OT: Detroit 105.1 dropping sports talk programming

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

Detroit sports talk is now complete and utter garbage. 

WDFN still hasn't bled out yet and are still hanging around. No idea who is on that station.

In other news, WTKA is your go-to option!

http://sportsradiopd.com/2016/06/detroit-sports-105-1-to-exit-the-sport…

Major news out of Detroit. Greater Media has confirmed they are exiting the sports format on 105.1. The sports staff were informed on Wednesday night in a staff meeting that the radio station would air a temporary simulcast of Classic Rock WCSX’s Oldies format until a new format is officially announced. 105.1 made the flip into the sports format in August 2013.

“The change comes after much careful consideration of the direction of the station’s format and overall ratings over the past three years,” said VP and Market Manager Steve Chessare. “We would like to thank our dedicated listeners and the entire Detroit Sports 105.1 staff for their many contributions to the station in the Motor City. They are true professionals and we are very grateful to them.”

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ThadMattasagoblin

June 29th, 2016 at 8:08 PM ^

We need more Michigan centric radio shows on wtka. I hate the national shows because I don't really care about random east coast nfl teams, Lebron, Curry, the Yankees, Red Sox etc.

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lilpenny1316

June 29th, 2016 at 8:57 PM ^

When I worked at WTKA, all we had for local content was SportsBeat with Doug Karsch from 4-7 PM and then another team, usually with Dennis Fithian, would follow us for a couple hours.  But most other times was I believe it was Sporting News radio or live Michigan games.

The problem is the signal power.  It's not guaranteed you can get the signal in Detroit.  If they could increase that and get into homes in Detroit and Lansing, they could probably get the advertising dollars to afford the local hosts.  They could really capitalize on having close, daily access to Harbaugh.  I know I would've listened daily if they had live coverage at the satellite camps or even the camps hosted in Ann Arbor.

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Chalky White

June 30th, 2016 at 9:43 AM ^

About 5 years ago I had to drive to Grand Rapids for work. I listened to WTKA all the way there. I was shocked. I don't know if the signal was bouncing through some bizarre work hole in outer space but it was clear most of the way there. It actually got had around Lansing. There was construction in that area. I didn't immmediately change the station. When I got through the construction, the signal was clear again. I figured Izzo has some sort of blocking mechanism in place. I like WTKA but I know they don't have the money to pay local show hosts for local content all day. Why is it so hard to have a couple of billboards on the route to the games on I94, I275 and M14? They can get people to listen to the pre and post game on the way to and from the game while getting the station's name out there for the weekday shows. The marijuana supply store off Ellsworth has a billboard on 94. WTKA should have several. The only reason I know WTKA exists is because I found the game on 1050. I knew there was some off brand AM station that carried the game but it wasn't in my rotation. When I got in my car the next Monday, the radio was still on that station. I've been listening ever since. That wasn't that long ago.

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lilpenny1316

June 30th, 2016 at 11:25 AM ^

But I think they get crowded out, especially after 8PM in the big cities.  IIRC, some stations have to turn down their power after a certain time.  

I would be happy if they could get back on WJR for the games, but I doubt they would break from their midday lineup of political talk shows.

It may be pie in the sky, but I wish the University would get a 24/7 station on satellite radio.  Joel Osteen's megachurch has one, so it must be doable with our larger budget.  Even if the only sports on there were the Olympic sports, I would listen to that other programming during the day and night.  Tell me Friday night "Ufer classics" wouldn't be a hit.  Hell, I might even listen to an EECS 300-level class.

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newBlue29

June 29th, 2016 at 9:07 PM ^

I liked the morning show on 105.1 since they actually talked about sports. I don't think I've ever heard 97.1 actually talk sports during the morning drive.

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erald01

June 29th, 2016 at 9:46 PM ^

I liked it when Ryan and Rico were on. I thought they complementd each other pretty well and even though Rico was a sparty he was not a slappy.



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uncle leo

June 29th, 2016 at 11:06 PM ^

They had some really great alternative shows. I can't do 97.1 in the morning, mid-day, or evening. One good show, V and F. That's about it.

Ryan and Rico, and the AM morning shows on 105.1 were fantastic. They just never found any consistency with their programming. Changed formats far too often.

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Sommy

June 29th, 2016 at 11:16 PM ^

What is with all the 97.1 hate on this blog? Sure, Valenti is s Soarty, but he just speaks his mind tells it like it is.



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uncle leo

June 29th, 2016 at 11:21 PM ^

The morning show is complete garbage. 

Karsch and Anderson are absolutely stale at this point in their careers.

V and F is a good show.

Who else you got after that? Caputo, Fithyian? Jaime and Wojo are OK.

 

105.1 was a really solid alternate in the morning and in the mid-day with Ryan and Rico. That's honestly all I wanted was other choices, and they provided that.

National radio is horrid.

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Cruzcontrol75

June 30th, 2016 at 8:59 AM ^

unfortunately it follows FOX sports daybreak.  i cant stand Mike North's voice, he sounds like a shrill Buddy Ebsen.  another guy who makes my ears bleed is Wojo.  they say some people have a face for radio, he has a voice meant for a newspaper.  Shep hands down has the most thought out show in Detroit sports.  has the most objective approach to his topics and gets pub for smaller programs around the state by interviewing coaches that dont get run anywhere else.

nationally i can take about 5 minutes of Jim Rome rants and dead air.  pause...pause......pause.........pause...for dramatic effect.  i dont like any national guys i can think of,.maybe Eisen.  how does Colin Cowturd have a job?

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lilpenny1316

June 30th, 2016 at 11:53 AM ^

I think that's why his show is suffering.  97.1 goes for a listener-driven format.  So basically, they want hothead or turdhead hot takes that will generate calls and feed the masses.  Valenti excels at that which is why he's able to do so well.  He doesn't want to end up in a bigger market, like Philly or NYC, where his schtick won't go well and he end up as "Radio Bernie Smilovitz".

I used to listen to Shep in the mornings, even though Sharp was on with him.  It's too bad he couldn't land on 105.1.  I think he would've pulled higher ratings than Ermani/Beard or Baligan.

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Geoff

June 30th, 2016 at 3:34 PM ^

Maybe Stoney and Bill can do a "Mt. Rushmore of failed sports radio stations" bit now. Though that might be a little too close to talking about sports for those guys.

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