SportsNet 590 The Fan in Toronto has decided to go in a new direction in morning drive, cutting ties with controversial personality Dean Blundell. The longtime rock radio host had hosted The Fan’s morning show for a little less than two years, with reviews of his program being mixed.
To move the station forward, 590 will place a stronger emphasis on returning to sports talk in morning drive. The new show will feature the trio of Greg Brady, Elliott Price, and Hugh Burrill. The new morning show is expected to launch February 27th.
“Greg, Elliott and Hugh will greet our listeners each morning with engaging sports conversation, enthusiastic debate, and wide-ranging opinions,” said program director Dave Cadeau. “The show will be entertaining, passionate, and fun – all the while focusing on the topics Toronto sports fans care about most. The trio has incredible chemistry and their dynamic personalities are a perfect fit for our audience.”
Blundell spent close to 13 years with 102.1 The Edge before joining The Fan. He often created tension with the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, and was suspended in December 2013 after ridiculing a couple of gay men who were involved in a Toronto criminal trial on the air. A show producer and on-air personality had served as the foreman on the jury.
Upon hiring Blundell, Sportsnet president Scott Moore acknowledged it was a bold and risky move. Given the show’s cancellation in less than 24 months, the company has apparently decided that the direction it chose to go previously in mornings was not the best approach to assure future success.
“Dean Blundell is an incredibly talented broadcaster,” added Cadeau. “The decision to part was based purely on a desire to return to a more complete sports format. I enjoyed working with Dean and wish him the very best.”
Blundell took to Twitter to express his gratitude to Rogers Communications and Sportsnet. He added, “Everyone at the Fan was super kind to me. Sports deserves people that live it and breathe it. I can’t wait to swim with both arms.”
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.
