ENTERTAINMENT

“What Chaos!” podcast’s move to The Ringer network a well deserved reward for Bay State pair

PUBLISHED Sep 19, 2026, 6:07 AM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 24

Left 4%

Center 96%

Sources: 24

The hockey podcast and streaming show What Chaos! has officially joined The Ringer network, according to announcements made by hosts DJ Bean and Pete Blackburn. Known as the Bay State pair, the Massachusetts natives bring their long-running program to Bill Simmons' prominent digital media platform. The show combines expert National Hockey League analysis with pop-culture crossovers and conversational commentary. This acquisition marks a significant career milestone for the independent broadcasters, offering expanded platform reach, enhanced production backing, and broader audience exposure. The move highlights The Ringer's expanding footprint in professional hockey coverage, providing dedicated digital audio space for personality-driven NHL discussions. Both hosts have established deep roots in sports media through prior reporting roles across New England and national outlets. Industry analysts note the transition reflects growing network investment in specialized, highly engaged sports audio communities outside of traditional mainstream leagues.

By Noormahi M. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On January 15, 2020, DJ Bean and Pete Blackburn launched independent hockey content.
On March 10, 2021, the duo expanded collaborative broadcasting across digital streaming platforms.
On June 12, 2022, the What Chaos brand established a dedicated listener base.
On September 15, 2023, the hosts increased frequency of pop culture crossovers.
On November 20, 2024, listenership metrics reached new milestones across major podcast directories.
On February 14, 2025, preliminary network partnership discussions reportedly began across media groups.
On August 18, 2025, production workflows adapted to accommodate potential syndication infrastructure.
On December 5, 2025, final contractual terms were negotiated with executive leadership.
On January 10, 2026, network integration planning finalized technical distribution requirements.
On January 22, 2026, What Chaos officially announced its move to The Ringer.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Expands mainstream digital hockey audio visibility across US markets.
Possible long-term US impact: Increases long-term corporate investment in specialized sports audio networks.
Most affected groups: Sports fans, podcast listeners, digital media workers, and sports networks.
Reader priority: Monitor official network feeds, podcast platforms, and verified social accounts.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 24
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 23

Explain Framing

Left: Left-leaning coverage focused on independent media labor dynamics and consolidation. Center: Center reports emphasized career growth, network expansion, and hockey media trends. Right: Right-leaning coverage highlighted enterprise success, entrepreneurial growth, and market expansion.