Fox Sports Radio Network (FSRN), the joint programming
venture of Fox Sports and Clear Channel subsidiary Premiere
Radio Networks, is "lining up talent and affiliate stations"
for its launch August 28, according to Nellie Andreeva of
the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. ESPN's Tony Bruno will host the
network's morning block, while FSN's Kevin Frazier, Chris
Myers and Steve Lyons "are among the other hosts on the
fledgling sports radio network's roster." The network will
provide 24 hours of programming "with the exception of
weekdays noon-3 p.m. ET, when Premiere Radio Networks' only
sports talk show, hosted by Jim Rome, airs on sports talk
stations." FSRN VP & GM Scott Savage: "What we will do is
go to those stations who are clearing Jim Rome and build our
network around this show in those markets." Savage added
that even if Rome is "on another station in the market,
[FSRN] won't offer programming to run against it." About 30
affils have been secured for the launch and negotiations are
"ongoing in several markets," including N.Y. and L.A.
Andreeva notes that the number of affils at launch "falls
short of the initially projected" 50 stations, but network
reps "expect that number to go up" by launch time --
"especially after Clear Channel's acquisition of radio owner
AMFM received final regulatory approval Tuesday, bringing
the number of Clear Channel stations to more than 800."
Savage said that to "broaden the new network's appeal, shows
will be going beyond sports, discussing anything men are
interested in, but sports will remain the foundation"
(HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 8/16).
FOX CHANNEL LAUNCHED: Fox Sports Int'l has launched an
all-sports channel for Israel, with programming including
English Premier League action, int'l cricket tournaments,
int'l boxing, PGA Tour golf, NCAA college football and
basketball, ATP Tour tournaments and MLB (Fox Sports Int'l).
