Sports talk in Milwaukee

[patrickgpe]

Woke up this AM to the news that 97.3 is switching formats from top 40 to sports talk, making 5 sports talk stations in Milwaukee. All focusing on local sports talk.

 

First of all, I can’t see how so many stations can be successful. When we had 2, ratings were low, now the pie is split 5 ways.

 

Secondly with technology now, anyone can get any show they want with a touch of the button. I listen to Rome everyday on iheart. It’s the only sports talk I listen to. This is probably why stations are less apt to have national programming.

 

I really wish Milwaukee could offer unique music content instead of apparently focusing only on sports talk, oldies, and top 40. Besides public radio, there is little variety out there.

 

Also, there are so many resources out there to get info on the local teams, sports talk is not as important as it was before blogs, social media, and message boards.

 

Finally I’m willing to bet that this may be why Czaban left b&b, yet focuses on Milwaukee sports on his podcast. While I heard from someone that he and drew had a show, since he and kB started a new show on the new station, I find this not likely.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I don't know enough about this stuff but isn't one of them now Milwaukee's only "full power" station or something like that, meaning it has a stronger signal than the others? I vaguely remember someone I know being happy about that.

 

I don't know how anyone listens to this stuff. I always do when I want to make fun of the callers. The content is not super great and the hosts rarely know more than a respected poster on Brewerfan. The odds of me getting breaking news from there too is pretty small.

 

I think your post sort of answers itself though. People that want music have their own streaming service or mix for that; they're not passively listening to radio. Guessing the analysts have figured out people will listen to sports babble more readily than music.

[KeithStone53151]

They recently just did this with 94.5, had been country up until a few weeks ago and switched to talk radio. 92.1 promptly filled the void by switching to country. I imagine another station will jump into the top 40 mix. Your point on sports talk radio is a good one. I personally have no interest in it, and I'm a pretty big sports fan especially Brewers. I can't imagine where they are getting their ratings. Maybe music licensing is getting so expensive that paying a guy to babble about sports is less expensive and overall more profitable despite less revenue. I'm completely guessing on that, I really have no idea. I'm sure there's a good reason this is happening though.

[FVBrewerFan]

I've come full circle. Many years ago I listened to a ton of sports talk- both local and national. I can't stand it now, I literally never listen to it. The only exception is if I happen to be in the car after a Packers loss, because, well, those callers are gold.

 

Must get good ratings though, and probably with the age group advertisers love.

[JackNicholson1974]

I listen to 107.5 the fan out of Green Bay on my way to work. Their demographic must be old guys over a certain age. The only and I mean ONLY commercials are for "male enhancement" "low-T" and other drugs and procedures for ED and the commercials insinuate that your wife wont be complaining. Its pathetic. Just recently they began running another commercial for a medication that addresses what sounds like an awful GI issue (commercial starts with a woman talking about how her #2 doesnt look like a #2...is there are a number 3? I dry heave every time I hear it).

[patrickgpe]

I listen to Rome every day on 1057 the fan through iheart. Man there local hosts seem to be no better than what we have here from listening to their promos.

[jerichoholicninja]

Just happened to catch some of Jim Rome today for the first time in about 10 years. I used to listen to him in college when I was doing a lot of driving. Kind of liked him at the time but couldn't stand it now. Unless he's trying to be a parody of himself, I don't know how anyone could take it seriously. It's not even entertaining in a bad way. It's basically an audio internet comments section.

[FVBrewerFan]

Just happened to catch some of Jim Rome today for the first time in about 10 years. I used to listen to him in college when I was doing a lot of driving. Kind of liked him at the time but couldn't stand it now. Unless he's trying to be a parody of himself, I don't know how anyone could take it seriously. It's not even entertaining in a bad way. It's basically an audio internet comments section.

 

Yea, way back when he was entertaining because he was different. Wasn't afraid to take a stand, and the banter between callers from different cities was pretty funny. It just got old, and you're right it seems like a skit now.

 

Anyone in the Fox Valley remember Shane Sparks? Don't know why, but I thought he was hilarious. Part of it, like Czaban, is sports talk is more entertaining for me when they talk about other things besides sports sometimes. Not everyone can pull it off, but I really enjoyed listening to both those guys.

[502 to Right]

I haven't listened to Rome in years but whenever I think of Toby in Houston (Larry Brown's Crank) and Carl in Rosemead (Boner in Sweatpants) I laugh out loud. Also the guy who called in to take Romey to task for promoting cockfighting to kids.

[Bikeage77]

I really wish Milwaukee could offer unique music content instead of apparently focusing only on sports talk, oldies, and top 40. Besides public radio, there is little variety out there.

.

 

88Nine Milwaukee and 91.7 WMSE is the way to go for variety.

 

As far as sports talk, I listen to it a lot. Probably too much. I know blogs and twitter exist, but I can't read those while driving. I like sports talk as background noise while doing stuff around the house or working in the yard. I love Chuck and Winkler on 105.7 FM in the morning. I get tired of Bill Michaels. He's got some great takes, but comes off as full of himself at times. Friends and I have loosely come up with a drinking game for his show. The Wendy's Big Show is best when they are talking football because Gary and LeRoy both played in the NFL. Ramie has become a friend of mine from mutual friends outside of the station, and he's on top of everything.

 

I'll switch to national shows when there's a bigger story, and Dan Patrick is always a good listen. His show is kind of just some guys having a conversation at a bar. Rome has become so predictable and annoying. If you can get past his voice, Farrel on the Bench is probably my favorite (9pm-1am on 105.7 The Fan).

[trwi7]

Ramie is good but he's being wasted at 1250. He basically just steers the other 3 idiots.

[502 to Right]

If you can get past his voice, Farrel on the Bench is probably my favorite (9pm-1am on 105.7 The Fan).

 

I turn Farrell off the moment I hear his voice. Like fingernails on a blackboard for me. I have no idea if he's interesting or not.

[rondoman]

Ramie is good but he's being wasted at 1250. He basically just steers the other 3 idiots.

 

Omg this!

 

Leroy Butler and Gary Ellerson are two of the dumbest people I've ever heard.

[chuckiehacks]

Ramie is good but he's being wasted at 1250. He basically just steers the other 3 idiots.

 

Omg this!

 

Leroy Butler and Gary Ellerson are two of the dumbest people I've ever heard.

 

Fun fact - Gary Ellerson was my high school track coach in the early 90s. If there's one group of people to which an ex-NFL player can relate, it's suburban kids out for track.

[ewitkows]

I pay for XM radio so I don't have to listen to this crap. I'm a big fan of the MLB station except for Russo

[trwi7]

And now Ramie is going to 1500 ESPN in Minneapolis. Last day on 1250 is December 31st.

[Bikeage77]

I was bummed when I heard about Ramie leaving. I dunno how much I can listen to the Big Show now. When him and Bart would do the morning show together very occasionally, that was the best sports radio out there.

[gypcasino]

Anybody following the saga of the Big Unit and his game watching experience

 

[bucks2281]

Anybody following the saga of the Big Unit and his game watching experience

 

 

I generally think the Unit is a clown, but he’s right on this issue. Most people on Twitter that are ripping on him can’t put their opinion of Bill aside to actually admit he has a good point.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

He has a right to be mad. That is atrocious. Between behavior like that at the game, and the high-resolution TV options out there that enable a near gameday experience in your living room, I'm surprised attendance isn't decreasing at a faster rate. If I were sitting in that section, I'd be frustrated as all get out.

[Baldkin]

He has a right to be mad. That is atrocious. Between behavior like that at the game, and the high-resolution TV options out there that enable a near gameday experience in your living room, I'm surprised attendance isn't decreasing at a faster rate. If I were sitting in that section, I'd be frustrated as all get out.

 

I've been to ten different MLB stadiuims, half have had huge signs, or at least people saying, "Don't go to your seat during an At Bat" or something similar.

[jerichoholicninja]

Definitely one of my top 5 reasons why I have no interest in going to a Brewer game anymore.

[TheEndless7]

He has a right to be mad. That is atrocious. Between behavior like that at the game, and the high-resolution TV options out there that enable a near gameday experience in your living room, I'm surprised attendance isn't decreasing at a faster rate. If I were sitting in that section, I'd be frustrated as all get out.

 

We moved our seats from the First base side on the home plate side aisle to the third base side middleish of the section and it allieviates it somewhat. There were points at our old seats where you couldn't see the game for periods. And to make matters worse, if it's not the near constant stream of people, it's the vendors. Often stopping in the middle of the aisles as well.

 

It is slightly better, albeit still annoying, if you're not right near the aisle.

[rickh150]

He has a right to be mad. That is atrocious. Between behavior like that at the game, and the high-resolution TV options out there that enable a near gameday experience in your living room, I'm surprised attendance isn't decreasing at a faster rate. If I were sitting in that section, I'd be frustrated as all get out.

 

I've been to ten different MLB stadiuims, half have had huge signs, or at least people saying, "Don't go to your seat during an At Bat" or something similar.

 

The Brewers choose not to educate the fans on baseball courtesies.... not sure why not. Moreover, the avg Brewer fan is a kind and courteous person. Yet, Most of these people have NO CLUE about when to stand up, move out, or move back to their seat. Then again, if baseball games are going to last 4 hours, I might give up my learned baseball courtesies, as well.

[Samurai Bucky]

[sarcasm]Beer does not wait for the inning to end. Let's get real, guys...[/sarcasm]

 

Earlier this year, I sat on the third base side just out of view of where the TV shows the on deck batter. It was a joke with the people standing up there. Even if there are signs asking people to wait, people will either ignore it, or be too drunk to see it.

 

In the video, the young lady squatted down to stay out of the way. The guy in front of the Unit just didn't care.

 

The only time this year where it wasn't a problem is when we were in the front row in the loge in the right field bleachers. Mat Gamel threw a ball my way...