Want more sports talk in Atlanta?
Another sports talk radio station is headed to the Atlanta market – and will arrive when football is in full swing and baseball prepares for the playoffs.
The AJC’s Rodney Ho reports that local rock station 92.9/Dave FM plans to become an FM sports talk station in late September or early October. Dave FM’s change could create a major battle in Atlanta, which already has two well-established sports talk stations: 680/The Fan (simulcast on 93.7) and 790/The Zone.
Are you more inclined to give the new station a try, or stick with one of the two established stations? Let us know what you think.
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99 comments Add your comment
Apostle
July 31st, 2012
8:32 pm
A third sports talk station can’t do any worse than the two already here.I’m bored to tears of “Steak” on 790.He plays shock jock way too much.As for 680 their morning show is crap and the mid day guys are no better.
Bartholomew
July 31st, 2012
8:33 pm
Chuck Oliver is the only person on either station worth listening to–and that’s only about football. Kincaid is passable, I guess. Better national host than a local one.
I welcome the new station, but doubt I’ll ever choose it over Grantland podcasts, the Basketball Jones, etc.
Busted AJC
July 31st, 2012
8:35 pm
http://m.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jul/31/mother-prep-standout-mario-mathis-says-ole-miss-di/?partner=RSS&cid=dlvr.it
jcwfalcon
July 31st, 2012
8:36 pm
Disgusted: I cant stomach the Stews. But I think they just arent meant for my demographic. To me they are peepee kaka no substance. It takes them 20 minutes to get past their own theatrics to actually get to the topics of the day.
IMO, most opinions take too long to formulate. I know mine do. I am of the opinion if they gave everyone 60 seconds before they have determined they suck, most would suck and people would stop listening. I used to drive through Birmingham during the week and they let their callers go on a bit longer before they cut them off. It was so painful.
I listen for entertainment. I dont enjoy the Stews, so I dont listen. I enjoy Mike Bell’s jokes and antics. Sometimes his opinions are solid. When his opinions suck, they are still better than 90% of the callers and more entertaining (IMO).
I would rather listen to a guy whos job it is discuss than a caller. Like the people who cover the teams and the national guys. All except Ledbetter. I would rather listen to callers for 5 hours straight than to have to listen to him for a 5 minute segment.
Disgusted
July 31st, 2012
8:37 pm
I would not mind a return to Fox Sports Network as the nightime affiliate — there were some good shows when 790 had them, but that was some yrs ago.
The switch to Yahoo was not good, I used to listed and call those late night Fox sports call in shows in the early and mid 2000’s.
I do get that callers cannot run the show but if you call in a show and are adding value to the show, seems like you should get more than one fifteen, 20 second comment and you are out. I don’t bother with 680 or 790 much anymore. That 680 format of clearing the lines just turned me off. Just my $.02.
But its their station and they can run it the way they want and after the Braves game, I can go to other sites to get info I want — thank goodness for the internet.
jcwfalcon
July 31st, 2012
8:38 pm
and BTW disgusted, I like the way the good/fresh opinions rise to the top and get on the shows via twitter. Less stage fright involved.
I got on the air a couple of times. I dont know that I would have wanted to listen to myself looking back. I pretty much sucked.
Disgusted
July 31st, 2012
8:41 pm
One thing I will give credit to Buck and Kincaide is that they do talk sports.
Not much schtick at all. So I will give em credit for that.
Chuck knows his football but a little too much schtick and somewhat borderline vulgar for me.
Then again, I prefer a serious sports talk format, more of the Boston type of model. I do not want to hear about movies, hotties and strip joints. Not my cup of tea at all.
Disgusted
July 31st, 2012
8:45 pm
jcw// Maybe its more my generation but Twitter just turns me off.
Don;t like facebook either. Took me a few yrs to get used to internet.
never had jitters calling a sports talk show — used to be a fun thing.
jcwfalcon
July 31st, 2012
8:46 pm
If all they did was talk about sports I might commit suicide. As a fan loyal to all the local pro teams, I probably need a break now and again. Our teams pretty much peak at competing for the best of the 2nd tier. Its pitiful. Even the cities that have teams that are bottom feeders (typically) usually have one team that puts together a championship once a decade or so. People say Atlanta fans suck, and I would have to honestly say I dont know that the teams here deserve the fans they have got. Saints fans wore bags on their heads before they put a championship cdaliber team on the field. Its amazing how success changes how good the fans are in the eyes of the media. Full circle.
Delbert D.
July 31st, 2012
8:48 pm
Nothing on in the morning to interest me up to this point. 680 is ok in the PM except when they go to the Braves pregame. That is a waste of radio spectrum allocation. I don’t mind watching the Braves on TV, but without the sound and having something to read at the same time.
Dennis
July 31st, 2012
8:53 pm
From the soon to be sister station’s web page… where the new program director is coming from:
Welcome to 93-7 The Fan on CBSPittsburgh.com!
Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan, KDKA-FM which will feature local sports programming 24 hours a day, 7 days a week promises to represents all Pittsburgh sports fans with unbiased and unfiltered opinions on Pittsburgh sports, 93-7 The Fan’s most important voice is its listeners, THE FANS.
Delbert D.
July 31st, 2012
8:56 pm
93.7-680thefan is not unbiased here. It is the official station of UGA. Same for 790 and Tech. Maybe the new bunch will be unbiased.
Disgusted
July 31st, 2012
8:56 pm
I get what you are saying jcw, and your opinion is as good as mine, but as for our teams, we have had worse.
Braves are sill decent, (used to be WS caliber in the 90’s), Falcons are in the second tier but compared to what we have had its the best run of football we have had.
Hawks pretty good — the one team I loved the most (Thrashers) just never really had that much of a chance. Hey, I think some of the talking media was happy to see them go, they never wanted to do the homework to cover and learn a different sport.
Still bitter on that one.
And Georgia Football, very solid but not an elite program.
Our teams could be worse though. And they have been.
I don’t want to sound like I don;t like college football, its just that there are other sports out there. I love SEC football begining in August.
jcwfalcon
July 31st, 2012
8:57 pm
I have been to Pittsburgh multiple times. They should just call it Steeler radio with a dash of Penguins. Last time I was there they wouldnt even claim the Pirates. Everyone loves a winner. If the Steelers lost every game for 10 years, and the Pirates won 3 World Series in that time, they would change their tune.
Anyway, off topic. Just putting it out there. By the way, good people in the Burgh.
Disgusted
July 31st, 2012
8:58 pm
Hey, I’d love a dose of Pittsburgh sports — give me some Penguins coverage.
I know, it is not happening on the local station. It is cool to listen to radio from other cities.
Dennis
July 31st, 2012
9:00 pm
I posted KDKA info becuase I’m curious to see if the new PD is going to bring the same idea here.
jcwfalcon
July 31st, 2012
9:02 pm
During football season I enjoy ease dropping (using radio app) on the city of whatever team the Falcons are playing that week. I find it to be an interesting spin on that Thur/Fri. I always feel kinda dirty listening. “Their” players join sometimes and seem to get comfortable and sometimes they drop some nice bulletin board material.
jcwfalcon
July 31st, 2012
9:02 pm
Understood Dennis. I was just ranting.
Disgusted
July 31st, 2012
9:03 pm
It should be Steeler radio — as for the Bucs, anyone under the age of 30 does not remember a winning season in their lifetime.
Even the 72 Yankees drew less than a million fans — the last Yankee team that was not owned by Steinbrenner. Back in my HS days, NY was a Mets and Jets town.
The 66 Red Sox drew 800,000 fans, the yr before they turned in around with the impossible dream team in 67, team has been respectable since save for a few losing seasons.
Dennis
July 31st, 2012
9:06 pm
jcwfalcon: Great minds think alike! I do the exact same thing, especially the post game shows after a Falcons victory. Surprise surprise the calls after a loss in that town sounds a LOT like the calls in this town after a loss.
jcwfalcon
July 31st, 2012
9:07 pm
Solid perspective disgusted. It ceases to amaze me how short sighted the media is when it comes to judging how “good” fans are.
I dont like em, but if you want to tip you r hat to a fan base for hanging around, I would give it to Cubs fans. They fill that place year after year and most of the time they arent even playoff caliber.
Salute the few people who are die hard KC Royals fans. Those are great fans. They have no reason for optimism, but keep going (the few). Steelers, Bostonians, NYers, etc…those guys are on easy street. If they dont show up to watch their championship caliber teams year in and year out they should have bad things done to them.
Disgusted
July 31st, 2012
9:21 pm
You know, there was a time that Kansas City Royal fans were owned by a good owner in Ewing Kauffman and the team got competitive quickly and played competitive baseball until they got bought our by Wal-Mart brainchild David Glass.
KC used to have a good payroll for the times and when Glass got that team he cut payroll from 41 mil to 19. (Back in the mid 90’s).
They have not recovered since, and they do have good fans. And KC Chief fans are passionately insane about their team & they have not had the most to cheer about. Up and down history but they built their goodwill on their old AFL success and of course the one SB championship after the 1969 season.
Guys like Bobby Bell, Lenny Dawson and Otis Taylor are still loved out there. And they still love the Royals players who were together when they were good.
They get better ownership, they might have a chance. You cannot run a sports team like a high volume discount store.
Disgusted
July 31st, 2012
9:24 pm
Oh, and salute the Atlanta Thrasher fans who still showed up in spite of the dirt we got shoveled upon us.
I hope to see an AHL team here someday, I do not expect the NHL return in my lifetime.
Maybe in 2075????? LOL.
Jimmy Jam
July 31st, 2012
9:35 pm
Yes, thank God, please hurry tired of the monotony. Time to shake things up and more power from an FM station in the morning would be great. Also, need to break up all the good ole boys and add more diversity.
Lost In Buckhead
July 31st, 2012
9:40 pm
Buh Bye Cha Cha. You and baby Sophie can move back in with your daddy now.
Steaky
July 31st, 2012
9:46 pm
Wait, let’s talk this over. I’m really not that bad, am I? I mean, baby Sophie loves me so it’s all good, right?
jcwfalcon
July 31st, 2012
9:51 pm
I like Steak. Sure hes pompous..but hes from Boston. Whats he gonna do? Hes spoiled. Naming kids after the city of our rival isnt cool either. Wait, maybe I dont like him. Nah, hes fine.
sportzfan
July 31st, 2012
9:58 pm
Any station that reaches people outside the perimeter will get my vote….as well as others I’m sure. Bring back Max Howell and team him with Buck Belue and football will be covered. As soon as I hear “Rhonda You Rock”, I switch stations….really getting old.
Boston Herald
July 31st, 2012
10:01 pm
Steak, we have an opening for a writer for a Martha Stewart type column. Call us …. your credentials are very good we hear. Tah, Cha Cha
OldSchool
July 31st, 2012
10:04 pm
Just saw the story and told my wife, who is a big DaveFM fan, to see what her reaction would be. As expected, she said, “WTF!!” Or words to that effect. She is crushed. I think it is kinda funny. I always ask her who “Dave” is. Anyway…like several others I don’t think the ATL can or will support 3 sports talk radio stations. One of the three will bite the dust. As for me, I am a 680TheFan fan. Listen to it driving to work in the morning and in the afternoon coming home….from Carrollton. Was hopeful when they went FM with 93.7 but the signal quickly fades. If they want to compete with the new FM station they better do something, anything to boost their signal. Gave 790 a try ever once in a while until a couple of years ago, but frankly, other then Bell, I couldn’t stand their talent….especially their accents.
Halsey Hall
July 31st, 2012
10:19 pm
Interesting topic. Here is my two cents worth … I welcome a third station as what we have is OK at best. I like 790’s morning show other than Cellini because all he does is recite the AJC. I swear I sit at breakfast and read the sports page then get in my car and hear it almost verbatim as his opinion and source for his opinion. Domino is excellent and Steak, while a complete tool, adds some humor. The 680 morning show is simply un-listenable. 790’s mid-day show is equally un-listenable. Hans Hiser has potential but The Stews are the absolute worst thing that ever happened to Atlanta radio (and before you haters respond this is nothing racial). Ryan Stewart especially. Obviously a complete moron.. Most sports talk humor is sophomoric, however, his is below that (elementary school level). Sometimes I wonder if it’s humor or just his butchering of the English language such as someone is put in the penile system rather than the penal system. Humor or ignorance, I don’t know. Anyway, I enjoy the banter between Chuck and Chernoff and whatever criticism others think is OK and accepted. They simply provide an entertaining show. Mike Bell is amusing other than virtually all of his views on sports which are idiotic. Everyone in his eyes is a loser unless they win the championship. No one has mentioned the biggest moron of all, however, Beau Bock. I give him credit for longevity but there has never been a bigger boob in the history of sports who has lasted this long. One must give him credit for longevity but it ends there. I remember in the early 1980’s when he did a short bit each morning on Gary McKee’s radio show talking about “the big valentine pumping under his jersey”. Give me a break. Anyway, another station would be welcome. And, as others have said, maybe we can take the best of both the two current stations and merge them with some talent from the new one and come up with something worth listening to.
The Truth
July 31st, 2012
10:34 pm
Somebody told me that there should more females like ESPN is doing, sad.
And, hershay hall….plz…look up the word “paragraph”, geesh.
marktwain
July 31st, 2012
10:44 pm
I don’t understand how they keep putting annoying yankees on the radio. If the new station provides any alternative whatsoever it will dominate. Barnhart and Durham are the only two I can really stand.
Baby Sophie
July 31st, 2012
10:51 pm
Daddy, are we moving back in with grandpa? I know he pays all the bills, but I liked having our own house. And, daddy, why do you say Cha Cha all the time?
heartofdarkness
July 31st, 2012
10:51 pm
A good fellow inserts two facts in one syllogism and he’s labeled “the smartest guy in the room”? Maybe the problem isn’t with the sportscaster. Maybe it’s the room.
Little League Broadcasting
July 31st, 2012
10:54 pm
Well, I guess our time is over. I don’t know why you hillbillies never warmed to us. We are fine upstanding New England yankees and we came down here to educate you heathens. Apparently you are not capable of learning. I will be taking baby Sophie back up to Boston where people appreciate obnoxious a—holes like me.
Que Ball
July 31st, 2012
10:57 pm
Never was able to land any hair sponsors. I guess me and Ms. Steaky and baby Sophie will just go back up north. By by Cha Cha.
Mel in SW Atlanta
July 31st, 2012
11:23 pm
Hire me!. We needs some winnah’s in dis town, not looosah’s!.
jcwfalcon
July 31st, 2012
11:30 pm
now now now now look heinh steak.
If they gave Mel an hour it would be the most listened to hour on the dial. Not for the right reasons, but still.
Tsplate
August 1st, 2012
12:26 am
Seriously, we don’t need another radio station, we just need teams that matter.
I prefer Chuck Oliver at 3 and the morning guys and gal on 680. they’re pretty solid and I prefer the color they offer. the Herd at 10 is great as well, the only ESPN product I care to listen to.
But Buck sucks at 12. Seriously, he’s not good. I guess he won UGA a national championship, or handed the ball off to the guy who did, 32 years ago but that is no reason to give him a show. You need someone who can talk fast and doesn’t seem so overwhelmed.
Steak for Dinner
August 1st, 2012
12:32 am
There is always room for competition but 680 the Fan has a solid cast of characters. Distinct voices, varied personalities, which makes for entertaining radio. On 790’s morning show, you can’t tell one from the other – they all sound the same and have the same take on every topic. “I had an amazing dinner last night. At The Palm. And they happen to be an advertiser, what a coincidence!”
In contrast to that nonsense, Kincaid is the real deal. He knows we don’t care what he ate for dinner and we are lucky to have him in the Atlanta market. He is opinionated but very fair in my mind. He can also back up his point of view with facts and logical reasoning, rather than bluster.
John
August 1st, 2012
2:45 am
I live in midtown and I can never get 790 in the car. I always turn on 93.7 if there is a braves game on and Im stuck in the car though. I like when they play some of the ESPN radio shows. Suppose I’ll give 92.9 a shot.
My 2 cents
August 1st, 2012
6:51 am
It seems like the only college football news is about Georgia and some upper crust SEC teams on either 680 or 790. That’s fine for awhile, but it gets old. It’s like ground hog day with both stations. I know it’s about who is listening that makes the money, but there are many other conferences and teams of interest. I hope this “new” station can become a flagship station for either the Braves, Falcons, or Georgia Tech. The Steaks, Bucks, Stews, etc. aren’t entertaining anymore. Atlanta sports talk needs a fresh new start.
Jesus Christ
August 1st, 2012
7:02 am
Only idiots, which are plentiful in Atlanta, listen to sports talk radio.
Dawgnlex is a complete tool
August 1st, 2012
9:18 am
92.3 needs to hire former 680 the fan/790 the zone/The Herd sports “personality” Chadddddd Scott. I loved hearing him babble about his bench press and his man crush Cam Newton.ATL Sports radio is not the same without him!!!
Zach Irwin
August 1st, 2012
10:57 am
I’ll give the new sports talk station on 92.9 a chance.
Chris Snow
August 1st, 2012
12:23 pm
I agree about 680’s FM station…the reception is horrible on the south side of town. But having said that, I do enjoy the Rude Awakening, Buck and Kincade, and C&C. Not a big fan of Colin Herd.
Chris
August 2nd, 2012
9:26 am
Both morning shows stink. I’d rather listen to Dan Patrick, but 680 relegated it to third-tier on their AM station no one can get clearly. Bell is funny in small doses. Chernoff loves himself, and is never wrong. Or so he wants to believe.
Barnhart and Durham were pretty good before they got mixed together with the Stews. Won’t listen to them, or Bucky and Phillyboy. Cowherd is rarely right on anything, even the other ESPN personalities like Russillo make fun of him. SVP is the best thing on in the afternoons, and I wonder how much of that is due to no callers.
I’d take local news and traffic 5-9, Patrick 9-12, Mike Bell’s Impersonation Hour at lunch, SVP from 1-4 and if you can find me a replacement for Chernoff, a show with Chuck Oliver in the afternoon.
Brandon
August 6th, 2012
10:21 am
I’d listen BIG time if they bring back AJ Cannon!!