Sunday, August 28, 2005

WPEN returns to sports

WPEN, the low-watt station that carried Phillies games from 2002-2004, is getting back into the sports business. Philadelphia Business Journal reports that the station will be Philadelphia's second all-sports station, in addition to Sports Radio 610 WIP. That would be news to ESPN 920 from Princeton, which bills itself as "Philadelphia's real sports station." ESPN 920 covers a six-county region, three in PA and three in NJ. Naturally, it has a weak or non-existent signal in Delaware and Chester counties, which is where I do most of my driving.

WPEN's talent will include nationally syndicated yapper Jim Rome from 12-3 (whom ESPN 920 already includes in its lineup from 12-2) and former WIPer Jody MacDonald, who will compete with 610's Howard Eskin from 3-7. That has mismatch written all over it. MacDonald, who used to co-host 610 middays with Glen Macnow before leaving for WFAN in New York, also works for the Eagles pregame show on 94.1 WYSP-FM.

I'm not sure if the region really needs three sports radio stations. We'll see how much cash they hemorrhage before they call it quits.

No comments: