Massive Cuts at Radio One's Sports Talk Station WTEM The Team 980
As reported by DCRTV-- The Washington, D.C. media website hears from a reliable local radio source that Urban One, Inc. the corporate arm of Radio One is making massive budget cuts to their newly-acquired WTEM, The Team 980. Out are: Chris Cooley, Doc Walker, Bram Weinstein, and Scott Jackson. The only show not affected is Steve Czaban's. Cuts expected to continue, including off-air positions.
New shows not yet determined, though Al Koken, Fred Smoot, and Chick Hernandez are all getting try-outs this week. Back in May, Silver Spring-based Urban One, Inc, agreed to purchase sports talker WTEM from Red Zebra, which was owned by Redskins owner Dan Snyder. The 980 AM signal was Snyder's last broadcast radio property. He'd sold WTEM's two FM signals last year. WTEM 980 The Team is Urban One's only Sports Talk station.
Some of these hosts have exited the station.
Still with WTEM The Team 980
COMMENTS POSTED VIA OUR CONTACT FORM:
ReplyDeleteHello,
I really dont know the details behind the changes in your programming and
what went on behind the scenes. I wanted to let you know that I am a loyal
listener to sportstalk 980 am and I am SO SO SO utterly devastated that
Kevin Sheehan is not longer working at the station. I listened to his show
with Thom Lavarro and then with Chris Cooley everyday for years and Kevin
Sheehan in the opinion of myself and many other friends of mine is the BEST
radio host in the entire Washington DC area. I do sales and am in the car
all morning most days and I can tell you that my days were made so much
better when I was able to listen to Kevin Sheehan each and every morning
talk about sports in this area. This is so upsetting to me. I am so
disappointed that he is no longer working for your station. There are
dozens of us (my friends and family) who are devastated as well that we
will not be able to hear Kevin every morning. There is nobody as smart,
knowledgeable and simply a great radio guy than Kevin and I know this
because I have religiously listened to sportstalk radio for 20 years.
This is a MAJOR MAJOR mistake by your part. I am sad, depressed, and so
disappointed that Kevin Sheehan is no longer working for your station.
Shame on you if this was your decision because it was truly a major
mistake. So many of us miss Kevin already and you have alientated so many
people by not bringing Kevin back.
Steve D
Also, NOBODY breaks film down & analyzes like Cooley! How are you going to out the best guys but yet keep the others? The show is def not the same. The replacements are Good but they are not Kevin & Cooley.
ReplyDeleteKevin was the BEST sports talk host in this area and one of the best in the country! I have literally listened to him every day for 10 years! What a shame.... Whoever made this decision obviously has no idea what they are doing.
ReplyDelete