What's Happening?
Sports media personalities Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson have temporarily paused their podcast, "Calm Down," shortly after announcing its move to Colin Cowherd’s The Volume sports network. The podcast's Instagram story indicated, "NO NEW EPISODES
THIS WEEK. We’ll be back next Tuesday." This development follows their recent partnership with The Volume, where the network was set to manage ad sales, production, and distribution for the show. Both Andrews and Thompson expressed enthusiasm for the new collaboration, with Thompson stating she was "grateful to be back in Colin Cowherd’s orbit." Cowherd also lauded the duo, recognizing their intelligence and talent. The "Calm Down" podcast, which began in February 2021, has accumulated over 400 episodes, focusing on "real conversations with our friends and our listeners," according to Andrews. The move to The Volume was intended to help grow the show with a team that believes in its established format.
Why It's Important?
The temporary halt of the "Calm Down" podcast, especially so soon after its high-profile move to Colin Cowherd's The Volume network, is significant for the sports media landscape. This partnership was touted as a strategic expansion for The Volume, aiming to attract a substantial female audience through Andrews and Thompson's established rapport and fan base. The unexpected pause could raise questions about the initial transition process or potential adjustments being made behind the scenes. For The Volume, securing talent like Andrews and Thompson, who are prominent figures in sports broadcasting—Andrews as lead sideline reporter for Fox Sports and Thompson as host of Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football and Fox NFL Kickoff—was a move to diversify its content and audience reach. Any disruption, even temporary, could impact the momentum generated by the announcement and the network's strategy to leverage their combined influence in sports and entertainment.
What's Next?
The "Calm Down" podcast is scheduled to resume new episodes next Tuesday, as indicated by its Instagram story. This suggests that the current pause is temporary, possibly for a brief break or to finalize integration details with The Volume network. Fans and industry observers will be watching to see if the podcast returns with any noticeable changes in format, content, or production quality under The Volume's umbrella. The network's chief content officer, Logan Swaim, previously highlighted that the podcast would allow them to reach a "huge female audience" and enable Andrews and Thompson to continue their "great conversations." The successful resumption and growth of the podcast will be crucial for The Volume to fully realize the benefits of this partnership and solidify its position in the competitive sports podcast market.
Beyond the Headlines
The partnership between established sports media personalities like Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson and a network like The Volume reflects a broader trend in the media industry: the increasing value of personality-driven content and the strategic aggregation of talent. As traditional media landscapes evolve, podcasts offer a direct and intimate connection with audiences, allowing hosts to share personal experiences, as Andrews and Thompson have done, even discussing topics like Botox. This move also highlights the growing influence of female voices in sports media, traditionally a male-dominated field. The ability of these personalities to command significant audiences and attract network partnerships underscores their individual brand power and the demand for diverse perspectives in sports commentary and entertainment. The success of such ventures can pave the way for more talent-led content initiatives across various platforms.
