Changes at WEEI

[vmorrison]

Entercom has been conducting a series of focus groups with listeners of EEI and Bz FM to find out what people like about the stations and what changes they would to like to see EEI make

From what I have been told Gerry Callahan did not fair to well among the participants. EEI also asked what former athletes would make good hosts including Curt Schilling, Teddy Bruschi, and Cedric Maxwell. 

[ArtSpooner]

How do you volunteer for a focus group?  I would just sit there and say "Get rid of Muttnansky" until they came and took me away.

Seriously, I think that Callahan and Holley would be a good pairing in the AM.  I think John Dennis' heart isn't in it anymore. Leave Merloni alone and replace Muttnansky with John Ryder or Pete Shepard.  Go back to the old "Big Show" format only with a set lineup of guest hosts from the A list; no LJ, Smerlas, Burton, Stearns, but a regular rotation, depending on the season, of Buck, McAdams, Minihane, Bradford, Curran, Bob Ryan, Maxwell, and others.

Also, they seem to think that weekly interviews with players and coaches are wonderful.  I'm a staunch Pats and Belichick fan, but Belichick's interviews should be marketed as a cure for insomnia.  Actually the same can be said for most of those interviews.  Doc Rivers seems to be the best of the group.

They should also police the callers more.  Every time I hear Steve from Fall River or Tony from Bridgewater, or Jack from Lynn, I change the station.  I don't think I'm alone.  These callers, and they know who they are, should be limited to one call per week.  And they should cut the calls off quicker.  I also don't why they have to be nice to the callers as some hosts sarcastically remark.  If you are one of the tiny percentage of listeners that call a radio station, you do so at your own peril.  I find crapping all over some knucklehead to be kind of funny.

[tvradiogeek]

what i don't get is why isn't Burton on the sports hub since he works for the tv station??

[LAUROJRM]

what i don't get is why isn't Burton on the sports hub since he works for the tv station??

same question here/ While you asked that, I also like to know, does Mr. Walt Perkins also work for "98.5 The Sports Hub"? or is he only on WBZ 1030am?

[CraigSevens]

I participated in the “Boston Sports Radio Fan” focus group in Waltham this week. I was paid $75. After a few minutes it was obvious it was being conducted by WEEI. They kept asking what we thought of their DJs, and what we liked about 98.5’s DJs. They focused heavily on the morning shows. They also gave us a list of possible names as D&C replacements and asked what we thought of them.  It was pretty strange. The moderator asked something along the lines of “what would you like to hear on WEEI in the morning?” and someone  said “Toucher & Rich”. Pretty funny night.

[tvradiogeek]

I participated in the “Boston Sports Radio Fan” focus group in Waltham this week. I was paid $75. After a few minutes it was obvious it was being conducted by WEEI. They kept asking what we thought of their DJs, and what we liked about 98.5’s DJs. They focused heavily on the morning shows. They also gave us a list of possible names as D&C replacements and asked what we thought of them.  It was pretty strange. The moderator asked something along the lines of “what would you like to hear on WEEI in the morning?” and someone  said “Toucher & Rich”. Pretty funny night.

I don't there is anyone out there that can better then Toucher and Rich in the mornings on sports talk radio!!

[ArtSpooner]

what i don't get is why isn't Burton on the sports hub since he works for the tv station??

They probably heard him on WEEI and don't want him.  They seem to know what they are doing.

[geesmith]

I wonder if Steve Burton is a contractor with TV 4...That would allow him to find
whatever work he could in any other medium. No?

And Walt Perkins working for BZ and BZ fm is not really a big deal...They're sister stations.
It'd be like LB (from AAF) doing a piece on WEEI.

I do think it's funny how we're not supposed to know who's running the focus group...
I was at an auditorium test, where the audience was played hundreds of music hooks...and
exactly one piece of jock audio...luckily for the jock, it tested well...might've saved their job.

[EnterCommunicator]

Although I understand Callahan not being popular, I can't imagine John Dennis is actually considered more favorable.
At least Callahan has some semblance of sports knowledge.

Edit: And isn't fixing the afternoon show easier/ more realistic then the morning show?
My understanding is D&C are still signed for a couple years at least.

Edit x2: Unless maybe the often wondered move to 'RKO for morning drive concept is actually underway.

[ArtSpooner]

I've listened to T&R a few times and they are funny and talented.  I just think it's a stretch to call them a sports program.  I think Callahan and Holley would have a little friction that could be entertaining.  Dino just doesn't seem to be interested that much any more, unless it's about golf. 

Holley and Ordway just don't have good chemistry.  I think if they went back to the guest hosts without flash guy participation and they stick to a list of solid personalities they'd give Felger a run for his money.  The downfall of the Big Show was repeated appearances by the same D-Listers and sometimes(if you count the caller) five people talking at once.

Dale Arnold and Minihane have a pretty entertaing show on the weekends.  They should be considered for a bigger role than they now have.