95.7 The Game announces partnership with ESPN Radio

Ruthless Sports Guy December 25, 2012

95.7 The Game has a Christmas present for any of the Bay Area sports talk radio fans out there who enjoy ESPN Radio’s line-up. The Game sent out a press release on Christmas Eve announcing their new partnership with the sports broadcasting juggernaut, effective January 1st, 2013.

The new additions to The Game’s lineup include Mike and Mike in the Morning, the MLB World Series, NCAA Football (including the Bowl Championship Series) and the NBA Finals.

Absent from the list are shows like The Herd with Colin Cowherd and The Nick and Artie Show (which I’m sure you’re all devastated about). Here is The Game’s new weekday lineup, according to the press release:

3:00 am – 6:00 am Mike & Mike In The Morning (ESPN Radio)
6:00 am-10:00 am The Rise Guys: Whitey Gleason, Mark Kreidler, and Dan Dibley
10:00 am-12:00 pm The Pulse with Matt Steinmetz
12:00-3:00 pm The Wheelhouse with John Lund & Greg Papa
3:00 pm-7:00 pm Bucher & Towny: Ric Bucher & Chris Townsend
7:00 pm – 12:00am Guy Haberman

Nothing has really changed beyond Mike and Mike sliding into the slot before The Rise Guys. This comes on the heels of Cumulus’s decision to forgo further partnership with ESPN and instead move forward with CBS Sports Radio. Many BASG commentors wondered what changes could be coming for the KNBR lineup when they broke away from ESPN Radio at the start of the New Year, and while that still remains a mystery, we now know where some of ESPN’s content is headed for Bay Area radio listeners.

This probably means the end for The Game’s partnership with Yahoo! Sports Radio as well. What do you guys think? Will you miss The Herd? Are you glad to know that Mike and Mike will still be available on your airwaves (is anybody up earlier enough to listen to it)? Are you mourning the loss of Nick and Artie?

About the Author

Ruthless Sports Guy (otherwise known as Kyle McLorg) has many hobbies: cheering on the 49ers at Candlestick, keeping his dog (half-wolf) out of trouble at the dog park or yelling at his TV during Sharks and Giants games. You can find more of RSG's writing at Ruthless Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Ruthless_Sports.

76 comments

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Matt K

I NEED MY HERD! The rises guys are such tools but that's all I got. Here I come I heart radio. Way to drop the ball 1050

Derek G

CBS radio is the worst. I can't believe ESPN is no longer on KNBR. I can't stand listening to that nasaly weenie Feinstein longer than 15 seconds. I need to find The Herd somewhere in the Bay Area. Much better than anything else on ESPN, particularly Mike & Mike. Their schtick is old.

Paul Dana

It's a sad day for sports on the radio when the football playoffs are on local FM station, not 50,000 Watt AM Radio!! And the World Series? Many games I would have missed, were it not for KNBR. Truckdrivers all over the western US are doomed to no post season sports.

Sotuhbay

No stations for herd bay area.much better than his tv show.Dont get the knbr webpage they corrected the part showing the CBS sports programing for 1050 but still list espn shows for Knbr Scott Ferall is back on 1050 same old schtick the beer sounds effects etc as the last time i heard him do show on knbr while back.Wish i could hear a brodcast of when he did the Atlanta Thrahsers NHL play by play that must have been unlstenable Wish they could bring Dan Patrick better choice than Ferrall or Nick and Arnie True espn also ingores the west coast radio audience as well.but not having a sports talk show latenight instead running scores and highlight all night

Bryan

Do you know if any Bay Area stations are now broadcasting The Herd?

Sick of ESPN and their obsession with teams rotting along the Atlantic seaboard.

Otis Byrd III

Yeah, it is sickening. It's like, watching ESPN, you wouldn't have known the Giants won the WS this past MLB season. If you put the Giants players in Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Mets, or even Nationals uni's, we would probably still be hearing about their comebacks in the playoffs and how they won the WS. The Giants still don't really get respect from ESPN, and they won 2 out of the last 3 WS. The 49ers still don't really get respect, even though yes, they are more nationally known now, but they still don't get the national media coverage like the Eagles, Patriots, Jets, NY Giants, and Redskins do. Of course the Warriors get respect, but hopefully they will start getting respect if they continue to win. What a win last night for the Warriors! The A's didn't really get respect in their exciting playoff run this past MLB season. They were a good story, but you heard more about the Orioles who had a similar type season like the A's did this past MLB season, as far as coming out of no where and being a legit playoff team goes. As people have said in the past, sadly, the only West Coast teams ESPN cares about are the Lakers, the Dodgers, USC football, and the Clippers to some extent. But yeah, it is too bad how ESPN basically ignores most of the West Coast teams, and makes it seem like the only teams that matter are the East Coast teams.

Otis Byrd III

*Of course the Warriors don't get respect

Andy M

I didn't listen to Mike and Mike on KNBR, and I won't listen to it on The Game. I am saddened because I can't listen to the Steve Czaban Show on 95.7. Thankfully, I can download the Yahoo! Sports Radio app. I liked The Game because they were an alternative to the four-letter. Now they've brought the glitzy prostitute home and gotten into bed with her. I will be more leery of how I listen to sports on 95.7.

Otis Byrd III

Yes, CBS sports radio does start today. I turned my radio on to KNBR 680 just to see if they were still airing ESPN radio, but it was someone from CBS Sports Radio that was on. It will be interesting to see how this all goes with CBS Sports radio now being aired on KNBR and ESPN radio now being aired on 95.7, even though as I mentioned before, it will be weird not listening to ESPN radio on KNBR anymore.

Otis Byrd III

*I turned on my radio about an hour and a half ago.

southbay

And everbody is brodcasting the orange bowl as well guess no exclusive rights

devnull

First surreal radio moment of the new year: KNBR and The Game both playing the same ESPN syndicated show this morning during drive time. Sad thing is, it's probably a peek into the future, with stations having less local content over time and more national shows, syndication, and re-broadcasts.

Otis Byrd III

The Stanford Rose Bowl game is on 3 stations right now; KNBR 680, KNBR 1050, and 95.7. I would rather listen to Dave Flemming on 1050 on the Stanford broadcast.

Otis Byrd III

haha. Yeah, I was wondering if anyone else noticed that too. Hopefully this isn't a peek into the future, even though I'm guessing CBS sports radio starts tomorrow?

Fitz's Future Unemployment Check

I get a kick out of 95.7 promoting that you can listen to Niner playoff games on there now. Why exactly would I want to listen to the national pinheads when I can listen to Ted Robinson and Eric Davis? Why would I listen to a radio signal that barely comes in when I'm anywhere South of Palo Alto? Come on, Pimp! "For Fitz, it's fabulous that fits!"

southbay

It depends if it Kevin Harlan doing the game like his monday night ones quite good and entertaing but if its Dave Sims who is awfully or Kevin Kugler i would listen to Ted R. 95.7 game gets to carry the 49ers guess the KNBR/49ers radio rights are not exclusive for the area interesting just like the playoffs espn radio or the local teams annuncer for mlb.

Otis Byrd III

Yeah, Kevin Harlan does a good job. I think Dave Sims does a good job as well. They actually do their HW for the game they will be calling, which you can't say for all national announcers. But yes, I see what you're saying. If it's a good national announcer calling the game, then maybe you would be willing to listen to them for a little bit, but I think I'd still rather listen to Ted Robinson and Eric Davis, when it comes to a 49ers radio broadcast. I mean, I guess it's always good to have an alternative, but you like to listen to your teams announcers though. During the MLB playoffs, everyone would rather listen to Kruk, Kuip, Miller, and Flemming on KNBR, than the FOX or TBS announcers on TV. 95.7 is only carrying the 49ers playoff games, and I guess whatever primetime games the 49ers have next season? Yeah, it is interesting how the 49ers KNBR rights aren't exclusive to the Bay Area anymore with this move, unless they never were before this move.

southbay

Always good to have a choice. Did not care for the A's announcers but was at the plaoffs tigers game and 1050 was like 5 seconds on air delayed brodacast.

Otis Byrd III

Yeah, that is pretty funny.... I would rather listen to Ted Robinson and Eric Davis, than some national guys who don't know a darn thing about the 49ers. Yes, being able to carry the 49er playoff games now could be huge for 95.7, but at the same time, it doesn't make any sense, since you can just listen to Ted Robinson and Eric Davis on KNBR and even 107.7 if you want to listen to it on an FM dial. We'll see if this works for 95.7.

Danny

Another thing I'm wondering about is will 1050 still have Fox Sports radio programming? Like will Jim Rome still be on 9-Noon? If not will Damon not be able to fill in for him anymore? Also I think 95.7 should have a reply of Colin Cowherd in between Guy Haberman and the Rise Guys. Also I think that Guy Haberman should just be on 7-10, I mean could you imagine hosting a sports talk radio for 5 hours????

Staying on til midnight makes a lot of sense however... especially during the spring months when you have March madness, NBA/NHL playoffs and spring training/opening day. A lot of games aren't over until 10 or 10:30 and people like to talk about it after the game. Just look at the tons of people that call KNBR after every Giants night game.

Fitz's Future Unemployment Check

Rome is moving off of Premier (Fox) to CBS to go with his new TV affiliation with CBS. He will be heard on 1050 in the same spot as they will be carrying CBS programming. Rome allows only fill-in hosts who are on his affiliate stations or not affiliated at all (eg Jay Moore until recently).

Beaver

Anyone who can keep a sports talk show in Fresno going should have no problem pulling off 5 hours in the Bay Area.

Julie

Haberman won't be on 7-midnight when the A's are on. More like 90 minutes.

Otis Byrd III

Yeah I agree. Haberman probably should have a co-host if he is seriously going to be on from 7PM to Midnight. Henry Wofford could be a good co-host. He wasn't that bad filling in for Haberman tonight. I agree with those of you who have said that he should have his own show. He really should, even though it probably would interfere with his CSN duties.

Fitz's Future Unemployment Check

Henry Woffard is a smarter version of the guru. Same dumb "come on!!!!" schtick.

southbay

Haberman working 7-12am their sure getting the $$ out of him. Long day 5 hours is alot of anybody to take but beats hearing an endless repeat of scores etc that espn runs in that time period This is one case where he proably needs a partner.

southbay

And since he has NOT played sports he does not repeat hismself ad naseum about the teams etc like tolbert+ ratnich tend to so .

southbay

Best sports talk show host now on KNBR Ted Robinson should have his own show like way back on KCBS anybody remember that good informative talk with out all that nonesense like tolbert non sports talk subjects etc,

Otis Byrd III

Just random thoughts here but, speaking of Ric Bucher, anyone find it kind of funny how him and Fitz are basically pimping their radio shows on Warriors telecasts now?.... It's almost kind of awkward, obviously with Fitz working with KNBR, and Bucher with 95.7. That would be kind of funny/hilarious if Fitz pimped the Mr. T show right after Bucher pimps his show with Townsend. Also, has anyone caught the latest Rise Guys Sleep Train commercial/promo where Dibley says "goodbye Salinas!" and I think it's Kriedler who says, "they took it to Salinas?". haha.... LOL at Dibley saying one of Gary's old sayings/soundbites which is "bye bye Salinas!" in that promo.

Sunset Boy

ESPN radio should just go away. It absolutely, 100% sucks. Every show is absolutely putrid. But worst of all is Mike and Mike in the Morning. My ears start to bleed whenever I accidentally tune in to that crap. I'm not sure whether Mike is more horrible than Mike, but I'll sum up their show for you: "Jets...Knicks...Lakers...LeBrawn...You're wrong, Mike! No, you're wrong, Mike!" (repeat). Going to miss listening to Steve Czaban when I get my bouts of insomnia. Best thing on yahoo sports radio, by far. I'd enjoy hearing Czaban in the morning on KNBR. Not sure if that could happen, given the CBS move. What does the CBS radio lineup look like? Anything promising?

Julie

Looking at the latest ratings it doesn't matter who or what KGMZ puts on the air. They can't even beat little 1050.

Jeff

Considering 1050's been around for a long time, it'll be a long time, if ever, that 1.5yrs radio station will get better ratings than 1050. Get over it. Fire Radnich!

Jeff

Best news of all...no Barberi on any radio station!

Jeff

It will be nice to listen to Mike & Mike in FM Stereo. This show along with the Herd, & Rome were the only reasons I even tuned into KNBR. I'll now be tuning into 95.7 during the morning commute. I agree that Nick and Artie show is garbage. I'd rather listen to JT the Brick in that slot

Otis Byrd III

By the way, can KNBR please put an end to the Matt Tolsky fill-in experiment? I'm sorry but he's not really that good, he sounds amateurish, and he kind of sounds disinterested. He can be funny at times, but eh. Yes, he's starting out too, but he's unlistenable. He seriously should just stick to being an update guy. They should just have Ted Ramey be the fill-in host for Damon's show. He's not really that bad, and he normally has good opinions and doesn't seem like he's disinterested.

Otis Byrd III

*Kolsky

southbay

He had lots of practice in that area thats what his Sportsblyine show is latenight on weekends is. In that case nobody i think is listing ,Dead air radio network don know why Townsend works 10pm -2.00 am works it guess nother paycheck and 95.7 does not pay that well? makes for a long day 3-7 pm and 10-2am. for a radio person

Licky

The Rise Guys are AWESOME! Rick Bucher is UNLISTENABLE. Cannot do it. Have tried and tried. I need to give up thinking 95.7 is going to make a lineup change.

Dan

Listening to Kozimor on KNBR today......I cannot fathom how this guy gets so much work, even as an 8th string host during Christmas week. Tries so hard, but his whole style is just a mish-mash of copied styles from other hosts. Reminds me of the DJ-bot from the old episode of the Simpsons...."what about those clowns in Congress, boy are they clowns"

At least Barrett FINALLY locked in the evening slot 7-midnight... which I've been telling him to do since the Game went on the air.

KNBR has been around for many moons, therefore they have more overall listeners. HOWEVER, I think 95.7 delivers a better product. They get better guests, have more quality hosts (Bucher, Papa, Towny, etc), cover all Bay Area teams and better weekend programming. Acquiring ESPN shows that The Game is a true player & here to stay.

Paperback Writer

AQ - is a funny dude - or is that "dibs"? Lol

Licky

Bucher may be the worst radio voice I have ever heard. Not to mention his uhhhs, ummmms, yeahhhhs. Absolute amateur.

Yeah, I'm not digging Bucher either. I tried him out a couple times when he first replaced Davis. I couldn't listen for very long because of bellboy's tired act, but I remember thinking Bucher sounded ok. Now I see that it was because bellboy was so bad, it made Bucher sound good. Now that he's with Townsend, I'm not a fan. The Game should pair Bucher and Stienmetz together from 9-midnight as a public service to those with insomnia. I know it would put me out faster than mainlining ambien with tequila.

Otis Byrd III

Yeah, there are times when he sounds amateurish, but we have to bear with him on this. This is his first time hosting a radio show. He's better with Townsend though. No offense to Dan Rousanowsky, but he wasn't that good with Bucher today.

So in other words, you're enjoying your time as a Game intern,

Kathy

How's your internship at knbr??

Fitz's Future Unemployment Check

It's funny how they always do these drive by elevator pitches for the game. Really, pimp? These aren't 10 minute radio bits, try not to have them be so formulaic