Sportsnet 590 The Fan is adding reinforcements to Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown. The Toronto sports radio station has announced that McCown’s afternoon program will add Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet Hockey Central insider and analyst John Shannon and Stephen Brunt as co-hosts. Shannon will appear daily between 4-5p ET. Deitsch and Brunt will visit between 5p-7p ET. To make the situation work, Deitsch has confirmed he’s relocating to Toronto.
“Stephen and Richard are two of the most prominent, well-respected sports journalists in North America,” said Dave Cadeau, national format director of sports, Rogers Media. “Their insight, knowledge and experience will make for fantastic discussion – and debate – with Bob. We have the most educated sports fans in Canada tuning in to Prime Time Sports on a daily basis, and with a combination of these three in the booth, they will create the most intelligent and thoughtful show in sports talk radio.”
McCown signed a contract extension with the station this past December. He has hosted Prime Time Sports since 1989, becoming the most listened to sports radio personality in Canada during that time. During the last ratings check he was 1st in average minute audience with Men 12+ and 25-54.
Brunt returns to the co-host chair after spending the past two years on The Jeff Blair Show. He has over 30 years of experience in sports media as an author, host and award-winning journalist. Deitsch meanwhile has over 20 years of experience in sports media including spending the past two decades at Sports Illustrated working in nearly every division as a writer and editor.
“This is an incredible opportunity for me and I’m a huge fan of Toronto, having visited the city often since my days as a college student in Buffalo,” said Deitsch. “It has been a thrill to get to know Bob McCown, a legitimate sports broadcasting icon in North America, and other staffers at Sportsnet 590 The FAN, and I look forward to making the transition from a regular guest on Prime Time Sports to the chair next to him. I think this is going to be a lot of fun, hopefully not only for me but also for the loyal Prime Time Sports listeners.”
The changes also include Damien Cox taking on an expanded role at Sportsnet. The award-winning journalist will continue to appear on Sportsnet 590 The FAN, write regular columns for sportsnet.ca and appear regularly on television.
For more information on Prime Time Sports including to hear Deitsch and Brunt’s appearances with McCown announcing the news click here.
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.
