Sports Radio News

A Huge November For Chicago Sports Radio Stations

Published

7 years ago

November 22, 2016

If only the Chicago Cubs could win the world series every month! That would make the personnel at both sports radio stations in Chicago very happy.

In the latest November book, the Cubs ability to rally from 3-1 down in the world series, to knock off the Cleveland Indians and bring a world championship to a city which had gone 108 years without one, had a massive impact on the ratings for both 670 The Score and ESPN 1000.

For The Score, the home of Cubs baseball, they led the market. The radio station was 1st with Men 25-54 M-F 6a-7p with a 6.5. They also came in 1st with Men 25-54 M-SU 6a-Mid with a 7.7.

Outside of the male demos, The Score was equally as powerful. The station finished 2nd among all listeners 6+ M-SU 6a-Mid, registering a 6.1. Their total cume in that demo was 1,774,400. Their 6+ number was also nearly two points higher month to month, and their cume climbed by 670,000. A huge tip of the cap to The Score’s program director Mitch Rosen and his entire team on a job well done.

As impressive as The Score’s performance was during the November book, ESPN 1000 also had plenty of reason to celebrate. Adam Delevitt and his team seized the moment and helped lift their brand’s performance despite not having the local rights to the Cubs.

To offset the local play by play disadvantage, ESPN 1000 aired the national broadcast of Cubs playoff games thanks to their affiliation with ESPN Radio. That decision coupled with a strong lineup propelled the brand to finish 2nd with Men 25-54 M-F 6a-7p with a 5.8. They also came in 3rd overall with Men 25-54 M-SU 6a-Mid with a 5.0. Their 6+ performance was also up by .8 and their cume grew by 350,000.

What stood out most though for ESPN 1000 was the performance of “Waddle and Silvy”. W&S defeated The Score’s “Boers and Bernstein” in afternoon drive, coming in 1st with a 6.4 among Men 25-54. B&B were 2nd with a 5.8. W&S also bested B&B among Men 18-34, Men 25-49 and Persons 25-54, and finished in the top 10 in the 6+ demographic.

In middays, The Score won the head to head battle as “Spiegel and Goff” came in 1st with a 6.5 among Men 25-54. ESPN 1000 was 3rd with a 5.9. The Score also won the matchup in mornings with “Mully and Hanley” turning in a 6.5 to finish 2nd. However, ESPN 1000 which airs ESPN Radio’s national show “Mike and Mike”, got a nice bump, and were 4th with a 5.6. Given the local vs. national argument that pops up in every city, this is a healthy story for both stations.

One other interesting note that stood out, during the final week of the book (October 27-November 2) when the World Series was as its peak, both morning shows saw higher gains and were tied for 1st in the market with a 7.5. In the December book we’ll get a better look at how sports radio performed in the city the morning after the Cubs won it all. We’ll also see how both brands benefitted on the day of the world championship parade.

What’s undeniable in this book is that both stations reaped the rewards of the Cubs lifting their city and delivering the ultimate euphoria to a starved fan base. Their title win also provided a much needed distraction from a difficult Bears season. Now the challenge for The Score and ESPN 1000 is figuring out how to take advantage of their increased exposure and listenership and use it to their benefit in the future.

Jason Barrett

Jason Barrett is the owner and operator of Barrett Sports Media. Prior to launching BSM he served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He has also produced national shows for ESPN Radio including GameNight and the Dan Patrick Show. You can find him on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or reach him by email at [email protected].

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Under The Radar – November 22, 2016

Sports Radio News

Mike Felger: Being 2nd Chair in Sports Radio ‘Sneaky Hard’

“I’m just used to running my mouth and setting the pace, and that sort of thing.”

Published

2 hours ago

December 11, 2023

Jordan Bondurant

Courtesy: Nantucket Current

Morning drive on Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub will have a new co-host alongside Fred Toucher starting in January, and speculation continues to swirl about who will replace longtime co-host Rich Shertenlieb.

The Boston Herald last week reported the latest in the station’s search for a new morning co-host. Kendra Middleton, a familiar voice in the mornings, has interviewed, and other current station talent like Jim Murray and Rob “Hardy” Poole are believed to be getting consideration.

Mike Felger, co-host of Felger & Mazz on The Sports Hub, has been jokingly suggested as the next co-host. But Felger said in a digital video reported on by the Herald that it would certainly be a challenge, and that he and Toucher would have success.

“I think it would go well,” he said. “What is a sneaky hard spot is to be in the second chair, to be in the Mazz chair, the B chair, because listening is harder than talking… that would be the only discomfort.”

Felger added that it would be an adjustment.

“I’m just used to running my mouth and setting the pace, and that sort of thing,” he said.

Jordan Bondurant

Jordan Bondurant is a features reporter for Barrett Sports Media. He’s a multimedia journalist and communicator who works at the Virginia State Corporation Commission in Richmond. Jordan also contributes occasional coverage of the Washington Capitals for the blog NoVa Caps. His prior media experiences include working for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Danville Register & Bee, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, WRIC-TV 8News and Audacy Richmond. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @J__Bondurant.

Sports Radio News

Former NFL TE and 104.5 The Zone Host Frank Wycheck Dies

The Tennessee Titans announced Wycheck’s death Sunday. He was 52.

Published

2 hours ago

December 11, 2023

Jordan Bondurant

(Photo: WZTV)

Tennessee Titans fans were saddened to learn over the weekend that beloved tight end Frank Wycheck died. He was 52 years old.

Wycheck passed away after falling and hitting his head at his Chattanooga home on Saturday, according to a statement from the family.

“We are all devastated to hear the news of Frank’s passing,” Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement. “He was loved by so many, and his memory will always be cherished. Frank’s name was synonymous with Titans football. He was such a huge part of our team’s success both on and off the field. He embraced this community and fan base immediately, and everyone loved him right back.”

In 11 seasons with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans, Wycheck recorded 505 receptions for 5,126 yards and 28 touchdowns. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Frank is in both the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the team’s Ring of Honor.

Wycheck was part of one of the most memorable plays in NFL history when his cross-field pass to Kevin Dyson in a 2000 playoff game set up what’s now known as the “Music City Miracle.” Wycheck’s only Super Bowl appearance came that season.

Post-retirement in 2003, Wycheck went into sports radio, hosting a morning drive talk show with Kevin Ingram and Mark Howard on 104.5 The Zone.

Howard passed away last year, but Ingram on Sunday did post his condolences on X.

Sad day with the loss of Frank Wycheck. The 14 years we worked together on the radio were so special and fun, I think about those times every day. We bonded over a shared love of important stuff like golf, 80’s rock and Star Wars. So great.

Deepest sympathies to his family.
#89 pic.twitter.com/fFhMS9V1OL
— Kevin Ingram (@KIngramSports) December 10, 2023

Jordan Bondurant

Sports Radio News

Channing Crowder: I Still Underestimate How Many People Listen to Radio

“We make fun of it like ‘Oh, AM radio’ and this, man, but here are people who when I went to the bathroom, and they’re walking up to me ‘Hey, love the show, man’.”

Published

2 days ago

December 8, 2023

BSM Staff

(Photo: Audacy)

Even though he’s been in the sports radio game for more than a decade, 560 WQAM’s Channing Crowder admits he still doesn’t appreciate just how many people listen to his show.

While hosting Hochman and Crowder at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino ahead of sports betting going live in Florida, co-host Marc Hochman shared a story that one of the employees at the casino told him he often deals with giant celebrities.

However, despite his dealings with major music and movie stars, the employee was excited to meet Hochman and Greg Cote of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.

That led Crowder to admit he often underinflates the size of his daily audience.

“It’s funny, because like, I underestimate, still –12-13 years into radio — how many people listen to radio,” Crowder said. “And it’s funny because we make fun of it like ‘Oh, AM radio’ and this, man, but here are people who when I went to the bathroom, and they’re walking up to me ‘Hey, love the show, man. You and Hochman are hilarious’.”

Crowder has hosted afternoons alongside Hochman on 560 WQAM since 2015 after previously hosting the early afternoon window on the Audacy station. In addition to his radio work, he hosts The Pivot podcast with Ryan Clark and Fred Taylor.