Linda Yaccarino, ad sales chairman for NBCUniversal, and Laura Correnti of ad agency Giant Spoon announced they plan to start a new podcast called Sunday Supper that will feature guests talking–over a meal–about how they’ve broken traditions and moved the media business into the future.

The new podcast is being distributed by iHeartMedia with the first episodes due in the fall.

“In my house and even my office — the best days end—and the most genuine conversations start—around the dinner table,” said Yaccarino. “I’m so excited to bring all the laughter, conversations, and tough questions of an Italian home to Sunday Supper, and make our guests—and our listeners—part of the family, too.” 

Since arriving at NBCU, Yaccarino has pushed the company into advanced advertising, investing in technology and data. 

“Linda and I have worked at the intersection of media, marketing, business, and culture for decades. And yet we’ve also always operated far beyond the traditional lanes of our industry,” added Correnti. “This podcast is an opportunity to explore the connections that can take creativity, business, and technology to the next level. We’re excited to pass the meatballs, remove the formalities, and learn from some true visionaries.” 

Yaccarino’s and Correnti’s guests weren’t identified, but they promised they be among the biggest names in entertainment and business.

“Podcasting has quickly established itself as one of the most genuine, effective ways for humans to do something that is critical to all of us: have a real conversation,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “And, as two powerhouse forces in the world of media and creativity, Linda and Laura have a credibility and authenticity that is second to none. The medium is perfect for them. And the Sunday Supper podcast is the perfect  idea for it. As the largest podcast network in the country, iHeartMedia can’t wait to swing our full, mass-reach marketing and sales support behind it.”  ■

Fox Nation has signed a deal with Fox News Channel host Tucker Carlson to provide what Fox Nation calls “flagship content” for the streaming platform. Carlson will host a video podcast and the series Tucker Carlson Originals. Starting in April, Carlson will release at least three video podcast episodes a week. Tucker Carlson Originals will also premiere on Fox Nation in April, and air monthly. 

“As we continue to expand and evolve as a service, adding exclusive content from Tucker Carlson will make Fox Nation a must-have service for his most passionate fans,” said Jason Klarman, president of Fox Nation. 

Carlson hosts Tucker Carlson Tonight weeknights at 8 p.m. ET on Fox News. The show launched in late 2016. 

“This is my twelfth year at Fox News and I’ve never been more grateful to be here,” said Carlson. “As other media outlets fall silent or fall in line, Fox News Media’s management has redoubled its commitment to honesty and freedom of speech. I consider that heroic at a time like this.”

Justin Wells has been named VP of Tucker Carlson Digital Products. “We have a close relationship with our viewers,” he said. “We’re excited to continue and expand that relationship on Fox Nation. We have far more stories to tell than we can air in our nightly format. We see this as a welcome expansion of what we’re already doing.” 

With the pandemic making it even more important that kids are "ready to learn" from home, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting are teaming up with PBS Kids and audio tech company PRX on a Ready to Learn podcast training and development program.

Ready to Learn is the Department of Education-funded early learning multimedia effort.

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The new Ready to Learn Podcast Accelerator will be a 16-week program (May through September 2021) and will be for producers of educational kids content, in this case five production teams.

The production teams selected for the program--the application window is currently open but closes March 19--will get the 16 weeks of training via workshops and webinars, as well as $10,000 in funding for production and operational expenses as well as access to PRX's podcast distribution and promotion platforms.

Also Read: Ready to Learn Renewed

The program is open to independent producers, public media stations, or any media organization based in the U.S. and with a "demonstrated level of interest in children’s storytelling and education media."

The content can be fiction or nonfiction, but must be targeted to kids 4-8 and their significant others--family and caregivers--and focused on introducing them "to the world of work," which means emphasizing skills like goal-setting, task performing and persistence and flexible thinking, according to CPB.

HGTV is getting a superfan podcast, as “HGTV Obsessed” launches Dec. 17. Mike and Kat Stickler of TikTok, host the podcast, and “will dive deep into all things HGTV,” said the network. 

The episodes will feature exclusive interviews with the network’s home renovation superstars, episode recaps, listener questions, lifestyle and design tips and games. The podcast can be found at Apple, Spotify, Stitcher and Google Podcasts, among other platforms.  

“This new platform for HGTV will give millions of fans another exciting way to connect with our unrivaled content in the home space,” said Jane Latman, president, HGTV. “Our collaboration with social media sensations Mike and Kat is an absolute win, and their signature candid honesty and humorous perspectives that shot them to nearly instant fame is sure to turn HGTV Obsessed into a ‘must-listen’ podcast. Dec. 17 can’t get here fast enough.”

The first episode of HGTV Obsessed offers an interview with Albie Mushaney, real estate agent, renowned strongman and Santa impersonator, and star of You’ll be Home for Christmas, which is on Dec. 18. HGTV design expert David Bromstad, star of My Lottery Dream Home, will give advice on Christmas decorations. 

HGTV is part of Discovery, Inc.

Kent Gibbons and Michael Malone talk about the odd fall season, shows set in Florida, new Halloween programming, and more.

ESPN has suspended Grantland editor Bill Simmons after he called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a “liar” for his handling of the Ray Rice domestic violence mess during a profanity-laden Sept. 22 BS podcast.

Simmons, who was suspended last year for critical comments about ESPN's debate show First Take, will be out for three weeks this time round.

“I just think not enough is being made out of the fact that they knew about the tape and they knew what was on it. Goodell, if he didn’t know what was on that tape, he’s a liar," Simmons said. "I’m just saying it, he is lying. I think that dude is lying. If you put him up on a lie detector test, that guy would fail. For all these people to pretend they didn’t know, is such f*#@)^%g bullshit. It really is. It’s such f*#@)^%g bullshit. For him to go on the press conference and pretend otherwise, I was so insulted.”

Goodell held a press conference in New York on Sept. 19.

Simmons also challenged ESPN -- which is the NFL's largest rights payor, allocating some $1.9 billion annually for Monday Night Football, highlights and other league-related content -- to take action for his remarks about Goodell, noting "I really hope somebody calls me or emails me and says I’m in trouble."

ESPN issued the following statement on Wednesday evening: “Every employee must be accountable to ESPN and those engaged in our editorial operations must also operate within ESPN’s journalistic standards. We have worked hard to ensure that our recent NFL coverage has met that criteria. Bill Simmons did not meet those obligations in a recent podcast, and as a result we have suspended him for three weeks.”

Simmons is the second member of ESPN's talent corps to be suspended over the Ray Rice matter. In July, Stephen A. Smith lost a week over comments on First Take in which he said women sometimes precipitate domestic violence reactions.

No longer a member of ESPN’s NBA Countdown pre- and post-game, Simmons is scheduled to tip off The Grantland Basketball Show next month.