8 days ago
I'm a fan of David Samson. The former Marlins executive turned host at Meadowlark Media speaks candidly, and usually supports his positions with solid evidence. He's been gracious with his time to our writers over the years. His prior conversations with Pablo Torre and John Skipper on The Sporting Class always made me think. Whether Marlins and Expos fans like him or his opinions are right more than wrong doesn't change my position.
But earlier this week, David stepped on a landmine. He declared that we don't need baseball on the radio anymore. David said, "We all live by the clock that is kernels of sand through an hourglass. So, radio will go the way of Kodak and Blockbuster. It doesn't mean the voices will go away. The voices will find a different way to get into your brain because you have a different way of engaging with content."
In my opinion, David couldn't be more wrong. The response to those remarks has been huge across social media. Most feel similar to yours truly. I respect David's knowledge of the baseball business. He ran the Miami Marlins for 15 years. He spent a few years with the Expos too. He's been a part of media deals on the team's side pointing out that teams "buy a block of time, and then go out and sell ads." Some clubs do that. But most big brands don't. Let's examine the issue a little deeper.
Reach matters in today's media climate. Nielsen data shows AM/FM radio reaches 87% of U.S. adults every week. Those numbers aren't from 10-15 years ago. They are from the first quarter of 2026. That beat smartphones at 82%, TV-connected devices at 78% and live TV at 71%. Even among adults 18-34, radio reaches 81%.
Is radio's revenue down from its peak? Yes. The industry produced over 21 billion in 2006. BIA projects local radio will earn $12.2 billion in 2026. That's still a lot of money even if it's less than what existed 20 years ago. Still, Samson said there is no money in radio. Twelve billion Benjamin's suggests otherwise.
#still
But earlier this week, David stepped on a landmine. He declared that we don't need baseball on the radio anymore. David said, "We all live by the clock that is kernels of sand through an hourglass. So, radio will go the way of Kodak and Blockbuster. It doesn't mean the voices will go away. The voices will find a different way to get into your brain because you have a different way of engaging with content."
In my opinion, David couldn't be more wrong. The response to those remarks has been huge across social media. Most feel similar to yours truly. I respect David's knowledge of the baseball business. He ran the Miami Marlins for 15 years. He spent a few years with the Expos too. He's been a part of media deals on the team's side pointing out that teams "buy a block of time, and then go out and sell ads." Some clubs do that. But most big brands don't. Let's examine the issue a little deeper.
Reach matters in today's media climate. Nielsen data shows AM/FM radio reaches 87% of U.S. adults every week. Those numbers aren't from 10-15 years ago. They are from the first quarter of 2026. That beat smartphones at 82%, TV-connected devices at 78% and live TV at 71%. Even among adults 18-34, radio reaches 81%.
Is radio's revenue down from its peak? Yes. The industry produced over 21 billion in 2006. BIA projects local radio will earn $12.2 billion in 2026. That's still a lot of money even if it's less than what existed 20 years ago. Still, Samson said there is no money in radio. Twelve billion Benjamin's suggests otherwise.
#still
2 months ago
Kodak Black is seen trying to quickly finish up a meal before being turned over to authorities in footage making the rounds on social media this week, though it's worth pointing out that the footage itself does not depict a recent incident.
Instead, the body camera footage in question, which has been widely shared in recent days, stems from May 14 of this year. Annoyingly, much of the posts zeroing in on the food-focused moment from the Pompano Beach, Florida-set video have been shared without context, which may have led some to falsely believe that the Kodak The Blessing artist had been arrested in recent days. This is not true.
Posts have also circulated positing that Kodak "made" officials wait for him to finish his meal "before they arrested him," which is also misleading.
Kodak Black had one last thing to handle before going into custody — finishing his spaghetti. 😭🍝 pic.twitter.com/wbAoIQsSNp
— NineT6ix 🦅 (Salih9t6) September 7, 2026
#kodak #black #shared
Instead, the body camera footage in question, which has been widely shared in recent days, stems from May 14 of this year. Annoyingly, much of the posts zeroing in on the food-focused moment from the Pompano Beach, Florida-set video have been shared without context, which may have led some to falsely believe that the Kodak The Blessing artist had been arrested in recent days. This is not true.
Posts have also circulated positing that Kodak "made" officials wait for him to finish his meal "before they arrested him," which is also misleading.
Kodak Black had one last thing to handle before going into custody — finishing his spaghetti. 😭🍝 pic.twitter.com/wbAoIQsSNp
— NineT6ix 🦅 (Salih9t6) September 7, 2026
#kodak #black #shared
2 months ago
Bald eagles from Dollywood's Eagle Mountain Sanctuary will have a new permanent home at the American Eagle Foundation's conservation campus in Kodak, Tenn.
The move follows storm damage to the sanctuary earlier this year, which led to the escape of three birds
Dollywood will continue educating guests about bald eagles through its Birds of Prey program at the Wings of America Theater
Dollywood is saying goodbye to its bald eagles after 35 years.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts, jointly owned by the late Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Enterprises, announced on Friday, Aug. 21, that its partnership with the American Eagle Foundation was entering "a new chapter."
#dollywood #bald #sanctuary
The move follows storm damage to the sanctuary earlier this year, which led to the escape of three birds
Dollywood will continue educating guests about bald eagles through its Birds of Prey program at the Wings of America Theater
Dollywood is saying goodbye to its bald eagles after 35 years.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts, jointly owned by the late Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Enterprises, announced on Friday, Aug. 21, that its partnership with the American Eagle Foundation was entering "a new chapter."
#dollywood #bald #sanctuary
3 months ago
July is going down as a dream month for Madison Beer. After headlining Madison Square Garden two weeks ago, the pop star announced on Tuesday (July 28) that she's engaged to Justin Herbert.
"Meet my fiancé," she captioned the post to Instagram. The photos find the NFL quarterback getting on one knee in a grass field surrounded by a colorful garden. He throws his fiancé over his shoulder and they're greeted by the first Mr. and Mrs. Herbert sign in the carousel post full of Kodak moments.
More from Billboard
A Timeline of Madison Beer & Justin Herbert's Relationship
Beyond the Valley Announces 11th-Edition Lineup Led by John Summit and Black Eyed Peas
#beer #tuesday
"Meet my fiancé," she captioned the post to Instagram. The photos find the NFL quarterback getting on one knee in a grass field surrounded by a colorful garden. He throws his fiancé over his shoulder and they're greeted by the first Mr. and Mrs. Herbert sign in the carousel post full of Kodak moments.
More from Billboard
A Timeline of Madison Beer & Justin Herbert's Relationship
Beyond the Valley Announces 11th-Edition Lineup Led by John Summit and Black Eyed Peas
#beer #tuesday
