D
doublecashkgb
Guest
I'd like to get some takes on what John Lynch with doing at Double XX in comparison
to his old station. In 1989 XTRA Sports began it's evolution into a full time sports
radio station, along the way it became the West Coast's gold standard for Sports
Radio.
Jim Rome, Jeannie Zelasko and others launched their sports radio careers there, famed
ABC MNF Director Chet Forte relauched his career as a "Loose Cannon". Love him or
hate him Lee Hacksaw Hamilton dominated the sports talk ratings in Southern California
for over a decade. XTRA rolled out perhaps the first and best "game day" coverage
of Chargers Football, and brought to focus future L.A. talent such as Steve Mason &, Steve Hartman.
Moreover, XTRA was an entertaining sports station. Funny and creative imaging, classic talent
feuds, and unpredictability made XTRA Sports widely imitated and very succcesful. Jacor/CC
continued for the most part in this tradition. By the late 90's XTRA was one of the highest
billing stations in San Diego. Through a series of mis-steps, CC first attempted to clone XTRA
at 1150-AM, it didn't work. Next they basically picked up the station and left for L.A., which
didn't work either. Now, 570-AM is simply another sports station, a shadow of it's distant relative:
the old XTRA Sports 690.
John Lynch had done a pretty good job with XPRS, but it seems obvious by now it will never become the ratings or industry juggernaut that XTRA-690 was. In my opinion the station is rather bland, very toned down, and very one-dimmensional. The Padres got the better end of that deal, at a time when radio ratings for Baseball are medicore at best in most markets, XX is basically talking Padres baseball from Feburary to
October for the majority of the time. Recently I tuned in after the SHawn Merriman story broke, XX was busy talking about what the Padres may or may not do next year with the bull pen. Their Charger coverage is spotty at best. Very non-aggressive, very unlike the old 690.
My analysis
Scott & BR. Two former players, neither are natural broadcasters. Very little entertainment value, they obviously have the connections and speak often to Padres & Charger players, ex-players, and local sports icons. They are flat out talking to a very narrow demographic of fan, and ignoring the casual fan. They
constantly talk about their listener parties, and take calls from their sports bar buddies and friends, which
has little appeal to the typical listener. Unlike Mason & Ireland for instance (former XTRA morning hosts and current hosts at ESPN L.A.) they don't do bits, don't interview comedians, and seem to avoid women on the show. They didn't properly use their former sports anchor, and she has left the station. I believe as Scott & BR go, so does XX. They obviously have John Lynch's blessing, and are not paying any attention to the program director or any competent talent coach.
Too Much Show (Philly Billy & Darren Smith) Maybe the closest connection to the old XTRA Sports is here. Philly Billy like Chet Forte before him knows how to work an audience and a crowd. He often has issues with the morning hosts, yet ironically Darren Smith is nothing like Philly's old partner (Steve Hartman), he seems like basically a very nice guy, with a lot of knowledge who defers to Billy way too much. The beauty of the old "Loose Cannon" format was the diverse opinions and arguments between the hosts, now it's "nice radio".
Philly Billy is a major talent, Darren needs to step it up.
The Coach Probably the most genuine sports host in radio period. Coach has of late become more outspoken, and is the perfect evening host. He's the guy who everybody likes, the big guy isn't slick or showy, but he knows San Diego sports, pro-college-prep, and he has a ton of heart.
What is the station missing?. A sense of urgency, or the feeling that at any given moment you will be suprised. XX is glumly produced, with little creativity. However the imaging person has little to work with other than Jim Rome or Philly Billy. There is little stationality, things seemed to be slapped together, it sounds like the price for the Padres rights were too high, both in monetary terms, and in programming terms.
Clearly afternoon drive needs work. Too Much show should remain noon to 4pm, but a change needs to happen for afternoons. Ted Leitner is of another generation, in his Padres role it works. As a host he's incapable of creating the kind of energy and excitement a sports station needs in afternoon drive.
I'd like to see what others think.
to his old station. In 1989 XTRA Sports began it's evolution into a full time sports
radio station, along the way it became the West Coast's gold standard for Sports
Radio.
Jim Rome, Jeannie Zelasko and others launched their sports radio careers there, famed
ABC MNF Director Chet Forte relauched his career as a "Loose Cannon". Love him or
hate him Lee Hacksaw Hamilton dominated the sports talk ratings in Southern California
for over a decade. XTRA rolled out perhaps the first and best "game day" coverage
of Chargers Football, and brought to focus future L.A. talent such as Steve Mason &, Steve Hartman.
Moreover, XTRA was an entertaining sports station. Funny and creative imaging, classic talent
feuds, and unpredictability made XTRA Sports widely imitated and very succcesful. Jacor/CC
continued for the most part in this tradition. By the late 90's XTRA was one of the highest
billing stations in San Diego. Through a series of mis-steps, CC first attempted to clone XTRA
at 1150-AM, it didn't work. Next they basically picked up the station and left for L.A., which
didn't work either. Now, 570-AM is simply another sports station, a shadow of it's distant relative:
the old XTRA Sports 690.
John Lynch had done a pretty good job with XPRS, but it seems obvious by now it will never become the ratings or industry juggernaut that XTRA-690 was. In my opinion the station is rather bland, very toned down, and very one-dimmensional. The Padres got the better end of that deal, at a time when radio ratings for Baseball are medicore at best in most markets, XX is basically talking Padres baseball from Feburary to
October for the majority of the time. Recently I tuned in after the SHawn Merriman story broke, XX was busy talking about what the Padres may or may not do next year with the bull pen. Their Charger coverage is spotty at best. Very non-aggressive, very unlike the old 690.
My analysis
Scott & BR. Two former players, neither are natural broadcasters. Very little entertainment value, they obviously have the connections and speak often to Padres & Charger players, ex-players, and local sports icons. They are flat out talking to a very narrow demographic of fan, and ignoring the casual fan. They
constantly talk about their listener parties, and take calls from their sports bar buddies and friends, which
has little appeal to the typical listener. Unlike Mason & Ireland for instance (former XTRA morning hosts and current hosts at ESPN L.A.) they don't do bits, don't interview comedians, and seem to avoid women on the show. They didn't properly use their former sports anchor, and she has left the station. I believe as Scott & BR go, so does XX. They obviously have John Lynch's blessing, and are not paying any attention to the program director or any competent talent coach.
Too Much Show (Philly Billy & Darren Smith) Maybe the closest connection to the old XTRA Sports is here. Philly Billy like Chet Forte before him knows how to work an audience and a crowd. He often has issues with the morning hosts, yet ironically Darren Smith is nothing like Philly's old partner (Steve Hartman), he seems like basically a very nice guy, with a lot of knowledge who defers to Billy way too much. The beauty of the old "Loose Cannon" format was the diverse opinions and arguments between the hosts, now it's "nice radio".
Philly Billy is a major talent, Darren needs to step it up.
The Coach Probably the most genuine sports host in radio period. Coach has of late become more outspoken, and is the perfect evening host. He's the guy who everybody likes, the big guy isn't slick or showy, but he knows San Diego sports, pro-college-prep, and he has a ton of heart.
What is the station missing?. A sense of urgency, or the feeling that at any given moment you will be suprised. XX is glumly produced, with little creativity. However the imaging person has little to work with other than Jim Rome or Philly Billy. There is little stationality, things seemed to be slapped together, it sounds like the price for the Padres rights were too high, both in monetary terms, and in programming terms.
Clearly afternoon drive needs work. Too Much show should remain noon to 4pm, but a change needs to happen for afternoons. Ted Leitner is of another generation, in his Padres role it works. As a host he's incapable of creating the kind of energy and excitement a sports station needs in afternoon drive.
I'd like to see what others think.