OT: Detroit 105.1 dropping sports talk programming

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

Detroit sports talk is now complete and utter garbage. 

WDFN still hasn't bled out yet and are still hanging around. No idea who is on that station.

In other news, WTKA is your go-to option!

http://sportsradiopd.com/2016/06/detroit-sports-105-1-to-exit-the-sport…

Major news out of Detroit. Greater Media has confirmed they are exiting the sports format on 105.1. The sports staff were informed on Wednesday night in a staff meeting that the radio station would air a temporary simulcast of Classic Rock WCSX’s Oldies format until a new format is officially announced. 105.1 made the flip into the sports format in August 2013.

“The change comes after much careful consideration of the direction of the station’s format and overall ratings over the past three years,” said VP and Market Manager Steve Chessare. “We would like to thank our dedicated listeners and the entire Detroit Sports 105.1 staff for their many contributions to the station in the Motor City. They are true professionals and we are very grateful to them.”

FabFiver5

June 29th, 2016 at 7:10 PM ^

Despite Sean Baligian being a hockey and MSU guy, I considered him to be one of the best in the business. This hurts for those of us that don't want to listen to the travesty that is Stoney, Bill and Sarah in the morning.

MH20

June 29th, 2016 at 9:56 PM ^

I was so happy when Baligian left 96.1 in Grand Rapids. Could not stand listening to his awful voice and propensity to repeat himself 47 times, let alone his constant insistence that he wasn't a Sparty slappy. It was so bad I actually listened to Simonson! (drink Miller Lite, go to Celebration Cinema, eat at Brann's!)

jinglebaugh

June 30th, 2016 at 8:41 AM ^

"Now, I've been saying this for years... " He has like 3 opinions that he just repeats on every show:

 

1) Recruiting Rankings don't matter because rivals gave Braylon edwards a star bump when he commited to michigan

2) Matthew Stafford is a good but not elite QB. He "is what he is". 

3) "I'm not a slappy" - and that whiney voice he uses when he imitates people complaining about him being a slappy. I hate that voice.

Maynard

June 29th, 2016 at 10:27 PM ^

Spot on with Stoney, Bill, and Sarah. They always talk about things that are not even sports-related. No, I don't give a shit what your favorite movie or candy is. Baligian sucks too though, especially when he goes to his voice that sounds like Jesse Ventura or uses cliches that aren't quite right like, "for all intensive purposes" or "wrecking havoc."

tbeindit

June 29th, 2016 at 7:11 PM ^

Never was a "die-hard" fan of 105.1, but was nice to at least have some choice on talk radio, especially since I've commuted for over an hour for about two years.

As far as what caused their demise, really think it was the lack of a long-term vision. To start, the constant shifts in programming didn't do them any favors. There had to be at least three major lineup shifts in the last year and a half, which is never a good sign.

On top of that, they had way too much NBA discussion and too many bland personalities. Should have tried some shots in the dark on some wildcards instead of hiring a whole bunch of people who just recycled national hot takes.

Bigku22

June 29th, 2016 at 7:13 PM ^

I can't handle much of the idiocy that is sports talk radio, but I didn't think the midday Ryan & Rico show was too bad, better that Karsch and Anderson IMO. 

However, the afternoon drive time slot was an ABSOLUTE disaster, Matt Dery and Drew Sharp had to be the worst radio pairing in the country. Recently Lindsey Hunter, and Braylon have had short stints. 

Overall, not a big loss. 

Chalky White

June 30th, 2016 at 9:07 AM ^

Dery should have been allowed to do the afternoon drive show by himself. At least he talked about sports. I don't get why they thought Drew Sharp needed to employs there. Karsch and Anderson isn't a good show. Valenti and Foster is even worse now that they decided to make those awful songs they play out of each break. What was 105.1 expecting?

LSAClassOf2000

June 29th, 2016 at 7:14 PM ^

I couldn't fathom 105.1, nor could I really listen to 97.1 without shaking my head at the state of sports talk radio in Detroit. WTKA is my AM go-to, but then there is a chasm there to fill after mid-morning. 

I'll probably just crank up the music after Insider - no harm in subjecting the people in the cubicles near me to a little more INXS.

UMProud

June 29th, 2016 at 7:20 PM ^

Sports radio just isn't good...105.1 was better than 97.1 mostly but I get my fix from podcasts. Infinitely superior, on topic and subject matter focused.

Sports radio has too much filler crap and contrived controversy re: 97.1 Valenti

bluewoody

June 29th, 2016 at 7:37 PM ^

I thought those morning guys were getting better. The morning group of 7-10 with Marc and Belegian (so?) were kind of catching their stride. Sort of a welcome change from the long summer days of Wtka. I love Wtka but, with Sam out, it is really rough. I liked 105.1 in the morning. I think they crapped the bed when the got rid of drew and Marc.

CorkyCole

June 30th, 2016 at 12:01 PM ^

What's hilarious is something similar happened to a friend of mine from church, not that extreme but only received half of his baggage and the other piece went to Dallas or something.

Anyway, because of Sam'so story, I specifically asked which airline it was. His reply? "American Airlines." I laughed hysterically and informed him that he's not the only one with that problem lately.