Friday, July 18, 2025

FOX Sports and Barstool Sports Team Up


In a move that links up leaders in the sports media landscape, FOX Sports and Barstool Sports have agreed to a wide-ranging collaboration – bringing together the industry’s most prominent voices and high-profile influence to bolster coverage around college football, college basketball and other FOX Sports properties, including creating unique content with a new daily studio show on FS1.

David Portnoy
“We’re excited to welcome Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports to the FOX Sports family. Dave has built a one-of-a-kind brand that connects with a new generation of sports fans – authentic, bold, and original. Their unique voice and loyal fanbase makes them a natural fit for our evolving multiplatform content strategy,” said Eric Shanks, CEO & Executive Producer, FOX Sports.

“Everybody at Barstool is super excited to partner with the FOX Sports Family,” said Dave Portnoy, Barstool Sports Owner and Founder. “In our two-decade history, we’ve never had the chance to work with so much talent and resources. We can’t wait to collab and bring our voice to FOX Sports’ airwaves. See ya soon in Columbus.”

COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL

Saturdays are for BIG NOON KICKOFF (BNK) and the BARSTOOL COLLEGE FOOTBALL SHOW. Starting this Fall, Barstool Sports owner and founder Dave Portnoy becomes a regular contributor to BIG NOON KICKOFF, bringing a deep-rooted passion for the game and keen understanding of its culture, rivalries and fanbases to his weekly segments at the desk.

BIG NOON KICKOFF will also feature appearances from a variety of Barstool personalities – including Dan Katz, widely known as “Big Cat.”

Dan Katz
Additionally, BARSTOOL COLLEGE FOOTBALL SHOW, the Barstool-produced program will join BNK on-location for select games throughout the college football season. BARSTOOL COLLEGE FOOTBALL SHOW is set to air across Barstool-owned channels from 9:00-9:45 AM ET as well as across FOX platforms including Tubi, the FOX Sports App and Foxsports.com, and will feature appearances from FOX Sports BNK talent.

Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Barstool Sports is also set to contribute to FOX Sports’ college basketball coverage, including the College Basketball Crown – a postseason tournament launched by the network last year, coming off its successful debut in April 2025.

FS1 DAILY STUDIO PROGRAMMING

At the heart of both FS1 and Barstool are bold shows that drive the current sports news cycle.

As part of this relationship, Barstool will produce and deliver a live two-hour program set to air Monday-Friday on FS1, which will feature popular Barstool personalities and FOX Sports talent guest appearances – creating opportunity for both brands to grow their reach, deepen engagement and deliver even more to viewers.

Further details, including launch date and window, will be announced at a later date.

DIGITAL CONTENT

Sitting at the intersection of sports, lifestyle and internet culture, FOX Sports Digital and Barstool Sports have been able to cut through online conversations and tap into what fans are talking about by leveraging star power and authentic voices.

The digital juggernauts will continue to push the envelope with co-produced shows and content featuring talent from both companies.

Further details will be announced at a later date.

FOX News Digital Marks Best Quarter In History


FOX News Digital marked its best quarter in history with an average of 138 million monthly total digital multiplatform unique visitors, according to Comscore.* Meanwhile, FOX News Digital continued to lead all news brands with both multiplatform views (12th consecutive quarter) and minutes (17th consecutive quarter). During the second quarter, FOX News Digital secured 12.1 billion total multiplatform minutes (up 31% over Q2 2024) and 5.7 billion total multiplatform views (up 19% over Q2 2024).*

Notably, FOX News Digital also surpassed broadcast networks NBC News and ABC News across the board during the second quarter. While FOX News saw year-over-year increases across all key performance indicators, CNN once again saw declines across the board with multiplatform views (down 18% vs. Q2 2024), multiplatform minutes (down 27% vs. Q2 2024) and average total digital unique multiplatform visitors (down 13% vs. Q2 2024). 

In fact, this marked the lowest quarter for CNN with both views and minutes since 2015. The FOX News Mobile app drew 6.5 million unique viewers during the quarter. ** 

Additional highlights include:
  • On YouTube, FOX News nabbed its best quarter ever with video 1.2 billion video views leading all news brands, according to Emplifi. Seeing a 122% increase year-over-year, FOX News led all news brands including MSNBC (1 billion views), CNN (659 million views), ABC News (345 million views), NBC News (368 million views) and CBS News (164 million views). Additionally, FOX Business led all business brands on YouTube with 180 million views for the quarter.
  • In the month of June, FOX News Digital led news brands with multiplatform views and minutes.* Marking year-over-year gains across the board, FOX News Digital commanded 4.4 billion multiplatform minutes, 2 billion multiplatform views and 148 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors in June.
  • FOX News was once again the most engaged brand on social media in the competitive set in Q2’25, with 244 million total social interactions, notching the 44th consecutive quarter FOX News has placed on top, according to Emplifi. FOX News drove 177 million interactions on Facebook (up 630% versus Q2’24) 84.5 million Instagram interactions (up 19% versus Q2’24) and 6.5 million X interactions (up 16% versus Q2’24). On TikTok, FOX News drew 59 million engagements according to Shareablee.
  • FOXBusiness.com delivered a strong quarter with 718 million multiplatform minutes and 22.2 million average multiplatform unique visitors. The business network also drove 396 million multiplatform views, surpassing CNN Business and Forbes.com for the 13th and 15th consecutive quarters respectively.***

NBC News Sees Web Traffic Surge in Q2


NBC News continued its multi-platform momentum in Q2 2025, outperforming key competitors in both digital and social performance. NBCNews.com was one of the few major news site to grow year-over-year (+12%) in unique visitors, while the NBC News flagship TikTok account delivered the highest total video views among news networks for the quarter – up +705% vs. Q2 2024.

NBCNews.com reached an average of over 79 million unique visitors in Q2 2025, +12% vs. Q2 2024, according to Comscore. NBCNews.com is a leader among news sites, ranking ahead of Fox News, ABC News, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal for the quarter. While most competition was down versus the prior year, NBCNews.com was up +12%.

NBC News NOW delivered its strongest Q2 in history, up +31% year over year. This marks the fourth straight quarter with year-over-year growth exceeding +30%, and the last four quarters have been the most-watched in NBC News NOW history. NBC News NOW is on pace for its strongest year ever, growing by double-digits vs. 2024 levels.

NBC News’ flagship TikTok account ranked #1 among U.S. news networks for the second straight quarter with over 1.7 billion total views, ahead of all competition including CBS News, ABC News, CNN, Fox News, The New York Times, The Washington Post and others. NBC News’ TikTok also had the largest year-over-year growth in followers of all the competition, up 82% vs. Q2 2024. NBC News’ additional accounts on TikTok, including TODAY, Meet the Press, NBC Nightly News, Dateline and Stay Tuned, garnered hundreds of millions of additional views.

Dateline 24/7, the dedicated streaming channel for the true-crime franchise, had its second consecutive record quarter in hours viewed. The last four months have been Dateline 24/7’s strongest ever, and the streaming program has had consecutive year-over-year growth every quarter since its launch. In addition, Dateline’s original podcasts showed growth by double-digits versus both the prior quarter and year.

Sources: Comscore Media Metrix US, Desktop Persons 2+ and Mobile Persons 13+, April – June 2024 and 2025. Rankings based on custom competitor list. Adobe Analytics & Partner dashboards. ListenFirst. April – June 2023, 2024, 2025 video views. Followers as of June 30 for 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Dems Accuse Fox News Of Deceptive Video Editing


Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking Democratic member of the House Oversight Committee, Thursday sent a letter to Fox Corp Chairman Lachlan Murdoch and Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott, accusing Fox News of “deceptively” editing a June 2024 interview with then-candidate Donald Trump regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s documents. 

The letter, first reported by CNN, claims the edits misled the public and distorted Trump’s stance, raising concerns about potential interference by Trump or his campaign team.

Details of the Controversy: The interview, aired on Fox & Friends Weekend, addressed whether Trump would release Epstein-related documents. The televised version suggested unequivocal support for releasing the files. However, the unedited version, broadcast the next day on Fox’s radio platform and later posted online, included Trump’s qualifiers expressing concerns about “phony stuff” and potential harm to individuals.

Garcia’s letter argues that Fox News’ selective omission of these qualifiers misrepresented Trump’s position, potentially shielding him from scrutiny over his documented social ties to Epstein.

Demands in the Letter:
Garcia requested Fox News provide internal records related to the interview’s editing process and any communications with Trump’s campaign, questioning whether political considerations influenced the edits.

The letter suggests the edits may have been deliberate to distance Trump from Epstein’s “horrific crimes,” prompting concerns about journalistic integrity.

Fox News’ Response: As previously stated, there was no selective or deceptive editing whatsoever. Portions of the initial interview that aired on Fox & Friends Weekend with then-candidate Trump on June 2, 2024 had standard editorial cuts for time and the full answer to the Epstein question aired on the following day’s show. The entire unedited interview was also run on multiple FOX News Media platforms with full transparency on June 3, 2024, including audio, digital and streaming, while the entire transcript was posted on foxnews.com.

The letter reflects a broader Democratic strategy to challenge conservative media, with Garcia’s action signaling a “hardball” approach, according to MSNBC.

Radio History: July 18


➦In 1909...Harriet Nelson, formerly Hilliard; born Peggy Lou Snyder. (Died at age 85  – October 2, 1994) . She was best known is best known for her role on the radio and TV sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.  She sang with husband Ozzie Nelson’s band, and played other comedic roles on radio’s Red Skelton Show.

➦In 1913...Richard Bernard Eheart born (Died at age 84 – September 17, 1997). Professionally known as Red Skelton, he was best known for his national radio and television acts between 1937 and 1971, and as host of the television program The Red Skelton Show. He has stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in radio and television, and also appeared in burlesque, vaudeville, films, nightclubs, and casinos, all while he pursued an entirely separate career as an artist.

Red Skelton
Skelton began developing his comedic and pantomime skills from the age of 10, when he became part of a traveling medicine show. He then spent time on a showboat, worked the burlesque circuit, and then entered into vaudeville in 1934. The "Doughnut Dunkers" pantomime sketch, which he wrote together with his wife, launched a career for him in vaudeville, radio, and films.

His radio career began in 1937 with a guest appearance on The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour, which led to his becoming the host of Avalon Time in 1938. He became the host of The Raleigh Cigarette Program in 1941, on which many of his comedy characters were created, and he had a regularly scheduled radio program until 1957. Skelton made his film debut in 1938 alongside Ginger Rogers and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in Alfred Santell's Having Wonderful Time, and would appear in numerous musical and comedy films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, with starring roles in 19 films, including Ship Ahoy (1941), I Dood It (1943), Ziegfeld Follies (1946), and The Clown (1953).

Skelton was eager to work in television, even when the medium was in its infancy. The Red Skelton Show made its television premiere on September 30, 1951, on NBC. By 1954, Skelton's program moved to CBS, where it was expanded to one hour and renamed The Red Skelton Hour in 1962. Despite high ratings, the show was cancelled by CBS in 1970, as the network believed that more youth-oriented programs were needed to attract younger viewers and their spending power. Skelton moved his program to NBC, where he completed his last year with a regularly scheduled television show in 1971.

Marvin Miller
➦In 1913...Marvin Elliott Miller born (Died at age 71  – February 8, 1985). Possessing a deep, baritone voice, Marvin Miller began his career in radio in St. Louis, Missouri, before becoming a Hollywood actor.

Miller graduated from Washington University before commencing his career in radio. When a singer named Marvin Miller debuted on another St. Louis radio station, he began using his middle initial to distinguish himself from the newcomer. For the Mutual Broadcasting System, he narrated a daily 15-minute radio show entitled The Story Behind the Story, which offered historical vignettes. He also served as announcer on several Old Time Radio shows of the 1940s and 1950s, including The Jo Stafford Show and the long-running mystery series The Whistler.

Miller played Dr. Lee Markham on The Woman in White on NBC radio and Howard Andrews on Midstream on the Blue Network and appeared as "The voice of the Past" on the May 21, 1942 broadcast of The Right to Happiness. In 1945–47, he was the announcer for Songs by Sinatra. He played two characters and was the announcer on The Billie Burke Show (1943-1946).

From 1949 to 1950 he starred as Dr. Yat Fu on the short-lived ABC series Mysteries of Chinatown, with Gloria Saunders cast as his niece. In 1961, Miller guest-starred as Johnny Kelso, with Erin O'Brien, in "The Marble Slab" episode of the Frederick Ziv-, United Artists-, and MGM-produced Bat Masterson, starring Gene Barry. Original air date was May 11, 1961.

Miller as depicted in 1959
Miller made a guest appearance in 1963 on Perry Mason as unscrupulous attorney F.J. Weatherby in "The Case of the Lover's Leap."

He voiced Aquaman for the Filmation studio for their 1967 series The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure. He was also the voice of pilot/scientist Busby Birdwell in the company's animated series Fantastic Voyage.

He was the voice of the arrogant alien "Zarn" in three episodes of the second season of Land of the Lost.  Miller also lent his distinct voice to The Pink Panther Show, often talking with the feline offscreen and asking questions, while also voicing The Inspector, his second Deux Deux and their boss The Commissioner.

On The Millionaire, Miller played Michael Anthony in over 200 episodes, conveying the wishes of the "fabulously wealthy" John Beresford Tipton, voiced by Paul Frees.[24

He won Grammy Awards in 1965 and 1966 for his recordings of Dr. Seuss stories: in 1967 for Dr Seuss Presents – If I Ran the Zoo and Sleep Book and 1966 for Dr Seuss Presents Fox in Socks and Green Eggs and Ham. He also read Horton Hatches the Egg, The Sneetches and Other Stories and Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories.

In the mid-1970s, Miller even lent his voice to sports films, narrating the official Indianapolis 500 films in 1975 and 1976.

➦In 1922...WHAS-AM signed-on in Louisville KY.

Thursday, July 17, 2025

CBS Cancels: Late Night With Colbert


CBS has announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026 at the conclusion of the 2025-26 TV season, marking the end of the Late Show franchise that began with David Letterman in 1993. 

The decision, described as a “purely financial” one by CBS executives George Cheeks, Amy Reisenbach, and David Stapf, is driven by the challenging economics of late-night television, not the show’s performance or content. 

The Late Show has been the highest-rated late-night talk show for nine consecutive seasons, averaging 2.8 million viewers, but faces a declining audience and rising production costs, exacerbated by cord-cutting and competition from digital platforms.

CBS cited the high costs of producing late-night shows as a key factor, with media companies increasingly wary of the format’s profitability as younger audiences shift to digital and streaming platforms. Late-night TV has seen significant changes, with The Tonight Show reducing to four nights a week, Late Night losing its band, and CBS previously canceling The Late Late Show without a direct replacement.

The Late Show remains a critical and commercial success, retaining its #1 status in late-night ratings since 2016 and earning 26 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Variety Talk Series annually since 2017. Its YouTube channel and Paramount+ streaming bolster its digital presence, with full episodes available on-demand and clips dating back to 2015.

McCartney Fans Not Happy With Ticket Prices


Paul McCartney’s 2025 “Got Back” tour has sparked significant backlash from fans due to exorbitant ticket prices, with many expressing frustration over the high costs and the ticketing process. Here’s a detailed overview of the reasons behind fans’ dissatisfaction:

High Ticket Prices and Dynamic Pricing:
Fans have reported ticket prices ranging from $150 to over $4,000, with upper-level or nosebleed seats often starting at $400–$600 and floor seats reaching $1,000–$5,000, depending on the venue and ticket type (general admission, VIP, or resale). For example, in Hamilton at TD Coliseum, the cheapest ticket was $409 for upper bowl seats, while top-tier tickets neared $5,000.

Ticketmaster’s use of “dynamic pricing,” which adjusts prices based on demand, has been a major point of contention. Fans argue this practice inflates costs, making tickets unaffordable for many. One X user described paying $622 for a Section 317 ticket and another reported $3,252 for two floor seats at the opposite end of a stadium.

The pricing model has been compared to the “Beatlemania version” of Taylor Swift’s 2023 Eras Tour ticketing debacle, with fans feeling priced out of seeing a living legend.

Frustrating Ticketing Process:
The presale process, which began on July 15, 2025, was marred by long virtual queues, with over 200,000 people waiting for some shows, like the Buffalo concert at KeyBank Center, and wait times exceeding 90 minutes. Fans reported technical issues, such as Ticketmaster flagging them as bots or rejecting purchases due to VPN use or rapid typing.

Even with presale codes, many fans found only high-priced “platinum” tickets available, starting at $800–$1,258 for some venues, while cheaper tickets (e.g., $38 for upper rows) sold out instantly.
General sale tickets, available from July 18, 2025, didn’t alleviate the issue, as prices remained high, and availability was limited. Some fans reported being unable to complete purchases due to system errors or tickets disappearing from carts.

Many fans expressed disappointment on platforms like X and Reddit, noting that McCartney’s ticket prices were significantly higher than in previous tours.

R.I.P.: Singer Connie Francis, ‘Pretty Little Baby’ and ‘Stupid Cupid’

Connie Francis (1937-2025)

Connie Francis, born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero on December 12, 1937, has died at age 87.

She was prominent American pop singer and actress, known for being the first woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 with her 1960 hit “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool.” Her passing was confirmed close friend Ron Roberts, president of her label Concetta Records, in a Facebook post. 

Her death followed a recent hospitalization on July 2, 2025, due to “extreme pain,” during which she was moved from intensive care to a private room after undergoing tests.

(2025)
Francis had a remarkable career, selling an estimated 200 million records worldwide and achieving international success by recording in multiple languages, including Italian, Spanish, Yiddish, and German. Her hits like “Who’s Sorry Now,” “Stupid Cupid,” and “Where the Boys Are” defined the late 1950s and early 1960s pop scene. 

She also starred in teen-oriented films like Where the Boys Are (1960). In 2025, her 1962 song “Pretty Little Baby” experienced a viral resurgence on TikTok, introducing her music to a new generation.

Her life was marked by significant personal challenges, including a brutal rape in 1974 that led to years of depression and a temporary loss of her singing career, the murder of her brother by the mafia in 1981, and a misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder that resulted in multiple hospitalizations. 

Despite these hardships, Francis was a resilient advocate for victims’ rights and mental health, notably supporting organizations like Women Against Rape and Mental Health America.


Tributes on platforms like X highlight her trailblazing role for women in music and her enduring legacy, with fans and commentators noting her influence and resilience. Her passing marks the end of an era for a pop icon whose voice and story left a lasting impact.

Senate Approves Bid to Cancel Public Broadcast Funds


The Senate passed a White House-endorsed plan to cancel $9 billion in federal funding for foreign-aid programs and public media after the Republican-led chamber blocked attempts to slim down the package in a marathon overnight voting session.

The measure was approved 51-48 at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, largely along party lines, with Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining Democrats in opposition.

The package now returns to the House for final approval, where it must pass by a Friday deadline mandated under the budget rules Republicans are using to move the package without Democratic votes. If successful, it will then head to Trump’s desk, where he’s expected to sign the partisan push to claw back federal dollars that Congress had already sent out the door.

This rescissions package, the first passed at a president’s request in decades, faced opposition from two Republicans—Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)—who joined Democrats in voting against it. 

Senate Republicans secured a key concession, restoring $400 million to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has saved an estimated 26 million lives since its inception under President George W. Bush in 2003. 

However, The Washington Post reports no relief was granted for public broadcasting. The bill eliminates $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports PBS and NPR. 

Democrats warned that these cuts would cripple local stations, particularly in rural areas heavily reliant on federal funds. A last-minute amendment by Collins and Murkowski to preserve most of the CPB funding failed.

Republicans like Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), the bill’s lead sponsor, argued that taxpayers shouldn’t subsidize public broadcasting, which benefits from donations, corporate sponsorships, and private grants. 

“Many states already invest in public broadcasting,” Schmitt said on the Senate floor. “It’s long overdue for them to take on more responsibility.”

While NPR and PBS, which receive only a small portion of their budgets from federal funds, are likely to weather the cuts, many local stations face severe impacts. Some, heavily dependent on CPB for over 50% of their budgets, could shut down, while others may slash local programming. 

Julie Overgaard, executive director of South Dakota Public Broadcasting, noted the lack of flexibility: “I can’t cherry-pick national PBS programs to cut costs, so we’ll have to reduce our locally produced content.” The cuts, set to take effect this fall, could mark the end for some stations that have survived decades of funding threats.

Israeli Settlers Reportedly Attack CNN Crew


A CNN crew led by Jerusalem correspondent Jeremy Diamond was reportedly attacked Monday by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank while covering the death of Saif al-Din Kamil Abdul Karim Musalat, a 20-year-old Palestinian-American allegedly beaten to death by settlers on July 11 in Sinjil, near Ramallah. 

The crew was traveling to interview Musalat’s family when a white car with at least four masked settlers began trailing them. After briefly approaching an Israeli Border Police vehicle for safety, the settlers, who had hidden out of sight, ambushed the CNN vehicle, smashing its rear window with a club or mallet. The crew escaped unharmed. Diamond shared the incident on X, noting it as a “sliver of the reality many Palestinians face” amid rising settler violence.


The attack occurred amid escalating violence in the West Bank, where settlers also allegedly torched cars in Burqa and assaulted a 65-year-old Palestinian man. The Foreign Press Association condemned the incident, highlighting a pattern of unpunished settler attacks on journalists, including a July 4 assault on a Deutsche Welle crew in Sinjil. 

The group criticized Israeli authorities for failing to arrest perpetrators and for restricting journalists’ access to northern West Bank refugee camps.

Musalat’s killing, alongside that of 23-year-old Mohammad al-Shalabi, who was shot during the same attack, has drawn attention to settler violence. Witnesses claim settlers blocked ambulances from reaching Musalat for hours, potentially preventing life-saving aid. His family and rights groups. 

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee called the killing a “criminal and terrorist act” but deferred to Israeli investigations, which rarely result in convictions.

The incident reflects a broader surge in West Bank violence since October 2023, with over 1,000 Palestinians killed by settlers or Israeli forces, according to the UN.

Lawmakers Demand FCC Stop Partisan Probes


Senators Chuck Schumer and Ed Markey, in a letter to FCC Chair Brendan Carr Wednesday, demanded an end to investigations targeting CBS News and other media outlets, accusing the FCC of partisan attacks.

The probe centers on claims by President Donald Trump that CBS deceptively edited a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris during the 2024 election to favor Democrats. Trump also filed a $20 billion lawsuit against CBS, which was settled this month with Paramount, CBS’s parent company, paying $16 million toward Trump’s future presidential library.

The senators criticized the FCC for a double standard, pointing to Fox News’ June 2024 interview with Trump, which they claim was edited to misleadingly suggest he fully supported releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related files when he was equivocal. 

Fox News denied selective editing, stating the full interview aired across its platforms with standard cuts for time. The senators argued that editorial discretion is central to press freedom and that the FCC should not investigate CBS or Fox.

Carr recently revived complaints about the CBS interview, ABC News’ moderation of a Biden-Trump debate, and NBC’s decision to feature Harris on “Saturday Night Live” before the election. However, he did not reinstate a petition to deny a Philadelphia Fox station’s license renewal. CBS, facing FCC scrutiny amid its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, called the complaint an attempt to turn the FCC into a content censor and urged its dismissal. 

Neither CBS, Fox, nor Carr commented immediately on the letter.

Podcasts Chasing OnLine Listeners


Fox News Media’s licensing deal with the conservative podcast “Ruthless” is a strategic move to expand its digital footprint and tap into younger, digitally-savvy audiences, particularly men aged 18-45, who are drifting away from traditional pay-TV. 

The podcast, hosted by Josh Holmes, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook, and Shashank Tripathi (aka “Comfortably Smug”), aligns with Fox’s right-leaning editorial stance and will operate under its Digital division, with the hosts gaining exposure on the Fox News Channel as contributors. 

This follows a broader trend of legacy media outlets, like ESPN with Pat McAfee’s show, partnering with digital-native creators to counter declining TV viewership and compete with streaming platforms and podcasts like Joe Rogan’s, which gained significant influence in the 2024 election.

“Ruthless” retains editorial control and shares revenue with Fox, mirroring deals like Fox Corp.’s acquisition of Red Seat Ventures to bolster conservative digital content. 

The move comes as other media giants explore similar strategies, such as Skydance Media’s talks to acquire The Free Press, signaling a shift toward integrating independent digital platforms to capture fragmented audiences. Fox’s strong YouTube performance (1.2 billion views in Q1 2025) underscores its focus on digital expansion, with “Ruthless” as its first external podcast partnership, potentially paving the way for more.

“Ruthless” appeals to conservative listeners by blending humor, insider perspectives, and unfiltered commentary, fostering loyalty among its 18-45 male demographic.

Unlike TV or print media, podcasts allow hosts to retain editorial control, as with “Ruthless” and Pat McAfee’s show. This freedom enables candid discussions that resonate with audiences seeking authenticity, making podcasts a go-to for shaping narratives without heavy corporate oversight.

Podcasts drive consumer behavior through sponsorships and endorsements, while politically oriented ones like “Ruthless” can mobilize voters or shape discourse. A 2024 Pew Research study noted that 23% of podcast listeners cited shows as a key source for political information, rivaling traditional news.

S-F Radio: KQED To Reduce Staffers By 15 Percent


Congress is set to vote by Friday on a White House rescission package that would cut over $500 million annually from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funds public radio and TV stations nationwide. President Trump has pushed for the cuts, threatening to withhold support from Republican lawmakers who oppose the proposal. If passed, the cuts would begin in October, severely impacting local stations, many of which rely on CPB for over 50% of their budgets.

Smaller stations, like those in Alaska where up to 95% of funding comes from CPB, face potential closure, according to Ed Ulman of Alaska Public Media. This would end programs like those tied to “Molly of Denali” and “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.” South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s local content, including lawmaker interviews, historical documentaries, and high school sports, would also likely be slashed.

NPR and PBS, while less dependent on federal funds, would face challenges. 

NPR’s Katherine Maher indicated possible staff cuts, and PBS’s Paula Kerger called the impact “significant.” 

KQED, a major public radio station, announced layoffs of 45 employees and 12 voluntary departures, a 15% staff reduction, due to a $12 million deficit and looming federal funding cuts. 

The layoffs, affecting content-producing departments most heavily, include disbanding the digital video team and slashing the education department. KQED will halt retirement contributions and freeze salaries, aiming to reduce the deficit by 90% next year. The cuts end programs like Youth Takeover and scale back initiatives like Deep Look.

The broader public media system faces existential threats from declining broadcast audiences, sluggish revenue growth, and new economic pressures. KQED’s past expansion, fueled by a $45 million fundraising campaign and a $94 million renovation, has not yielded proportional financial support.

Corporate sponsorships have softened, and the Trump administration’s moves, including a Senate vote to cut $1.1 billion from CPB and an FCC probe into underwriting practices, add further strain. NPR and PBS are suing to block an executive order targeting their funding, as stations like KQED rely on reserves and brace for an uncertain future.

MLB All-Star Game Has Slight Drop In Viewers


The 2025 MLB All-Star Game, featuring the first-ever swing-off to decide the winner, drew an average of 7.19 million viewers on Fox, per Nielsen data. 

It marked Fox’s highest viewership since the Super Bowl and the network’s best Tuesday night audience since Game 4 of the 2024 World Series. Still, viewership dipped 3.5% from the 2024 All-Star Game, making it the second-least watched Midsummer Classic.

Kyle Schwarber’s three home runs powered the National League to a 4-3 swing-off victory after the American League erased a six-run deficit to tie the game 6-6 in the ninth. 

The Atlanta-hosted game peaked at 8.1 million viewers from 9:15-9:30 p.m. EDT.

Introduced in 2022 by MLB and the players’ association to address pitcher shortages, the swing-off format saw three batters per league take three swings each against coaches, akin to a soccer penalty shootout.

Baseball’s All-Star Game outperformed other sports’ all-star events. The NHL skipped its All-Star Game this year, while the NBA’s All-Star Game and the NFL’s Pro Bowl (featuring skills competitions and flag football) each averaged 4.7 million viewers on TNT and ABC, respectively.

The Home Run Derby on Monday night averaged 5.73 million viewers on ESPN, up 5% from 2024.

CNN's Clarissa Ward Reports Death Threats


At the Mediastrong symposium on mental health and journalism held at City St George’s University in London this week, CNN’s chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward spoke candidly about the toll of her work, stating, “I get death threats all the time, my children get death threats.” 

She described the immense challenge of maintaining “mental discipline” while covering conflict zones, calling her job a “juggling act” of staying calm, managing logistical demands, and processing trauma.

Ward highlighted the intensity of her experiences, such as working in a Somali refugee camp with tight UN security constraints, where she had to balance urgent reporting tasks with human interactions, like listening to a woman who had lost two children. 

She noted that the online environment, particularly her Instagram feed, often exposes her to more trauma in an hour than some of her field assignments. The conference focused on newsroom mental health, with Ward’s remarks underscoring the personal risks and psychological burdens faced by journalists in high-stakes environments.