Comments on: ESPN Radio Wants $100,000 From Local Affiliates

By: Hoop D. Doo

Hoop D. Doo — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:55:34 +0000

You have to be kidding! In part of Wisconsin, there are two stations, WCLB and WMBE and they have two advertisers for the entire year! One is a sleazy car dealer, the other is a topless bar! Maybe ESPN wants to cull out the losers, that get the service for free, then abuse the product!

By: Don Mac

Don Mac — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:34:29 +0000

Not sure what the ad revenue tells them but as a huge sports fan I would say any station paying that is nuts. All 3 mentioned networks have their share of personalities ranging from ok sometimes to just turn the channel. Same as the local guys. In this format you aren't expected to have brilliant, funny, informative, entertaining sorts. Even the better ones like Patrick get to be a bit much if you listen too often. I will agree ESPN probably has better talent overall but not enough to warrant the price. Fans also would rather hear local guys talking about their teams for a couple hours even if the host is the second coming of David Stien.

By: shemp

shemp — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:11:02 +0000

that's as ridiculous as espn.com charging to read their lame ass articles about fantasy sports.

By: zzz

zzz — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:31:30 +0000

Here in small-market Buffalo (2 major league pro sports teams, a AAA baseball team, a surprisingly popular pro lacrosse team, and mid-major D-1A football and D-I basketball), our local sports station (WGR AM550) has a huge following and great brand recognition–better than what I've seen in larger cities.

ESPN content on WGR is limited to Colin Cowherd from 10am to noon, and late-night (after 10pm) and weekend programming. Cowherd's show ignores the NHL (his show, his choice), which is dear to many listeners here, and the host is incredibly repetitive, so many folks don't tune in. The night and weekend stuff is never live game action; it's usually three minutes of score reports tucked between commercials.

Our local guys (6am - 10am, 3pm-10pm), however, are terrific, and we get Jim Rome from noon to 3pm.

I would welcome it if ESPN pulled its programming from WGR; we likely would get better content as a result.

By: Palin's glasses

Palin's glasses — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:48:51 +0000

I would be hopeful that this move would delete ESPN's morning idiots from the DC airwaves, but then I remember who owns the station, Dan Snyder. He overpays for everything.

By: OrleansLasVegasNevada

OrleansLasVegasNevada — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:47:27 +0000

Espn are just for watch, no on the radio

By: ysports fanboy

ysports fanboy — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 05:55:22 +0000

They don't own online sports. Yahoo is #1 in terms of unique visitors and page views. (espn #1 in terms of time spent).

By: Al

Al — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:33:05 +0000

ESPN's value is not in major markets. In smaller markets (Cowherd being the exception) ESPN syndicated shows are often better than the local stuff. I can't fault ESPN for trying to maximize revenue. I can, however, fault them for pushing Cowherd. It's like the JAMA having a regular column by Dr. Nick Riviera. Even if it gets ratings, it paints the entire network with a negative brush.

By: billso

billso — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:43:16 +0000

Our ESPN radio in Honolulu carries a steady diet of local shows and University of Hawaii sports. At least the ESPN shows are interesting.

By: adam

adam — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:39:53 +0000

ESPN radio is a joke…For the last month, weekend coverage has been dedicated to the NFL.. The freaking super bowl was a month ago, there is a ton of college hoops, spring training to talk about. ESPN is so far up the NFL's behind it's not even funny