So now that we have a big enough sample size... The Hub vs. WEEI

[Rob0729]

My post simply addressed the poll in comparison to the actual ratings and you went off on this stuff. You have been one of the "usual suspects" on this issue, which is fine, and I wasn't trying to insult them. The reality is that polls like this are similar to political primaries in that they are only really responded to by a very small portion of the overall group.

The problem with both polls like this and with all the people saying "WEEI sucks"/"98.5 sucks!" is that a large tent is being thrown over separable items. "The Big Show", for example, doesn't suck, but it's not for everyone. It's designed to be a group of guys just shooting the breeze about sports, with the relative rowdiness that brings with it in comparison to a one, or two, man show. It's a deliberate choice that has resonated with enough listeners to make it's lead host a very wealthy man. It's an entirely different style of show than a "Dale & Holley", though, so grouping it together is sloppy.

As for my take now that we 'have a big enough sample size", 98.5 is going to struggle mightily after it loses its "new station!" appeal, unless it replaces its two daytime shows. They are both very weak shows, with the afternoon show being the weaker of the two. As for the D.A. show, we do seem to have some agreement there. He's a relatively smooth host who doesn't screw things up. That's enough to be better than anything else on 98.5 and to be better than Adams over on WEEI.

FYI - D.A. has given a caller his own theme song. That should be fatal according to your earlier gripes about WEEI, one would think

I never said that the poll was scientific or indicative of anything other than I was surprised it was (at the time) 2 to 1 in favor of 98.5. I didn't think it would be that lopsided.

Also, something sucking or not is a subjective thing. If I think something sucks, it does suck at least according to me. If you disagree, it doesn't suck according to you. Neither of us are right or wrong. There is no absolutes when things come to sucking or not unless there is near universal agreement or there is a measurable way of determining sucking (like a sports team being judged on their record). Radio shows are subjective though.

As for DA, he doesn't take callers just to ridicule them like the Big Show. So I would not compare the two situations.

Again, we will not know who won the war between the two radio stations for a few years or even determine if there ever was a war. Right now it is all debate and not much else. I still will maintain that the competition is good for radio listeners even if 98.5 never really becomes real competition for WEEI. They are enough to make WEEI improve their format and that is good for everyone.

 

[Dfresh429]

Just an alternative.. Head to Sirius..

The Opening Drive and Moving the CHains are incredible.. The guests and Hosts are incredible..



7 am ET - 10 amThe Opening Drive


3 pm ET - 7 pm Movin' the Chains



They generally discuss topics and techniques during the mid week and what to watch out for on Sunday..


I haven't listen to the new station but WEEI is the pits.. Their hosts are illogical and when they don't understand how to answer a question, they scream over one another.. No thanks

I couldn't agree more - Pat Kirwin and Tim Ryan is the absolute best football talk anywhere - incredible stuff.

 

[Deus Irae]

I never said that the poll was scientific or indicative of anything other than I was surprised it was (at the time) 2 to 1 in favor of 98.5. I didn't think it would be that lopsided.

WEEI has been the only game in town, essentially, and those who've had a grudge now have an outlet to vent. That's why it shouldn't surprise you.

Also, something sucking or not is a subjective thing. If I think something sucks, it does suck at least according to me. If you disagree, it doesn't suck according to you. Neither of us are right or wrong. There is no absolutes when things come to sucking or not unless there is near universal agreement or there is a measurable way of determining sucking (like a sports team being judged on their record). Radio shows are subjective though.

This has nothing to do with any point I made. I merely noted that making a blanket statement about an entire station throws the "sucks!" blanket over separable shows, and I feel that such an approach is not a particularly good way to look at it.

As for DA, he doesn't take callers just to ridicule them like the Big Show. So I would not compare the two situations.

D.A. has a celebrity caller with his own intro. Of course it's comparable.

Again, we will not know who won the war between the two radio stations for a few years or even determine if there ever was a war. Right now it is all debate and not much else. I still will maintain that the competition is good for radio listeners even if 98.5 never really becomes real competition for WEEI. They are enough to make WEEI improve their format and that is good for everyone.

I've stated from the beginning that I'm always in favor of listeners having options. I'd simply prefer that the non-WEEI options be far better than they are now.

 

[shawn1985]

Not even close for me. Since the day The Sports Hub started, I haven't listened to a moment of EEI. Sometimes I miss Dale and Holley, but honestly if I never have to listen to another moment of the rest of their programming I'll be a happy man. Not to mention the clarity of the FM signal just makes things so much more listen-able.

I get what people are saying about Toucher and Rich, but I loved them when they were on BCN, and I've followed them over. Sure, they're not traditional sports talk show hosts, but I'd much rather listen to their frat boy humor than EEI's patented brand of ignorant talk show hosts screaming political beliefs at each other. If I was tuning in to T&R purely for sports talk, I think I'd be disappointed.

The rest of the shows I enjoy because they seem to A) generally have well reasoned opinions (even when Maz and Felger are playing contrarian, they explain their point clearly), B) not yell over one another and C) discuss things rationally rather than being hyperbolic.

I understand that EEI works for a lot of people, but I love the ability to turn on my radio and feel like I'm listening to a conversation about sports between knowledgeable adults, especially when the hosts start breaking things down and talking nuts and bolts of the games.

 

[Deus Irae]

Not even close for me. Since the day The Sports Hub started, I haven't listened to a moment of EEI. Sometimes I miss Dale and Holley, but honestly if I never have to listen to another moment of the rest of their programming I'll be a happy man. Not to mention the clarity of the FM signal just makes things so much more listen-able.

I get what people are saying about Toucher and Rich, but I loved them when they were on BCN, and I've followed them over. Sure, they're not traditional sports talk show hosts, but I'd much rather listen to their frat boy humor than EEI's patented brand of ignorant talk show hosts screaming political beliefs at each other. If I was tuning in to T&R purely for sports talk, I think I'd be disappointed.

The rest of the shows I enjoy because they seem to A) generally have well reasoned opinions (even when Maz and Felger are playing contrarian, they explain their point clearly), B) not yell over one another and C) discuss things rationally rather than being hyperbolic.

I understand that EEI works for a lot of people, but I love the ability to turn on my radio and feel like I'm listening to a conversation about sports between knowledgeable adults, especially when the hosts start breaking things down and talking nuts and bolts of the games.

The highlighted part here pretty much shows what I mean. Anyone who's listened to the F&M show and makes claims like this is simply not paying attention to that show, and is just responding against WEEI rather than for the new stuff.

 

[HarkDawg]

WEEI is king and 98.5 does not have the swagger and reputation.



I doubt 98.5 The Hubb becomes more popular than WEEI. They have a long way to go to compete for radio supremacy against "the" WEEI. Could it change? Yeah. It seems unlikely thou.




small poll and sample. did not vote yet.

 

[HarkDawg]

not to mention I love my Sox.... WEEI

 

[Michael]

not to mention I love my Sox.... WEEI

That's just it. If you love MLB EEI is great. If you don't (like me) you tune out more than you tune in.

 

[shawn1985]

The highlighted part here pretty much shows what I mean. Anyone who's listened to the F&M show and makes claims like this is simply not paying attention to that show, and is just responding against WEEI rather than for the new stuff.

First, I have to apologize, since I haven't read your original post you reference, so I don't know exactly the point you're making off of my quote. However, in my opinion, just about anything is better than WEEI (save for Dale and Holley, which I have always enjoyed). So yes, Felger and Mazz are far from perfect (and can sometimes degenerate into typical sports talk crap), but I'll take them over three or four hosts screaming at/over each other any day. Does that mean I'm just "responding against WEEI rather than for the new stuff"? I'm not so sure. I mean, I'd consider myself a big sports fan, but other than Dale and Holley, I never could listen to more than 5-10 minutes of EEI. Before The Sports Hub, EEI was something I'd check into from time to time, now I listen to The Sports Hub for big chunks of my commute, and I generally enjoy what I'm hearing.

 

[Garbanza]

The Hubs morning show is simply unbearable. Why call it a sports oriented show? Jeez - I'd rather listening to Callahan pontificate about his conservative views and some sports talk than listen to that idiotic banter on the 98.5. Kind of turned me off to the whole station. Having Tanguay on the afternoon and on Comcast every night is overkill - as is Felgers afternoon show....although I often listen to him and Mazz in the afternoon instead of the Big Show....unless is hockey talk - then YUCK.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

checking in from the western counties (san diego) i lean toward eei but not by much. d&c is semi listenable where as t&r is totally unlistenable. dale and holley is the best show on either station and i cannot listen to mazz's voice or felgie's idiocy. da and mike adams are a toss up. i can only take either in small doses. i wish they would come up with a better alternative to eei but as currently constituted, the hub's not it.

 

[Rob0729]

WEEI has been the only game in town, essentially, and those who've had a grudge now have an outlet to vent. That's why it shouldn't surprise you.

Most of the people who voted haven't vented one way or another.

This has nothing to do with any point I made. I merely noted that making a blanket statement about an entire station throws the "sucks!" blanket over separable shows, and I feel that such an approach is not a particularly good way to look at it.

People on both sides of the argument are guilty of using blanket statements of what sucks on the radio station they aren't backing.

D.A. has a celebrity caller with his own intro. Of course it's comparable.

He has celebrity callers, but he doesn't put them on just to ridicule them and make them the brunt of his jokes. The only reason the Big Show puts on Dakota from Braintree on is so he can say stupid statements like "I think Tampa matches up well against the Patriots and I think the Bucs will win straight up". They still ridicule him for saying the Pats would have 5 or 6 wins during their Super Bowl season in 2004. That isn't DA's style. He may allow some of the lunatic fringe on his show, but he doesn't use them to ridicule them and make them entertainment.



[option]I've stated from the beginning that I'm always in favor of listeners having options. I'd simply prefer that the non-WEEI options be far better than they are now.[/quote]

And I prefer both options (WEEI option and the non-WEEI option) to be far better than they are now. I think both products have a lot of things that need significant improvement. I find both products far inferior to other outlets like Sirius NFL radio. I want Pats talk this time of the year or I would rarely listen to either station. The only talk that really comes close to the type of radio I like is the DA Show and sometimes Dale and Holley. I don't particularly care for the grab arse stuff that most of the shows partake in.

 

[mcsully]

I couldn't agree more - Pat Kirwin and Tim Ryan is the absolute best football talk anywhere - incredible stuff.

Kirwin and Ryan are awesome..

Wednesdays are great when P. King helps hosting..



Ugh.. I feel for some people that listen to this crap on the local circuit.. Sirius has a different tone. No one is mocked or screamed at.. And the hosts actually know the topic at hand..


Question(s)
1. For the life of me I can't understand the Mike Adams thing.. Why?
2. Toucher and Rich are geared more for men between 18-37... They are okay for a limited time but I can understand why people don't enjoy them.. Of course I haven't listened to them since they switch to a.m.
3. D&C?? How anyone can listen to these two is beyond me.. The fact they were suspended for (well we won't get into that but totally not acceptabled during this time and age)
4. Holley is good.. I like him on Comcast when he fills in ..

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

Morning: I am not a fan of D&C and not because of their politics but because of how they manage to bring it up in seemingly every argument. They throw little conservative jabs in the most mundane of sports discussions. It becomes tedious to me. T&R have not really changed their stripes since WBCN and I don't blame them. They were doing well there and the increased male listenerbase will only make things better for them. Something an earlier poster hit on is that the dynamic of the morning drive is totally different than that of the rest of the day. Also, it should be pointed out that neither of these morning shows claim to be sports talk shows. When the announcement of the Hub came to be, T&R were on the air the next morning claiming that it would be "T&R 6-10 and sports talk the rest of the day." D&C now claim to not be "sports talk" but rather "water cooler" talk. Neither claim to be sports talk shows any further. Both are very upfront about their respective roles and are faithful to them. It is all about what you'd rather hear: "Frat boy radio" with pranks and yucks vs "Grown up radio" with men shouting at each other and discussing politics and golf. You pick.

Advantage: Wash

Mid-Day: I am a huge Dale and Holley fan. I like how they will actually talk to their callers but put them in their place when need be. They admit when they are wrong and talk about more than the Celtics, Sox, and Pats. You can get some college sports in there. There is some intelligent Bruins talk. Tanguay is a typical sky is falling mediot. The Red Sox lose one game in August and the season is over. Brady throws a pick in the preseason and he "isn't right". I don't mind Zo but find him a bit goofy when I watch him on All-Access at times and I think I let that cloud my judgement of him on the radio.

Advantage: WEEI

Afternoon: Monday and Friday I listen to the Big Show for their football talk. Middle of the week, I flip based on guests, topics, and how much I am in my car. I have Sirius and will listen to NFL radio in the afternoon if given the choice. At home, I'll click back and forth. The shouting over each other and celebrity callers get pretty old pretty quick. But I think Big O's guests and cohosts are far and away better than Felgie and Mazz. Big O, as a moderator, is light years ahead of the competition IMO. Some of his cohosts are downright horrible but Max, Orsillo, Perillo, among others are good listens.

Advantage: WEEI

Night: DA and it isn't even close. I don't care what he did or said at another job. He is in Boston now and he has much better connections than Mike Adams. With Adams it is all schtick all the time. Yankees suck, the 1960's Red Sox were fun. Oh, and he hates Manny Ramirez. That's his show, night in, night out. DA, while still learning the ropes of the market, is able to intelligently discuss any of the major sports either locally or nationally. As he grows, his show will likely become must listen and it wouldn't surprise me to see him moved into a more prominent role.

Advantage: Hub

Weekends: Any station that touts Mustard and Johnson as an anchor show is pathetic, IMO. Would WFAN ever put me on the radio to have Red Sox fans call in for three hours on a Saturday? That is what EEI does with Mustard. Butch Sterns is not a good host. He latches on to one or two facts and drives them down your throat all show. Not to mention, he makes so many mistakes that I find myself shouting to my radio, correcting him. I love Mut and Bradford. They have a fantastic show, though it is a little too baseball-centric. Bradford's comfort zone is baseball but Mike Mutnansky can talk any sport, including college sports, with some authority. The Sunday baseball show and football pregame shows are fantastic on WEEI. I'll always associate Hardy with WBCN and I loved BCN but he doesn't fit on sports talk radio. Jerry Troupiano is a name in Boston radio lore but he isn't a great talk show host. Replacing Hardy with a better, stronger host would do a lot of good for that show.

Advantage: WEEI



After doing this exercise, I am surprised at my own listening habits. It doesn't feel like I am listening to WEEI all that much more than the Hub, but I guess I am. Though I think I spend more time listening to Sirius than anything else.

 

[zoostation]

I admit, I'm a creature of habit w/ EEI.

I listen to D&C b/c I don't like 98.5 morning show. I tried 98.5...just don't like it.

For the mid-day and drive-home, I'll alternate pre-sets or throw in the iPod.

Although I don't listen to him much, I like what I hear from AD. He seems pretty informed and level-headed- unlike Adams who I just don't find funny anymore.

I find Mike Adams to be funny.....but all he ever wants to talk about is the Red Sux. Yawwwwwwn

98.5 seems to talk more of America's past time.......football!

 

[mcsully]

Morning: I am not a fan of D&C and not because of their politics but because of how they manage to bring it up in seemingly every argument. They throw little conservative jabs in the most mundane of sports discussions. It becomes tedious to me. T&R have not really changed their stripes since WBCN and I don't blame them. They were doing well there and the increased male listenerbase will only make things better for them. Something an earlier poster hit on is that the dynamic of the morning drive is totally different than that of the rest of the day. Also, it should be pointed out that neither of these morning shows claim to be sports talk shows. When the announcement of the Hub came to be, T&R were on the air the next morning claiming that it would be "T&R 6-10 and sports talk the rest of the day." D&C now claim to not be "sports talk" but rather "water cooler" talk. Neither claim to be sports talk shows any further. Both are very upfront about their respective roles and are faithful to them. It is all about what you'd rather hear: "Frat boy radio" with pranks and yucks vs "Grown up radio" with men shouting at each other and discussing politics and golf. You pick.

Advantage: Wash

Mid-Day: I am a huge Dale and Holley fan. I like how they will actually talk to their callers but put them in their place when need be. They admit when they are wrong and talk about more than the Celtics, Sox, and Pats. You can get some college sports in there. There is some intelligent Bruins talk. Tanguay is a typical sky is falling mediot. The Red Sox lose one game in August and the season is over. Brady throws a pick in the preseason and he "isn't right". I don't mind Zo but find him a bit goofy when I watch him on All-Access at times and I think I let that cloud my judgement of him on the radio.

Advantage: WEEI

Afternoon: Monday and Friday I listen to the Big Show for their football talk. Middle of the week, I flip based on guests, topics, and how much I am in my car. I have Sirius and will listen to NFL radio in the afternoon if given the choice. At home, I'll click back and forth. The shouting over each other and celebrity callers get pretty old pretty quick. But I think Big O's guests and cohosts are far and away better than Felgie and Mazz. Big O, as a moderator, is light years ahead of the competition IMO. Some of his cohosts are downright horrible but Max, Orsillo, Perillo, among others are good listens.

Advantage: WEEI

Night: DA and it isn't even close. I don't care what he did or said at another job. He is in Boston now and he has much better connections than Mike Adams. With Adams it is all schtick all the time. Yankees suck, the 1960's Red Sox were fun. Oh, and he hates Manny Ramirez. That's his show, night in, night out. DA, while still learning the ropes of the market, is able to intelligently discuss any of the major sports either locally or nationally. As he grows, his show will likely become must listen and it wouldn't surprise me to see him moved into a more prominent role.

Advantage: Hub

Weekends: Any station that touts Mustard and Johnson as an anchor show is pathetic, IMO. Would WFAN ever put me on the radio to have Red Sox fans call in for three hours on a Saturday? That is what EEI does with Mustard. Butch Sterns is not a good host. He latches on to one or two facts and drives them down your throat all show. Not to mention, he makes so many mistakes that I find myself shouting to my radio, correcting him. I love Mut and Bradford. They have a fantastic show, though it is a little too baseball-centric. Bradford's comfort zone is baseball but Mike Mutnansky can talk any sport, including college sports, with some authority. The Sunday baseball show and football pregame shows are fantastic on WEEI. I'll always associate Hardy with WBCN and I loved BCN but he doesn't fit on sports talk radio. Jerry Troupiano is a name in Boston radio lore but he isn't a great talk show host. Replacing Hardy with a better, stronger host would do a lot of good for that show.

Advantage: WEEI



After doing this exercise, I am surprised at my own listening habits. It doesn't feel like I am listening to WEEI all that much more than the Hub, but I guess I am. Though I think I spend more time listening to Sirius than anything else.

great post..

 

[IcyPatriot]

I listen to WEEI when I'm driving around visiting my customers ... so I never really get to listen consistently. 5 Minutes, 10 minutes ... sometimes 30 or 60 minutes but that is always too long. Something around 10-20 minutes at a time works best for me. Listening to see what's going on and staying in touch.

The topic of the day starts in the morning on WEEI and festers throughout the day ... so anything more than 60 minutes total listening time is annoying so I tune in to local WPRO AM at times to break the monotony.

I like to hear the opinions of the guests more than the regulars. I like Merloni, Max, and Fred. DeOssie is about as annoying as Big O' ... I call him DeDoushbag. The Whiner line is funny - if I'm in the vehicle to hear it but I never, nver, never tune in if I'm not in the vehicle - simply not worth it.

How anyone can listen to these stations all day is beyond me but to each his own as they say.

 

[Frezo]

I was an EEI listener back to the Andleman days. My morning alarm was set to EEI for a looong time. The past two or three years have been unbearable with D&C. (those are the perfect initials for those two) A few times a week I would wake up to political whining and b!tching. The alarm is on the HUB now and at least I wake up to laughter. It's better.

At work I like to have the radio in the background and gave the Big Show another chance today. The whole thing is undecipherable. It just comes across as shouting. F&M are an excellent alternative and don't require relentless attention to get with the program. I find both of the 10 to 2 slots pretty boring. AD is terrific and Mikey's schtick is worn out.

 

[wizwor]

98.5 has a stronger signal on my way to and from New Hamsphire, but sometimes it's better to just turn the radio off.

I don't like either morning show. Tom and Todd win most days. When I'm in the car midday, I prefer EEI. On the ride home, the Big Show wins, but I switch to 98.5 when Planet Mikey begins.

Here's to hoping real sports talk radio finds a home on 98.5...someday.

 

[Tunescribe]

Much more Patriots talk on the Hub vs. WEEI (a/k/a Red Sox Central). I like Zolak-Tanguay mid-day, and the guy they have at night is a million times better than that terminal adolescent Mike Adams on 'EEI. If you're a Pats fan, the choice is obvious.