The new configuration of Dan Snyder's D.C. sports radio conglomerate will launch as a merger of current WTEM local and ESPN Radio national programming, reports the Washington Post. One combined sports radio format will be programmed by Red Zebra Broadcasting on WTEM/980, WWXT/92.7, WWXX/94.3 & WXTR/730 with Washington Redskins games to be hexacast on all six owned stations.
WTEM's current local weekday programs "The Doc Walker Show," "The John Thompson Show" and "The Sports Reporters" (Andy Pollin & Steve Czaban) are expected to be retained. On the other hand, "The John Riggins Show" that first launched Triple X ESPN Radio will be axed. Also to be axed from local airwaves will be the independently syndicated "The Dan Patrick Show" and Fox Sports Radio shows including Steve Czaban's "The First Team," bounced in favor of ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike."
Aside from the dropoffs that have already taken place, Red Zebra is at least showing the motions of allowing for a diverse variety of opinions. Whether hosts like Steve Czaban and Doc Walker can escape the pro-Redskins rah rah rah box remains the operative long-term question. My doubts remain. If independent sports talk opinion becomes diminished after all, there won't be any listener recourse.
Link: Washington PostLabels: espn radio, john riggins, radio, red zebra broadcasting, sports, steve czaban, washington redskins, wtem
