In Boston, Chad Finn noted WBZ-FM "won the ratings battle" between the city's two sports radio stations over the summer, as WEEI -FM "introduced a new morning drive program." WBZ finished second in the men 25-54 demographic from the period of June 20-Sept. 11. WEEI was sixth. In morning drive (6:00-10:00am), WBZ's "Toucher & Rich" show was first, while WEEI’s morning programming was third. In middays (10:00am-2:00pm), WBZ's "Zolak & Bertrand" show finished third, while WEEI’s "Dale and Keefe" show was fifth (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/3).
PHILLY SPECIAL: In Philadelphia, Rob Tornoe noted both WIP-FM and WPEN-FM "grew their radio ratings among male listeners between the ages of 25 to 54 during every daypart compared to last summer." But it was WIP that "remained dominant, finishing first place overall in the market well ahead" of WPEN, which ended the quarter in fourth place. The "biggest growth came from WIP’s afternoon duo of Jon Marks and former Eagles linebacker Ike Reese, who finished in first place after increasing their audience" by nearly 54% compared to last summer (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/2).
BACK IN TOWN: The INQUIRER's Tornoe noted former 76ers President & GM Billy King has joined the "WIP Morning Show" to "co-host alongside Angelo Cataldi once or twice a week." King is "expected to make his first co-hosting appearance in the next week or two." The move "comes after WIP parted ways with former Eagles defender Hollis Thomas, who also co-hosted alongside Cataldi occasionally." Thomas was "fired by the station after failing to attend a pre-scheduled promotion event and over his involvement with the Green Legion Radio podcast" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/1).
