FOX Sports is under media attack after releasing a number of staffers from their digital department. The company is trying to modify its digital strategy and the new vision set by Jamie Horowitz has created a mixed response. Some who have lost jobs have taken to social media to express their gratitude or frustration towards the company, and others have talked off the record to Awful Announcing about their disgust with the company’s new approach. If you haven’t read the piece that Ben Koo put together it’s worth your time. It highlights some of the internal disconnect that was taking place as departments clashed and tried to get a better handle on how to be more effective in the online space. When I heard the piece was being produced by AA I expected it to carry a negative slant towards FOX Sports because the majority of content pieces about the company on AA lean in that direction. Some may still take exception to the piece and hint at Koo having an agenda, but I thought Ben did an excellent job and tried to be fair with his reporting. Maybe the article doesn’t project the best image for Horowitz but clearly […]
The warmer weather that summer brings often leads to audiences being more distracted and unavailable. So what’s a sports radio station to do to gain a little more of their time? Sometimes it takes a little extra creativity and taking a few chances. Which is exactly what Sports Radio 610 is doing in Houston. On Friday June 30th, 610 will provide 610 minutes of straight sports conversation. Mike Meltser and Seth Payne of MaD Radio will deliver three hours (7a-10a CT) of uninterrupted sports talk, followed by four hours (10a-2p CT) of talk from Cody Stoots and John Lopez of In The Loop, and The Triple Threat with Rich Lord, Sean Pendergast and Ted Johnson closes it out by providing three hours and 10 minutes (2p-5:10p CT) of discussion. Coincidentally, 610 is executing this on the day when the station will be 610 hours away from the start of Houston Texans training camp. The station says they plan to continue executing traffic and delivering some live spots. On-air talent are already talking up Friday’s event. BSM was able to get a copy of the promo script being used to hype up #610Minutes and you can read it by clicking here.
Gold Standard Broadcasting has entered the sports format in Panama City, Florida. The company officially debuted 104.3 ESPN Panama City on Monday, featuring ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike and Paul Finebaum, and FOX Sports Radio’s Dan Patrick and Colin Cowherd. According to Radio Insight, it’s the first time ESPN Radio programming has been available in the market on terrestrial radio since 2014. The signal had been silent the past few years and had operated as a gospel station between 2013-2014. The new sports station hopes to provide local competition for Omni Broadcasting’s 93.5 The Ticket.
Earlier today Dan LeBatard tweeted that ESPN had landed the Kevin Durant of the sports media industry. The only debate is whether Adrian Wojnarowski deserves to be called the LeBron James of reporting instead.In what is without question one of the network’s best moves in recent memory, ESPN has come to terms with Wojnarowski. He’s expected to start his tenure with the company on July 1st, the first day of NBA free agency. Wojnarowski is reportedly bringing a number of staff members from The Vertical with him to the worldwide leader. Whether that includes Chris Mannix, Bobby Marks or Shams Charania is unclear. It’s also unknown how The Vertical platform will be presented under the ESPN umbrella. It’s no secret that ESPN laid off a number of NBA reporters in April and May. Among the affected were Marc Stein, Chad Ford, Henry Abbott, Calvin Watkins and Ethan Sherwood Strauss. Although it may not be enjoyable to see those fine reporters lose opportunities, from a business standpoint, one can’t blame ESPN for making a big commitment to Wojnarowski and his team to improve their NBA news gathering and analysis. Despite working with less advantages at Yahoo Sports, Wojnarowski has become the most […]
The summer months at WFAN are often filled by personalities who are stepping in to give the station’s main weekday hosts a much needed break prior to football season. But this year those fill-in opportunities could potentially have a lasting impact. With Mike Francesa taking the majority of the summer off, WFAN will use the time to get a closer look at potential replacements. Francesa’s final show on The FAN is scheduled for December 15th. In a conversation with Newsday, WFAN PD and CBS Radio’s Vice President of Programming Mark Chernoff said he hopes to have a succession plan in place by Labor Day. The early favorite to be part of the afternoon mix appears to be Evan Roberts, who currently works middays with Joe Beningo. The thirty three year old host has been working full-time at FAN since 2007 and has a proven track record and long-term growth potential. Chernoff plans to have Benigno and Roberts spend most of the summer working apart, but no matter what happens over the next few months, each are part of the station’s future plans. One candidate who will earn consideration and a fill-in opportunity alongside Roberts is Chris Simms. Kimberly Jones is also […]
Another full week of sports radio activity for your personal enjoyment. If you have personal or station news to share or a press release or details about an upcoming promotion, please send it via email to JBarrett@sportsradiopd.com. Before we dive into this week’s stories, a quick update on the Barrett Sports Media Podcast. A number of you have inquired if it’ll be returning. Plans are for it to return in the next few weeks. As I alluded to during my last episode with Freddie Coleman, I had a health scare in May (luckily it turned out not to be serious) and was told by doctors to reduce my workload. My first priority is to assist my clients so that meant having to scale back some of my writing and the podcasts. Now that things are back on track I’m looking forward to bringing you some fresh material. Stay tuned for announcements of upcoming guests. If you work in the industry and wish to be considered for a future appearance please email me. Now here’s this week’s news! The clock may be ticking on Mike Francesa‘s final run with WFAN, but he isn’t going out silently. First, he had a heated […]
WFAN is celebrating its 30-year anniversary today by broadcasting live from Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall. Boomer and Carton, Joe Beningo and Evan Roberts, and Mike Francesa are all live on location and joined by a few heavy hitters from the sports and broadcasting business. Today’s special includes a return visit from Don Imus, a conversation with Yankees broadcaster and the first voice to appear on ‘The FAN’ Suzyn Waldman, and appearances by former weekday hosts Sid Rosenberg, Russ Salzberg and Jody McDonald. A number of high profile New York athletes, executives and owners are expected to check in as well. For the full list of today’s guests click here. As WFAN reflects back on the past 30-years, it’s also created online content to capture what’s stood out most from the sports world during the past three decades. The station has listed its Top 10 sports figures, sports moments, and favorite teams. To see who cracked the top 10 in each category click here. WFAN Progam Director and CBS Radio VP of Sports Programming Mark Chernoff said, “We are proud to be a part of the fabric of New York sports. WFAN has wonderful, appreciative and engaged listeners who are […]
Opinions about ESPN’s programming have been mixed over the past few years, but few have found fault with the network’s 30 for 30 series. And for good reason. It’s without question one of the best pieces of programming ESPN offers. The latest documentary of the Celtics-Lakers rivalry is a prime example. If you watched the three part series then you’re well aware of what I’m talking about. If not, do yourself a favor and block out a few hours to get caught up. It’s absolutely worth your time. As I watched the documentary last Tuesday and Wednesday night, a few things stuck with me. I began thinking about why the rivalry between those two franchises was so special. Sports fans often mention how the Lakers-Celtics rivalry helped save the NBA, and it’s no surprise that the league grew its attendance, sponsors, and television presence during that time period. What was once considered a league with limited upside, became hip, cool and exciting, and it set the table for future stars to come along and help advance the game to an even higher level. What made this story compelling was that it involved two teams with a ton of skill and […]
Another ex-ESPN personality is taking his talents to FOX Sports 1. According to Michael McCarthy of the Sporting News, the sports television network has reached an agreement with former Baltimore Ravens Linebacker and ESPN NFL analyst Ray Lewis. Lewis will be utilized by both Fox Sports and FS1 as an NFL analyst and contributor. He’s expected to appear on FS1’s “Undisputed”, “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” and “Speak for Yourself”. He’ll also make frequent visits to the network’s new morning show, “First Things First” with Cris Carter and Nick Wright, once it debuts September 5th. An official on-air announcement was planned for Tuesday’s edition of “Undisputed” with Skip Bayless, Shannon Sharpe and Joy Taylor. After retiring from the NFL in 2013, Lewis made the quick jump into sports media. He spent three years working for ESPN as an NFL analyst appearing on “Monday Night Countdown”, “SportsCenter” and other network shows. He was let go during a talent exodus in 2016.
It’s no secret that Entercom agreed to purchase CBS Radio and is currently in the process of working towards finalizing the sale to take over control of the company. While most experts expect the sale to go thru, additional transactions are likely to transpire due to the company being over the allotted amount of radio stations it can own in a handful of cities. One of those cities where future changes are expected is Sacramento. Although it may create short-term uneasiness for some broadcasters who wait to learn if they’ll be working for the new Entercom, a different radio company, or heading to the unemployment office, it’s what happens when large radio deals take place. While the future may be cloudy for some, it isn’t anymore for Kevin Sherrets. The program director of Sports Radio 1140 KHTK has been informed that the company will be restructuring and as a result his contract will not be renewed. He confirmed the news earlier today on Twitter. Sherrets began his career with KHTK in 1998, rising up the ranks to become the Executive Producer of Sacramento Kings radio broadcasts. He left the market in 2013 to become the Executive Producer of 104.3 The […]
