Changes At Espn 103.3

Smitty · October 22, 2007

There's lots going on at ESPN 103.3-FM.
The latest ratings book is in, and the numbers are flat.
Friday was Jennifer Engel's finale in the 9 a.m.-to-noon slot. She has worked with various co-hosts since September 2005. She actually told the station last month that she was giving up the show.
"Time to downsize to one job," she told listeners. She's remaining with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Sunday, Mike Taylor, an ESPN 103.3 original who hosts the station's 7-to-9 p.m. show as well as Mavericks pre- and postgame shows, also signs off for good. He's headed to San Antonio, where he has landed a gig hosting afternoon drive at KTKR-AM (760). Yes, that station calls itself "The Ticket."
Dave Shore, a reporter for all seasons, left in August for North Carolina.
Meanwhile, the station's 2-3 p.m. slot is a Stephen A. Smith wasteland, filled with New York sports talk.
"We still have a lot of good people here doing good work," said programming boss Tom Lee. He said he knows what he will do to fill the gaps but isn't ready to make any announcements.

meangreendork · October 22, 2007

Is it bad that I'm not bothered by Engel moving on?

Greenblood94 · October 22, 2007

Is it bad that I'm not bothered by Engel moving on?

Not really. She never really did anything for me, either...Chuck Cooperstein has been a larger part of that show the past couple of months. I just don't think Engel has the personality to be the main focus of a radio show. The fact that she fell on her own sword only underlines that.

I am disappointed that ESPN hasn't been able to, in my opinion, field a viable alternative to The Ticket...Mike and Mike in the Morning are pretty good, but the new Noon to 3 PM slot makes me yearn for Dan Patrick...Mike Tirico isn't bad (though kind of vanilla) so far, but Stephen A. Smith reminds me of a cross between a blustery Howard Cosell and Skip Bayless (God help us all), and how the parent organization thought 2 hours of Tirico and an hour of Smith was a good mix is beyond me. I can only take so much of Randy Galloway before I dive for the tuning button or an airsick bag, whichever is closer.

I will be interested to see what changes 103.3 rolls out in light of all the defections, but I'm not holding my breath. I do hope Cooperstein gets his own show. I know I'm probably in the minority, but of all the non-Ticket personalities in this market, I enjoy Coop the most...even better than most of the folks on The Ticket's roster.

Eagle1855 · October 22, 2007

interesting, at the bottom of their website you find logos of several dfw area sports teams, including smu and tcu... however, no UNT

Coach · October 23, 2007

Wow, they got rid of the little ball of hate and the arrogant Mike Taylor. Taylor is an NT alum but he is so full of himself, I couldn't listen to him very long.

I agree that Coop is really good. He knows what he is talking about. I really enjoyed when he was with Newy, maybe they can hook that up again or find someone else with a similar personality to Newy because that compliments Coop really well.

I had no idea that Stephen A. Smith had his own show, and if I had a local affiliate, I would fill that time slot with anything else I could dig up.

As far as national hosts go, this last summer I became a big Cowherd fan. He can be a little much sometimes, but he is funny, he is usually right, and he takes on topics that make you want to continue to listen. With school starting, I can't hear him very often, but I was hoping that he would get DP's slot instead of Tirico.

Greenblood94 · October 23, 2007

Stephen A. Smith is actually on for three hours on the NYC ESPN affiliate, ESPN just puts the last hour of his show on nationwide. Very strange decision, but Stephen A. seems to be the rising star of the network, even though his TV show didn't work out. I'd almost prefer they move Galloway to 2-6 to cover that mistake in judgement.

I don't think Newy wants to put that much time into a radio show...I think that was one of the reasons "The Big Show" with Coop and Newy got busted up. The local guys are running out of established talent, though, so it will be interesting to see what they come up with.