In N.Y., Andrew Marchand writes for Nielsen's winter sports radio book, the "final month will determine" if ESPN Radio 98.7 N.Y.'s Michael Kay and company can "finally dethrone" WFAN's Mike Francesa atop the afternoon ratings. ESPN looks at the first two months "as if Kay won January, 5.8 to 5.0, while his program took February, 5.8 to 5.6." On the other hand, when "including Francesa's stream," WFAN admits Kay won January, 5.8-5.7, while "Francesa took February, 6.4-5.8, in its eyes." The reason Nielsen "does not include Francesa's number in its ratings is because FAN chooses to sell different advertising online than on radio" (N.Y. POST, 3/19).
BREAKING ONTO THE SCENE: In Toronto, Damien Cox notes there was "no traditional Canadian television coverage" of Canadian tennis player Bianca Andreescu's "stunning upset" to win the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Sunday. The rights to "broadcast WTA events in Canada are currently owned by DAZN." Seeing an "opportunity on Saturday to familiarize more Canadians with its service, DAZN made the broadcast" of the Andreescu-Angelique Kerber final "available for free on its Twitter feed." Andreescu "announced the Twitter broadcast on her own account" (TORONTO STAR, 3/19).
NOTHING PERSONAL: In Houston, Matt Young notes recently fired KBME-AM personality Josh Innes yesterday "gave his side of his departure" in a 44-minute podcast. Innes said he and coworkers Jill Osterman and Jim Mudd were "told their forced exit was a business decision." Innes now "occasionally will do podcasts until he finds his next gig." He admitted that he "didn't know" where he and his fiancee Osterman "would end up, but he promised that they will land another radio job in another city" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/19).
