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KSTP-AM goes all-sports

By David Brauer | 02/11/10

Here's the release — my analysis to follow:

It was announced today that radio station KSTP-AM will be changing format as of Monday February 15.   

KSTP, known as “The Talk Station” for the past twenty plus years will become “AM1500 The Sportstalk Station” on Monday.  This will be an interim step toward a long-term partnership with ESPN radio and the debut of a new sports talk radio station, “1500 ESPN Twin Cities.” 

The station has a long history with sports programming and will be building its new programming line-up around well-known local sports personality Patrick Reusse, his long-time SportsTalk partner, Joe Soucheray, and the Minnesota Twins.  A partnership with ESPN radio will give the new radio station national access and credibility. 

“Patrick Reusse and Joe Soucheray invented SportsTalk in the Twin Cities”, commented President/General Manager, Ginny Morris, “and ESPN is the number one sports brand in the world.  Combine that with our partnership with MinnesotaTwins baseball and we will have a very entertaining and credible sports talk radio station.” 

Sean Breen, Senior Vice President, Affiliate Sales, ESPN Media Networks said, “We are pleased to welcome Hubbard Broadcasting and KSTP as an ESPN Radio affiliate. Hubbard's passion to serve the sports fan mirrors ESPN company-wide vision and we look forward to serving the Twin Cities.”

Comments (11)

Submitted by Matt Pollari on February 11, 2010 - 2:07pm.

Wonder if this means, KFAN will lose ESPN radio for the overnight hours like they currently have on?

Submitted by Andy Gifford on February 11, 2010 - 2:13pm.

David,

Is there a connection to ABC being a sister/parent company with ESPN to this move? I would be interested to know if the Hubbards, who already have an established relationship with ABC, were nudged in this direction.

Submitted by Dean Carlson on February 11, 2010 - 2:15pm.

Considering that KFAN's Paul Allen talked about farting for 20 minutes this morning, there's obviously a need for a little competition in the AM sports talk market.

Submitted by TD Mischke on February 11, 2010 - 2:34pm.

Any chance I could do a bowling show?

Submitted by Bill Gilles on February 11, 2010 - 2:48pm.

Oy vey! I like sports talk - but not the ESPN variety. The structure is fatally flawed due to the 3 'Sportscenters' they have every 20 minutes. These 'Sportcenter' spots last about 7 minutes each, are repetitive, and destroy the flow of any conversation.

Between the repetitive 'Sportscenter' and ads, there's only about 20 minutes of actual content in an hour.

At best, this will compete for the Comman Man haters.

Submitted by Kristy Grieger on February 11, 2010 - 2:59pm.

All sports with Al Malmberg ?
all sports with George Nouri ?
all sports with Art Bell ?
All sports with Gerten's gardening on Sat AM ?

How does Hubbard wrestle ESPN radio away from KFAN ??? Kfan has it now as their over night programming? or can you have two station in the same market ???

All sports will be better than the political junk they've been doing. Hopefully, Reusse and Garage Logic will ahere to the SPORTS stuff instead of politics. THAT will be a interesting transition.

Submitted by matt wells on February 11, 2010 - 3:05pm.

Here are the clocks for ESPN Radio: http://www.espnradioaffiliatezone.com/images/stories/ESPN/all%20clocks%2...

Note that SportsCenter takes up three minutes an hour during "Mike and Mike" and four and a half minutes during "Colin Cowherd" (and yes, seven and a half minutes per hour overnights).

Submitted by Bo Darville on February 11, 2010 - 3:40pm.

Is this the demise of "Garage Logic"? Will Reusse still only talk about what attractive female actresses he finds fetching? How on Earth will this work?

Submitted by Hannah on February 12, 2010 - 12:01pm.

Is KSTP Radio getting rid of Al Malmberg, George Nouri and Art Bell ?

Submitted by Sharon Anderson on February 12, 2010 - 3:46pm.

Who Cares as long as the Polichicks come back Anntte Meeks et al

Submitted by Rich Sigurdson on February 15, 2010 - 11:12am.

Unfortunately AM 1500 is hindered by a restrictive directional nighttime signal pattern. Listeners in western Wisconsin are unlikely to hear it after sunset. I'm surprised the Twins management didn't study this fact. If Hubbard Broadcasting was "smart", they would also carry the Twins on their 107.1 FM signal. I know that wouldn't fit the format of "MyTalk" but at least metro and western Wisconsin listeners could receive them clearly.

The Pohlad family owns an FM station (96.3). It is possible they could move the Twins to their own outlet. That station does not have the signal reach most Twin Cities have. But that also is a possibility when the current KSTP contract expires.