JoeSixPat

Sorry if this was already reported but if so I missed it

CBS sacks WBCN for all-sports Boston station - BostonHerald.com

At first blush my reaction was that they won't be able to compete with WEEI - but the fact that EEI has neglected to add an FM station in that market is what BCN is taking advantage of.

Still - it may be that the Providence based 103.7 effectively gives them that presence already.

And since they're carrying Patriots games they stand a chance of getting some cooperation from Patriots coaches and players... i.e. the Providence-based Sports station could never really compete, as you could listen to WEEI on 103.7 and listen to Belichick, or listen to the Score and listen to them talk about Belichick.

Bottom line for WBCN - I guess they had nothing to lose and nowhere to go but up - and with the Sox, Celts, Patriots and Bruins all looking pretty good, they figured there was at least enough room in the market to get better ratings than the current WBCN programming.

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NEGoldenAge

Nice. I hope this kills the EEI morning show.

pats1

More details...All of this is will take place around August 13:

WBCN itself will stay on the air as 98.5 HD 2. It will also be available online.

Mix 98.5 (WBMX) will move to 104.1 (HD 1).

98.5 will re-launch as "98.5 The Sports Hub" and use the new callsign WBZ-FM. Bruins and Patriots games will be on 98.5. Toucher and Rich from WBCN will do a sports morning show on 98.5. Felger will be leaving WEEI again and doing a show with Tanguay on 98.5 in the afternoon.

98.5 The Sports Hub will be the next station to compete against WEEI, after the demise of 1510 The Zone, The Score in Providence, and 890 ESPN Radio.

WBCN, WBMX, and WBZ-FM are all owned by CBS Radio.

pats1

Ironically, CBS was trying to get D+C to move to a new sports station during their contract dispute a few years back. CBS has been trying to switch over WBCN for a while now.

pats1

As this new station is going to be WBZ-FM, maybe we'll see the return of Bob Lobel or Gil Santos...

Other candidates, besides Toucher/Rich and Felger/Tanguay, would seem to include guys like Zolak and Rusillo. Maybe Steve Burton.

stevedogc

I can only hope that this gives EEI a kick in the butt to improve what they put on the airwaves. They have been getting bad as of late.

pats1

Yeah, I've been listening to more of WBCN and less of WEEI as of late.

Rob0729

Worst kept secret in Boston. This was rumored months ago. Between losing Howard Stern and the sorry state of rock music these days, the handwriting was on the wall.

Let's hope they can get good hosts and not the Mickey Mouse amateur crap they have on 1510 the Zone or 790.

efin98

WEEI built a flagship around the Red Sox, WBZ AM held on to the Bruins, the Celtics had a few years as the top dog on 1510 The Zone- it's about time the Patriots got top billing in the sports media world.

The fact that they brought over the Bruins from WBZ AM is great for the station, only June and July will be without major sports broadcasts(hopefully).

jmt57

I never understood the previous concept of being a sports radio and rock music radio station; it's got to be one or the other.

I think it's a smart move to use an FM station even though it's just talk and not music. It's not a matter of better sound quality; problems AM stations have in any market is that unless they are one of the handful with a 50,000 watt license they are unlistenable after sundown and have far too weak of a signal even during the day to attract a decent audience. An example of this in the Boston area is 890 WAMG, while 1510 WWZN is an example of attracting a decent audience with WBCN's mixed format.

I think the Boston market has enough demand for another sports radio station, but now the question is how will the new radio station find it's niche? The station is owned by CBS so it would stand to reason that it's going to be all about profit and ratings. And like it or not, the proven formula for successful sports talk radio in America is pretty much what WEEI is doing. Find a topic that listeners will become emotional about, put a negative spin on it, be a self appointed expert with no room for debate, and totally disrespect anyone who disagrees.

Engaging in intelligent conversation and insightful analysis isn't going to get people to call in or talk about the show with friends and co-workers, but taking an extreme stance and getting into a shouting match probably will. Maybe I am wrong and CBS will decide 'WEEI has that segement locked up; we have to try a different approach', but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to happen. CBS Radio was home to Howard Stern before his move to Sirius radio. My guess is that they realize that controversy sells and is profitable, as long as you stay within FCC guidelines.