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.”
105.1 had been operating without a Program Director since Dave Shore was let go in May. He was terminated less than two years into his tenure, as was former PD Jason Dixon. Popular local personality Drew Lane was also dropped after just two years on the station’s airwaves.
Despite promises early on to give the brand five years to develop, Greater Media Detroit elected to change direction in less than three years. Rumors had been swirling for the past two months about a potential flip but company sources stressed they were optimistic about finding a new programmer to help the station take the next step.
How this will impact the on-air staff’s immediate ability to return to the airwaves and the Detroit Pistons radio rights agreement is unclear but it brings to an end the promise of a brand which had an opportunity to compete against market leader 97.1 The Ticket but never could seem to make enough traction to satisfy management. The Tigers and Lions rights became available during the station’s run but Greater Media Detroit were unsuccessful in landing those agreements.
With 105.1 leaving the sports format, WDFN is left as the only in-market competitor to The Ticket. However, WDFN has been a distant third in the ratings. The Ticket continues to perform among the top stations in the sports format across the country.
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.
