Fox Sports Radio made a somewhat significant move today, clearing the evening 7p-11p PT shift for Tony Bruno while moving longtime evening host J.T. The Brick (John Tournour) to overnights. (Five hour shift- yikes!) Eight months ago FSR effectively merged with KLAC-AM in Los Angeles, with Tournour one of the holdovers from Fox.
(Oh, wait, not THAT Bruno)
But station manager Don Martin has since decided that listeners on 200 affiliates, including Boston’s WEEI-AM, would rather listen to Bruno than Tournour. The move as it pertains to Tournour is definitely a demotion.
In all reality though, the whole thing resembles a deck chair rearrangment. Bruno, who previously manned mornings for FSR, never broke through as a success in that time slot. Likewise Tournour at night.
The bigger, more interesting question for Fox Sports Radio is the chance of its long-term survival.
FSR’s flagship affiliate, KLAC-AM in Los Angeles, recently suffered catastrophic programming and revenue blow by losing the Lakers’ broadcast rights. Couple that with rumors that parent Clear Channel is for sale and you wonder how long Los Angeles will have two sports radio stations (ESPN 710 is the other).
ESPN 710 now owns the hottest broadcast properties in town, in the Lakers and USC football. And features two shows that primarily feature locally-driven content, unlike KLAC’s zero. You heard that right, there are only two local sports talk radio shows currently originating from Los Angeles!
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if we here in L.A. are left with only sports radio station by the end of ‘09, which is precisely the reason ESPN overpaid to get the Lakers away from Clear Channel’s KLAC.
8:48 pm on July 27th, 2009
Pretty soon ESPN will own everything on radio.
9:01 pm on July 27th, 2009
Only occasionaly listened to JT following sox games here in New England, but I thought he was pretty good. I liked that he gave the fans a chance to speak a lot.
Sounds like Fox is about finished in sports radio.
9:04 pm on July 27th, 2009
Sweet justice! JT the Brick is a no-talent bum, while Tony B. is quite simply The King of the sports talk radio format. This is awesome news.
9:10 pm on July 27th, 2009
Can’t PMS jus move to KLAA in the mornings and take over for that clown Roger Lodge?
9:27 pm on July 27th, 2009
KLAA has made some dumb moves lately also. Firing Dave Smith was a huge mistake. The station is a joke and Roger “Blind Date” Lodge is a hack!
9:37 pm on July 27th, 2009
What the hell?!?! J.T. The Brick is undoubtedly the best sports radio host currently on the air, and FSR just completely ignores it! All other sports radio hosts should emulate J.T. The Brick, because he has always been the premier standard for sports radio hosting.
What the hell is the station manager thinking when he says that listeners on 200 affiliates, including Boston’s WEEI-AM, would rather listen to Bruno than J.T.?!?! J.T.’s show is ALL about fan interaction (his show used to be called Game Time React before KLAC started screwing things up), and to an average sports junkie, J.T. is the quintessential host to call for sports radio.
To sum it up — This is complete bull****. J.T. (and sports fans around the nation) deserve better.
9:43 pm on July 27th, 2009
Sports talk radio overall sucks, never like Bruno and not a big fan of JT either. On the otherhand ESPN overnight show with Jason Schmidt(sp) is horrible, i hate a show that doesn’t take callers. ESPN also has that wretched Amy Lawrence, call me a sexist but women just can’t hack it as a sport talk host. Sideline reporter, updater, sidekick yes. But a lead, Hell NO!
10:21 pm on July 27th, 2009
I didn’t know Clear Channel was for sale. They just got bought a little over a year ago. Where did that statement come from?
10:22 pm on July 27th, 2009
I only listen to hear Vick the Brick…Feeeelin Yooooou.
You my are marinating in negativity the wrath of the Samurai warrior will devourer you.
A painting of a rice cake will not satisfy the hunger of the Mad Warrior.
Feeeelin Yooooou
KLAC needs to retool.
10:44 pm on July 27th, 2009
Vic! Feeling Youuuuuuuu, and NOT FEELING KLAC AT ALL
12:21 am on July 28th, 2009
Hartman and Myers is the WORST show in the history of radio. No make that the history of man. They are BRUTAL.
I only listen to KLAC to listen to Patrick and Rome then it’s off to 710am.
1:02 am on July 28th, 2009
790the Zone in Atlanta got rid of FoxSports Radio about 8 months ago, in favor of Sporting News radio for it’s all night programming. I missed JT at first but SNR isn’t bad. I miss Ferrell. Where the hell is he?
1:20 am on July 28th, 2009
The only viable property KLAC has is Petros and Money, the sports talk show that works because it avoids all the idiocy that consumes normal sports talk radio (trade rumors, etc.). Everything else is terrible.
1:40 am on July 28th, 2009
Mychal Thompson is almost impossible to listen to. For some reason he has to disagree with everything….and has the absolute worst takes. Andrew S. would be better off alone or with someone like Dave Smith or Sean Farnham.
Tony Bruno is pretty good and J.T. isn’t too bad either.
I agree that Hartman and Myers isn’t working that well.
Speaking of Seans….any word of Sean Salisbury, the football guy?
1:53 am on July 28th, 2009
JT was voted best sports host in America
Most people that stop by this site know a little about radio … they know what JT has done over the years …they know JT has a HUGE following and fan club … very interactive AND lets callers call the show
2:07 am on July 28th, 2009
Scott, history of man doesn’t go far enough. How about the history of history?
3:21 am on July 28th, 2009
FSR is making a huuuuge mistake with this change.
How can they do this to JT after 9 years of hosting the best call in sports talk radio show in the country?!
The 7-11 PST Time slot has been the home of the Brickhouse since JT joined Fox Sports Radio in 2001.
Where else are you going to find a more loyal fan base than the sports fans nation wide that depend on JT the Brick for hard hitting in- deoth sports talk, in all sports?
FSR should really think this decision.
10:36 am on July 28th, 2009
JT the Brick has always been a clown. He got lucky and parlayed a fluke win in the first Jim Rome Smackoff to semi-stardom in the sports talk radio field. Tony Bruno is the consummate professional, and with Petros & Money as a lead-in that gives FSR a solid 1-2 punch at night. FSR will see a huge increase in the average IQ of their listeners from 7-11 now with Bruno in there instead of Tournour.
10:58 am on July 28th, 2009
I dont like either JT or Bruno..But
At least JT talks sports, Bruno tries his best to impress the audience with his weak out of date pop culture references and rarely talks sports.
How about get rid of both of them.
And how does Jim Rome still have a show, what soul did he sell,
I mean I dont want to sign the same contract Jim Rome signed with the devil I just want to look at the contract,
He is the worst…I hate a talk show host who makes long pauses between sentences like he’s waiting for applause,
After EVERY interview he reads these fake made up off the top his head supposed to be emailed comments from listeners, but strangely they all sound the same..”Great interview Jim that guy is awesome” sooooo fake.
OH yeah another thing, during a recession here is something listeners just love to hear about, while looking for jobs and losing their homes is some rich out of touch wanna be sports fan that lives in Irvine bragging about his money down the drain Race Horses …Idiot
Most people are listening to jims show from a cube at a job they either didn’t get their much needed 3% raise, or they’re gonna get let go soon.
Its time to change up the format of the show
drop the smack, and talk sports dont just rely on guest to make your show
11:55 am on July 28th, 2009
Bruno has ruined every gig he has been given. He’ll do it again. Besides, he’s a grandpa who talks about porn on the air. Kind of creepy.
12:23 pm on July 28th, 2009
For the guy that asked - Scotty Ferrall is on Sirius, on the Howard Stern channel 101 and there is none better…just imagine having real sports talk uncensored! He doesn’t have to be politically correct and it feels like guys talking in a sports bar.
As far as JT - this is an awful decision. I don’t mind Bruno, but I’ve listened to JT at night for the last 8 years and he has carved out a niche. This is a stupid decision and I bet JT resigns soon.
1:08 pm on July 28th, 2009
“JT was voted best sports host in America”
Voted on by whom….Raider fans? LOL, sounds like a real scientific poll there, kind of like the umpteen different buffets in Vegas that hang a sign outside saying “Voted Best Buffet in Vegas.”
2:24 pm on July 28th, 2009
I’ll miss JT but even more Tom Looney. His sports updates crack me up. My favorite was Cleveland Mary-Kate and Ashleyed Minnesota.
Bruno is very good but I’ll just miss listening to JT.
2:30 pm on July 28th, 2009
This is the best thing they’ve done in a long time. I couldn’t believe they took Bruno off and replaced him with JT. Obviously it wasn’t working and they realized it and are bringing Bruno back. He’s the only one that can make a dent in that timeslot.
He built up the morning show and Patrick is riding on his coat tails now thanks to him and JT couldn’t even pull that off.
Tony Bruno is that only sports guy that is worth listening to, even my wife listens to him and she hates sports!
PS….where the he!! was JT voted best sports host in America? Was that a poll he took on his personal twitter page? LOL
2:36 pm on July 28th, 2009
PMS is basically a local show on KLAC, so the zero local programming doesn’t really cut it. You sound biased. Both LA sports stations are weak. ESPN outside of having the Lakers now and USC is complete crap. KLAC has PMS and Dan Patrick which are good.
2:38 pm on July 28th, 2009
BTW…Bruno was once funny, but is now totally burnt out. Terrible programing decision. I’m sure this decision was based on money, w/ KLAC having give Bruno a contract prior to the merger and Brick being on the wrong side. I’m not a big fan of JT the Brick, but for that time slot, he’s got much better energy.
2:51 pm on July 28th, 2009
I couldn’t agree more with Barry. I can’t wait for Tony to come back on in LA. I have to podcast him now as I can’t afford XM and I listen to him the next morning.
Can’t wait for him to be on live again. He’s the best there is!
4:54 pm on July 28th, 2009
100 looks on this tread? …
several of them the same guy … lol
25 posts, two of them are me, 4 are that other guy
In Cincinnati Ohio last night the 50.000 watt station had 5 states listening to JT because when they went up and down the dial JT’s show was the best
Many of them where the same people who voted JT the BEST Sports Radio Host in America
Everyone has thier favorite show and favorite host. But JT is the one that got the most votes … He has the biggest myspace, biggest twitter, … and biggest contract …
life is good life it up
6:11 pm on July 28th, 2009
“He has the biggest myspace, biggest twitter, … and biggest contract …”
“In Cincinnati Ohio last night the 50.000 watt station had 5 states listening to JT because when they went up and down the dial JT’s show was the best”
So by your logic, I guess Tila Tequila is an A-list celebrity because she has the most Myspace friends? And have you patented your ratings-gathering method before Arbitron tries to steal it? LOL, so typical of the intelligence of a J.T. the Brick fan…..
6:15 pm on July 28th, 2009
The ONLY reason JT lasted as long as he did in that time slot was because his good buddy Andrew Ashwood was calling all the shots at FSR. When Ashwood passed away several months ago, it was abundantly clear that a change would be made.
6:22 pm on July 28th, 2009
JT is OK , but Looney is too much of an LA homer to give the show more than a 10 minute listen, most times.
I think Bruno was great when he was in the morning here in LA, but it does seem like his best days are behind him. I will at least give him a chance.
Hartman and Meyers are a train wreck, unsure how it is still rolling on the tracks. Rome is Rome. Dan and the Danettes spend almost as much time talking about their ‘mothership days’ as they do about sports. PMS are what they are - a bloody mess that leads to uncomfortable conversations.
6:29 pm on July 28th, 2009
What a joke. Finally, just when someone with the balls to tell it like it is has a prime time radio show, FSR pulls the plug. FU FSR.
7:19 pm on July 28th, 2009
I’d bet that Tony Bruno either quits or gets fired before Thanksgiving. And that loudmouth that is the PD over there is on his way out too.
Mark my words.
2:41 am on July 29th, 2009
JT was voted the best Sports Radio host by the Sports Media Journal
http://sportsmediajournal.com/2008/04/10/we-have-a-winner/
12:00 pm on July 29th, 2009
This is an interesting decision, back during his old show on Sportsfan radio, this WAS JT’s timeslot; I remember listening to the old show on KJR out of Seattle and that time slot is where he built his show, that’s where most of the callers came from and that’s where his show was for several years. JT being on from 7 PM-11 PM(Pacific) was a good idea and it seemed to be a good time slot for him, however this is a better slot because it allows for maximum carriage because no stations will pre-empt the show for local shows or play by play/post game coverage(unless some station is carrying like an 18/19 inning baseball game or something).
11:02 pm on July 29th, 2009
I don’t know how anyone can call Bruno a “consummate pro”!! That guy, in my book, is a buffoon. Hardly ever talks sports, and when he does, he always tries to inject his sophomoric humor. He copied Jim Rome by playing those little sound bites but it doesn’t work with him. Jim Rome is the best, JT is second best, I can’t believe they took JT off the air. I’ve tried listening to Bruno because I like sports, but after a couple minutes I can’t take the buffoonery so I have to turn to my next favorite and go over to talk radio.
4:46 am on July 30th, 2009
. JT being on from 7 PM-11 PM(Pacific) was a good idea and it seemed to be a good time slot for him,
however this is a better slot because it allows for maximum carriage because no stations will pre-empt the show for local shows or play by play/post game coverage(unless some station is carrying like an 18/19 inning baseball game or something).
PLUS a lot of east coast people get off work at the 2am shift, lots of sports fans
JT was voted the best Sports Radio host by the Sports Media Journal
http://sportsmediajournal.com/2008/04/10/we-have-a-winner/
6:43 pm on July 30th, 2009
“FSR will see a huge increase in the average IQ of their listeners from 7-11 now with Bruno in there instead of Tournour.”
As one of the 7-11 crew i take a little bit of offense at this, please do not judge us by our weakest link.
In fact I have taken my listenting to JT at the 7-11 and turned it into a Sports job myself
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-2566-Sports-Business-Examiner~y2009m1d15-Sports-business-is-more-than-rich-owners-and-milliondollar-contracts
This is me, Joshua Lobdell following in the career fottpaths of JT, one time great sports caller, and current great radio host.
8:12 pm on August 8th, 2009
Bruno isn’t a pimple on my ass!!!
10:22 am on August 11th, 2009
Been with JT since Sportsfan out of Las Vegas,2nd only to Rome.Fox blew it this time.Bruno 50% sports,50% B.S.Listened to Bruno 30 min and went searching.
4:58 pm on August 11th, 2009
Maybe JT can go back to pumping penny stocks and committing securities fraud in Connecticut when his FSR contract is done…
http://www.ct.gov/dob/lib/dob/securities_nonhtml/securities_bulletin_pre-1994/1992-march_securities_bulletin.pdf
http://www.ct.gov/dob/cwp/view.asp?A=2248&Q=299072
10:26 pm on August 11th, 2009
Tony Bruno suck arse. You guys for real?? Bruno over Brick. Trick pls.
11:50 pm on August 11th, 2009
mt rushmore of sportstalk:
the pimp, hacksaw, JT
10:10 pm on August 17th, 2009
fsn got this one wrong….JT was 2nd only to rome….It is a sad day in sports radio. Go over to ESPN JT they know talent when they see it.
11:21 pm on August 20th, 2009
Are the people at FSR drunk or high on medical marijuana? First, they put those two loud clowns PMS on. Now, they demote JT the Brick, the only reason to listen to FSR at night during the week.
I tried listening to Tony Bruno tonight, it was BORING. If FSR wanted a REAL winning lineup, PMS in the morning, Czabe back during primetime, then JT the Brick at 10.
FSR is becoming irrelevant.
1:00 am on August 21st, 2009
Tony Bruno, JT and Looney (aren’t Looney and JT the same guy)… Being born again, I’m not to judge…..
But for KLAC, I’m a homer… DP sounds good, Rome is Rome… hate Hartman, but can stand him for his longevity (it’s like Sutton, he’s in because of his longevity, and that’s about it…), Meyers is a nice guy (that likes to talk about himself)….PMS is PMS…. liked to listen to Joe big nasty until he opens his mouth about Bobo Brazil and Mila Mascara (hope you’re doin’ well Joe), actually those were the years I thought wrastlin’ was real (with Blassie and T-O-L-O-S), but all this WWE stuff….but Looney, wasn’t he the guy that tried t make his name a household “one name” on KFWB, or was he the guy that created that So Cal radio report to pub himself… but I’m not to judge…..didn’t care for Fred Roggin, until I listened to him… bring back K A R L and Vic…. not feelin’ that either… Chet, we miss you…. yeah, I guess you guys is right, LA Sports Radio… makes us appreciate Russ’ and the Hawk on KABC mo’ and mo’….. here’s to you Steamer Bud….. I LOVE L.A.!!! We Love it!!!
3:20 pm on September 4th, 2009
Great move! Love listening to Tony Bruno do his thing on the radio again!
The only way things could get better is to completely get rid of J.T. the Tool and Looney and their annoying personalities and bring back Ben Maller overnights during the week.
12:01 am on September 15th, 2009
jim rome is the best sports talk guy in america. JT sucks raider nads. hes always calling people thugs and bums its like he gets off on himself. he absolutely collapses when anyone talks bad about his team because yes, he is a whore. hes not even shy. he admits that the raiders pay him. hes just a pure joke.
12:51 am on September 18th, 2009
JT is edgy and always up the minute on all things sports. You either like him or not. Likewise with Tony Bruno. Too bad they pit both against each other. However, we’ve got to have more than ESPN. radio with morons they mostly have. What also might have helped killed J.T.’s time slot was his side-kick Looney who absolutely sucks. He’s a Fox Sports lackey who does the voice-overs for Best Damn on FSN. And his Hollywood entertainment b.s. reports takes the show totally out of its element. Ditch Looney and JT will rise again!
11:36 pm on September 22nd, 2009
J.T. has passion. You can’t fake that. Remember his Pujols home run call versus Astros a few playoffs back? I can’t take Bruno seriously. He’s a clown. Every time I accidentally find him on the dial he isn’t talkin’ sport.
Nice work. Good luck with your radio station.
10:35 pm on October 28th, 2009
JT is different, he talks sports. tony bruno, i tried listening but, too many sidekicks and too much, well he sucks.