Chuck & Chernoff is ending after 18 years on the air at 680 The Fan in Atlanta. Chuck Oliver made the call himself, and explained the decision to shift more focus to the Chuck Oliver Show moving forward.
What We Know: Dickey Broadcasting confirmed Kincade & Chernoff debuts Aug. 31, running weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m. The show will pair Matt Chernoff and the returning John Kincade, who just stepped down from his morning show position at 97.5 The Fanatic. Meanwhile, Chuck Oliver shifts to other roles at 680 The Fan. Additionally, he’ll dedicate himself fully to The Chuck Oliver Show across the Southern Sports Today Network.
What They Said: (All quotes from 680 The Fan)
Chuck Oliver on departing Chuck & Chernoff on 680 The Fan: “I knew I couldn’t do both shows for another football season. It’s an insane schedule, and I think you do it for so long, and it just kind of becomes what you do. It’s a silly, insane schedule. I have fought that with stubbornness. That’s my superpower: stubbornness and obstinance. So, I lost that battle after 12 years, and I just I can’t do both shows anymore.”
Chuck Oliver on why he wanted to close Chuck & Chernoff the right way: “This show was really important to me. I think it’s important to a lot of other people…I wanted there to be time for it to be handled the right way. Usually what happens is either the host quits and there’s a middle finger. Or the host gets fired and there’s a middle finger. It’s a scrubbing of a website, and then the show just disappears. I don’t want that to happen to this.”
Chuck Oliver on the opportunity to continue hosting The Chuck Oliver Show on 680 The Fan: “That show’s never had a host dedicated just to it. Whenever I was watching the Hawks [or] the Falcons on a Sunday morning. When I had so many other things to do, I would think I just can’t do this. So, at the end of the season, when we had that conversation. Part of my motivation is so that the Chuck Oliver Show can have a dedicated host for at least the first time.”
What Remains Unclear: Whether or not any additional changes will be made with production staff for either show is unknown.
What It Means: Ultimately, Oliver trades a grueling dual-show grind for full ownership of one built around him. For 680 The Fan, meanwhile, the shift clears room for Kincade’s return to afternoon drive. Listeners lose dynamic and consistent pairing, but they gain a more focused Chuck Oliver Show going forward as well as Kincade who spent twenty years previously with the brand.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.