WFAN now will seek a more diverse lineup in terms of age, race, gender, even N.Y. baseball loyaltiesGETTY IMAGES
WFAN in the wake of Mike Francesa's retirement "finds itself with an aging audience in an aging genre amid a global pandemic that has complicated both the business of sports and business of radio," and while change will not be easy, the "task is clear: Retool to attract new listeners while not alienating the old ones," according to Neil Best of NEWSDAY. WFAN will "seek a more diverse lineup in terms of age, race, gender and even New York baseball loyalties." Entercom Senior VP & New York Market Manager Chris Oliviero "will oversee that process." On one hand, Oliviero called Francesa's "sense of timing 'spot-on' in opting to move on, but on the other insisted he is happy with his remaining lineup." Oliviero said that he "likes his current roster, which has consistent success in the mornings with Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti but a ratings-challenged afternoon show in Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts." There has been "logical speculation about a shakeup in the afternoon come 2021, perhaps with Roberts returning to middays and a fresh look in the afternoon." Former morning co-host Craig Carton is "out of prison, and there are other intriguing names out there, including Detroit host (and native New Yorker) Mike Valenti." There are "many directions in which WFAN could go, but it needs to go somewhere" (NEWSDAY, 7/29).
