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http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/...ted_t.html

(06-25-2013 04:03 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/...ted_t.html

I've said it before and I'll say it again, talk radio in the Birmingham market is awful.

Sports talk, without a doubt - yes.

It will be interesting to see how the new Finebaum will play among the local knuckle-draggers.

For two or three minutes, anyway.

He certainly can't gump it up as much in his new position.

Sad news.

Certainly things took a nosedive when they split up Scarbo & Baribeau.

(06-25-2013 06:27 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Sad news.

Is it really though?

The reason for the creation of the station was so that when Finebaum got out of his contract they could try and buy his audience.

It was run into the ground by poor management that was too busy trying to keep up with the Joneses to cultivate their own audience.

(06-25-2013 06:30 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Certainly things took a nosedive when they split up Scarbo & Baribeau.

+1!!!

(06-25-2013 06:34 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  It was run into the ground by poor management that was too busy trying to keep up with the Joneses to cultivate their own audience.

This, too!

(06-25-2013 04:13 PM)GreenHornet33 Wrote:  

(06-25-2013 04:03 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/...ted_t.html

I've said it before and I'll say it again, talk radio in the Birmingham market is awful.

...the evidence speaks for itself...

I hate to say it, but I hope ESPN radio comes back to JOX. CBS Sports Radio is TERRIBLE. It's just a bunch of controversial opinions and unlikable radio personalities mixed together into something practically unlistenable.

That said, I'm not surprised 97.3 is done. They do seem pretty unprofessional behind the scenes in a few ways. Their Station Identification plays in the middle of sporting events, and they accidentally cut to commercial on top of their programming all the time.

I'm also surprised they didn't shell out the money to host Auburn Sports, considering Auburn is only available on AM in Birmingham (I am right about that, right?). I mean, it was really cool that 97.3 played Samford Football and Basketball, but I'm pretty sure it was less marketable than they expected.

Still, I liked their personalities a lot better than the JOX personalities, overall. I did like having two unique sports stations though.

(06-25-2013 09:03 PM)Hambit Wrote:  It's just a bunch of controversial opinions and unlikable radio personalities mixed together into something practically unlistenable.

Isn't that true of all talk radio.

(06-25-2013 06:34 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(06-25-2013 06:27 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Sad news.

Is it really though?

The reason for the creation of the station was so that when Finebaum got out of his contract they could try and buy his audience.

It was run into the ground by poor management that was too busy trying to keep up with the Joneses to cultivate their own audience.

Yes, it is sad news when people lose their jobs IMHO.

I do agree with the rest of your statement in that the poor management did run it into the ground. They started off with a great concept and some good shows. The management then decided it would try and become JOX and screwed up most of their shows, and it was turning into the same ole same ole crap.

I think a real sports talk radio station could exist in the same market with the tabloid sports talk station (JOX) if it's done right. They started out on at least the right track but management derailed them quickly.

WAPI FM 100.5 carries Auburn football.

Did my 6-month prediction with the Midnight whatever people come to fruition or what?

97.3 The Zone's entire existence was because of Paul Finebaum fighting with this contract. Anybody that worked there (not in management) would tell you that.


August 25, 2011 - Official reports that Paul Finebaum is suing Citadel Broadcasting (after weeks of speculation).

August 30, 2011 - 97.3 changed their format to sports.


The station was ALWAYS going to live and die by whether or not they were going to get Finebaum...because that was the entire business plan from the beginning.

Did they have some decent shows? Sure. They had to have SOMETHING to build on in anticipation of getting Finebaum (and local advertisers are more likely to advertise for a local show with dedicated listeners).

But when the SEC Network came together and it became obvious that ESPN wanted Finebaum, crap hit the fan.

(06-25-2013 09:03 PM)Hambit Wrote:  I hate to say it, but I hope ESPN radio comes back to JOX. CBS Sports Radio is TERRIBLE.

I want Fox Sports back on Jox. CBS Sports Radio annoys me mainly because of their jingle, but other than lame music, I don't notice much difference between them and ESPN. The only national programming I listen to is Fox Sports Radio, and it. is. awesome.

(06-26-2013 10:16 AM)demiveeman Wrote:  97.3 The Zone's entire existence was because of Paul Finebaum fighting with this contract. Anybody that worked there (not in management) would tell you that.


August 25, 2011 - Official reports that Paul Finebaum is suing Citadel Broadcasting (after weeks of speculation).

August 30, 2011 - 97.3 changed their format to sports.


The station was ALWAYS going to live and die by whether or not they were going to Finebaum...because that was the entire business plan from the beginning.

Did they have some decent shows? Sure. They had to have SOMETHING to build on in anticipation of getting Finebaum (and local advertisers are more likely to advertise for a local show with dedicated listeners).

But when the SEC Network came together and it became obvious that ESPN wanted Finebaum, crap hit the fan.

From an advertiser's perspective, the death of The Zone in NOT good news. The Zone may of had a smaller audience, but that audience was a much better target market than the audience of JOX. We would get the same or better response from ads on The Zone as opposed to 94.5 for 1/10th the investment.

I can't wait to see how high JOX raises their ad rates in the near future...

The Zone's apparent cited business model reminds me of "The Donald" Trump's tactic of moving the USFL to the fall, then suing the NFL and hoping to make all the money off the lawsuit rather than offering a quality football experience. He won the lawsuit but lost the judgement when they only awarded $3 total. Now 97.3 has met the same fate using the wrong tactics of product development.