A Little Talk On Sports Talk

Around these parts you often hear complaints about sports-talk radio in general -- hosts don't know what they're talking about and/or callers are idiots. In particular there are complaints about WIP (610 AM) because when they've had a competing sports-talk station they've generally beaten their competitor in the ratings over the last 20-plus years. The most recent competition has come from what is now known as The Fanatic, which started out on 950 AM, then began simulcasting on 97.5 FM as well, and added ESPN Radio programming to their mix.

I mainly listen to WIP only when the alarm clock radio goes off and when I'm in the bathroom. Other than that I'm listening to music or, on occasion, all-news KYW. I have rarely, if ever, listened to The Fanatic.

One thing people say about sports fans here is that they're so interested in Philly teams above all else, that national programming (such as shows carried on ESPN affiliates) just doesn't work here. But The Fanatic doesn't have too much ESPN stuff, so they're really trying to compete with WIP.

And now I have some real proof of this.