How the New CBS Sports Radio affects Boston

[James Duffy]

Lance Venta has the full CBS press release up at radioinsight.com and
WBZ-FM is definitely mentioned as one of the stations that will use
programming elements of the new network.  I think its safe to assume
that means overnights and weekend evenings will be filled with the new
network and Fox Sports Radio will be in search of a new home again.
That brings us to recent developments with Clear channel and a new
possibility for speculation.  Does CC install FSR, which essentially
is their in-house offering, on 101.7 or 1200?  If that happens, do
they pull the plug on their current agreement with 'BZ-FM next month?
The CBS ppress relaese also indicates full 24 hour clearance on the
AM's in Tampa, Detroit and Philli where they just moved the local
sports programming to FM.  Is it time for WEEI to put ESPN full time
on 850 or perhaps the new NBC Sports network that dial Global is
starting?  Dial Global is formerly WW1 and still has the NFL radio
rights.  'EEI/Entercom could easily turn around and clear their sports
network 24-7 in exchange for securing the play-by-play package for a
long time to come.  Is Kraft still thinking of buying 1510 and leasing
it to ESPN 24-7?  As much as the consollidators are desperate for
cheap in-house programming, I just do not see how 5 national radio
sports networks survive.  Either Yahoo/SNR realizes its slow, painful
death, or NBC/Dial Global may have to scale back their expansion
plans.