WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports (on 98.5 as WBZ-FM) to compete with WEEI

[jays52]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports (on 98.5 as WBZ-FM) to compete with W

Thank god they're keeping Toucher and Rich on. It's a bleeding travesty though that are going to force them to talk sports and not their normal genius. At the very least, they get to continue openly mocking that atrocious drivel known as 'The Big Show'.

 

[PatsDeb]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports to compete with WEEI

Nice. I hope this kills the EEI morning show.

I second that! I'm psyched as I am in southern NH and WEEI doesn't always come in very well, particularly at night,and I don't like the morning show, which doesn't have any sports except Brady's weekly interview. I'll be glad to have an FM sports station that I can hear here in NH (we do have WGAM, the Game on AM, but it has a lot of national stuff).

 

[PatsDeb]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports (on 98.5 as WBZ-FM) to compete with W

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.

Oh no! Tanguay? That guy is seriously annoying (way more than Felger, IMO). I'd still like a local FM sports station.

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports to compete with WEEI

I second that! I'm psyched as I am in southern NH and WEEI doesn't always come in very well, particularly at night,and I don't like the morning show, which doesn't have any sports except Brady's weekly interview. I'll be glad to have an FM sports station that I can hear here in NH (we do have WGAM, the Game on AM, but it has a lot of national stuff).

Don't bet on the new sports station having much sports talk in the morning. T&R have a great show but it is far from sports-centric. As someone else said, there will be some sports but they will still be a lot of their "frat boy radio" schtick.

 

[PatsDeb]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports to compete with WEEI

Don't bet on the new sports station having much sports talk in the morning. T&R have a great show but it is far from sports-centric. As someone else said, there will be some sports but they will still be a lot of their "frat boy radio" schtick.

I don't mind frat boy radio schtick (isn't that what sports radio is all about?). I hate all the vitriolic political talk. I've actually started listening to Dan Patrick over D&C. He has frat boy radio schitck, but it is based around sports, albeit national stories. I'd rather listen to a local station. I've never tried the BCN morning show - is it on now?

 

[Tunescribe]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports (on 98.5 as WBZ-FM) to compete with W

At the very least this should signal more pats talk and less sox talk in November, December, January, etc...

I do hope this new development will provide a decent alternative to the endless baseball talk on WEEI. I'm tired of Ordway's act and just can't stand Mike Adams' constant imitation of a 14-year-old boy. I'd rather watch grass grow than listen to 'EEI this time of year. I'll definitely give the new station a chance.

 

[patman52]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports (on 98.5 as WBZ-FM) to compete with W

I miss 790 the score. At least they talked sports. EEI talks personalities, it is more like a view or regis type show. Adams can be good at times and I liked him as a fill in but not all the time. Here is to hoping that they steer callers talk sports and not just say that manny takes plays off.

 

[DGameguy]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports to compete with WEEI

I don't mind frat boy radio schtick (isn't that what sports radio is all about?). I hate all the vitriolic political talk. I've actually started listening to Dan Patrick over D&C. He has frat boy radio schitck, but it is based around sports, albeit national stories. I'd rather listen to a local station. I've never tried the BCN morning show - is it on now?

Yes, it's still on WBCN (or at least it was today-without any mention of the station change). They're pretty funny. They have a bunch of their podcasts up on wbcn.com and streaming audio.

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports to compete with WEEI

I don't mind frat boy radio schtick (isn't that what sports radio is all about?). I hate all the vitriolic political talk. I've actually started listening to Dan Patrick over D&C. He has frat boy radio schitck, but it is based around sports, albeit national stories. I'd rather listen to a local station. I've never tried the BCN morning show - is it on now?

I don't mind it either and didn't mean to insinuate that I did. I am with you on the political talk. I tend to agree with some of what D&C say but the manner in which the go about it is so abrasive, it amazes me they are #1 in their time slot.

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports (on 98.5 as WBZ-FM) to compete with W

I do hope this new development will provide a decent alternative to the endless baseball talk on WEEI. I'm tired of Ordway's act and just can't stand Mike Adams' constant imitation of a 14-year-old boy. I'd rather watch grass grow than listen to 'EEI this time of year. I'll definitely give the new station a chance.

Mike Adams is tough to listen to, I agree. When he isn't spinning yarns about the 1960's and 70's Red Sox, he is bringing up dead stories like Manny. The potential for better talk at night is another positive by product of the change.

 

[hwc]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports (on 98.5 as WBZ-FM) to compete with W

End of the era for BCN. As someone pointed out, in the late 60s, early 70s, BCN was one of the first major album rock stations in the United States. The archives of artists who stopped by for a live gig on BCN reads like a Who's Who.

In reality, though, there is still a "rock" station at 104. They are simply dumping the wasteland active rock format for the Hot Adult Contemporary rock wasteland of MIX.

The sad thing is that the type of music that used to be known as album rock is seeing a real resurgence with the kind of diverse, interesting indie bands that play the Bonarroo type festivals. It's all happening outside the lines of the record labels and FM radio conglomerates.

Good news for Patriots fans, though. Sports talk competition can't hurt.

 

[pats1]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports to compete with WEEI

I second that! I'm psyched as I am in southern NH and WEEI doesn't always come in very well, particularly at night,and I don't like the morning show, which doesn't have any sports except Brady's weekly interview. I'll be glad to have an FM sports station that I can hear here in NH (we do have WGAM, the Game on AM, but it has a lot of national stuff).

There's a bunch of new WEEI FM affiliates in northern NE...are they working out?

 

[pats1]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports to compete with WEEI

Yes, it's still on WBCN (or at least it was today-without any mention of the station change). They're pretty funny. They have a bunch of their podcasts up on wbcn.com and streaming audio.

The story really didn't come out until around noon. Besides, T+R are the only ones who still have a job; WBZ said all the other DJs and producers will be laid off. Hardy in the afternoon was pretty pissed.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports (on 98.5 as WBZ-FM) to compete with W

The sports station will carry Patriots [team stats] and Bruins [team stats] games, and WBCN morning duo, Fred Toucher and Rich Shertenlieb of “Toucher & Rich,” will host its morning sports show.

Comcast SportsNet’s Gary Tanguay will also host a show, sources said. CBS said it plans to announce a full talent and programming schedule at a later date.

Haven't ever heard of Fred and Rich, but if it's more endless frat boy humor I probably never will have reason to listen. As for filling out the late AM and mid day slots, calling that talent is an oxymoron. Comcast Sports Net is nearly unwatchable with Tanguay and Felger on camera. Gotta love the failed retread mentality in this region... Lipstick on a pig radio. They'll be gone as fast as their predecessors.

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports (on 98.5 as WBZ-FM) to compete with W

I am not sure who they will get for hosts. Boston is rather parrochial when it comes to media.

You will likely see a cooperation with the Globe/Boston.com/whatever they will be called staff as guests.

 

[PatsGuy]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports (on 98.5 as WBZ-FM) to compete with W

When I heard the news about 'BCN' it was sad. Growing up in earshot during the 60's and returning to Boston in 1975, I was part of the 'Big Mattress' "Danny Schecter the News Disecter" era. I dunno, corporate radio now is driven by talk n more more talk. That's why my pre-sets are WZBC, WBRS, WMFO, WMBR, and WERS all college radio stations.

 

[pats1]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports (on 98.5 as WBZ-FM) to compete with W

Haven't ever heard of Fred and Rich, but if it's more endless frat boy humor I probably never will have reason to listen. As for filling out the late AM and mid day slots, calling that talent is an oxymoron. Comcast Sports Net is nearly unwatchable with Tanguay and Felger on camera. Gotta love the failed retread mentality in this region... Lipstick on a pig radio. They'll be gone as fast as their predecessors.

Well, Toucher and Rich were on vacation last week, so they played some of their "best of" clips. One of them was using a Chris Hansen sound board to prank call an author who thought she was being interviewed on the radio; another was prank calling a Westboro Baptist pretending to be a gay-oriented radio station.

 

[BradyManny]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports (on 98.5 as WBZ-FM) to compete with W

Haven't ever heard of Fred and Rich, but if it's more endless frat boy humor I probably never will have reason to listen. As for filling out the late AM and mid day slots, calling that talent is an oxymoron. Comcast Sports Net is nearly unwatchable with Tanguay and Felger on camera. Gotta love the failed retread mentality in this region... Lipstick on a pig radio. They'll be gone as fast as their predecessors.

I encourage anyone and everyone to try the Boston Sports Show in the afternoon slot on 890 ESPN.

 

[DGameguy]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports to compete with WEEI

The story really didn't come out until around noon. Besides, T+R are the only ones who still have a job; WBZ said all the other DJs and producers will be laid off. Hardy in the afternoon was pretty pissed.

There was a rumor that everyone on the show except Fred and Rich were getting canned, but I can't se ehow that would be as they pay Crash and Adolfo out of pocket.

Crash is the only one to post something online. Here it is from facebook: "Yes, it's true, everything you are now reading in the Globe, the Herald and all around our fair city is true. Though I'm not proud that I was caught with Mayor Menino in the Back Bay Fens I will not stray from my responsibilities on WBCN so long as they shall have me."

 

[Frezo]

Re: WBCN axes rock format - going to all sports (on 98.5 as WBZ-FM) to compete with W

If they want my ears they're going to have to bring in some new voices and disregard the local hooch swigging opinionated dolts that think talking about sports is tossing players' names into a microphone and waiting for the phone to ring. In order for an "all sports" radio station to be successful, at least on my terms, it has to have hosts that possess knowledge on a national level so they can discuss match ups and game plans. This station will fail if it attempts to steal EEI's fan base of drooling whiner line idiots that are content listening to Ordway repeating himself for 4 hours. This station needs to break fresh New England ground and focus on knowledgeable sports oriented hosts and liberate us from the self aggrandizing egoistical pie holes that EEI has been shoving down our throats for years.