NewsNation is also entering the sports-business podcast arena with BIFF, hosted by former football coach Biff Poggi. The podcast, which drops hour-long episodes every Thursday on NewsNation’s YouTube channel, explores the intersection of athletics and finance. Poggi’s first guest was veteran sports broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit, with the duo discussing the current state and financial future of college football.
MS NOW and Industry Honors
MS NOW is adding a prestigious monthly series to its weekend lineup through a partnership with The 92nd Street Y in New York. Titled Nicolle Wallace Presents: 92NY on MS NOW, the show will be hosted by weekday anchor Nicolle Wallace. Premiering on Sunday, October 4, at 8 p.m., the series will feature in-depth conversations with thought leaders, journalists, and policymakers, moving beyond the immediate breaking news cycle to explore broader cultural and political themes.
In the realm of industry recognition, the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame has announced its class of 2026. Among the inductees are CNN’s Wolf Blitzer and Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott, both recognized for their long-term contributions to the evolution of cable news. Luis Fernandez, the chairman of NBCUniversal Telemundo, was also named as an inductee.
Furthermore, CNN’s Nic Robertson has been honored by The American Academy of Diplomacy. Robertson was named one of two recipients of the 2026 Ross Media Award for Reporting and Commentary on the Practice of American Diplomacy, highlighting his extensive international reporting career.
Personnel Shifts and Leadership Searches
The "revolving door" of the media industry remains active, particularly at the highest levels of management and on-air talent. BBC News is currently in the final stages of its search for a new leader. Reports indicate that the final candidate pool includes acting leader Jonathan Munro, Channel 4 News editor Esme Wren, Rachel Jupp (BBC’s director of news documentaries), and Rhuanedd Richards. The appointment will be a pivotal moment for the British broadcaster as it navigates its own set of funding and modernization challenges.
In a notable return, Harry Smith is rejoining NBC News as a contributor. Smith, whose career at NBC spanned 12 years before his departure in 2024, will focus on "Common Good" feature stories. His work will appear across Today, NBC Nightly News, and various NBC News live events, bringing his signature storytelling style back to the network’s flagship programs.
Finally, CBS News is bringing in Steven Baker as a consultant to work with CBS News president Tom Cibrowski. Baker, a former executive producer for ABC News’ Nightline, is tasked with helping bolster the performance of CBS This Morning and CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil. The move is seen as a strategic effort to improve the ratings and editorial direction of CBS’s key news broadcasts during a time of intense competition across the network news landscape.
