610 AND 730 flip networks

Sports radio stations flip networks

Charlotte's two sports radio stations will swap affiliations next week - WZGV-AM (730 AM) will pick up ESPN and WFNZ-AM (610) will add Fox Sports.

Lanny Ford, general manager of WZGV, said Monday that the station had signed a three-year contract with ESPN Radio. Charlotte was one of the largest broadcast markets in the nation without ESPN's morning show, "Mike & Mike" with Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, Ford said.

WFNZ, which relies largely on locally-produced shows, had carried ESPN's shows mostly at night.

"We're committed to being live and local," said D.J. Stout, operations manager for WFNZ. He said the station will use Fox Sports Radio shows to fill in WFNZ's schedule at night and on weekends.

When the switch occurs, it will mean the loss locally of such daily Fox Sports shows as Jim Rome and Dan Patrick.

"ESPN is such a strong brand, a strong product," Ford said. "I think the national programming on ESPN is well-known and not as West Coast-focused."

Beginning Aug. 8, WZGV will move "The Bottom Line" to 4 p.m. from mornings. Bill Rosinski will lead the show Mondays through Wednesdays, Ford will take Thursdays and guest hosts will do Fridays. Mike Pacheco and NASCAR vet Tony Rizzuti will continue to be contributors, Ford said.

At 10 a.m. weekdays, WZGV will carry "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd and at 1 p.m. "The Scott Van Pelt Show."

In April, WZGV signed a three-year deal to carry UNCC basketball games and the first season of UNCC football in 2013.

 

You mean I get to listen to sports talk radio and don't have to endure Blair from Mint Hill, Chevon, Tarheel Jeff and Tarheel Ted and Tarheel Bob and Tarheel Steve and all these stupid callers saying the same thing every day (I'm close to the program and here's what I've heard.....I haven't heard anybody else make this point......).

I'm in

 

Dang, Im going miss not listening to JIM ROME & DAN PATRICK on FOXSPORTS610 next week . . Hopefully I can still catch TONY BRUNO on overnights . . I love his show !!!!

 

Wonder how long the afternoon drive show on 730 will last...4 PM til ?

It wouldn't bother me if Bill Rosinski only had 1 day per week. I like him, but his show has suffered since his original co-host, the younger guy, left the show. It doesn't flow as well with his son at the controls.

But I like the option of having some national shows to broaden the topics.

 

I think his show will be 4:00-6:00.