Change in Omaha Sports Radio

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 10:50 am

Brad wrote:
Greg S wrote:With the rights to the Huskers going to Big Sports 590, going to be interesting times in Sports radio. Wonder if ESPN eventually goes back to 1620? If you think about it, a bunch of the ESPN programming will be going away with the time committed to the Huskers and SportsNightly.
And get rid of the local shows?

No, the local afternoon show is staying. It's the National ESPN shows that are going to be drastically reduced when this change occurs. Think about it. SportsNightly will now be on every weeknight for 3 hours. Then football on Saturdays, all men's and women's basketball games, along with volleyball, and baseball.

Greg

Post by **Brad** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 10:56 am

Greg S wrote:
Brad wrote:
Greg S wrote:With the rights to the Huskers going to Big Sports 590, going to be interesting times in Sports radio. Wonder if ESPN eventually goes back to 1620? If you think about it, a bunch of the ESPN programming will be going away with the time committed to the Huskers and SportsNightly.
And get rid of the local shows?
No, the local afternoon show is staying. It's the National ESPN shows that are going to be drastically reduced when this change occurs. Think about it. SportsNightly will now be on every weeknight for 3 hours. Then football on Saturdays, all men's and women's basketball games, along with volleyball, and baseball.

Greg

No, I understand that. I meant if it goes back to 1620, what will they do on 1620. 1620 has local programming all day long.

I don't really care, I listen to 590 in the afternoon. The Drive with Joe and Nick is better than anything on 1620.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 11:26 am

They'd keep the local and air ESPN at night. They could put ESPN on 1180 during the day.

Greg

Post by **Brad** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 11:55 am

Greg S wrote:They'd keep the local and air ESPN at night. They could put ESPN on 1180 during the day.

I like 1180 the way it is with Dan Patrick and Jim Rome. I could do without McNabb and Malone.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 11:56 am

I wonder how they do in the ratings on 1180 during the day?

Greg

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 8:00 pm

"The World Leader" doesn't like to be treated like a red headed stepchild. 590 will owe the network a ton of make good ads for non carried hours, plus owe IMG most of an hour in ad time weekly. Prepare for shorter segments during regular programming and longer commercial stop sets.

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 12:36 pm

Candleshoe wrote:"The World Leader" doesn't like to be treated like a red headed stepchild. 590 will owe the network a ton of make good ads for non carried hours, plus owe IMG most of an hour in ad time weekly. Prepare for shorter segments during regular programming and longer commercial stop sets.

I wouldn't be too quick to draw any conclusions for what ESPN might want to do. KOZN-1620 AM is local every day from 7 am until at least 6 pm. Sometimes 7 pm. KXSP-590 AM will be local from 2 pm to 9 pm each day. Which would ESPN prefer? If it were me, I wouldn't be looking to switch. KZOT-1180 AM is almost all national talk during the day, so that might be intriguing...but the signal barely reaches the west side of town. I'd prefer getting Mike and Mike out over a 500 mile diameter than getting Freddy Coleman over a 40 mile diameter.

Plus, there is the brand equity of having "You're listening to AM 590-Omaha's ESPN Radio" on every football broadcast. Plus, for many people, if they are listening to the Husker broadcasts on nights and weekends, they'll be turning on Mike and Mike when they turn the radio on the next morning.

Personally, if I'm ESPN, I'm thrilled with this. The upside of what this does for ESPN far outweighs what they lose. Would they like a 24/7 operation? Probably. But they aren't getting that in Omaha, in all likelihood - except on 1180. And even on 1180, you are getting preempted for the Royals (both Omaha and KC), UNO and Creighton sports in the afternoons and evenings.

Unless another station wants to flip to sports talk, of course. But I'm not sure Omaha is ready for a 4th.

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 3:09 pm

HskrFanMike wrote:
Personally, if I'm ESPN, I'm thrilled with this. The upside of what this does for ESPN far outweighs what they lose.

What ESPN really wants is ears for their national network spots. They'll never "lose" anything... they couldn't care less if you pre-empt everything after Cowherd. You can be a "part-time" affiliate for overnights and/or weekend programming, but to get the flagship programming you need to go all in. And by "all in", you can go ahead and have local programming, but you owe ESPN ad plays during 6am-7pm for all the ads that were missed during the local stuff. Combine those with your own sold inventory and it gets kind of crowded. Which is a good thing if you like making money. Not as much fun for the listener.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 9:53 am

Did I hear that The Bottom Line is now being broadcast on radio as well? I think 107.7 maybe?

Greg

Post by **nebugeater** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 4:32 pm

Greg S wrote:Did I hear that The Bottom Line is now being broadcast on radio as well? I think 107.7 maybe?

Greg

Haven't heard but it wouldn't be a big surprise. Without looking wasn't it a little over a year that M.S. left 1620 to go to the OWH. Wouldn't surprise me if he had a 12 month local non compete for radio.

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 9:21 pm

Another local show on the radio would be great. The afternoon guys on 590 are so unbelievably awful, they agree on everything and have absolutely no personality, there best shows are when they have the show's technician Brett talk.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 9:36 pm

Linkin5 wrote:Another local show on the radio would be great. The afternoon guys on 590 are so unbelievably awful, they agree on everything and have absolutely no personality, there best shows are when they have the show's technician Brett talk.

I am the opposite, I think 590 is the best afternoon show in town.

590am - The Drive with Nick and Joe - I like the show, good mix of topics including UNO Hockey. Hope it doesn't get too heavy in to the Huskers come July.
1110am - Chris Baker - I can't stand, Rush Jr.
1180am - McNabb and Malone - Too much national talk and I also think McNabb is phoning it in and not paying attention half the time.
1290am - Bob Bruce is Ok depending on the subject. You can tell he has been out of the Omaha Market for a while.
1620am - Not even sure who is on there anymore. After Kevin and Mike'l left, I never got in to any of the new people.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 9:39 pm

I agree with Brad. My only beef with the 590 afternoon guys, is that I think they sound too much like Michael Gray's show (which I enjoyed)

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 8:54 am

I've actually started listening to the 590 show in the afternoons. 1620 -Unsportsmanlike Conduct has got worse. Since Mike'l left I have a hard time listening to it at all. I can get 810 out of KC in my car and listen to it more and more.

Chris Baker is the worst local talk I have ever heard in my life.

Locally I think the best is Sharp and Benning in the morning.

Greg

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 11:28 pm

1620's afternoon show is a shadow of it's former self. 590 is at least trying. And I agree with Greg, Sharp & Benning is the best sports talk show in town.

Severe's The Bottom Line has assembled a network of stations carrying it outside the Omaha area. Most powerful station is 1340 KHUB out of Fremont. You may be able to pick it up on 107.7 FM as well. I believe KHUB drops off at 5 pm for local stuff, and 107.7 FM drops off early as well.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 12:32 pm

Well bummer, I thought the Rich Eisen Show was replacing Nick Bahe on 1620, but it is just the Internet feed while terrestrial radio plays the Dance.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 12:38 pm

Coyote wrote:Well bummer, I thought the Rich Eisen Show was replacing Nick Bahe on 1620, but it is just the Internet feed while terrestrial radio plays the Dance.

Don't you listen to Jim Rome anymore?

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:09 pm

Brad wrote:
Coyote wrote:Well bummer, I thought the Rich Eisen Show was replacing Nick Bahe on 1620, but it is just the Internet feed while terrestrial radio plays the Dance.
Don't you listen to Jim Rome anymore?

Man, I haven't listened to Rome in months... I guess "psychologically" I am so used to tuning into 1620 over the years that I don't even think about switching allegiances, even though it as many people say here, it is just a shadow of what it used to be... I like Damon Benning in the morning, but after that...

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:24 pm

Rome is just brutal to me. Listened early on but it was not something I could take long term. I remember affiliates going to war, like Rochester and Buffalo. Made for some really bad radio.

Greg

Post by **Brad** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:29 pm

Coyote wrote:
Brad wrote:
Coyote wrote:Well bummer, I thought the Rich Eisen Show was replacing Nick Bahe on 1620, but it is just the Internet feed while terrestrial radio plays the Dance.
Don't you listen to Jim Rome anymore?
Man, I haven't listened to Rome in months... I guess "psychologically" I am so used to tuning into 1620 over the years that I don't even think about switching allegiances, even though it as many people say here, it is just a shadow of what it used to be... I like Damon Benning in the morning, but after that...

Not really switching allegiances, its all the same company. Heck 1620 and 1180 even share the same website.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:34 pm

I liked Rome for many many years, and I would still listen if it were a choice between Rome and Dan Patrick...., but I guess I have moved on from talk radio formats with callers that add nothing to my 'need for information'. I also don't need that much 'national' sports as much, but prefer hearing about local sports... Huskers, Bluejays, Mavericks, Storm Chasers, KC Royals, with a smattering of other local events..., who is in town for the NCAA's in Basketball, Baseball...

I guess local sports info has trumped the 'entertainment needs' of my listening preferences.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:38 pm

Lol, last time I turned in to 1620, it sounded like two of Jim Romes bad callers were hosting the show that was on...

I love Local Omaha Sports, But the Drive on 590am is the only show I actually tune in to.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:41 pm

I know we aren't a major radio market, but the fact that 1620 is letting a guy cut his teeth on their afternoon show is kind of silly to me.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:45 pm

Who is this Vrzal guy anyway...they bring in people fro out of no where...

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:52 pm

Coyote wrote:Who is this Vrzal guy anyway...they bring in people fro out of no where...

Doesn't he own a pizza place?

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:55 pm

iamjacobm wrote:
Coyote wrote:Who is this Vrzal guy anyway...they bring in people fro out of no where...
Doesn't he own a pizza place?

Former Husker LB, owns the pizza place on 156th (Bob Boozer) and West Center...

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:12 pm

Coyote wrote:
iamjacobm wrote:
Coyote wrote:Who is this Vrzal guy anyway...they bring in people fro out of no where...
Doesn't he own a pizza place?

Former Husker LB, owns the pizza place on 156th (Bob Boozer) and West Center...

I think he's a former lineman and is pretty bad at broadcasting but is only be a fill in as far as I know. USC is horrible with John Bishop, the guy needs to go, I actually don't mind Josh Peterson since he's got a good radio voice and has a personality. My favorite radio show still in the metro is Sharp and Benning.

I still don't understand how people like "the drive" on 590, all those guys do is agree with each other and have NO original takes on what is going on, it is a four hour circle jerk.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:23 pm

Linkin5 wrote: I still don't understand how people like "the drive" on 590, all those guys do is agree with each other and have NO original takes on what is going on, it is a four hour circle jerk.

Lol, that's probably what I like about them. Instead of arguing over something pointless, they spend more time covering other topics.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 12:24 am

Brad wrote:
Linkin5 wrote: I still don't understand how people like "the drive" on 590, all those guys do is agree with each other and have NO original takes on what is going on, it is a four hour circle jerk.
Lol, that's probably what I like about them. Instead of arguing over something pointless, they spend more time covering other topics.

I swear that is the M.O. on some sports shows. Somebody has to draw the short straw and take the other side and become the buffoon, the Lee Corso syndrome, or even the Lou Holtz disease. They only take a side no matter how |expletive| up that viewpoint is for 'entertainment' purposes.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:31 am

I hate it when the hosts feel they have to take opposite sides. If you are paying attention you can usually tell which one is taking a side just to be different.

That being said I'm not fan when the hosts agree on everything. That seems to be the case with Nick and Sasha on GameTime. I actually like him better without Matt Schick, but Nick and Sasha seem to agree on everything.

Again, for me in Omaha there is Sharp and Benning, then everyone else.

Greg

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 9:07 am

The hosts don't have to disagree on everything, just have differing personalities.

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 11:18 am

I'm in the minority I guess, but I love Unsportsmanlike Conduct in the afternoons. I like John Bishop and his ability to poke holes...although sometimes his laugh can get annoying. Josh Peterson is one I really enjoy listening to.

Vrzal is terrible and should never be on the radio, ever.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 2:01 pm

I did hear a few weeks ago that both Nick and Joe of The Drive on 590 have signed multi-year extensions with the station. I actually listen to them now more than I do Unsportsmanlike Conduct. This is the first show on 590 that I can say that with.

Greg

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 8:54 pm

Joe and Nick are pretty much the best thing on local sports talk after 11 am each day. I do wish they stayed more local, but I suspect that their show will evolve in August in that direction.

Post by **nebugeater** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 7:31 am

Isn't July 1 the date that the Huskers's Sports Nightly moves from 1110 to 590?

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 7:58 am

Yes, July 1 is the date they take over Husker sports.

Greg

PobodysNerfect · Post by **PobodysNerfect** » Wed Jul 01, 2015 4:43 pm

I actually like the Drive. I listen to Sharp and Benning in the morning, and now Russillo in the afternoon. And the Drive right when Russillo is done.That's if I am listening all day, I'm usually in and out of my car and work. I think the Drive is the first ESPN show I can actually listen to an it's eons above the new version of UC. I don't like Joe as much as a radio guy, I find Nick pretty good but I think they work together. I just like that they don't just do one sport or subject. They give teams from the area the time of day and even UNO gets some radio time out of it (have heard both Coach Hansen and Blais on the show frequently) so that's awesome to me.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 8:39 am

Dumb question, did Russillo end up replacing SVP's show? I don't get to listen much.

I listen to Sharp and Benning in the morning and the Drive on the way home. Also am lucky enough to get 810 out of KC in my car so I listen to their daytime programming quite a bit.

Greg

MadMartin8 · Post by **MadMartin8** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:13 pm

810 has an incredibly strong signal. I also get in a lot in my car. I can actually get it a good way towards Des Moines too, which is odd.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:58 pm

I didn't get to listen to that much yesterday, but 590 had Miles, Erstad, I believe Yori, the play by play voice... they sort of had a huge on-air party down in Lincoln with everything Husker.