It’s the worst week of the year for much of sports radio. Anyone trying to convince you otherwise is hard of hearing. Yes, I’m talking about Super Bowl week. It shouldn’t be. It doesn’t have to be. But there’s nothing worse than turning on your local sports radio station(s) and hearing washed-up, C-list former NFL players peddling deodorant, pillows, and protein shakes on Radio Row, and then spending two minutes talking about a game in which they have little to no insight into. Granted, it seems like the concept has cooled in recent years, largely thanks to new avenues like social media, but it still exists.
Radio Row makes hosts feel good. For many, it’s a reward for a long football season concluding. They get to celebrate and visit with their colleagues, talk with current and former NFL players, and get a change of scenery from the studio. It works out for everyone but the listener, who is ultimately the only person who matters in this conversation.
But for some reason, year after year, radio stations seem intent on sending shows to radio row. I will admit I believe the phenomenon has died down slightly in recent years (although, full disclosure, I have been out of the format for five years). Whether that’s because of budget constraints, or realizing it’s not great programming, is debatable. But no matter what, the further away from radio row, the more enjoyable for the listener.
Now in the News Talk Format, we don’t have anything like a Super Bowl Radio Row. And my sincere hope is that we never try to force one upon the industry. The closest thing we might have is radio row at the Republican or Democratic National Convention.
However, there are big differences.
First off, it’s often only heavily attended every four years during Presidential elections. Secondly, fewer hucksters are walking around looking to pitch products across every radio station in America. I’m not saying the event is void of those individuals, but unlike Super Bowl radio row, they aren’t lurking around every corner.
Annually, there are some events put on by organizations, such as Turning Point USA, FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform) and others, who will welcome radio shows across the country. However, in my experience, you book who you please with little pressure, and no one is walking around like Jordan Belfort from The Wolf of Wall Street trying to get on to pitch cheesy products to your audience.
There are certainly worthy ideas News/Talk can poach from the Sports Talk format. The pacing and energy of most News/Talk shows can be improved to better mirror Sports Talk. This typically translates into a younger listener, especially in the male demographic.
Sports talk can, and at its best, should be, fun and not too serious. Too many News Talkers think they are the President of the United States, not just talking about him. That can also be improved across much of the format.
But when it comes to things that News/Talk has done a better job at, and maybe it’s luck and good fortune as much as anything, it’s not ruining a week of their listeners’ time with a bad product during one of the most exciting weeks of the year.
Let’s try to avoid creating one at all costs.
Pete Mundo is a weekly columnist for Barrett Media, and the Vice President of News/Talk for Cumulus Media, while also hosting “Mundo in the Morning” and programming KCMO Talk Radio in Kansas City. Previously, he was a fill-in host nationally on FOX News Radio and CBS Sports Radio, while anchoring for WFAN, WCBS News Radio 880, and Bloomberg Radio. He’s also the owner of the Big 12-focused digital media outlet Heartland College Sports. To interact, find him on X @PeteMundo.
