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Gunfire in Central Business District injures innocent bystander during altercation
A shooting in New Orleans' Central Business District late Saturday night injured an innocent bystander and hospitalized another person involved in a verbal altercation, police said.
Hospital’s rocky radiology transition leaves patients ‘almost rioting in the ER’
A new report from the Fredericksburg Free Times sheds light on the struggles Mary Washington Healthcare has faced during its transition away from Radiologic Associates of Fredericksburg.
New entertainment comes to the Cecil County Fair
FAIR HILL — Two acts that have never been to the Cecil County Fair before are entertaining fairgoers with flashy tricks and speedy pigs.
Local business looks to help flood victims on Zuni Pueblo
"We are collecting donations of food, clothing, whatever you can bring," said Philana Booqua, whose home suffered damage from the floods.
4 Takeaways From Corey Heim's Masterful Brickyard 400 Win
It's Heim Time once again as Corey Heim earned his second victory of the season — this time winning the famed Brickyard 400.
WATCH: Patrick Mahomes connects with rookie standout at training camp
Check out this video of rookie RB Emmett Johnson catching a pass from Patrick Mahomes at Chiefs training camp.
Corey Heim wins NASCAR Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Corey Heim wins the Brickyard 400 on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. See photos of Corey Heim from Brickyard weekend.
Health alert issued for Albuquerque area due to ozone
The health alert is in effect for the Albuquerque metro area until 8 p.m. Sunday.
Sunday Gardener: Pruning flowers for healthy growth
Carrie Engel from Valley View Farms shares her advice for pruning flowers that aren't thriving in your garden.
Who are Newcastle United (Part Two)?
This has been a difficult week, with thoughts very much dwelling on a pair of Newcastle United heroes. The loss of Kevin Keegan hit me like a ton of bricks.
Jane Kim explains why she should be California's next Insurance Commissioner
Jane Kim, an attorney and former San Francisco Supervisor, is running to be California's next insurance commissioner.
California leaders split over war in Iran
California lawmakers and leaders are divided over the war in Iran, now in its fifth month, as debates over funding and presidential authority continue in Washington D.C.
Backers of California voter ID measure to sue Attorney General Rob Bonta for ballot title change
Supporters of California's Prop 39 voter ID measure are preparing to sue Attorney General Rob Bonta, claiming his office altered the ballot title to mislead voters and sway them against the initiative.
California Politics 360 full episode | CA Representatives split on future of Iran war
Ashley Zavala reached out to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to hear their take on where the war stands.
Learning how to bend light at the Orlando Science Center
Check out this fun activity on this week's The Science of It, where young minds can learn about reflection and refraction
Democrats Reset the Maine Senate Race. Now Comes the Tricky Part.
Troy Jackson is replacing Graham Platner, but Republicans are seeking to tie them together as a remade race kicks off with high stakes.
Insider: Lakers haven't talked about P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford
According to one insider, the Lakers haven't had any real trade discussions with the Mavericks about P.J. Washington or Daniel Gafford.
Brick and wood framing exposed after Birmingham facade falls
A downtown Birmingham business lost its front facade Saturday, and it’s not yet clear when it happened or whether anyone was hurt.
Chicago White Sox Release Brother of Braves’ Player Jurickson Profar
The Chicago White Sox currently sit atop the AL Central with a 54-48 record. They lead the Guardians by 1.5 games in the division. An Atlanta Braves player who is a little bit forgotten is Jurickson Profar. Profar signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Braves a couple of seasons ago, but he is […] The post Chicago White Sox Release Brother of Braves’ Player Jurickson Profar appeared first on HEAVY.
Boil-water advisory impacts Algiers businesses and recreation
A boil-water advisory in Algiers is affecting local businesses and recreation centers after water pressure dropped during maintenance at the Algiers water plant.
College Park business sees backlash after Rick Jackson visit
Metro Atlanta business owners are responding to online backlash after hosting visits from Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson.
Scotland's 3x3 wheelchair basketball teams kick-off with wins
Scotland men and women made a dream start to their respective 3x3 wheelchair basketball campaigns with an impressive victory. The men defeated South Africa 15-9 while the women breezed to a 16-1 win over Nigeria in the first of three group games. The women's 3x3 basketball team, though, endured a trickier day on court, but ended on a high, picking up their first victory of the Commonwealth Games against Singapore.
Blackhawks Trade Pitch Lands Former 37-Goal Scorer
The Chicago Blackhawks made another big move earlier this week when they brought back franchise legend Patrick Kane on a two-year, $8 million AAV contract. With this, No. 88 will now be a very important part of the Blackhawks’ top six once again. He will also give Connor Bedard such much-needed help.Yet, even after Kane, […] The post Blackhawks Trade Pitch Lands Former 37-Goal Scorer appeared first on HEAVY.
Entertainment baseball coming to Northwest Arkansas
A baseball event blending traditional competition and trick plays is coming to Northwest Arkansas this fall.
Trump administration admits to canceling clean energy grants based on politics
The Trump administration acknowledged that it canceled grants for hundreds of clean energy projects “based solely on the political identity of the grant recipient’s state."
Sex in space could be trickier than we think. Here's what science says about close encounters between astronauts | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Sgnificant gaps exist in our understanding of how human reproduction might be affected by the conditions in space.
Andy Burnham and the rise of ‘aura farming’ in politics
Is “aura farming” the new political superpower? There are some days in TV news when you find yourself standing in the middle of a farm, surrounded by baby goats, trying to explain internet slang. Subscribe This was one of those days. There I was, in wellies, trying to unpack aura farming - a Gen Z term for carefully cultivating your image online so that you look effortlessly cool, authentic and charismatic. The trick, apparently, is that it can’t look like you’re trying too hard. Which, I’ll admit, felt slightly ironic as we filmed an entire report on a farm purely because the word farming is in the title. ‘Shaped by algorithms’ Whether you like it or not, politics increasingly feels like it’s being shaped by algorithms as much as manifestos. Take Andy Burnham. Since arriving at Number 10, he’s been impossible to miss online. One minute he’s out for a casual jog with Mo Farah. Next he’s announcing policy alongside TikTok high priestess Bus Aunty. His social media paints a very deliberate picture: less polished Westminster operator, more bloke from the North who just happens to be running the country. It’s not accidental. Burnham’s “King of the North”, New Order-loving persona has become part of a carefully constructed political brand. Authenticity is now something politicians work incredibly hard to make look effortless. But Burnham isn’t inventing this playbook. Like so many of us doomscrolling on an evening, he’s been influenced online. The digital strategy of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, pictured above right, has become a case study in viral political communication, and some of the people behind that campaign have recently been advising the Labour Party in Britain. Their message is simple: if you want to reach younger voters, you need to show up where they already spend their time. Embracing content creators And increasingly, that doesn’t mean traditional news interviews (awkward). It means speaking to content creators like Max from The Career Ladder, whose channels reach around 20 million followers worldwide. His interview with Burnham, pictured below, was posted almost immediately after he became Prime Minister. What struck me wasn’t just the audience size, but something Max told me afterwards: many people in the comments said they’d discovered Britain had a new Prime Minister through his interview. Think about that for a moment. Not through rolling news. Not through newspapers. Through a creator they were already following while scrolling. Share That’s a profound shift in how political information reaches people, one that’s been gathering momentum for some time. It also explains why politicians are embracing content creators and spending millions on digital marketing. Of course, this isn’t unique to one party. ‘Personality before policy’ In many ways, the right were quicker off the mark in building their aura online. Donald Trump built much of his political identity on social media. Nigel Farage remains one of Britain’s strongest political performers on TikTok. Politicians across the spectrum now understand that personality often reaches people before policy does. During a six-week UK general election campaign alone, overall digital ad spending routinely tops £11m. Share Channel 4 News Former Number 10 social media adviser Andrew Wong put it well when he told me that “vibes” can help someone get noticed, but they only work if they’re rooted in a genuine personality. Force it, and audiences spot it instantly. The bigger question is whether internet charisma can backfire on you - especially when you’re Prime Minister. Because behind Burnham’s carefully curated videos is a veteran politician with decades of Westminster experience. The spontaneity is produced. While the authenticity may be genuine, it’s managed. That’s not necessarily a criticism. It’s simply the reality of modern political communication. Aura farming alone is not enough to harvest change. But in the age of algorithms, winning attention may be the first battle. Subscribe Share Channel 4 News Leave a comment
California health officials stress vaccinations as school year approaches
As the school year approaches, California health officials are urging parents to update their children's routine vaccinations to comply with state requirements and prevent disease outbreaks.
Nevada regulators approve key steps in MGM, Caesars take-private deals
Two Nevada resort companies that dominate the Strip came a step closer to converting from publicly traded to privately held after actions Thursday before the Nevada Gaming Commission. In separate
Mahomes back in full practice, 'optimistic' for NFL opener
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been cleared to return to full practice as he recovers from tearing knee ligaments late last season.A disappointing season for the Chiefs last year was capped in December when Mahomes tore left knee ligaments, requiring surgery for the first major injury in his nine-year NFL career.
Using Excel to Track and Grow Business - New York State Bar Association
Lawyers may excel in learning case law, but a working knowledge of Excel spreadsheets and other bookkeeping tasks can be daunting. A recent program sponsored by the New York State Bar Association offered tips and tricks to better navigate spreadsheet programs. The webinar was presented by Jordan Turk, a family law attorney in Texas and
Kendrick taps commissioners, former administrator, business leaders for transition team
Mayor-elect Steven Kendrick has named three sitting commissioners and a cross-section of Augusta business and community leaders to examine the government before he takes office.
Patrick Graham's New Steelers Approach Could Fix Defense's Biggest Weakness
As training camp approaches, one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers' sweeping offseason changes is the defense. One area in which the Steelers consistently excelled was forcing turnovers. One insider believes new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will change the Steelers' defensive approach for the better.
Cincinnati mayor announces $1 million in flood relief for residents, businesses
Cincinnati officials are rolling out flood relief funding for residents and business owners hit by recent flooding, as the city pushes for more state and federal help.
Sports quiz of the week: Rodri, Kevin Keegan, Women’s Afcon and Tyson Fury
Have you been following the big news in football, cricket, rugby union, golf, boxing and athletics?
Mired in litigation with longtime imaging partner, hospital system switches radiology groups
Mary Washington Healthcare in Virginia is switching to Medical Center Radiologists after decades of working with Radiologic Associates of Fredericksburg, which is suing the hospital group seeking nearly $3 million.
Public defender proposes increase to 'expert witness' budget due to more mental evaluations
The Douglas County attorney and public defender highlight the growing role of mental health in court cases, with rising costs for evaluations and expert witnesses that are all funded by taxpayers.
Police believe woman found dead behind NW OKC business died of natural causes
Police officials reported a woman was found dead behind a northwest Oklahoma City business Thursday afternoon.
Mark Cuban-Led Group Buys Minority Stake In Athletics Ahead Of Las Vegas Move
An investment group that includes ex-Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has bought a minority stake in the Athletics in anticipation of their move to Las Vegas in 2028.
Seahawks At Camp: Offense Craving Offensive 'Balance' Under New Coach
The Seahawks boast a good receiver room led by Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but Seattle can't be a one-trick pony.
Cuban's investment group purchases minority stake in Athletics
Harbinger Sports Group, an investment group that includes former Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, has bought a minority stake in the Athletics ahead of the team's move to Las Vegas in 2028.
VA official visits Des Moines to review new electronic health record system
The VA's second-in-command visited Des Moines to assess preparations for a new electronic health record system designed to improve care for veterans nationwide.
Maine Democrats call on Bennett to denounce GOP funds
Specifically, Democrats say a political action committee called Maine Wins Together, which is supporting Bennett, recently received $100,000 from donors who have also given to former Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who is now running for the 2nd Congressional District.
Propheter named next leader of Chamber of Commerce
The former head of Frederick County's economic development office has been named the new leader of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.
CDC spokesperson: Health investigators deployed to Ohio amid cyclospora outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control is sending disease detectives to Ohio to help with the cyclosporiasis investigation in the state, according to a CDC spokesperson.
Patrick Kane Leaves Red Wings, Finds New Home
Patrick Kane is leaving the Detroit Red Wings after signing a two-year contract to return to the Chicago Blackhawks.
CB South head football coach Tom Hetrick stepping down
Central Bucks South head football coach Tom Hetrick is stepping down. Assistant coaches Bart Szarko and John Cataldo will lead the program
Databricks and Microsoft expand partnership to help enterprises bring business context to enterprise AI
/PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. and Databricks on Wednesday announced an expansion of their decade-long strategic partnership, extending into the 2030s....
Cricket gets a political makeover in Modi’s India
The sport that long helped unite the region is now governed by the politics of the day.
Charli XCX moves beyond ‘Brat’ and nine more things you must hear this week
Britain's Charli XCX starts a new sonic era with "Music, Fashion, Film," leading a new releases week that includes titles from Shania Twain, O.A.R. the Strokes, Cypress Hill, Brantley Gilbert and more, a posthumous set from the Mavericks' Raul Malo and a Tony Award-winning musical's cast album.
Major Sacramento Railyards projects move forward as hospital, stadium and concert venue take shape
Major progress has been made in the Sacramento Railyards in recent months, with three high-profile developments now visibly under construction.
'It got higher, and higher': Businesses hit hard by severe flooding in Gallup
"This is one of the worst floods I've ever seen in my life," New Mexico Pottery Company owner Thomas Piano told KOAT.
Missouri Attorney General sues Kansas City over minority- and women-owned business program
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block Kansas City's minority- and women-owned business contracting program.
What does Cincinnati's emergency declaration mean for residents, business owners?
Cincinnati is transitioning from emergency response to recovery after two rounds of flooding prompted the mayor to declare a state of emergency to provide financial relief to affected homeowners and businesses.
Cool Course: Mind Playing Tricks on Me—Mental Health in Contemporary Music
Student analyze and critique songs from diverse artists and genres to explore mental health topics and related stigmas
Cyclospora in Maryland: Health officials report 110 cases
Cyclosporiasis cases in Maryland have increased to 110 since May 1, state health officials said.
Ohio State president is building new pathways for business partnerships
The Ohio State University is committed to working with the state’s business community to bring excellence at scale to research partnerships, student entrepreneurship and workforce development.That message was part of a conversation on leadership and other topics hosted by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce this week between Ohio State President ...
Patrick Kane reportedly walks away from Blackhawks over unexpected issue!
A surprising condition may have derailed Kane's emotional return to Chicago.
Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future Announces 2026 Graduate Summer Fellows
The Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future welcomed eight Boston University graduate students as the 2026 cohort of its Graduate Summer Fellows Program. Running from May 26 through July 31, the 10-week fellowship provides master’s and doctoral students with the opportunity to conduct independent, future-oriented, policy-relevant research while participating in…
A Third-Generation Veteran Found His Next Mission: Helping Seniors Stay Independent. 'It's All About Giving Back'
Before running a $5 million senior care franchise, Rick Cseak toured 29 countries as a singer in the Air Force's entertainment group.
Health officials investigating possible harmful algae bloom in the Charles River after dog's death
The Boston Public Health Commission is warning residents to avoid the water between Kendrick Street in Needham and Spring Street in West Roxbury after a dog died earlier this week.
Feed-A-Palooza returns bringing free health and wellness resources, family fun to Lake Eola
One Heart for Women and Children, in partnership with AdventHealth, is hosting the Feed-A-Palooza Community Health & Resource Fair Saturday, July 25, offering free community resources, family activities, and more.
Lakehouse Business Data Models for Manufacturing & Industrial
Production-ready, governed Silver-layer data models for travel & logistics that deploy directly into Unity Catalog on Databricks.
Mark Lamster: What a new Dallas Mavericks arena should look like
Mark Lamster on how the Dallas Mavericks can transform Valley View into a fan and environmentally friendly neighborhood.
Kaylee Hottle, deaf 'Godzilla' actor, killed in car crash at 18
Kaylee Hottle, a deaf actor known for her roles in two “Godzilla” films, has died in a car crash in Maryland. She was 18. The Frederick County Sheriff's Office reports
Family business faces third theft in six months
Lucy Hardware in Intervale is in its fourth generation as a family business. In that time, owner Taylor Lucy said it's never seen anything quite like this until now: three thefts at the business in the past six months.
Harrisburg business owners raise concerns after 15-minute parking spaces removed
A Downtown Harrisburg business owner is seeking answers after 15-minute parking spaces that she says were approved outside her business were later removed.
'Star Trek: The Next Generation' cast: See what became of the Enterprise crew nearly 40 years later
'Star Trek: The Next Generation' ushered in a golden age for the beloved franchise. See Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, and more nearly 40 years after the premiere.
Kaylee Hottle, deaf 'Godzilla' actor, killed in car crash at 18
Kaylee Hottle, a deaf actor known for her roles in two “Godzilla” films, has died in a car crash in Maryland. She was 18. The Frederick County Sheriff's Office reports
Kaylee Hottle, deaf \'Godzilla\' actor, killed in car crash at 18
Kaylee Hottle, a deaf actor known for her roles in two “Godzilla” films, has died in a car crash in Maryland. She was 18. The Frederick County Sheriff's Office reports
Memorial Health Meadows Hospital temporarily closes most services due to flooding
The hospital said the emergency room, women’s center and The Tommy and Shirley Strickland Cancer Center remain open despite flooding.
Kendrick Perkins makes pitch for LeBron James to join ESPN
The Miami Heat? The Cleveland Cavaliers? The Philadelphia 76ers? The Golden State Warriors? Where will LeBron James land in NBA free agency? Kendrick Perkins has another idea altogether for the unrestricted free agent: ESPN. On Monday’s edition of NBA Today, the ESPN analyst and 2008 NBA champion made his pitch for James to join the…
Lakehouse Business Data Models for Travel & Logistics
Production-ready, governed Silver-layer data models for travel & logistics that deploy directly into Unity Catalog on Databricks.
Guilford County welcomes new Health and Human Services Deputy Director Quintana Stewart
Quintana Stewart will join Guilford County on July 27 as the new Health and Human Services Agency deputy director, bringing more than two decades of public health leadership.
WNC deputies investigate breaking and entering at business
Seeking identification of a man and woman at the scene
Questions surround Patrick Mahomes' injury recovery for Chiefs
The superstar QB is working his way back from a torn ACL.
Extreme heat is eroding health, productivity and incomes of Dhaka’s informal workers
DHAKA — On June 28, as the afternoon sun beat down on Bangladesh capital Dhaka’s sprawling Tejgaon neighborhood, Samiha Begum gathered her two school-aged children and headed for the shade of Hatirjheel Lake. Their narrow one-room home in a nearby slum had become unbearable. She said, “The room starts heating up as soon as the […]
Four deaths reported in New York City Legionnaires’ disease cluster
A fourth person has died in connection with a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases in New York City, city officials said.
Popular travel tech find hits its lowest price of the year
Travelers rely on Apple AirTags to keep tabs on bags and valuables — and this four-pack is now the cheapest it's been all year.
UFC Freedom 250 Fails to Knock Out The Ratings
(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) If UFC fans wanted one image to say, “Hey, Paramount+ is crushing it with their UFC rights deal,” I could provide that image. Here it is: (Reminder: this is my creation of the Nielsen Top 30, since Nielsen doesn’t combine the lists or include sports. I take all three lists and combine them. Some streaming TV shows probably have higher ratings than many of the films on this list.) Look at that! UFC Freedom 250 is number one! It topped the Nielsen “Top 30” list for shows and films that made the top ten the week of 15-June. So if you’re a UFC fan or supporter of Paramount+, that’s the good news for you this week. This program topped the ratings charts for one week. Everything else is bad news, or at least a huge caveat to that story, which I’ll explain today in the first part of this week’s Streaming Ratings Report—for the weeks of 8-June and 15-June—which is a double issue since I’ve been writing on a bunch of topics recently. UFC Freedom 250 is one of the biggest streaming events of the year, and super relevant to Paramount+’s strategy, so it merited its own article. Let’s dive in! (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of June 8th to June 21st 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe Check Out My Interview on UFC 250 at MMA Draw After you read this article, if you want even more thoughts on UFC and Paramount-Skydance/Paramount+, I did a written interview with MMA Draw. They asked me to answer some questions about UFC Freedom 250, and I was happy to chat with them. Find it here: [ The MMA Draw Newsletter Did Paramount really overpay for the UFC? What the data tells us so far If you know the history of American television, you also know that combat sports is often a leading indicator of the future… Read more a day ago · 10 likes · 1 comment · Nate Wilcox and Zach Arnold ](https://www.themmadraw.com/p/did-paramount-really-overpay-for?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web) I never thought I’d need a combat sports newsletter in my life, but the good folks at MMA Draw publish an excellent one on UFC, MMA, pro wrestling, boxing and more, analyzing both the sports themselves and the politics, economics and antitrust issues that impact them. Check the article and their newsletter out! Paramount+ Has Its Best Sporting Event of All Time…But Was It Worth It? Before we look at the UFC Freedom 250 data in particular, let’s talk about what we can’t say. Namely, let’s start with the lack of comparisons. First off, I’d love to put a chart out comparing this fight to past UFC fights on Paramount+…but we don’t have the data. This is the first time we’ve gotten Nielsen data about a Paramount+ UFC fight. As far as I can tell, Paramount provided data for the first fight, but it was a proprietary datecdote (saying it had “an average minute audience” of 5 million “views”) and then, for two fights, we got the linear viewership numbers when they aired on CBS, but no streaming data. Everything else was crickets. We also can’t compare this fight to other fights/combat sports on streaming, in particular the MMA and boxing, because Netflix also didn’t use Nielsen to track those events, opting for TVision and VideoAmp, respectively. (This isn’t Paramount’s fault, but does still suck.) We also can’t compare to UFC’s fights that used to be on ESPN+, since we don’t have any data for that, plus Disney+ didn’t have marquee fights. The comparisons would not be apples-to-apples. Can we compare to past Pay-Per-View fights? Absolutely not. The comparisons would absolutely NOT be apples-to-apples. That didn’t stop Paramount+, though, who bragged that their UFC events have reached drastically more people than past PPV fights. Duh. Sorry, but I gotta make this point again. A basic tenet of economics is that the cheaper something becomes, the more people consume or buy it. That’s Econ 101. (Sometimes pundits call things “Econ 101” that are actually like Econ 210 or even PhD-level economics, but no, this is really like first or second class basic economics.) Yet I still see one analytics firm consistently say that more people watch films on streaming than PVOD proves streaming which means that the streaming window is more valuable than the PVOD window. No, it’s not! Same thing here. Pay-Per-View events back in the day could be really, really, really expensive! So whole groups of people pitched in to buy them. That increased the perceived value of, say, the Mike Tyson fight. Or a UFC numbered event. So yes, the fact that Paramount+ makes numbered UFC fights essentially “free” if you’re already a Paramount+ member means consumption will go up. Obviously. Same for Netflix and their boxing matches. They’re talking about fights that used to cost consumers, in some cases, $50 in 1996…which is over $100 in today’s dollars. Over 1.6 million people paid that to watch the Tyson-Holyfield fight! Again, streaming is essentially “free”. Or $10 to $20, depending on what streamer we’re talking about and what tier you’re on. No wonder more people are “watching”. (Plus, Nielsen’s out-of-home viewing also helps these numbers.) UFC Freedom 250 Did Well…But I Have A Lot of Worries So what can we compare the fights to? Well, the good news is Nielsen put out that the fight averaged 7.0 million viewers for UFC Freedom 250, which is a solid number for a fight. We also know the length, at roughly 4 and a half hours. (I saw different run times, but this seems to be the consensus considering it started at 8 pm, had a delay and then finished after midnight on the East Coast. If you assume a shorter run time, then yes, the total hours viewed would go down.) That means I have the two numbers needed to add this to my Nielsen database. And then…I can compare this viewership to the NFL: And, uh, not great. But also within striking distance, mainly because the runtime for this event was so long. I’d also add that this event had viewership equal to a regular season NFL game on streaming, but if anything, it was more comparable to an NFL playoff or Super Bowl-esque event. And you can compare viewership to the top football games on broadcast, cable and streaming, and it’s not impressive at all: We can also compare it to other sports that week, including the NBA Finals and start of the World Cup: Again, not great. The NBA generated roughly four times as many average viewers each game for its NBA Finals. The World Cup has similarly big numbers. Also, that’s just a tiny fraction of the 25 most watched sporting events each week. The NBA, NHL and FIFA World Cup had many, many more games racking up hours. We could also compare this to other streaming programs to get an idea of “is this a good investment?” and here is how it ranks compared to other top Paramount+ programs: The worry here? Well, unlike scripted programming, which has rewatchability, older fights/sporting events have very little library value. Very, very few people are rewatching these fights, especially years from now. Paramount has also released datecdotes bragging about their subscriber numbers. Earlier this year, they claimed that the first UFC fight on Paramount+ brought in 1 million subscribers. Then, in their quarterly earnings report, they only ended up with 700K subs. Not great! They claimed they dropped lower-value international subscribers, but that’s why I tend to discount subscriber additions when they’re leaked to the press.1 I expect we may see a bump again for UFC Freedom 250, but I’d caution using subscriber growth so soon after these events to judge the success, since new subs with high churn (see Peacock) aren’t great either. Also, analysts often want to attribute all subscriber growth to their favorite/pet show, and that just doesn’t make sense. The biggest caveat for UFC Freedom 250 and Paramount’s very first UFC marquee event is that these could be high watermarks for the sport. UFC Freedom 250 had an incredible amount of earned media coverage compared to most UFC fights. I mean, it had wall-to-wall national news coverage in the lead up to the event. (The first fight also had a lot of promotion from Paramount since it was first.) Other fights could reach this bar—say the Conor McGregor return to the Octagon—but they’ll be fewer and far between. Was This Deal Worth It? All to ask: is this Paramount deal worth it? In this case, I think the UFC Freedom 250 numbers are more distracting than helpful. This fight did well and compares well to other top sporting events. But we know that the first marquee event was at least a third smaller, if Paramount’s own data is to be believed. And it’s likely the other fights are much, much, much smaller. And then you get to the paycheck that Paramount-Skydance paid. FIFA’s World Cup cost about the same for Fox, but clearly generated multiples more total viewership. (Though it’s only every four years.) The NBA is much more expensive, but until the playoffs, they likely didn’t pay for itself. Even still, Disney, NBCUniversal and Amazon Prime Video likely overpaid. So, in that context, the NBA may be an overpay that makes the UFC look not so bad. But two overpays don’t make an underpay, to paraphrase the old cliché about wrongs and rights. And looking at UFC Freedom 250 as the likely ceiling of MMA on Paramount+, Paramount-Skydance likely paid too much. Share 1 I would love regular reports on subscriber additions by programs, but as is, it’s mostly leaked or rumored in haphazard ways.
Campaign photo puts Toast on Lenox in political crosshairs
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson visited the Atlanta restaurant and posted photos with the co-owner.
Trump and Burnham: Can the two leaders work together?
The BBC's Sarah Smith looks at how the new UK prime minister will manage his most crucial, and perhaps the trickiest, international relationship.
Blackhawks' Connor Bedard weighs in on Patrick Kane return
Bedard just signed a long-term contract in Chicago.
Detroit Lions 2026 Player Profile: Derrick Barnes
One of Detroit’s most overlooked defenders is coming off the best season of his career. Don’t sleep on Derrick Barnes in 2026.
Beer Nut: Two local pilsners hit the spot for summer
Local drinks from Brick & Feather Brewery and Little Willow Brewing Co. help mark what columnist George Lenker calls "the summer of pilsner."
Three brothers accused of setting fire to their South Carolina business
Three brothers are accused of setting fire to the business they owned in South Carolina, according to police.
Wisconsin Health Executive Thomas Westrick to join Morgridge board
Thomas Westrick, a Milwaukee-based veteran executive who most recently led GE Healthcare’s Patient Care Solutions segment, has been elected to the Morgridge Institute for Research Board of Trustees.
🏆 Y! Sports AM: Spain wins the World Cup
Spain's defense got the last laugh over Argentina's bag of magic tricks, as La Roja beat La Albiceleste, 1-0, to win their second World Cup title.
New Mexico health officials encourage parents to update student vaccinations
State health officials reported that about 95% of students statewide received school-required vaccines last year
Blockbuster 3-team NBA trade has one clear winner
After the 3-team NBA trade between the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and OKC Thunder, one team has emerged as the clear winner.
Most California lawmakers never buck their party. These few do
In California's lockstep Legislature, breaking party ranks is rare. Meet the handful of mavericks who do it anyway
Commentary: Hollywood's guaranteed paydays for stars are bad bets now
Rather than making a summer splash, Disney’s live-action "Moana" remake floundered at the box office. Opening with $43 million domestically against a $250 million production budget, the film is already