Dan Dakich to host own show on WFNI

[PTBoardOp94]

As the "no experience needed" train moves on, WFNI adds Dan Dakich to its lineup, beginning Oct. 6. Dakich replaces the syndicated Colin Cowherd, from 11am to 2pm ET.

From the Indianapolis Star: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080916/SPORTS/809160380

Good move, based on my listening to Dakich when he was filling in for Eddie White on the PM Drive show. I don't know if he can out-perform Cowherd, though. The Herd is probably my second favorite show on the network.

 

[crimsonace]

Dakich has a name, a bit of a personality. He's kind of a less crass, more professional version of Bob Knight.

To be honest, he's more listenable than the guys doing PM drive on WFNI (at least he was when filling in for Kravitz).

The Knight-worshippers (of which there are many still living in IN) will eat it up. A few others will tune in because of the name. Six months ago, this guy was the head basketball coach at IU, after all.

The lunch shift (NOT PM drive) is the time to put on someone on OJT -- although I'd prefer someone with radio experience co-hosting with him (Boyle, Lee, anyone?). Anything is better than Cowherd, and it at least gives WFNI now 6-7 hours a day of local programming, although not a single minute hosted by anyone with radio experience.

IIRC, WXLW also has a local 12-1 show, although (like most stuff on that station), it borders on unlistenable.

I'd like to see a local AM drive show, but Mike & Mike are ESPN's franchise.

 

[MikeStandardsFromIndiana]

WNDE or WXLW would have a local AM Drive show before WFNI does. Due to the fact i think its required you clear Mike and Mike and Trico/Van Pelt. Look at WMVP in Chicago they carry Mike and Mike Live and i think they do tape delay VP to late nights post live sports coverage.

 

[jughead]

If it is so important for them to not brand themselves as the ESPN affiliate during promos:

Can someone explain to me why they didn't just let ESPN fly on 950 and spin the station like Clear Channel 1530 Homer in Cincinnati does going all local except for noon to 3.

If Cincinnati can have an almost all local station and it be somewhat successful, why couldn't Indianapolis?

Which is better to have at night on a sports station - sports blah blah blah all night long or some steady play-by-play?

I still scratch my head at thinking why they didn't try to get the Cubs from WXLW or Cardinals or White Sox on nights or Sundays they don't have the Fever or Indy Racing. From what I'm told 1260 makes money carrying the Reds games, which I also find hard to believe because most anybody I talked to who are Reds fans in Indy listen to WLW.

This isn't the 1970s with the Big Red Machine. I am pretty sure the Cubs fan base is twice the size of the Reds in Indy by now.

And why not go local in the morning? Can you imagine what a morning sports show could be like the morning after a Colts loss? Why wait until 3 p.m. to let the fans vent?

 

[Indy Legend]

Hi, I've been reading this board for a few weeks now and find it to be very informative but just joined a few minutes ago. Just before I got on this evening and before reading this forum I was thinking the same thing and sent an e-mail to XL 950's program director suggesting a morning drive local program from 6-9 am replacing Mancow ( I still don't get why this show is on a sports station or any station for that matter). I think it's a great idea and I believe good local programing is almost always more entertaining than most of the syndicated programing out there today. I've been a big fan of all types of talk radio for years dating back to my days as a kid in the 70's. I really miss the days of going up and down the dial and listening to many different programs around the country prior to all the syndication and the same three or four big companies owning 99% of the stations in the country.

 

[radioho]

I think it's a great idea and I believe good local programing is almost always more entertaining than most of the syndicated programing out there today.

Got any examples? WHERE in this town do you find 'local' programming that is better than syndicated programming?

If Cincinnati can have an almost all local station and it be somewhat successful, why couldn't Indianapolis?

Because owners in Indy are too cheap to hire the talent from out of town to come in and shake things up. They try to use 'homegrown' talent, which just doesn't exist. I'm sorry, but name anyone with real talent in this town (I'm talking HOSTING talent that isn't lame or same old same old.) Typically, former players make for good radio - but Indy hasn't had any real personalities as players. Reggie was the closest thing, and while he has a pleasant personality, and he has NO RADIO TALENT!

Which is better to have at night on a sports station - sports blah blah blah all night long or some steady play-by-play?

I'd rather hear sports talk from national talent that KNOWS not only sports, but how to be on the radio and entertain, something you don't find locally. Play by play only appeals to a very small segment of the sports listeners - if you don't like the Reds, or Cubs, or ??? you're not going to sit and listen all night.

And why not go local in the morning? Can you imagine what a morning sports show could be like the morning after a Colts loss? Why wait until 3 p.m. to let the fans vent?

Because it would be the same five lame callers everyday with a lame host. It's been tried and failed over and over again. The closest thing to success in the morning has been Mark Patrick. Boyle in the afternoon. Other than those two, ALL OTHERS HAVE FALLEN SHORT. All nice guys I'm sure, but sports knowledge or being a nice guy doesn't cut it when compared to TALENT in other cities.

I'd like to see a local AM drive show, but Mike & Mike are ESPN's franchise.

Again, WHO locally are you going to get that sounds better or has more overall knowledge than Mike & Mike? Local calls will only drag a show down, not help, so you have to have a strong host - not been found yet in Indy.

STOP WITH THE DUO-HOSTING SHOWS LOCALLY - these DON'T work. They all sound like middle-aged sports junkies sitting around giving their opinions like they KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT! Anyone can sit around all day reading USA TODAY and ESPN (The Magazine) and spout off opinions - but none of them, including kravitz, sound authoritive on any of the sports topics. They sound YOUNG and inexperienced, do NOT have contacts in the sports world other than other writers or play by play announcers. So in other words, in my humble opinion, all local sportstalk is simply filling airtime and calling it a show.

Open your eyes, the reason they put two or more guys on a show in Indy is because there isn't anyone talented or strong enough personality to go it alone. So they put guys on and tell them to sit around and eat, laugh and 'make sure to use your adult sounding radio voice.'