Sporting News Radio 'changes'

[Nate Wesley]

The name change from SNR to YSR was necessary, and a good thing for them. But for people to expect disaffected ESPN or FSR affils to stampede at Gow's office asking to switch - or for the Yang family to fork over millions of dollars to purchase FM radio stations - is utterly ludicrous.

The prospect of network switching can't be that ludicrous--I just named you one. WNSP management specifically cited the new charges to use ESPN Radio's branding and content when announcing their switch to SNR.

Speaking of those charges, weren't you complaining about 'the nerve' of ESPN Radio to do just that months ago?

 

[livingfruitvirus]

I think the agreement change is having to run ads for a show you clear on days/night that you don't air it.

FSR has always required stations to run some ads during the day for shows that they don't clear.

Okay. Preemption make-good ads at least make sense.

 

[tomficker]

I still wonder if a deal with CBS could be reached down the road. If two years from now, there's 40 or more "Fans" out there, it would make sense for them to have the same network even if it is just for weekends and overnights. Plus why would CBS want to promote Fox or ESPN when they are not local?
They could launch their own part time network but that takes time and expense. I think a partnership would be easier.

 

[the golden boy]

I suppose "Yahoo! Sports Radio" is better than "Root Sports (Market)" though.
As long as they keep the jingles and sounders where they say "Sport-ing News Ray-dee-o" that sound like the old "One-on-One Sportssss" jingles, I might be able to get over it. At least that would make it a bit easier. ;D

I've not heard any jingles associated with Yahoo! Sports.

 

[radioguy39nj]

Sporting News Yearbooks are now published in partnership with Street & Smith. Just another partnership to reduce costs. And now we have Yahoo! Sports Radio!

 

[Rusty Muck]

The name change from SNR to YSR was necessary, and a good thing for them. But for people to expect disaffected ESPN or FSR affils to stampede at Gow's office asking to switch - or for the Yang family to fork over millions of dollars to purchase FM radio stations - is utterly ludicrous.

The prospect of network switching can't be that ludicrous--I just named you one. WNSP management specifically cited the new charges to use ESPN Radio's branding and content when announcing their switch to SNR.

Again, the Yang family is not interested in buying radio stations. That's not their business, never has been, never will, and to suggest otherwise is ludicrous. I didn't say anything about network switching being 'ludicrous.' Way to read far too much into my comment, lol.

Speaking of those charges, weren't you complaining about 'the nerve' of ESPN Radio to do just that months ago?

I don't expect dozens and dozens of ESPN stations to automatically defect and become Yahoo! Sports affils because they changed their branding. Maybe a handful like WNSP that can't afford it. Other stations will bite the bullet and pay those charges (which is still extortion, lol).

And a simple name change doesn't level the obviously non-level sports radio playing field. Y!SR still has a long road to go.

 

[tomficker]

I think it's possible ESPN may lose say 25 stations over the next couple of years. Of which, let's say 15 go to FSR and 10 to YSR. Of the 15 to FSR though, YahooSports will likely pick up the rimshot am FSR affiliate that was clearing already in that market. So any loss for ESPN, will probably result in a gain for Yahoo Sports Radio.

However, the main key to survival (and possibly prosperity) has to do more with the acceptance and continued clearance of 3 sports stations in a market.

Or I suppose they could also somehow bump FSR out of the ClearChannel deal which I don't even know if that's even negotiable.

My biggest concern for YSR, and this was mentioned above, would be another company like CBS or DirectV launching a 4th network with big bucks behind their affiliate push. Although, if you look at One on One, SNR, Sportsfan Radio network, Prime Sports, and others maybe they just don't see it as profitable even if it would bury a competitor along the way.

This may answer the question of why SNR/YSR has had 5 or 6 owners over the last 15 years? It comes down to how much money are you willing to lose for the slim hope of somehow battling the giants. But underdogs do come through sometimes. Take a look at the origins of Cumulus and where they are now.

 

[zrl]

Or I suppose they could also somehow bump FSR out of the ClearChannel deal which I don't even know if that's even negotiable.

They can't bump FSR out of the Clear Channel deal because FSR IS Clear Channel, not Fox. They have licensed the FSR name only.

If the deal ended they would change the name of the network and that's about all.

 

[Mainedude2007]

I think it's possible ESPN may lose say 25 stations over the next couple of years. Of which, let's say 15 go to FSR and 10 to YSR. Of the 15 to FSR though,

ESPN has already lost several affiliates. I haven't done a hard count but I'd say a half dozen or so, and not all are switching to another netowork, some are ditching the format completely.

 

[tomficker]

I think it's possible ESPN may lose say 25 stations over the next couple of years. Of which, let's say 15 go to FSR and 10 to YSR. Of the 15 to FSR though,

ESPN has already lost several affiliates. I haven't done a hard count but I'd say a half dozen or so, and not all are switching to another netowork, some are ditching the format completely.

and that sucks for everybody. I can't stand ESPN but it's still better then many other formats in my opinion.