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WJFK preps for content change

By: Jim Williams
Examiner Sports Columnist
July 1, 2009

It looks like WJFK 106.7 FM will become Washington's newest all-sports radio station, joining ESPN 980AM in the battle to keep sports fans entertained and informed.

Local Web site DCRTV has been reporting that there have been rumors that the station would be coming on the air July 20 with the Junkies returning to their former name, The Sports Junkies, and serving as the station's morning drive show.

I commented a few months ago in this column that WJFK making a move to sports would make sense. Also that their sister station in Baltimore -- 105.7 FM The Fan -- was doing well and could serve as the model for a move to sports talk by WJFK.

I have confirmed that a number of Washington sports personalities have had conversations with management at WJFK about doing shows. The station has also spoken to a number of local sports producers and on air update people about the possible format change.

Some of the names being floated out there are LaVar Arrington, Mike Wise and former ESPN 980AM personalities Brian Mitchell and Al Koken. A number of Washington reporters -- Examiner, Post and Times -- have come up as possible show hosts or as regular guests.

Management at WJFK is silent about any format changes at the moment, but it does seem that they are seriously considering the idea of going to an all-sports format.

There are other factors in play with a move to all-sports by WJFK.

MASN, who already has a solid relationship with CBS Radio in Baltimore and airs the Anita Marks-Scott Garceau Show, would love to have a Washington partner and WJFK might fit that bill.

Presently, the station airs both University of Maryland and University of Virginia sports. They also are the home of FOX Sports Radio in Washington and that would give them the rights to air the Steve Czaban Show as well as Dan Patrick -- two popular area programs that have been off the local airwaves for over two years.

In the end, I think that WJFK will take the plunge and, as always, it will be fun to see who they have on the air. Stay tuned É

Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.





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Reader Comments

All comments on this page are subject to our Terms of Use and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Examiner or its staff. Comment box is limited to 250 words.

?

Jul 1, 2009

Wow, that second paragraph is a mouthful! A period or two might help. And, no editor ever told you about using multiple "that"s in a single sentence? And, it seems strange that you have "confirmed" all of these conversations, yet the only solid evidence of the format flip you DCRTV reporting that there are rumors?

 

Talk Guy

Jul 1, 2009

Flipping to an all sports format is STUPID. Right now, WJFK is the ONLY station that I leave on ALL DAY LONG. Do I really need to hear the same scores/topics that is limited by sports all day long?? NO!!

The Junkies get me through the morning traffic, BiG O & Dukes (highly underrated duo) get me through the work day, and Mike O'Meara gets me home. THAT is good radio...

Hearing the Nats score recapped 117x a day is NOT good radio.

 

Mano

Jul 1, 2009

Where is the supposed fan base for a dedicated sports talk radio show. I love the current shows and if it flips, that will be the last time I tune in.
And yes, your writing style is tedious

 

Jul 1, 2009

Honestly, we need another sports talk radio station here in the DC market because right now, the sports talk landscape is a joke. ESPN 980 has a weak AM brand, and also has three other FM's station that can be barely heard in the DC region. It is also owned by Daniel Snyder, so the hosts have to be careful on what they say on the Redskins and the front office.

As for WJFK, its not their decision to flip to sports, its CBS decision to do so. Look what they did to other talk FMers in Dallas, and Baltimore, flipping to a sports talk format, and they are having success in those markets. I'm not saying that WJFK can have the same success as those cities, but its worth a try, and its also cheaper to do then WJFK has right now. As long as they keep Big O and Dukes, and the Junkies, I will be fine with the change.

 

jaytee

Jul 1, 2009

Reformat of WJFK: Keep it local as much as possible - no "plastic hair" Dan Patrick or his buddy Keith Olberman PLEASE!!! Retain both Junkies in the AM (but back to being "Sports Junkies")(6-10 AM) & O and A in mid-day (but with some regular guest sports personalities on a regular basis to voice opinions on current issues)(10AM-3 PM); O'Meara drive home show (3-7 PM) should also stay (but again w/some regular guest sports personalities); an evening show should be all Washington area sports - hosted by Brian Mitchell/Al Koken during football & hockey seasons but add semi-regular hoops/baseball guest commentators during pro/college basketball & baseballl seasons)- say on a 7-10/11 PM schedule. Get rid of the evening replays of daytime shows and especially that creepy Carolla show! Play an overnight network sports show from Fox or Sporting News from 10/11 PM to 6 AM. Thanks for letting me air my opinion. JET

 

frank

Jul 1, 2009

Shame to see one of the last great talk stations go the way of the dinosaurs. I am surprised CBS thinks they will do better with sports as opposed to their current shows, but only time will tell. I can't wait to hear them trying to take calls on day one, with all of the O and Dukes animals calling in...(if they will take calls at all in the new format)

 

that guy

Jul 1, 2009

10 paragraphs. 10 "that"s. We could say it's symmetry but the concept is way above this writer's head.
Kids in high school journalism classes would get a D- for this type of work.

 

Greg

Jul 2, 2009

I've been listening to WJFK since the early 90's. I really hope these are only rumors that never happen. If I lose all my favorite shows, i'll have to find a new station to listen to all day.

 

Shaun

Jul 2, 2009

If there is a format flip coming, why don't they just come out and tell people? Do they think they are the CIA or something? Or is it just that they think I won't notice that all my favorite shows are gone and just keep listening? It makes no sense to me.

 

Drab is yag

Jul 2, 2009

laying off chad and oscar would be the most stupid decision WJFK could make. Prank calls will never end.

 

Tim

Jul 3, 2009

this is one of the worst decisions that could be made. what will happen to o & d and tmos? the ratings have been through the roof recently because the current talk format is strong and ENTERTAINING! i hope CBS sees the ratings fall fall fall with the new format that WJFK is taking on. sports maniacs are not more important than the majority of listeners who enjoy sports but don't need the same stats every hour. this makes me sick and i can tell you the the only way i and many of my friends will ever tune back to WJFK is if the previous amazing format and hosts are brought back.

 

shamrockjew

Jul 3, 2009

I promise to call in to any sports show 10-3 that replaces Big O and Dukes and ruin it with my innane ramblings as often as possible.

I can also promise that a 100% sports station will pull 0 listeners in the DC/Baltimore/VA area. No one really loves the Orioles, Nats, Ravens, and Redskins THAT much.

 

Off-Topic Tom

Jul 3, 2009

This would be the dumbest decision CBS Radio could make. Right now they hold the best talk shows on radio or tv and they would be making a huge mistake to throw that way for sports. We don't do anything but complain about Washington sports any way. If they make this flip, they might as well burn down the Washington Monument because they will be cutting the heart out of DC! FIGHT THE FLIP!!!!

 

Kathy

Jul 3, 2009

If WJFK changes their format to sports radio, then they've lost me as an 18-year loyal listener. And, while I love the Junkies, I mostly enjoy their inane chatter, not their sports talk. Big O & Dukes, and the Mike O'Meara Show are like members of my family. I'll be very sad and, quite honestly, angry, if this switch in format takes place. And, I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way...we WJFK listeners have always been a loyal bunch, and we'll boycott the station until we can get Big O & Dukes and The Mike O'Meara Show back on the airwaves. CBS Radio...what a bunch of idiots!

 

probos

Jul 4, 2009

All sports radio stations = BOOORRRRRING!

 

Iszy

Jul 4, 2009

I give WJFK about a year before the format flips again. CBS is clueless. There are a growing number of us that are actually intelligent, active listeners. Goodbye WJFK.

 

Daner

Jul 5, 2009

Anyone keep their eye on KZON here in Arizona? After FreeFM flipped to JAMZ (Hip-hop), their morning show was cancelled less than a year after the flip. We have a ton of hip-hop stations already, so adding another one doesn't make sense.

Are the CBS executives that out of touch with their listener base that they don't understand?

 

Daner

Jul 5, 2009

BTW, Big O and Dukes were live from KZON before the station flipped from FreeFM to JAMZ.

 

linda hirw

Jul 5, 2009

so carbon-copying programming that already exists and destroying original ideas and comedy is a great idea? the idea of this format change disgusts me. the mike o'meara show has truly come into its own, handling serious topics and comedy alike with its own brand of commentary. CBS can guarantee that many of us will NEVER listen to WJFK again if they proceed with the rumored flip.

 

Burt Reynolds

Jul 5, 2009

I might as well detach the antenna from my car if WJFK flips to some stupid sports talk. Maybe LaVar Arrington can tell us how not to ride a motorcycle.

Everyone should call in to whatever zilch radio show is on between 10-3 with a "Drab is gay", or call the host Oscar or Chad.

Everyone around here are transplants or unexplained Cowboy/Yankees fans. Heck, WJFK Sports Talk would be better off broadcasting Cowboys or Yankees games if they want ratings than having Brian Mitchell break things down for me.

If I want to get football news, Mike Florio does as good a job in 15 minutes on O and Dukes than anything on ESPN.

 

Joe

Jul 6, 2009

WJFK is the only station that I never turn off, not even after hearing the same commercials all day when I stream it online at work. It's the only radio that is constantly entertaining. EB, Lurch, Cakes, JP, CK, Bret, Chad, Oscar, Drab, Mike, Rob, Buzz, Katie, and yes even Beth Ann, are all great at what they do. All sports radio shows SUCK.

 

SAZZy

Jul 6, 2009

Worst news EVER!!!

 

The RZA

Jul 6, 2009

I love sports, but we DON'T need an all-sports radio format. WJFK is doing a great thing and it's so unique with their all-talk format. At least I'm hearing these rumors now before they pull the rug from under me like HFS did to the Junkies a few years ago. BOOOOOOOO!!!!! Bad choice WJFK!

 

Sean of Salisbury

Jul 7, 2009

Big O and Dukes' animals will attack these shows with full force. OH HEY KURT RAY will be heard from afar through the telephone with bad schtick call ins.

Wherever Be Easy, Church and Thabthew go, i will go. Game Over WJFK. Go wash your mouth out with a buck shot.

 

T

Jul 8, 2009

I pray these are just rumors. Although I doubt it. O&D and TMOS are on 'vacation' while the Junkies are still broadcasting. I had wjfk on all day, but now I'm left with substance-free radio. All sports is just aweful. Just another example of the dumbing of America. I'm OUT wjfk. I just hope o&d and tmos are picked up in another market so I can hit that stream.

 

Big O and Dukes fan

Jul 8, 2009

This is the worst decision ever, like other people have said WJFK is the only station I listen to. If I wanted to listen to sports I would switch over to 980 but I can only stand a few minutes before switching back. Keep the format.

 

Sean of Salisbury

Jul 9, 2009

Junkies and Dukes are staying but O is gone, replaced by Lavar.

 

T

Jul 9, 2009

That's stinks. I liked the existing o&d drab trio. I will not be tuning in.

 

Peter of Gaithersburg

Jul 10, 2009

If this happens, it will be a huge loss for talk fans like myself. This is a big mistake. IMHO, the new ratings system is flawed. I have been a loyal listener to this station for over 15 years and I know that I am not alone. Leave boring sports talk to Dan Snyder. Besides, JFK flirted with Sports Talk before by putting Jim Rome on at night. He was awful and radio kryptonite. If CBS screws DC over, I hope that the shows we love end up somewhere else like Satalite.

 

PiousDevil

Jul 13, 2009

if this is true, I will never, ever turn on 106.7 again. O and Dukes are the best talent on this station. I've been listening to WJFK since the 90's, it's the only station that I listen to from 6 am to 7 pm, and I actually listen to the commercials. If this is true, it's a travesty, and the worst business decision that CBS could make.

 

ibrichjr

Jul 13, 2009

So if Big O and Dukes is ok, per the post here - and on DCRTV - then why are they back for vacation a week before the flip?

 

CBS Idiots

Jul 14, 2009

Big mistake

 

yb

Jul 15, 2009

bad bad idea so so wrong! i will never listen. dc sports suck!.

 

A bunch of corporate buffoons

Jul 15, 2009

Once again the corporate world wants to interfere with a good thing. It was always stated on the station how good the rated were so why the change? I am on the road all day and used to look forward to that 4 hour block of the Mike O'Meara show to get me through the drudge of driving. I will never listen to this station again. It is a very sad day!

 

Nico

Jul 16, 2009

Horrible idea. They've lost another listener. All sports radio? epic FAIL.

 


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