NESN recently informed Boston-based WEEI-FM and parent company Entercom that its simulcast of the "Dennis & Callahan" radio show "will not continue after their contract comes to an end in September," according to sources cited by Chad Finn of the BOSTON GLOBE. Sources added that the decision to cancel the simulcast "is not specifically related to the controversies" surrounding show co-host Kirk Minihane’s comments about Fox' Erin Andrews. NESN had been "considering going in a different direction -- possibly with more localized programming featuring its own on-air talent" -- prior to Minihane's remarks. NESN Marketing & Communications Manager Gary Roy in a statement said, "NESN has absolutely no editorial control of WEEI’s ‘Dennis and Callahan Morning Show,’ and completely disapproves of Mr. Minihane’s disparaging statements. Furthermore, we feel it’s unfortunate that his comments aired on our network." Finn notes there has been "backlash to the recent controversies." Fox Sports personnel "have had internal discussions on the possibility of banning its talent from appearing on WEEI programming, or at the least 'Dennis and Callahan,'" following the initial tirade against Andrews. Fox Sports baseball writer Ken Rosenthal already has said that he "will no longer appear on D&C." ESPN’s Keith Law during his chat on ESPN.com Wednesday added that he "will no longer appear on WEEI programming" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/25). In Boston, Gayle Fee cites a source as saying, "This divorce has been in the works for weeks and weeks and weeks. It had nothing to do with Minihane. It was a done deal before that" (BOSTON HERALD, 7/25).
