Big changes at CSNNE and WEEI.com

bluefenderstrat

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2002
2,588
Tralfamadore
It'll be Gresh. Nothing imminent with Tanguay, but expect him to have a bigger role in the future.
It sure feels like the days of two "all sports" stations are coming to an end in this town. (I know the morning shows are more general entertainment.) The moribund Greg Hill show minus its most popular personality, Gresh, Tanguay, and Keefe in whatever combination, followed by OMF? That is circling the drain territory.
 

thurin68

New Member
Jul 19, 2005
64
Maybe give Mustard and Johnson one final “hurrah” before they turn off the lights and shut the door?
 

NortheasternPJ

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 16, 2004
19,272
I was going to come in here and say how don't they put someone under 50 with Keefe, then looked it up and Gresh is only 46? Seems like he's been around forever and from a different generation than Keefe. I don't even understand why they keep Keefe and keep surrounding him with people who don't fit. If you want to have Keefe as second chair put him with someone he can work with. If you don't want Keefe, let him go somewhere else.

I love Keefe and wish they'd put him with someone better suited to him. If they don't want to go younger then he has no place there. A Keefe & Arcand show would be such a better duo. I don't like Adam Jones' sports takez, but him and Arcand are excellent on non-sports subjects. Keefe & Arcand would be a much better version of that and Arcand knows sports as well.
 

Rusty13

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 3, 2007
5,351
It sure feels like the days of two "all sports" stations are coming to an end in this town. (I know the morning shows are more general entertainment.) The moribund Greg Hill show minus its most popular personality, Gresh, Tanguay, and Keefe in whatever combination, followed by OMF? That is circling the drain territory.
Just looked up the Red Sox current contract with EEI. It's good "through" 2023. My best guess is by the end of that deal, pretty much everyone but for Lou will be canned or at least looking to get out while they can before the station changes format to country music.
 

Patriot_Reign

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 21, 2011
1,151
Yeah Arcand and Keefe would've been a much better option.

There was something several months ago where apparently Arcand's contract wasn't renewed, there was some mild uproar and then 98.5 abruptly did an about face and renewed him.

Maybe someone realized he could be a viable threat as a competitor?

Also, is anyone familiar with how it works with regards to poaching other station's talent who are under contract?
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
SoSH Member
Oct 31, 2013
72,567
I would love Holley + Keefe, but Michael is too good for WEEI and would likely never come back
 

the Trotman cometh

New Member
Jul 18, 2019
12
I sincerely do not see what people see in Keefe, he has always seemed to me to be a dime a dozen bloviating hot take artist. Nothing special.
 

edoug

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
6,007
Can he retire from NESN as well and stop cursing the Bruins?
I cannot dislike the guy. I really enjoyed him during the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund telethons. Even Callahan, Dennis, and Ordway acted like decent human beings but Dale had a much better at the interactions with the guests, especially the kids.
 

shaggydog2000

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 5, 2007
11,483
I cannot dislike the guy. I really enjoyed him during the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund telethons. Even Callahan, Dennis, and Ordway acted like decent human beings but Dale had a much better at the interactions with the guests, especially the kids.
Dale seems like a remarkably kind and decent person, but is utterly uninteresting when forced to give opinions.

https://www.boston.com/sports/media/2021/03/12/andy-gresh-weei-midday-rich-keefe
But holy crap, they really did hire Gresh to replace him. EEI is just punting on this radio thing.
 

joe dokes

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
30,244
I cannot dislike the guy. I really enjoyed him during the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund telethons. Even Callahan, Dennis, and Ordway acted like decent human beings but Dale had a much better at the interactions with the guests, especially the kids.
Dale probably wasn't acting.
 

the1andonly3003

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
4,373
Chicago
Dale seems like a remarkably kind and decent person, but is utterly uninteresting when forced to give opinions.

https://www.boston.com/sports/media/2021/03/12/andy-gresh-weei-midday-rich-keefe
But holy crap, they really did hire Gresh to replace him. EEI is just punting on this radio thing.
"I think people know I’m pretty familiar with this time slot, but It’s time to present something new and fresh, with energy, focus and fun. "

is he calling Dale low energy, lacked focus and boring?
 

Pablo's TB Lover

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 10, 2017
5,963
https://www.boston.com/sports/media/2021/03/12/andy-gresh-weei-midday-rich-keefe
But holy crap, they really did hire Gresh to replace him. EEI is just punting on this radio thing.
[/QUOTE]

Man, no one has done more with less than Andy Gresh. Back in the early aughts he was on radio locally in Providence and it had me desperate to tune to WEEI(!!) the first moment they became available here. Now he's on his second tour in Boston sports radio.
 

Patriot_Reign

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 21, 2011
1,151
Actually listened to Callahan's podcast today out of curiosity. Said it was neither Danielle's nor Dale's choice to go. Dale was a money decision in that he makes some, but his shows haven't pulled their weight since D&H.
Was surprised at Danielle, doesn't make a ton of money, is liked by everyone on a personal level and is charismatic.
Said both were allowed to have a couple day farewell tour because management knew they would be graceful about the circumstances.
Can also expect to see whoever is the current highest paid host slowly drop one by one.
 

Mystic Merlin

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 21, 2007
46,775
Hartford, CT
How much do these guys make? Like what is Keefe - who has a prime slot and has several years under his belt - probably pulling in?

And aren’t they better off gambling on hungry talent than throwing Andy effing Gresh out there?
 

edoug

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
6,007

grimshaw

Member
SoSH Member
May 16, 2007
4,220
Portland
I've cut my listening of EEI roughly 90% over the past few years. Dale was never riveting radio, but he was always at least a benign constant, a professional interviewer, and as mentioned, a seemingly decent human being.

Andy Gresh will not get a millisecond of my time.
 

the1andonly3003

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
4,373
Chicago
Chad Finn on Twitter: "Michael Felger will join Michael Holley as co-hosts of NBC Sports Boston's "Boston Sports Tonight" beginning April 5. Felger had reduced his role at the station after signing a new contract with 98.5 in January 2018. DJ Bean, Tom Giles, and Amina Smith will host the Friday show." / Twitter

out of Dickerson, Tanguay and Felger trio, Felger has outlasted them all from the original Fox Sports Net days
every time Felger thinks he is out, NBC Boston keeps dragging him back in

Has Holley been off BST since his show on Peacock?
 

the1andonly3003

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
4,373
Chicago
NBCUniversal Explores Streaming Its Sports Channels or Selling Them Off - WSJ

shape of things to come for NBC Sports Boston?

Early this spring, NBCUniversal planned to start streaming NBC Sports Philadelphia, which broadcasts the city’s pro basketball, baseball and hockey games, the people said. The goal was to be up and running in time for the Major League Baseball season that began in April.
The plan was halted over concerns that it would conflict with the broader streaming strategy of NBCUniversal, a unit of Comcast Corp. CMCSA 1.01% , the people said.
 

Patriot_Reign

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 21, 2011
1,151
That baseball vs soccer ratings score seems impossible.
Guessing that it's attributable to 98.5 nights destroying weei regardless of what's on?

I get that baseball is slowly dying but still can't imagine that domestic soccer would crush by that margin.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 23, 2009
20,676
Maine
That baseball vs soccer ratings score seems impossible.
Guessing that it's attributable to 98.5 nights destroying weei regardless of what's on?

I get that baseball is slowly dying but still can't imagine that domestic soccer would crush by that margin.
I would have guessed that radio ratings would be proportionate to TV ratings overall. I can't imagine Revs TV broadcasts (NBCS-Boston?) are outdoing NESN to the same degree. Wonder how much the fragmentation caused by the network of stations carrying the Sox factors into it? The tweet mentions EEI's Providence signal, but surely there are other non-EEI affiliates carrying the Sox game that might cut into 93.7's ratings too.
 

Patriot_Reign

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 21, 2011
1,151
The tweet mentions EEI's Providence signal, but surely there are other non-EEI affiliates carrying the Sox game that might cut into 93.7's ratings too.
I don't have any specific information to this but I can't imagine EEI let's anyone within 93.7's range who aren't affiliated air Sox games. I can only think of coming across one or two stations that aren't part of their network who air games (The BIGGGGG Jabbbbbbb)
 

Red(s)HawksFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 23, 2009
20,676
Maine
The Red Sox Radio Network has 56 different signals across New England and upstate NY. Eight are WEEI and seven other WEEI repeaters (Providence, Springfield, Portland, etc). I imagine the Red Sox network affiliates in Beverly, Fitchburg, Worcester, Dover, and Nashua all fragment the listeners within reach of 93.7's signal.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 10, 2017
5,963
If I'm leaving a Sox game early during a blowout and listen to the rest, the Providence WEEI station 103.7 comes in clearer than 93.7 right after I hit Canton going from 128 to I-95 south.
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,466
Gallows Hill
If I'm leaving a Sox game early during a blowout and listen to the rest, the Providence WEEI station 103.7 comes in clearer than 93.7 right after I hit Canton going from 128 to I-95 south.
You also lose 93.7 on the north shore north of 128 from around Rt1/95 east. I can never pick it up in Salem or Cape Ann.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
SoSH Member
Oct 31, 2013
72,567
If I'm leaving a Sox game early during a blowout and listen to the rest, the Providence WEEI station 103.7 comes in clearer than 93.7 right after I hit Canton going from 128 to I-95 south.
I lose 93.7 absolutely coming into South Attleboro. Becomes a Spanish language music station I think. It’s fine until then in the Canton to Mansfield stretch
 

Haunted

The Man in the Box
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2006
6,196
I lose it in Worcester a lot too.


How long is Hill's contract? He struck me as a move made entirely based on contracts and financials, not that they thought he and his show would do well against T&R (it never had, so why would anyone think it would with a format change?). I really hope WEEI doesn't switch formats, but holy smokes they need a complete overhaul. Rich Keef is the only person there that I hear that doesn't make me immediately change the station. I've no idea if you should base a drive-time slot on him, but he's very good and is just ... withering in the midday.
 

Patriot_Reign

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 21, 2011
1,151
How long is Hill's contract? He struck me as a move made entirely based on contracts and financials, not that they thought he and his show would do well against T&R (it never had, so why would anyone think it would with a format change?).
If I remember correctly, Hill signed a new five year extension when he came over to EEI.

Sometimes he comes across as annoyed that he has to be there, and he just sounds so friggin' lazy. Like the radio show is just something he has to show up for before he goes to Strega or some other booshie restaurant.
 

Patriot_Reign

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 21, 2011
1,151
Today Audacy announced that it has hired Mike Thomas as market manager of the Boston market.
If you remember Mike was the program director when 98.5 launched.

Likely means big changes in weei's lineups coming as well, in particular Gresh who has already been fired by Mike once (the old Gresh & Zo show).
Will be interesting to see what talent they poach from 98.5 as well.
 

ggreene

New Member
Jul 23, 2019
215
I like Gasper and Murray on Saturday. I wish that was a weekday show but I can't see Murray leaving the F+M show. Adam Jones and Rich Keefe on the Hub was a decent show at night. Be interesting to see how they would do on a weekday slot. I actually like Ken and Curtis on Saturday as well. They are much better when it's just the two of them then they are on the Greg Hill show. I'd like to see them get a Ted Johnson or Mike Flynn. Either is a lot more listenable then Wiggy. Wiggy in small doses is ok but man it gets tiresome 5 days a week. Wiggy was perfect when he was with F+M on Wednesdays.
 

RedOctober3829

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
55,300
deep inside Guido territory
I like Gasper and Murray on Saturday. I wish that was a weekday show but I can't see Murray leaving the F+M show. Adam Jones and Rich Keefe on the Hub was a decent show at night. Be interesting to see how they would do on a weekday slot. I actually like Ken and Curtis on Saturday as well. They are much better when it's just the two of them then they are on the Greg Hill show. I'd like to see them get a Ted Johnson or Mike Flynn. Either is a lot more listenable then Wiggy. Wiggy in small doses is ok but man it gets tiresome 5 days a week. Wiggy was perfect when he was with F+M on Wednesdays.
Gasper has a full time job as a TV sports anchor so he's not leaving that. I'm a pretty big fan of Merloni and hope he stays on afternoon drive either at WEEI or somehow lands at the Sports Hub. A Felger/Merloni show would be really good because Lou would not have any problem pushing back against Felger's dumb takes.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 12, 2015
1,885
Quincy
Today Audacy announced that it has hired Mike Thomas as market manager of the Boston market.
If you remember Mike was the program director when 98.5 launched.

Likely means big changes in weei's lineups coming as well, in particular Gresh who has already been fired by Mike once (the old Gresh & Zo show).
Will be interesting to see what talent they poach from 98.5 as well.
Whatever he does I just pray he doesn’t lure Jon Wallach back! Oh my how T&R would suffer without him…
 

Harry Hooper

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jan 4, 2002
34,402
Should I interpret this as WEEI not going gentle into that good night?
 

Patriot_Reign

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 21, 2011
1,151
Gasper has a full time job as a TV sports anchor so he's not leaving that. I'm a pretty big fan of Merloni and hope he stays on afternoon drive either at WEEI or somehow lands at the Sports Hub. A Felger/Merloni show would be really good because Lou would not have any problem pushing back against Felger's dumb takes.
You might remember that when 98.5 initially launched it was rumored that Merloni was the first choice to partner w/ Felger. For whatever reason they couldn't come to an agreement and so they went with Mazz as their second choice.

Have to wonder how many times Merloni wakes up in the middle night thinking of why he didn't take that gig.
 

RedOctober3829

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
55,300
deep inside Guido territory
You might remember that when 98.5 initially launched it was rumored that Merloni was the first choice to partner w/ Felger. For whatever reason they couldn't come to an agreement and so they went with Mazz as their second choice.

Have to wonder how many times Merloni wakes up in the middle night thinking of why he didn't take that gig.
I mean he gets to call a lot of Red Sox games and he's now on afternoon drive. I think he's gotten a lot better this year. I really have enjoyed his baseball commentary.
 

joe dokes

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
30,244
I mean he gets to call a lot of Red Sox games and he's now on afternoon drive. I think he's gotten a lot better this year. I really have enjoyed his baseball commentary.
I dont listen to the talk radio end, but as much grief as I have given Merloni, he *did* get better on the game broadcast. Much less likely to head to "sky is falling" mode with every opposing baserunner or early Sox squander. OTOH--Flemming, who I thought was great last year and this spring has taken up the doom-and-gloom mantle to a very annoying level. I listened to the first 10 innings Sunday on radio, and was so glad to hear McDonough in the booth, as that limited Flemming's exposure a bit.