First 100 Days: Carr Drives The FCC, What's Next?

Brendan Carr assumed the role of Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on January 20, 2025, following his appointment by President Donald Trump. His first 100 days, spanning January 20 to April 29, 2025, have been marked by an aggressive push to reshape the FCC’s priorities, aligning them with a deregulatory, free-market, and conservative agenda. 

During Carr's First 100 Days:

On March 13, 2025, Carr announced a sweeping deregulatory initiative aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on the telecommunications industry. The move was intended to foster innovation and economic growth by streamlining federal permitting and cutting red tape, consistent with an executive order signed by President Trump on his first day back in office. The order directed agencies to simplify processes under the National Environmental Policy Act, which governs environmental permitting for federal projects.

Opposition to Net Neutrality: Carr celebrated the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling against the FCC’s attempt to reinstate net neutrality rules, which had been repealed during Trump’s first term. He has consistently opposed net neutrality, viewing it as excessive regulation that stifles innovation. His leadership has ensured the FCC maintains a light-touch regulatory approach, prioritizing competition over consumer protection mandates.

Revival of Media Complaints: Carr reopened complaints against major broadcast networks (CBS, NBC, ABC) that were dismissed by his predecessor, Jessica Rosenworcel, just before Trump’s inauguration. These complaints relate to perceived political bias during the 2024 election:

• CBS: Allegations of biased editing in a 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
• NBC: Violation of the FCC’s Equal Time rule due to Harris’ appearance on Saturday Night Live before the election.
• ABC: Concerns over the handling of a Trump-Harris presidential debate.

Carr has suggested that the FCC could consider remedies, including license revocation, for egregious violations, though the FCC’s authority to revoke licenses based on content is limited and controversial. Critics, including Democrats and civil liberties groups, argue these actions risk chilling free speech.

Investigation of Public Broadcasters: Carr launched probes into NPR and PBS for allegedly airing commercials, which could violate rules governing non-commercial broadcasting.

Criticism of Big Tech: Carr wrote to major tech companies (Meta, Google, Apple, Microsoft) in November 2024, accusing them of censoring Americans. As chairman, he has prioritized “reining in Big Tech” and dismantling what he calls the “censorship cartel,” advocating for changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to reduce legal immunities for internet companies.

Anti-DEI Crusade: Carr has made dismantling DEI initiatives a cornerstone of his agenda, aligning with Trump’s broader push against such programs. He axed FCC initiatives from the Rosenworcel era, including a proposal to ban bulk billing and efforts to combat digital discrimination, which he criticized as giving the government excessive control over internet operations.

Disney DEI Probe: In March 2025, Carr sent a letter to Disney (ABC’s parent company) to investigate whether its DEI initiatives violate the FCC’s equal employment opportunity requirements for licensees. He has also threatened to block mergers involving companies with DEI programs, signaling a broader intent to challenge corporate diversity policies.

MLB Media Rights Play a Major Role in Franchise Valuations

MLB franchise values are growing more slowly than those of other major U.S. sports leagues. Over the past five years, NFL teams have risen 87% on average to $5.7 billion, and NBA teams have surged 101% to $4.4 billion, while MLB clubs have increased just 36%.

According to Forbes, the gap stems partly from MLB’s structural issues, including the absence of a hard salary cap and looming labor tensions, with the collective bargaining agreement expiring in 2026 and the players’ union warning of a potential lockout. However, the primary driver is the media rights landscape.

The NFL’s 2021 TV deals secure $126 billion through 2033, and the NBA’s 11-year broadcast contracts, starting next season, are worth $76 billion. MLB’s current agreements with ESPN, Fox, and TBS total $12.9 billion over seven years, but the league recently opted out of the final three years of its ESPN deal ($550 million annually) to pursue new partners. The 2023 collapse of Diamond Sports Group (now Main Street Sports Group), a key regional sports network operator, further complicates matters. Post-bankruptcy, many MLB teams secured new broadcast deals at steep discounts, critical given that local cable accounted for 19% of team revenue last season—far higher than the NBA (13%) or NFL (negligible).

Job Loses Reported At Summit Media Stations

On Friday, SummitMedia, a Birmingham, Alabama-based media company operating 45 radio stations across nine U.S. markets, implemented significant layoffs affecting staff in multiple roles, including on-air talent and programming leadership. 

The exact number of job cuts remains undisclosed, but the scope was described as substantial, impacting stations in markets such as Birmingham, Greenville, Honolulu, Louisville, Omaha, Richmond, Springfield, Tucson, and Wichita.

Known Departures

• Mike Sanders, Program Director and midday host at Country 104.7 WZZK, was let go after 11 months. Sanders, who joined WZZK in May 2024 from Midwest Communications’ AC “Mix 92.9” WJXA in Nashville, announced, “My journey as Program Director and midday personality at WZZK 104.7 with SummitMedia Birmingham has come to an unexpected pause.” His career includes programming and on-air roles in Clarksville, Cookeville, Denver, Idaho Falls, Jacksonville, and Savannah.
• Mike McKenzie has exited his role as Creative Content and Production Manager for SummitMedia’s Birmingham cluster, concluding a 25-year tenure that began with Cox Media Group before SummitMedia acquired the stations.

Other departures were not named in public reports, but sources indicated a broad sweep across various roles and markets.

Paramount-Trump Reps Talk Wednesday With Mediator

Paramount and President Trump’s representatives will meet Wednesday with a mediator to decide the outcome of Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS, sources told The Post. The lawsuit accuses CBS of deceptively editing a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris to favor her in the 2024 election. This comes as Paramount navigates its $8 billion merger with Skydance, which requires approval from Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Settling the lawsuit is seen as a way to speed up FCC approval, though the mediator’s ruling remains uncertain. Paramount declined to comment but didn’t deny the mediation; Trump’s lawyer didn’t respond. Shari Redstone, Paramount’s controlling shareholder, is eager to resolve the case and meet FCC demands, including ending Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, which the Trump administration views as promoting illegal racial quotas, and ensuring CBS adheres to FCC fairness rules for unbiased news on public airwaves.

Insiders at Paramount and Skydance see a path forward, with Redstone likely to settle and the FCC, led by chair Brendan Carr, engaging on DEI and fairness issues. Skydance, set to run Paramount and CBS if the merger is approved, is reportedly willing to comply with Carr’s demands. A Skydance representative declined to comment.

Conservatives have long criticized CBS and “60 Minutes” for alleged political bias, claiming the network violates FCC “public interest” rules. The FCC began investigating earlier this year after a conservative legal group’s complaint about the Harris interview, delaying the Skydance deal. “Finally, we can see light at the end of the tunnel,” a deal insider said.

However, settling could harm CBS’s reputation and finances. Legal experts question Trump’s lawsuit, arguing it fails to prove the edited interview damaged his election efforts, especially since he won in 2024. CBS denies deceptive editing. A settlement or apology could undermine “60 Minutes’” credibility, and a mediator ruling awarding Trump significant damages—potentially nearing $20 billion—would far exceed the $2.4 billion Redstone stands to gain from the Skydance deal. Redstone aims to settle for less and secure merger approval.

FNC's Straight News Guy Has Increased Ratings 57 Percent

Bret Baier’s fifth-floor office at Fox News’s Washington, D.C., bureau is filled with memorabilia, including framed letters from a prominent Republican and a prominent Democrat praising his work. “Fair and balanced,” Baier says, echoing a retired Fox slogan that still guides his approach.

His weekday 6 p.m. ET program, Special Report, averaged 3.5 million viewers through April 1, 2025, a 57% increase from the prior year, outpacing CNN’s 595,000 viewers (down 11%) and MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber at 1 million (down 34%), per Nielsen data from Fox. Baier, 54, has even occasionally surpassed CBS Evening News.

Positioning himself as a traditional news anchor in a polarized era, Baier navigates a media landscape where viewers increasingly turn to opinionated podcasts, newsletters, and TikTok. “We’re trying to be a news product in a not news-friendly world,” he says. His interviews feature global figures like Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Elon Musk.

A Wall Street Journal story last week reveals Baier divides his time between Washington and Palm Beach, Florida, where his family lives and he has a nearby studio. His day includes morning radio hits, reading newspapers, and managing a 22-person team as Special Report evolves before airing live. He’s typically home by 8 p.m. A source familiar with the matter says Baier earns $12.5 million annually.

Baier frequently speaks with President Trump, their conversations often beginning with golf, a connection sparked at a 2012 charity event. Critics on the left call him too lenient with Republicans, while he notes conservatives also criticize him. 

“He’s not adversarial,” says Fox News Media president Jay Wallace. “He asks tough questions without yelling.”

Baier’s relationship with Trump has had tense moments. After Fox’s 2020 Arizona call for Joe Biden, Baier emailed executives about viewer frustration, suggesting a reversal to avoid “major egg,” per documents from Dominion Voting Systems’ lawsuit against Fox, settled for $787.5 million in 2023. Baier clarified he was noting the narrowing vote margin and supported the accurate call.

WaPo/ABC Poll: Trump Approval Sinks

As President Donald Trump approaches the end of his first 100 days in office, a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll reveals mounting resistance to his bold and divisive agenda. His approval ratings are slipping, major policies lack majority support, and many perceive his administration as sidestepping federal court rulings.

No modern president has acted as swiftly as Trump to overhaul vast segments of government and external institutions. His actions include streamlining the executive branch, disrupting global trade, intensifying immigration enforcement, and confronting elite universities. 

These moves have sparked widespread upheaval, affecting individuals, organizations, and financial markets, while triggering a wave of lawsuits from critics, which Trump is vigorously challenging.

The poll offers little good news for Trump. His overall approval rating has dropped to 39% among American adults, down from 45% in February, with 55% disapproving (44% strongly). Among registered voters, the decline is steeper: 42% approve and 55% disapprove, compared to 48% positive and 51% negative in February, shifting from a 3-point to a 13-point net negative.

None of Trump’s tested policies garner majority support, reflecting public unease with the rapid pace and scope of his reforms. The survey underscores a challenging landscape for Trump as opposition grows and legal battles loom, casting uncertainty over his agenda’s future.

President Trump on Monday blasted “unheard of” polls showing low approval ratings on the eve of his 100th day in office — calling on the “fake news” outlets behind them to be investigated for election fraud. The commander in chief took aim at the recent New York Times and ABC/Washington Post surveys that indicate sinking support, declaring “they suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

Can '60 Minutes' Maintain Its Swagger?

An LA Times article over the weekend portrays 60 Minutes as a TV news titan facing existential threats from Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit and Paramount’s merger-driven pragmatism. While the program’s dogged reporting and storied brand suggest it can weather the storm, Owens’ resignation and corporate pressures raise doubts about its independence. The chilling effect of Trump’s tactics, combined with FCC scrutiny, challenges 60 Minutes’ ability to maintain its “swagger.” 

The article suggests that any willingness to placate Trump could lead 60 Minutes staff to self-censor, undermining the program’s bold legacy. The pressure to avoid antagonizing the administration, especially with FCC oversight looming, threatens editorial freedom.

Cited for exmple:  Paramount’s merger priorities may prioritize financial and regulatory goals over journalistic principles, potentially forcing CBS News to soften its stance. The article notes speculation about whether CBS will make further concessions to clear the merger path.

Industry-Wide Impact: Trump’s success in pressuring 60 Minutes—symbolized by Owens’ resignation—could intimidate smaller news outlets, amplifying the chilling effect across media. The article frames this as a broader warning to the press about the costs of challenging the administration.

'The Last Minute' Calls Out Ownership

During The Last Minute Sunday of “60 Minutes,” Co-Anchor Scott Pelley delivered a candid tribute to outgoing executive producer Bill Owens, whose resignation stunned viewers with its underlying revelations.

“Bill stepped down Tuesday. It was tough for him and for us. But he did it for us—and for you,” Pelley said. 

“For 57 years, we’ve tackled controversial stories, recently on the Israel-Gaza war and the Trump administration. Bill ensured they were fair and accurate, always rigorous. But our parent company, Paramount, is navigating a merger that needs Trump administration approval. 

Pelley explained to viewers on Sunday, Paramount has begun to supervise “60 Minutes” stories in new ways. Former CBS News President Susan Zirinsky, a longtime news producer, has reportedly been asked to look at the show's stories before they air.

"No stories were blocked, but Bill believed this compromised the independence honest journalism demands. We’re not happy about it. By resigning, Bill showed he was the right leader for ‘60 Minutes’ all along.”

Pelley’s reference to Paramount pointed to its chair, Shari Redstone, who has yet to comment publicly on Owens’ exit.

The segment was quickly pinned on Bluesky, where “60 Minutes” now shares updates, having abandoned Elon Musk’s X months ago.

“CUOMO Town Hall: The First 100 Days” Offered To Radio

Key Networks, a next generation radio syndication company, announces that it has partnered with television news network NewsNation to syndicate a radio simulcast of NewsNation’s primetime two-hour special on President Donald J. Trump’s first 100 days in office. The special, “CUOMO Town Hall: The First 100 Days,” will air live on Wednesday, April 30th, from 8:00pm-10:00pm ET and is available to radio stations now on a market exclusive basis from Key Networks.

Moderated by anchor Chris Cuomo, along with authors and commentators Bill O’Reilly and Stephen A. Smith, the town hall will include a live phone interview with the President.

The event will be simulcast live on The CW. Following the event, the town hall will be available on demand on NewsNationNow.com and the free NewsNation app.

Originating from New York City, the two-hour event will showcase additional members of the Trump administration, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., alongside leaders of the Democratic Party and a variety of notable guests, such as former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. The town hall will be held in front of a live studio audience comprised of Democrats, Republicans, and Independent voters.

Prior to the powerhouse line up, the network will host a one-hour live preshow entitled, “Countdown to the Town Hall.” Moderated by NewsNation Now’s Anna Kooiman, the special program will include contributions from political editor Chris Stirewalt and The Hill’s Blake Burman. As part of the special programming, Decision Desk HQ will release an exclusive poll regarding how Americans feel about President Trump’s first 100 days in office. The results will be released on The Hill at 6 p.m. ET, April 30.

Leading up to Trump’s 100th day in office, the network will provide special programming beginning Sunday, April 27th. Coverage will kick off with a new series entitled, Driving the Vote: The First 100 Days, featuring senior national correspondent Brian Entin who will travel across the country to speak with everyday Americans about what they think of the new administration. The four-part series will spotlight voters living along the U.S. Interstate 80 talking about what they are celebrating, what they are frustrated by, and how their lives have been affected by the new policies and executive orders put in place by President Trump.

Dennis Green, Chief Operating Officer, Key Networks, said: “We are excited to partner with the team at NewsNation to bring this important content featuring the best and brightest commentators reviewing President Trump’s first 100 days to stations across the country. Our goal is to deliver great content for our affiliates and advertisers – Mission accomplished!”

To see if “CUOMO Town Hall: The First 100 Days” is available for your station, contact Dennis Green, Chief Operating Officer, Key Networks, at 844.KEY.NETS or dennis@keynetworks.com.

CNN Primetime Ratings Plummet to New Lows

CNN’s primetime viewership on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, fell below 500,000 total viewers, with the critical 25-54 demographic dropping under 100,000, signaling ongoing struggles for the network.

According to AdWeek, “The Source with Kaitlan Collins” at 9 p.m. ET drew 464,000 total viewers, followed by “NewsNight with Abby Phillip” at 10 p.m. with 459,000, and “Laura Coates Live” at 11 p.m. with a mere 269,000. Only “Anderson Cooper 360” at 8 p.m. crossed the half-million mark, attracting 535,000 viewers.

In the 25-54 demographic, prized by advertisers, CNN’s primetime shows performed dismally: Cooper led with 93,000, Phillip had 90,000, Collins garnered 76,000, and Coates trailed with 46,000.

Independent journalist Glenn Greenwald commented, “CNN’s collapse accelerates, hitting a stunning low under Kaitlan Collins and Abby Phillip: below 500,000 total viewers in primetime and well below 100,000 for viewers under 55. It’s almost impossible to do this poorly.”

CNN’s top hour lagged behind MSNBC’s weakest and was dwarfed by Fox News. MSNBC’s “The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle” at 11 p.m. drew 799,000 total viewers and 99,000 in the 25-54 group, while Fox News’ “FOX News @ Night” with Trace Gallagher pulled in over 1.5 million total viewers and 194,000 in the key demographic.

CNN’s ratings woes are not new. In November 2024, the network recorded its lowest-rated week since June 2001, averaging just 268,000 viewers, compared to Fox News’ 1.4 million. These figures highlight CNN’s ongoing challenge to regain viewership amid a shifting media landscape.

Atlanta Radio: The Fan and MLB Braves Extend Broadcast Deal

Atlanta’s sports talk radio station 93.7/680 The Fan, the exclusive radio home of Atlanta Braves games for the past 16 years, has secured a 12-year contract extension, ensuring broadcasts through 2037. This long-term deal solidifies one of the longest-standing partnerships in Atlanta sports media, deepening the connection between the Braves and their fanbase.

“We are thrilled to continue our storied partnership with the Atlanta Braves,” said David Dickey, president of Dickey Broadcasting, which operates The Fan. “This extension reflects our commitment to delivering top-tier sports content and keeping Braves fans engaged with every pitch, hit, and victory for years to come.”

Derek Schiller, Braves president and CEO, praised The Fan’s role in uniting the team with its supporters. “Dickey Broadcasting has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant connection between our fans and the Braves,” Schiller said. “Their exceptional coverage, passionate commentary, and dedication to excellence perfectly align with our vision. We’re excited to extend this journey together through 2037.”

Atlanta Radio: Ali Mac Added To Morning Show At The Game

Atlanta’s WZGC 92.9/The Game welcomes Ali Mac as the new female co-host for its “Morning Shift” show, starting Monday, April 28, 2025. She joins Mike Johnson and Beau Morgan, who began hosting in March 2023.

“Ali brings incredible energy and communication skills,” said Mike Conti, The Game’s brand manager. “She’ll connect with listeners and make the show a blast.”

Mac fills the vacancy left by Tiffany Blackmon, a former ESPN sideline reporter, who departed last month after two years to explore new ventures, Conti noted.

Ali Mac

Mac is no stranger to Atlanta radio, starting as a Q100 intern 20 years ago and later working on-air at Star 94.1, Kicks 101.5 (now New Country), and B98.5. She briefly co-hosted on Kicks with Cadillac Jack, who passed away April 17, 2025, from a heart attack.

For the past four years, Mac worked at Impact Partnership, a Marietta marketing firm for financial advisers, alongside former Atlanta radio talents like Doug Turnbull, Kevin McAlpin, Heather Branch, and Randy Cook. There, she hosted podcasts and radio shows for advisers, sharpening her skills. “I learned a ton about retirement planning,” Mac said.

Philly Radio: Tyrone Johnson Exits PM Drive At The Fanatic

Tyrone Johnson has been let go from 97.5 The Fanatic, marking another departure from The Best Show Ever?

 He announced the news on social media Friday, saying, “It was a good run. I regret nothing.”

In an interview with The Inquirer, Johnson said he knew the exit was coming but was unsure of the timing. “I want to thank my coworkers and supporters. I’ll miss them,” he said, adding, “I’m excited for what’s next.”

Johnson joined The Fanatic in 2016 as a producer and later worked with Mike Missanelli, a partnership that sparked some heated on-air moments, including a 2020 incident where Missanelli threw his headset in frustration. After Missanelli’s abrupt departure in May 2022, Johnson launched The Best Show Ever? with cohosts Ricky Bottalico, Hunter Brody, and Jen Scordo.

The show quickly unraveled. Brody was cut in July 2023 and now works part-time at 94.1 WIP. Scordo was laid off in May 2024 during Beasley Media Group’s company-wide cuts.

The future of the afternoon slot is uncertain, though Bottalico remains under a multiyear contract. Program director Scott Masteller did not respond to inquiries. Speculation suggests Missanelli, who returned to the station in August 2024 to host middays with Bill Colarulo, may reclaim the afternoon slot.

YouTube Now Second Most Visited Website In The World

YouTube marked a milestone last Wednesday, celebrating over 20 billion videos uploaded since its debut 20 years ago.

Launched in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim, reportedly inspired at a dinner party, YouTube’s domain went live on Valentine’s Day. Video uploads began April 23, with Karim’s 19-second “Me at the Zoo,” filmed at the San Diego Zoo’s elephant exhibit, now viewed 348 million times.

From its humble start, YouTube has grown into a cultural cornerstone, poised to surpass U.S. cable TV in paid viewership. Nielsen reports it was the top video source in the U.S. in March 2025, with 20 million videos uploaded daily.

Its YouTube TV service has become one of the top pay-TV operators in the U.S. with increasing numbers of podcasts and other programming being viewed on TV sets rather than mobile.

In the 20 years since the first video was uploaded to its platform, YouTube has become the second-most visited website in the world, with people collectively watching more than a billion hours of videos every day. CBS Sunday Morning Correspondent David Pogue looks at how creators are building online communities, and how artificial intelligence may fundamentally change YouTube's offerings.

Alphabet during its earnings call on Thursday said it supports more than 270 million paid subscriptions driven by the video site and cloud storage service Google One. YouTube Music and Premium supports more than 125 million subscribers, including trials, globally.

Megyn Kelly Expands Her Podcast Empire

Megyn Kelly has become a powerhouse in American media, navigating a transformed landscape with her independent platform.

Her daily podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, attracts millions of subscribers. This year, she added a morning news briefing to her afternoon program and launched MK Media, a video and audio podcast network to amplify creators and journalists in news and entertainment.

Her path was challenging, according to the Daily Signal. After 13 years at Fox News as a top interviewer, Kelly left in 2017. Her subsequent NBC tenure left her disillusioned. “I was in despair about journalism,” she told The Washington Examiner, citing toxic environments and attempts to control her language on issues like gender and race. Unsure about staying in media, she considered legacy outlets unfit for her candid style.

Ben Shapiro’s suggestion to explore podcasting sparked her comeback. 

“I couldn’t go back to institutions that wouldn’t let me be myself,” Kelly said. Her independent streak—she admits she chafes under authority—made entrepreneurship the logical choice. “I don’t do well with bosses,” she noted.

Rock & Roll Hall Unveils Class of 2025

Chubby Checker, born Ernest Evans on October 3, 1941, in Spring Gully, South Carolina, and raised in South Philadelphia, will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class, a long-overdue recognition for the artist who revolutionized dance culture with his 1960 hit “The Twist.” 

The announcement came Sunday night during a live broadcast of American Idol, with the induction ceremony set for November 8, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, to be streamed live on Disney+ and later rebroadcast on Hulu and ABC. 

Checker, now 83, joins fellow 2025 inductees including Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast, Soundgarden, the White Stripes, and others, with special committee honorees like Philadelphia producer Thom Bell, Salt-N-Pepa, and Warren Zevon also recognized.

Checker’s induction follows decades of advocacy for his inclusion, as he was eligible since the Hall’s inaugural class in 1986 but only received his first nomination in 2025. His signature song, “The Twist,” a cover of Hank Ballard and the Midnighters’ 1958 B-side, became a cultural phenomenon after Checker’s version, recorded for Philly’s Parkway Records, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960 and again in 1962—the only song to achieve this feat. 

In-Car Video Becoming More Of A Priority For Consumers

In-car video technology is increasingly becoming a priority for consumers, driven by the demand for enhanced entertainment, connectivity, and safety features in vehicles.

Consumers are seeking immersive in-car experiences, particularly for passengers, as vehicles evolve into "living spaces." Technologies like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, adopted by over 25 automakers, are redefining in-car entertainment with high-quality video and audio experiences.

The rise of electric and autonomous vehicles, which often feature larger interior screens, has fueled interest in in-car video for streaming, gaming, and other media consumption during commutes or long trips.

Consumer Behavior and Digital Trends:

The NFL Makes December 25 Merrier

Roger Goodell

The NFL will make a Christmas Day tripleheader a permanent fixture, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on The Pat McAfee Show.

“We will clearly have three games every year,” he said. This season, Netflix will stream two games, and Amazon Prime Video will air one as part of its Thursday Night Football package, as confirmed at the NFL owners' meetings. Last Christmas, Steelers-Chiefs and Ravens-Texans drew 24.1 and 24.3 million viewers on Netflix, the most-streamed NFL games in U.S. history.

The 2025 NFL schedule, set for release on May 14, may reveal Christmas matchups earlier. While the NFL avoided Christmas games for years, it began tripleheaders in 2022 and 2023, scaling back to two games last season due to the holiday falling on a Wednesday. 

Goodell emphasized that three games will occur annually, regardless of the day, with Christmas falling on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday over the next three years, and Monday through Thursday from 2028 to 2031.

Critic: DOJ Photo Of Handcuffed Judge Is Intimidation Effort

On Friday night, FBI Director Kash Patel shared a photo on X of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, arrested for allegedly obstructing immigration agents. The image, showing Dugan handcuffed and escorted by three law enforcement officers in a perp walk, obscured her face. Patel captioned it, “No one is above the law.”

The Justice Department’s Confidentiality and Media Contacts Policy states that DOJ personnel should not share a defendant’s photo unless it serves a law enforcement purpose or is already public in the case. Former Attorney General Eric Holder, who established this policy under the Obama administration to limit media access to defendant photos like mug shots, told CNN that Patel’s post violates it. 

“They’re trying to maximize intimidation,” Holder said, regardless of Dugan’s actions.

It’s unclear if Attorney General Pam Bondi has altered the DOJ’s policy on sharing defendant photos following Patel’s post. Dugan’s attorney, Craig Mastantuono, told CNN the post marks “a clear departure” from policy, emphasizing that Dugan posed no public safety threat and wasn’t given a chance to present her side. “The arrest itself is the point,” he said.

Dugan was arrested Friday by the FBI, facing charges of obstruction and concealing an individual from arrest. She appeared in court that day and was released after the hearing.

No President, Host Comedian, But Plenty of Media Types At WHCD

The White House Correspondents' Dinner, held at the Washington, D.C., Hilton, drew notable figures but was skipped by President Donald Trump and his administration. The annual event, which funds journalism supporting White House coverage, is known for its mix of humor aimed at presidents, and gatherings of celebrities, media leaders, and luminaries.

Trump, absent from the dinner since 2015 and during his first term, did not attend. He and First Lady Melania Trump were at Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome on April 26, 2025. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also declined to attend.

🚨 WATCH: Axios reporter delivers stern message to liberal media at White House Correspondents' Dinner about Biden’s health coverage: “We should have done better”

“Biden's decline and its coverup by the people around him is a reminder that every White House regardless of party… pic.twitter.com/Qucn4TMb3k

— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) April 27, 2025