A couple things became clear from reader feedback I’ve been getting about a story
I wrote regarding dueling sports/talk radio stations for this week’s print edition of the Indianapolis Business Journal.
First, fans of WNDE-AM 1260 are much more vocal than those of WFNI-AM 1070.
Second, sports/talk radio listeners seem to be tiring of the happy talk of WFNI’s afternoon co-hosts. IBJ readers commenting on the article about the war between WNDE and WFNI, The Fan, want less chatter and more sports news and analysis. I’m betting WFNI officials are hearing the same thing. It will be interesting to see if there is a format change—or at least a tweak to the afternoon drive show featuring Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz and former Reebok executive Eddie White.
Third, John Michael Vincent, host of WNDE’s afternoon drive show, has an ardent following. If you don’t believe me, check out the comments under the story at www.ibj.com.
Even Tom Severino, local vice president of Emmis Communications, which owns WFNI, raved about JMV. So naturally, I asked Severino if he would consider trying to hire JMV away from WNDE. I asked the question shortly after Severino said he wanted to add more local on-air talent to the WFNI line-up. There was a pause on the other end of the line. But in the end, Severino wouldn’t bite. He didn’t dismiss the idea out of hand either. No doubt WNDE would counter any WFNI offer for JMV. While many readers assumed Emmis’ WFNI has deeper pockets than WNDE, I suspect that has more to do with WFNI’s highly visible posh headquarters on the downtown circle than anything else. San Antonio-based Clear Channel, which owns WNDE, has plenty of resources, and will be eager to protect this profitable enterprise. So stay tuned.
Second, sports/talk radio listeners seem to be tiring of the happy talk of WFNI’s afternoon co-hosts. IBJ readers commenting on the article about the war between WNDE and WFNI, The Fan, want less chatter and more sports news and analysis. I’m betting WFNI officials are hearing the same thing. It will be interesting to see if there is a format change—or at least a tweak to the afternoon drive show featuring Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz and former Reebok executive Eddie White.
Third, John Michael Vincent, host of WNDE’s afternoon drive show, has an ardent following. If you don’t believe me, check out the comments under the story at www.ibj.com.
Even Tom Severino, local vice president of Emmis Communications, which owns WFNI, raved about JMV. So naturally, I asked Severino if he would consider trying to hire JMV away from WNDE. I asked the question shortly after Severino said he wanted to add more local on-air talent to the WFNI line-up. There was a pause on the other end of the line. But in the end, Severino wouldn’t bite. He didn’t dismiss the idea out of hand either. No doubt WNDE would counter any WFNI offer for JMV. While many readers assumed Emmis’ WFNI has deeper pockets than WNDE, I suspect that has more to do with WFNI’s highly visible posh headquarters on the downtown circle than anything else. San Antonio-based Clear Channel, which owns WNDE, has plenty of resources, and will be eager to protect this profitable enterprise. So stay tuned.
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Kravitz and Eddie spend more time trying to crack each other up than they do on sports reporting. Eddie is a one-trick pony who's already run out of unique sports insights and doesn't sound like he does much homework on the local central Indiana sports scene - except pro NFL and NBA teams.
Kravitz plays his Sure I'm a schmuck act too much on air and doesn't let listeners know much more about himself. His comments are usually a re-hash of his previous or upcoming Star column.
JMV, on the other hand, has carefully grown his younger male audience with excellent local HS and college sports coverage. He's young, hip, a bit irreverent and has the pulse of Indy sports listeners.
GM Severino would do well to make JMV an offer he can't refuse while at the same time demanding more real sports talk out of Kravitz and Eddie.
While that was once true, the abrupt departures of big names like Big John Gillis and Jeff Pigeon suggests that local Emmis radio isn't what it once was.
Oh, and by the way, Eddie, quit using THE OLD as a prefix to everything. THE OLD Colts at THE OLD Lucas Oil Stadium playing THE OLD Bears. And would it kill you to let Kravitz finish his thoughts every once in a while? Kind of important since he's the only one on that show with any worth sharing.
I was at a remote he was doing and watched him talk for 30 minutes and he was giving stats, info and knowledge off the top of his head without any reference guides or info in front of him.
I really like JMV, but it would be fun to watch those two battle it out.
jmv needs to stay at 1260. it's nice to see something espn in second place for a change.