Earlier this week, John Ourand of Sports Business Daily reported ESPN will shut down its Spanish language radio network on September 8.
Since ESPN Radio in New York flipped to its 98.7 FM frequency in 2012, its original AM signal, 1050 began carrying ESPN Deportes. With ESPN Deportes closing its doors, The New York Post’s Andrew Marchand reports 1050 AM will likely be made into an English-speaking sports station.
1050 could broadcast as a simulcast of 98.7, the same way WFAN airs its programming on both 101.9 FM and 660 AM to cover a much larger area of listeners. ESPN could also decide to have 1050 carry its national programming, while allowing ESPN NY on 98.7 to offer a full local lineup for the first time. When WFAN added its 101.9 FM signal, there was the possibility of 660 AM being flipped to network programming, with the newly launched CBS Sports Radio, but management ultimately chose not to make the switch, instead having both frequencies air WFAN’s lineup.
ESPN, however, has always maintained the importance of offering their national morning show (Golic and Wingo) along with one other network radio program in New York, even though they get crushed by WFAN in the ratings. Moving Golic and Wingo off 98.7 and onto their AM signal would keep the network programming in the New York market, while allowing their FM frequency to have a legitimate chance of competing against WFAN. Now that The Michael Kay Show has closed the ratings gap with its radio rival, Mike Francesa, it might be enticing for ESPN to see what a full local lineup could do against WFAN.
When I spoke to ESPN NY’s Rick DiPietro last month, the midday host acknowledged he preferred when the show was on as a lead-in for The Michael Kay Show because of the added comradery. Currently DiPietro’s show, Humpty, Canty and Rothy are in the 10 – 1 timeslot, sandwiched between the network programming of Golic and Wingo and The Stephen A. Smith Show. With national shows never doing well in the New York sports radio ratings battle, Humpty, Canty and Rothy have the uphill battle of challenging WFAN as a local island in their lineup.
WFAN has been a revolving door of changes since morning show star Craig Carton was arrested in September 2017. Two years later, Andrew Marchand notes those changes at WFAN could continue with their 1 – 3pm show Carlin, Maggie and Bart’s contracts up at the end of the year along with Mike Francesa still working without a deal.
Although Carlin, Maggie and Bart have seen ratings success, paying three hosts for two hours, as the fourth show in their weekday lineup, might not make financial sense. As WFAN continues to retool and The Michael Kay Show proves ESPN can compete with Francesa, bringing 1050 in as an English-speaking sports station could open the door for ESPN NY to create a full lineup that can compete with their crosstown rival.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.