R
RadioInsider23
Guest
Hard to believe 92.3 The Fan has been in existence almost two years already. I think most sports talk fans were understandably excited that there was finally some competition to WKNR. It hasn't been all bad (get to that in a second), but so far I think it's safe to say, it's been far from a radio-dynamo people were hoping for. I'll leave my comments and hope to hear some genuine discussion
6-10 Kiley and Booms. Obviously the show isn't for everyone, but this was a semi-successful national show years ago and I was excited for its return. Unfortunately, this is more of a national show. They've done some pretty important segments that no other sports talk radio would touch, but is that what local people want? Recent ratings have taken a dip, but I feel this show is being wasted on a local format. Their topics and hosts seem much more ambitious than a morning zoo format. My guess is that they have peaked in this market. Both are consummate radio pros. I get that people hate Chuck, or Kevin's persistent negativity, but if you step out of that, they strive (and many times succeed) at being pretty entertaining. Not your run-of-the-mill boring sports show.
10-2 Baskin and Phelps. Hard to believe this show made it past 6 months considering their horrible ratings and bland personalities. This show reminds me of the old WKNR shows (think Bill Needle). It's one topic, throw out the numbers, take a call, rinse and repeat. Both are nice enough guys (and much stronger on the TV), but don't radio people have strong have opinions? Neither sound too much like they even care about sports. Neither really come off as identifiable on the air as fans of the teams. I can't imagine this show coming back for a third year. They need radio guys in this slot to offer an alternative to Rizzo
2-7 Bull and Fox. I thought this show had plenty of potential but kind of feel that Bull is going through the motions in this market (he sounds like he's got one foot out the door towards New York), while Dustin needs a co-host with better chemistry. Bull is a baseball guy in a football market. Also, five hours is probably 2 hours too long for this show. I get saving money, but by 5:30 they are pretty stale everyday - which is when people get in their car. They probably get the best guests on the station, which saves them. I do think Bull is a talented guy but he just comes off too serious and his rants seem forced. Dustin needs much more polish but I think he's come a long way.
7-12 Ken Carman. All and all, I gotta give it to Ken for being able to talk for as long as he can by himself. No easy task in a town like this (we aren't NY or Philly). It just seems like most nights he's talking in circles to fill time waiting for phone calls. Ken is well on his way to having a nice career in this town but needs to slow down, gather thoughts, breathe and form an opinion. He sounds like an auctioneer who doesn't know where his sentences are going. Still a very young guy who shows potential. Just not sure his act fits into other timeslots at this point. He sounded miscast to me when paired up with Chuck Booms.
Now, I've seen the ratings recently for the station and they've taken a step back in the last 3 months, which is not a good sign. Perhaps football will help them, although it will be interesting to see the ratings bounce the station probably assumes it will be getting. The real question, who is the station grooming for down the line? Or will it take from outside? There's a lot of weekend programming that is rather forgettable. I've heard Carman and Lima do the brunt of the fill-in work, there's potential there no doubt.
Anyone else's thoughts?
6-10 Kiley and Booms. Obviously the show isn't for everyone, but this was a semi-successful national show years ago and I was excited for its return. Unfortunately, this is more of a national show. They've done some pretty important segments that no other sports talk radio would touch, but is that what local people want? Recent ratings have taken a dip, but I feel this show is being wasted on a local format. Their topics and hosts seem much more ambitious than a morning zoo format. My guess is that they have peaked in this market. Both are consummate radio pros. I get that people hate Chuck, or Kevin's persistent negativity, but if you step out of that, they strive (and many times succeed) at being pretty entertaining. Not your run-of-the-mill boring sports show.
10-2 Baskin and Phelps. Hard to believe this show made it past 6 months considering their horrible ratings and bland personalities. This show reminds me of the old WKNR shows (think Bill Needle). It's one topic, throw out the numbers, take a call, rinse and repeat. Both are nice enough guys (and much stronger on the TV), but don't radio people have strong have opinions? Neither sound too much like they even care about sports. Neither really come off as identifiable on the air as fans of the teams. I can't imagine this show coming back for a third year. They need radio guys in this slot to offer an alternative to Rizzo
2-7 Bull and Fox. I thought this show had plenty of potential but kind of feel that Bull is going through the motions in this market (he sounds like he's got one foot out the door towards New York), while Dustin needs a co-host with better chemistry. Bull is a baseball guy in a football market. Also, five hours is probably 2 hours too long for this show. I get saving money, but by 5:30 they are pretty stale everyday - which is when people get in their car. They probably get the best guests on the station, which saves them. I do think Bull is a talented guy but he just comes off too serious and his rants seem forced. Dustin needs much more polish but I think he's come a long way.
7-12 Ken Carman. All and all, I gotta give it to Ken for being able to talk for as long as he can by himself. No easy task in a town like this (we aren't NY or Philly). It just seems like most nights he's talking in circles to fill time waiting for phone calls. Ken is well on his way to having a nice career in this town but needs to slow down, gather thoughts, breathe and form an opinion. He sounds like an auctioneer who doesn't know where his sentences are going. Still a very young guy who shows potential. Just not sure his act fits into other timeslots at this point. He sounded miscast to me when paired up with Chuck Booms.
Now, I've seen the ratings recently for the station and they've taken a step back in the last 3 months, which is not a good sign. Perhaps football will help them, although it will be interesting to see the ratings bounce the station probably assumes it will be getting. The real question, who is the station grooming for down the line? Or will it take from outside? There's a lot of weekend programming that is rather forgettable. I've heard Carman and Lima do the brunt of the fill-in work, there's potential there no doubt.
Anyone else's thoughts?
