter, then why employ anyone at all?”
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"
Sports Television
Detroit Tigers Games Cut Pre, Post-Game Programs on West Coast Trips
"On certain dates, the usual 30-minute pre-game and post-game coverage may not be aired."
ESPN Signs Laura Rutledge To Multi-Year Extension
“ESPN has given me the support and freedom to build my dream career since I arrived"
Prime Video Adds 21 New York Yankees Games for MLB Season
"This marks a return to Prime Video for the organization, with 18 of the 21 games airing on Wednesday evenings."
Sarah Tourville to Lead FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City, Indiana, Midwest, SoCal, and West
"I know the company is committed to innovating and enhancing team partner relationships across the portfolio"
Ashley Nicole Moss is a ‘Triple Threat’ on CBS Sports HQ
"I’m somebody who is overly ambitious and overly hungry, and once I complete one thing, I’m already thinking about the next thing."
News Radio
Dan Bongino Announces Plans for New Media Company, Guest Host for Show After Joining FBI
"It's going to be divorce for me, but we're setting the foundation for something that'll last. We'll have some big announcements coming soon."
Clay Travis: Rachel Maddow Completely Misguided on Why MSNBC Axed Joy Reid
"This is about viewership. Joy Reid is in the business of drawing viewers and nobody watched her show."
Former Talk Radio 102.3 Host Brian Joyce: Cumulus Media Fired Me for Comments About January 6th Rioters
"I don’t see the controversy in what I said, and I don’t see why some people found it offensive."
Dan Bongino: Westwood One Radio Show, Podcast ‘A Lot to Walk Away From’ to Join Donald Trump Administration at FBI
"My wife and I started doing this show. It started in a basement. We never expected it to become this massive..."
Federal Election Commission Rules Ted Cruz Podcast With iHeartMedia Breaks No Laws
A complaint had been lobbied that the audio giant had given nearly $1 million in contributions to the super PAC supporting Cruz.
News Columns
What News/Talk Radio Hosts Should Copy From Dan Bongino As He Exits Westwood One
Bongino isn't a "classically trained" radio host. And yet, he grew to become one of the best in the business. Here's how.
How the Pathway to Radio Stardom Has Changed and How You Can Still Make It to the Top in 2025
Radio needs a next generation. It needs innovators. Why not you?
Throw Out the Radio Rules Already And Start Innovating
What do you have to lose? You're in an industry in what seems like a perpetual tailspin.
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?
News Television
MSNBC Planning to Cut Nearly 100 Jobs in Round of Layoffs
MSNBC has stated that employees who will be let go can reapply for their jobs to remain with the outlet.
Fox News Scores Nearly 2.5 Million Viewers for Debut of Weekend Show Hosted by Lara Trump
The show was the most-watched 9 PM ET Saturday hour since Donald Trump was shot in Butler, Pennsylvania last July.
Rachel Maddow: MSNBC Firing Joy Reid ‘A Bad Mistake’
"It is not my call and I understand that. But that’s what I think."
News Media Reacts to Lester Holt Departing NBC Nightly News
Many news media members took to social media to share their thoughts on the departure. Some ranged from tributes to the longtime anchor, while others questioned the lack of reaction at all.
Joy Reid: ‘I’ve Been Through Every Emotion’ Since Learning of MSNBC Exit
"From anger, rage, disappointment, hurt. Feeling that guil that I let my team lose their jobs."
Music News
Brian Kelly, Audacy VP of Top 40 Brands And Milwaukee Operations Manager Resigns
Kelly had been with the station for just short of 30 years. He joined 103.7 Kiss-FM WXSS in 1995 to lead the station's flip to Top 40.
Market Veteran Trudi Daniels Out At 106.7 WLLZ Detroit
Daniels previously spent 22 years at WRIF as a partner of the “Drew and Mike” morning show.
Kyle Matthews Set To Join Q104 Kansas City
Kyle Matthews, WOW Country 104.3 KAWO Boise Brand Manager, is leaving to join Country Q104 KBEQ Kansas City
Jennifer ‘Hemmy’ Hemmer To Join 947 KTTS Springfield, MO
Hemmy, who was downsized in iHeartMedia firings in August of last year, was previously PD and afternoon host at 100.5 The Wolf Springfield.
‘Supa Dave’ Fragale Joins Classic Hits 98.9 WMMO Orlando
Fragale, a market veteran, spent 16 years across town at Active Rocker WJRR and O-Rock 105.9.
Music Columns
What News/Talk Radio Hosts Should Copy From Dan Bongino As He Exits Westwood One
Bongino isn't a "classically trained" radio host. And yet, he grew to become one of the best in the business. Here's how.
How the Pathway to Radio Stardom Has Changed and How You Can Still Make It to the Top in 2025
Radio needs a next generation. It needs innovators. Why not you?
Throw Out the Radio Rules Already And Start Innovating
What do you have to lose? You're in an industry in what seems like a perpetual tailspin.
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?
Podcasting
Gavin Newsom to Launch New Podcast with iHeartMedia
iHeartMedia has announced a new podcast hosted by Gov....
Charlamagne The God and iHeartMedia Announce 2025 Black Effect Podcast Festival
Hosted by Mandii B and WeezyWTF, hosts of The Black Effect Podcast Network’s “Decisions, Decisions.”
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.
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
ESPN’s Jon “Boog” Sciambi: ‘MLB Made a ‘Major Mistake’
“I think the league probably needs ESPN a little bit more than vice versa"
Dan Le Batard: ESPN is ‘Not Paying Very Much Care to Baseball’
"...as the sport shrunk and regionally, cable networks bought things up, ESPN covered baseball a lot less than they used to – a lot less well, and just with a lot fewer resources."
Kevin Durant: ‘Fans and Media Have as Much Impact’ on State of Basketball Today as Anybody
"It’s kind of taboo to talk about the fans or criticize them."
‘ESPN Daily’ Podcast Comes to an End
The last episode of the show was posted just after Super Bowl LIX on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
Colin Cowherd: ‘I’ve Stopped Bringing on Certain NBA Reporters Who Are Good People, But It’s All Fluff’
"‘Everybody’s great.’ Well, let’s address load management."
Sports Columns
‘MLB Tonight’ Not Losing Its ‘Fastball’ During The Offseason
"Kenny and Plesac are the perfect snack for baseball-starved fans."
Breaking Barriers: What ESPN Did That Sports Radio Couldn’t
"I challenge any radio broadcasting company with any media rights partnership to attempt to replicate how Jimmy Pitaro built and positioned ESPN "
Sports Radio’s Mistake From the User Generated Content Boom
“When everything’s a math problem, creativity and quality don’t matter. If creativity and quality don’t matter, then why employ anyone at all?”
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"
Sports Television
Detroit Tigers Games Cut Pre, Post-Game Programs on West Coast Trips
"On certain dates, the usual 30-minute pre-game and post-game coverage may not be aired."
ESPN Signs Laura Rutledge To Multi-Year Extension
“ESPN has given me the support and freedom to build my dream career since I arrived"
Prime Video Adds 21 New York Yankees Games for MLB Season
"This marks a return to Prime Video for the organization, with 18 of the 21 games airing on Wednesday evenings."
Sarah Tourville to Lead FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City, Indiana, Midwest, SoCal, and West
"I know the company is committed to innovating and enhancing team partner relationships across the portfolio"
Ashley Nicole Moss is a ‘Triple Threat’ on CBS Sports HQ
"I’m somebody who is overly ambitious and overly hungry, and once I complete one thing, I’m already thinking about the next thing."
News Radio
Dan Bongino Announces Plans for New Media Company, Guest Host for Show After Joining FBI
"It's going to be divorce for me, but we're setting the foundation for something that'll last. We'll have some big announcements coming soon."
Clay Travis: Rachel Maddow Completely Misguided on Why MSNBC Axed Joy Reid
"This is about viewership. Joy Reid is in the business of drawing viewers and nobody watched her show."
Former Talk Radio 102.3 Host Brian Joyce: Cumulus Media Fired Me for Comments About January 6th Rioters
"I don’t see the controversy in what I said, and I don’t see why some people found it offensive."
Dan Bongino: Westwood One Radio Show, Podcast ‘A Lot to Walk Away From’ to Join Donald Trump Administration at FBI
"My wife and I started doing this show. It started in a basement. We never expected it to become this massive..."
Federal Election Commission Rules Ted Cruz Podcast With iHeartMedia Breaks No Laws
A complaint had been lobbied that the audio giant had given nearly $1 million in contributions to the super PAC supporting Cruz.
News Columns
What News/Talk Radio Hosts Should Copy From Dan Bongino As He Exits Westwood One
Bongino isn't a "classically trained" radio host. And yet, he grew to become one of the best in the business. Here's how.
How the Pathway to Radio Stardom Has Changed and How You Can Still Make It to the Top in 2025
Radio needs a next generation. It needs innovators. Why not you?
Throw Out the Radio Rules Already And Start Innovating
What do you have to lose? You're in an industry in what seems like a perpetual tailspin.
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?
News Television
MSNBC Planning to Cut Nearly 100 Jobs in Round of Layoffs
MSNBC has stated that employees who will be let go can reapply for their jobs to remain with the outlet.
Fox News Scores Nearly 2.5 Million Viewers for Debut of Weekend Show Hosted by Lara Trump
The show was the most-watched 9 PM ET Saturday hour since Donald Trump was shot in Butler, Pennsylvania last July.
Rachel Maddow: MSNBC Firing Joy Reid ‘A Bad Mistake’
"It is not my call and I understand that. But that’s what I think."
News Media Reacts to Lester Holt Departing NBC Nightly News
Many news media members took to social media to share their thoughts on the departure. Some ranged from tributes to the longtime anchor, while others questioned the lack of reaction at all.
Joy Reid: ‘I’ve Been Through Every Emotion’ Since Learning of MSNBC Exit
"From anger, rage, disappointment, hurt. Feeling that guil that I let my team lose their jobs."
Music News
Brian Kelly, Audacy VP of Top 40 Brands And Milwaukee Operations Manager Resigns
Kelly had been with the station for just short of 30 years. He joined 103.7 Kiss-FM WXSS in 1995 to lead the station's flip to Top 40.
Market Veteran Trudi Daniels Out At 106.7 WLLZ Detroit
Daniels previously spent 22 years at WRIF as a partner of the “Drew and Mike” morning show.
Kyle Matthews Set To Join Q104 Kansas City
Kyle Matthews, WOW Country 104.3 KAWO Boise Brand Manager, is leaving to join Country Q104 KBEQ Kansas City
Jennifer ‘Hemmy’ Hemmer To Join 947 KTTS Springfield, MO
Hemmy, who was downsized in iHeartMedia firings in August of last year, was previously PD and afternoon host at 100.5 The Wolf Springfield.
‘Supa Dave’ Fragale Joins Classic Hits 98.9 WMMO Orlando
Fragale, a market veteran, spent 16 years across town at Active Rocker WJRR and O-Rock 105.9.
Music Columns
What News/Talk Radio Hosts Should Copy From Dan Bongino As He Exits Westwood One
Bongino isn't a "classically trained" radio host. And yet, he grew to become one of the best in the business. Here's how.
How the Pathway to Radio Stardom Has Changed and How You Can Still Make It to the Top in 2025
Radio needs a next generation. It needs innovators. Why not you?
Throw Out the Radio Rules Already And Start Innovating
What do you have to lose? You're in an industry in what seems like a perpetual tailspin.
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?
Podcasting
Gavin Newsom to Launch New Podcast with iHeartMedia
iHeartMedia has announced a new podcast hosted by Gov....
Charlamagne The God and iHeartMedia Announce 2025 Black Effect Podcast Festival
Hosted by Mandii B and WeezyWTF, hosts of The Black Effect Podcast Network’s “Decisions, Decisions.”
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.
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.
Sponsored Content
Advertisement
©2025 Barrett Media. All Rights Reserved.