Podcast Summary: Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

Episode: The O'Reilly Update, February 11, 2026

Host: Bill O'Reilly
Guest News Reader: Mike Slater
Release Date: February 11, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The O'Reilly Update features Mike Slater presenting current headlines, updates on significant national news stories, and the latest from the 2026 Winter Olympics. Bill O’Reilly follows with his "Message of the Day" breaking down the economics behind the recent NFL Super Bowl halftime show featuring Bad Bunny and its implications for the music industry, technology giants, and capitalism. The episode closes with an in-depth historical segment on the 1979 Iranian Revolution and its impact, linking historical religious extremism to current events.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Major National News Headlines ([00:09]–[03:03])

Presenter: Mike Slater

• Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case

  • New details were released by investigators regarding Nancy Guthrie's abduction on January 31st.
  • Guthrie's Uber ride and subsequent events were traced via digital evidence:
    • Doorbell camera disconnected at 1:47 AM.
    • Pacemaker app on her phone disconnected at 2:28 AM.
    • Video footage of a masked, armed individual tampering with camera released.
    • Activity detected on a bitcoin account linked to Guthrie’s search.
    • “Savannah said we believe she is still alive. Bring her home.” ([00:49])

• Sumter County Jail Escape

  • Two murder suspects, Ricky Martin and Contravius Holmes, broke out of jail on Sunday.
  • Detailed physical descriptions provided, noting distinctive tattoos for Holmes.
    • “I would think pretty easy to spot.” ([01:45])

• Britney Spears Sells Music Catalog

  • Spears sold her entire catalog for $200 million at age 44.
  • Ongoing trend among artists monetizing rights: compared to major deals by Dylan, Springsteen, Jackson, Queen.

• Olympics Update

  • Standout performances: US women’s hockey victory over Canada, mixed curling team silver, men’s figure skating leader after round one, gold in women’s team downhill.
  • Current medal count: Norway leading, US in fourth with seven medals.

2. O’Reilly’s "Message of the Day": The Economics Behind the Super Bowl Halftime Show ([03:03]–[07:02])

Host: Bill O’Reilly

• Super Bowl Halftime Economics

  • "The enormous wealth being generated by establishment Internet media companies has now never been seen before on the planet." ([03:12])

  • Bad Bunny performed at the Super Bowl halftime show:

    • Was not paid by the NFL for the appearance, only received minimal expenses ($1,000/day).
    • Apple CEO Tim Cook struck a deal with the NFL—Apple paid nearly $100 million, primarily to promote Apple Music and leverage Bad Bunny’s global appeal.
    • Intent: maximize Apple Music downloads worldwide, particularly through Bad Bunny’s exposure.
    • “So now they'll be rapping about Puerto Rico in Thailand. Cha ching.” ([04:28])

  • Emphasizes the show as a case study in digital era capitalism and targeted demographic reach.

    • "Apple makes a lot more money now that Bad Bunny was in the halftime show. And that's what it's all about. Money. Capitalism." ([06:12])

• Listener Mailbag

  • Response to Diana Kramer (Centennial, CO) on Bad Bunny’s generational appeal:
    • “...Bad Bunny was the most downloaded music on Spotify last year. Pretty sure that means he's not really meant to appeal to your and my generation.” ([05:05])
    • O’Reilly: “Well, correct, Diana... all these people are getting all crazed about Bad Bunny. I got more important things to do here, okay?” ([05:08])
  • Echoes lack of personal investment in Bad Bunny but underscores the importance of reporting and economic perspective.
    • “I got China trying to foster violence inside the United States. I got Iran maybe invaded for regime change. I don't—Bad Bunny—I don't care what Bad Bunny does, okay?” ([05:23])
  • Response to Eileen Pillar (Oceanside, CA) about alternative halftime show and impressions of Bad Bunny:
    • “Okay, but remember, the guy is phenomenally successful. He's just phenomenally successful. So I don't understand it. But not begrudging it.” ([06:32])

3. Historical Segment: The 1979 Iranian Revolution ([07:33]–[end])

Host: Bill O’Reilly

• Anniversary of the Revolution

  • Marks 47 years since the Shah of Iran was overthrown (February 11, 1979).

  • Backdrop:

    • Shah rose to power during WWII, supporting Allied control of Iran’s oil in exchange for military assistance.
    • “It remains the largest transfer of wealth in human history. Total value, $7 trillion.” ([07:53])
    • Lavish lifestyle of the Shah and his wife compared to the wider struggles of the population.
    • “His wife, the Empress, had a shoe collection valued at $300,000. Can you believe that?” ([08:10])

  • Rise of the Revolution

    • Growing religious opposition amidst opulence; crackdown by secret police fueled public anger.
    • Shah fled in January 1979; government collapses in February; Ayatollah Khomeini returns to lead a fundamentalist regime.

  • Consequences

    • Creation of “Islamic committees” enforcing strict law:
      • Women ordered to cover hair, independent press banned, opponents assassinated.
    • “Today, the clerics are even more fanatical than in 1979. Insulting the Prophet, same sex relationships or consuming alcohol can carry a death sentence. Transgender people are considered prostitutes and imprisoned. At least 5,000 Iranians are executed each year.” ([08:44])
    • Concludes that the religious hardline oppression has only grown stronger with time.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the spectacle of digital-era capitalism:

  “The enormous wealth being generated by establishment Internet media companies has now never been seen before on the planet.” – Bill O’Reilly ([03:12])

• About Apple’s interest in Bad Bunny’s halftime exposure:

  “Now, Cook understands that a man for whatever the Bunny is shouting about will explode on his Apple music service after the halftime show… So now they'll be rapping about Puerto Rico in Thailand. Cha ching.” – Bill O’Reilly ([04:28])

• Listener insight on generational appeal:

  “...Bad Bunny was the most downloaded music on Spotify last year. Pretty sure that means he's not really meant to appeal to your and my generation.” – Diana Kramer ([05:05]; read by O'Reilly)

• On priorities and cultural outrage:

  “All these people are getting all crazed about Bad Bunny. I got more important things to do here, okay?” – Bill O’Reilly ([05:08])

• On the historical transfer of Iranian wealth:

  “It remains the largest transfer of wealth in human history. Total value, $7 trillion.” – Bill O’Reilly ([07:53])

• On the increasing repression in modern Iran:

  “Today, the clerics are even more fanatical than in 1979. … At least 5,000 Iranians are executed each year.” – Bill O’Reilly ([08:44])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• News Roundup with Mike Slater: [00:09]–[03:03]
• O’Reilly Message of the Day (Super Bowl/Bad Bunny/Apple): [03:03]–[07:02]
• Listener Mailbag: [05:04]–[06:54] (interspersed within O’Reilly’s message)
• Something You Might Not Know (1979 Iranian Revolution): [07:33]–[End]

Tone and Language

• O’Reilly maintains a brisk, candid, and occasionally sardonic tone, especially regarding cultural trends he finds overhyped or bewildering (e.g., Bad Bunny’s music).
• News delivery is factual and concise, with occasional editorial asides ("I would think pretty easy to spot" – Mike Slater).
• The historical segment blends storytelling with sharp critique aimed at current theocratic abuses.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This installment is an informative blend of daily headlines, economic commentary, and historical reflection—a classic O'Reilly mix of urgent current events, robust skepticism about media and technology power, and reminders that the past shapes today’s geopolitical challenges.