For sports station WFNZ-AM (“Fan” 610), the Panthers championship run this season has been a bonanza.
Ratings are up, excitement is high and the station’s Doghouse, a bar and tailgate destination at Mint and Morehead streets next to Bank of America Stadium, has never been busier.
Giant video screens will be added outside for Sunday’s playoff game against Seattle so more fans can party at the Doghouse, says D.J. Stout, WFNZ’s operations manager.
“It’s become a place where people actually go to watch the game,” says Stout. For those without tickets, it’s the next best thing to being there – people can hear the clamor inside the stadium on big plays.
This season, WFNZ has broadcast all its local programs on Mondays and Fridays from the Doghouse with its key hosts, including Chris McClain, Jim Celania, Colin Hoggard, Nate Conley, Frank Garcia, Mark Yarbro and Chris Kroeger. Pre- and post-game shows for home games have also been anchored at the Doghouse.
Stout says he thinks the Panthers’ success has had an impact on the city.
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Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
