790/The Zone creates the Red Zone, merging the Stews with Barnhart and Durham
I was off Monday and Tuesday so I’m now catching up.
We now know what the mid-day show is on 790/The Zone. It’s called “The Red Zone” and airs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (As previously noted, “Mayhem in the AM” adds an hour and goes to 11 a.m., Archer and Bell moves up an hour and goes from 2 to 6 p.m. and John Michaels‘ “Football Night in Atlanta” starts an hour earlier at 6 p.m.)
The 2 Live Stews’ show has now been merged into a show with Tony Barnhart and Wes Durham and others. Or something like that. I was told Monday’s show included Hans Heiserer, one of the fill-ins on the station, along with Ryan and Doug Stewart.
The Stews’ agent Norm Schrutt acknowledged he wasn’t thrilled by this arrangement, which dilutes an already shrinking Stews brand on the station. But he said the brothers are “team players” and are doing what they are told. And after getting their hours cut from three hours to two last year, they do get to be on air for three hours a day again. The Stews have already been dialed back significantly since the new program director Bob Richards took over last year.
This move was partly precipitated by the success of the Barnhart and Durham show, which was pulling in the best ratings on the station. Problem: Barnhart and Durham have other obligations and are basically taking May and June off. This left the Zone in a dilemma: how to fill that three-hour window? They could have just left the schedule as is and use fill-ins in May and June during mid-days. This solution is a bit of a mashup because it means a rotating cast of players from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with core regulars.
Andrew Saltzman, the president of the station, said this roundtable-type show gives the station more flexibility. “This is more topic driven and less specifically host driven,” he said.Today, for instance, they’ll have Rick Kamla of NBA TV on as a guest host to talk about the Hawks-Celtics last night. On Monday, they had former Falcons players such as Alge Crumpler and D.J. Shockley on to talk about the NFL draft. He said Barnhart and Durham will start being heard more on the mid-day show starting the third week of July when football gets hot again.
Saltzman said this move is not a diminished role for the Stews in any way although the “2 Live Stews” namesake has been removed. The noon hour of “The Red Zone” is simulcast on CSS, he noted. He said the show is similar to what the Stews do on ESPN’s “First Take.”
“They’re very talented, entertaining, informative guys,” Saltzman said. “We’re very proud of what they’ve done for the station the past 11, 12 years.”
Will it work? We shall see.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
121 comments Add your comment
Pete
May 2nd, 2012
1:55 pm
So basically the Stews now have one main person running the show and they become the side kicks. If it’s crap and all you do is repackage it, guess what……it’s still crap!
Pete
May 2nd, 2012
2:02 pm
Also find it very starnge when a show called “The Red Zone” is attempting to talk basketball or baseball. Why brand yourself with a name that implies football and then talk other sports? It should be called “End Zone” since careers will be coming to an end. FAIL!
fletch
May 2nd, 2012
2:44 pm
@Only1MrGreen
Amazing insight on ratings…you must be in the business.
charliehorse
May 2nd, 2012
2:54 pm
The new show sucks
JD
May 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
Horrible idea. I love Wes and Tony’s show and listen everyday, but now… I’ll switch to internet radio and find something else. The Stews will bring everything down to the lowest common denominator.
Way to go 790, combine your best show (Wes & Tony) with your worst (The Stews) to create something no one wants to hear.
G
May 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
Excellent post by @Only1MrGreen:
“Ratings are impacted by the time of day the show runs. Stews use to have 4-7 and were doing great, why?, b/c thats the rush hour listeners, people getting off work.. but 1-4, 1-3, folks are at work.. why do you think Mayhem in the AM gets better ratings, 6-10, people are goin to work or gettin ready for work.. “the devil is in the details”
So, the peak times are “pimp” spots. Taking the Stews out of the pimp spots is a calculated attempt to do what?
S28
May 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
@Only1MrGreen: Have you ever listened to 790 the Zone? Ummmm, the Stews have never and I mean never been in one of the prime time slots meaning morning drive or the afternoon drive slot. I love the people on here that say they’re switching to 680 the FAN… You’ll switch back within 10 minutes of listening to the boring sports talk they have.
@Only1MrGreen
“Ratings are impacted by the time of day the show runs. Stews use to have 4-7 and were doing great, why?, b/c thats the rush hour listeners, people getting off work.. but 1-4, 1-3, folks are at work.. why do you think Mayhem in the AM gets better ratings, 6-10, people are goin to work or gettin ready for work.. “the devil is in the details”
Tim
May 2nd, 2012
4:04 pm
This guy Bob Richards might just be the most idiotic program director in history. Why would you merge those two shows? Seriously. Why? He thinks this is a good idea?
The Stews need to be on satellite radio. Leave these idiots at 790 the Zone behind. Making them merge their show with another is so disrespectful, the Stews should just walk away right now. It’s outrageous. They are the main reason why I listen to 790. Many of us like the fact that the Stews don’t talk about baseball so early in the year. Baseball season lasts till October, I’m not interested right now. I want to hear about the NBA playoffs, baseball is not important in May. Hey Stews, you must leave! They have gutted and diluted your show. Let this new program director run 790 into the ground where they talk baseball incessantly and SEC year round.
GaPeachy
May 2nd, 2012
4:16 pm
I love the Stews so hopefully this is temporary but I tried to listen today, it was pretty confusing! Too many people on one show, so not sure this format will work to long.
G
May 2nd, 2012
4:21 pm
Trying my best to hang in there with the 11-2 show, but it’s tough listening to a diluted show. When this 11-2 thing fails, it will be because of Bob Richards.
Ron Burgundy
May 2nd, 2012
4:33 pm
Should be called the Mocha Zone
Chuck Oliver
May 2nd, 2012
4:34 pm
Ummm….suck it 790!
Steak Shapiro
May 2nd, 2012
4:37 pm
Hey gang u wanna hear about baby sofie some more!
Scotty
May 2nd, 2012
6:05 pm
The best thing about 790 used to be that there was something for everyone. No one wants to listen to the same tired, cookie cutter sports talk all day. If you didn’t like the Stews, guess what, you had the power to change the station. But the fact is this, many of us are Stews fans because they gave you more than just Georgia sports. Many people from ATL aren’t locals so not everyone wants to hear about Bulldogs football every single freaking day. I will be a fan of the Stews and will follow them wherever they land once the smoke clears. I give it a year before 790 is reformatted all together, all because of a racist program director. If you think the morning show is great radio, then you finally will get a large helping of copycats. 790 officially SUCKS!!!!
Evander Holyfield's Last Remaning Brain Cell
May 2nd, 2012
6:52 pm
Tick…tick…tick… It’s about the be over. The Stews were arrogant, loud and lazy. Never knew anything outside of what everyone else did with regards to the NFL, Know nothing about the Braves or MLB, and watched ESPN for their info about the NBA
Tried to be funny instead of accurate. They Love Mike Vick and anything that is black even if it or they were wrong. Fact is there are a lot of angry black men in town and they used the Stew-pids to channel their frustrations.
Bad show, can’t yell racisim as they’ve been in a prime time spot for a decade. Oh, yes they can find a way to make it about race.
Thank God English will return tothe airwaves
Evander Holyfield's Last Remaning Brain Cell
May 2nd, 2012
7:05 pm
…and love how there is no response to Rodney from the two loudmouths. 790 has obviously shut them up. Great premise but horrible execution. Ryan always talking about strip clubs and sex-while married. Great example for the community Ryan. And Doug angry at the world when he’sthe luckiest guy on earth…the brother of a has-been football player who got to talk sports.
Knew something was up when Ryan Stewart sued the NFL, must have bought a lot of the liquor they used to push. Trying to get something for nothing. Great opportunity squandered by race pandering and laziness. Bad show. … Now finally it’s over. Thank goodness.
Steak is a blow hard
May 2nd, 2012
7:55 pm
Who is more intolerable – Steak or the Stews?
Go Go
May 2nd, 2012
8:41 pm
How can you call the 2 Live Stews racist but cant see the racisist attitude in people like yourself.
C
May 3rd, 2012
7:02 am
Enter your comments here
same old south
May 3rd, 2012
7:51 am
reading these comments i see how racist Atlanta is.
Izaman
May 3rd, 2012
7:57 am
for those of us that watch sports for, hmmmm i dont know….fun? I dont really care about hearing about stats and 6th round draft picks. Im not a gambler. I want to be entertained, and the stews do that well.
You dont like the Martin Lawrence show, change it to Friends reruns. Im sick of hearing about football and baseball…in MAY. talk boxing, mma, basketball, something other that the f’in braves.
790 have only one talent getting invited to Vegas for fights, Press row for the super bowl, Hbo hard knocks, and espn first take….and you cut THEIR show? atlanta sports talk is dry outside of the stews, and yet the stews are the first to go. that boring/safe atlanta sports mentality is why im born and bread in atlanta…
…and root for the eagles.
JT
May 3rd, 2012
8:47 am
I am originally from New York and I grew up on listening to WFAN, which produced some high quality programs. 9 years ago, I moved to Atlanta to attend grad school and pursue a career opportunity. I happened to tune into the Stews and I was hooked. I found the show to be witty, informative, and very entertaining. I am not satisfied with the direction of the new show and I hope the Stews find a new home station where their talents can be appreciated. I know they have a loyal, local fan base that will support them on any station.
A
May 3rd, 2012
9:26 am
Enter your comments here
A.J. Cannon
May 3rd, 2012
9:30 am
Less of the “Two Live Racists” has got to be a good thing. Please let their contracts expire soon and get them off this station.
Izaman
May 3rd, 2012
10:09 am
This is what i dont get….
I hate “Friends”, so when it comes on, i change the channel. I dont lobby the station to take it off TV.
If you hate the stews, change the channel.
MzNickGT
May 3rd, 2012
10:21 am
It’s the end of an era but as you know great things can come out of the ashes. I’m looking forward to seeing what they do next. Like others, I’m not interested in listening to a hodge podge of sports talk radio. If I wanted to listen to Wes, I would have tuned into his show. I didn’t even like hearing his idiotic ideas back in the day at GT.. I DEFINITELY do not want to hear them now. Satellite radio and more ESPN.. here we come! Be blessed Stews..
Oh and to those of you who don’t like it,.. turn the channel.. it’s your God given right.. and I’M GONE!!
Stews will be okay
May 3rd, 2012
10:22 am
Word on the Street is that 790 owns the 2 Live Stews name which complicates matters because I know the brothers are ready to move on.
ILLMattic
May 3rd, 2012
11:21 am
I don’t live in the ATL, started listening to the Stews online at work during my lunch break. Like the show, nice to hear black voices talking sports on the radio. Living in Chicago I like the change of pace from local sports teams. Good luck to the Stews because from what I’ve heard of them they do have talent for talk radio.
Stews made 790
May 3rd, 2012
11:42 am
The Stews made 790 bearable. A bunch of slow talkin homers are on all the other shows, everyone that has some education and likes to hear smart people talk turn to the HERD @10am, then the Stews, no this, if you kept them during the rush hour from 3-7 they would have even more fans than they had 3 years ago. It has been a well calculated process to eliminate the ones that made the station. They will be alright, 790 will not, its a lame staion without that flavor of the Stews! Im gone!
G
May 3rd, 2012
11:59 am
The ONE thing 790 had going for them that was strong………DIVERSITY! That’s going down the drain fast. Fine if you don’t like the Stews, but a lot of people do…..including ESPN.
Banned Poster
May 3rd, 2012
1:09 pm
Ok, first off the Stews were on the 4-7 drive several years ago and then started losing the ratings war with Buck and Kincaid (how I have no idea). Then when their show was on midday, the Sporting News Network decided to cut ties to them because of low ratings. Folks, these guys are not going to get a satellite radio gig because if Sporting News couldn’t make it work, no one will. ESPN has them on First Take for a reason – they cannot host an exciting show without someone helping them along. They won’t go to 680 because Kincaid simply won’t allow them to steal his show and for some reason 680 seems to think that morning show is good. The Stews will likely leave the Atlanta market or settle for shows like what they are doing now. Don’t expect to hear them when Wes and Tony come back in July.
CD
May 3rd, 2012
1:09 pm
The Stews should know and probably know these three things: (1) They have a loyal following that will follow them when they move to another station, (2) Their days at 790 are almost over, (3) The Red Zone has little hope during the NFL offseason – Bob Richards set them up to fail (can’t introduce a new show during this time of the year when all ratings will be down).
Banned Poster
May 3rd, 2012
1:13 pm
And one more thing. If you don’t like listening about the Falcons, Dawgs, Braves, Hawks, etc…..then go find another station on the internet or satellite radio. This is Atlanta and those teams are going to be discussed. Boxing is a dead sport and only has 1-2 real known fighters left. MMA is like wrestling except for it’s actually real. Why spend time talking about something that only a small section of the city could even care about. I guess we should start talking equestrian and track and field too? Seriously some of you really need a chill pill as you put too much into sports talk. As someone said earlier…..if you don’t like it, change the channel.
Cobb Cracker
May 3rd, 2012
2:01 pm
I never listened much to the Stews mainly because of scheduling, not because of “race” or content- at least they would talk somewhat about the Hawks, no one else in town will (except for Wingbag Bell whose research is solely from snippets in the local fishwrapper and the ESPN highlights). Of course both 680 and 790 claim that all their listeners only want to hear is College Football (and occassionally Falcons/NFL) too bad because Damino and Durham are top flight talents, Chuck & Chernoff are okay- the rest of Atlanta sports talk radio is a wasteland. Good luck to the Stews in the future!
BigCoop_STL
May 3rd, 2012
2:05 pm
My heart goes out to the Stews & their fans (I am among them)
This new show SUCKS!!!
I have their old podcasts saved and will listen to those in my spare time.
I will NOT partake of the new show, but will continue to be a Stew supporter.
Hopefully they’ll find another home and this nightmare will be over.
BigRon4
May 3rd, 2012
2:11 pm
Smfh #Justice4theStews I looked forward to the 2livestews in the afternoons to get me threw the rest of the day at work but now its like blah!!! the new show suuuucccks!!!! “Dougvoice” and you can tell they not into it like they was on their show. If the do move to another station I’m right there with them loyalty …..
Peach
May 3rd, 2012
2:13 pm
I like 790 but I love the Stews. I will follow them wherever they go. Like other posters have said if you don’t like them then don’t listen.
iT'S cLEAR
May 3rd, 2012
2:35 pm
Absolutely makes no sense. Atlanta is a diverse city with diverse tastes. Stews provide something that no one else does – and it works. It hits a completely different demographic than the other personalities. B and D are great. The show that follows…well, it leaves a lot to be desired. It would be great fro once to actually value a different demographic than the norm. And for the guy that said the only color is GREEN…BS, people have hired siblings, cousins, kids, mistresses, their best friends kids, etc. for their own personal gratification despite having the ability to hire a more qualified person who could make them more money. There are clearly other reasons for this change.
iT'S cLEAR
May 3rd, 2012
2:41 pm
By the way, like most that listen to their show, if they end up somewhere else, I’m rolling with them. Then 790 could just write one script for the day and have each show to read it. Other than B&D and the Stews, that’s what it sounds like anyway. Same stuff, different hour.
Steve W.
May 3rd, 2012
3:44 pm
That’s crazy that 790 would get rid of the Stews, they were the only show to get national syndication. The Stews should either get on satelite radio or go to another station. Maybe 1380 could do something with them.
I think Steak & Saltzman are jealous of the Stews success, blatant racism if you ask me. How does Mike Bell get 4 hours but the best show on the radio gets merged with another show for only 3. I’m going to stop listening to 790 as they think they can do whatever and people will still support them.
I gaurantee you a large portion of their listeners came to the station BECAUSE of the Stews, not Steak(most annoying/unlikeable/unrelateable guy on the station), not Diminno(wannabe know it all), not Mike Bell…The Stews are the rain makers at 790, I guess they will figure it out when they are no longer around.
Uzi112
May 3rd, 2012
4:51 pm
As a stews fan here in San Antonio, I really hate this move. I first heard of the stews when they were syndicated on sporting news radio and I followed them ever since. I listen to them at work and at the gym on my iphone. I understand that the bottom line in radio is money and perhaps their ratings were slipping. As a black man who loves sports talk radio, they are or were a breath of fresh air. A show that not only talks about sports, but our pop culture as well. Now before you all call me a racist, I listen to alot of “white” shows such as Dan Patrick and Colin Cowherd and have no problem. It just seems that 790 has 22 hrs of shows a day geared to the caucasian listeners and now no show gives our perspective. The new show is horrible. You can tell they have been neutered by Bob Richards just by listening to their lead in music. Give us back our show!!
RickBoston
May 3rd, 2012
4:54 pm
I would love to see the stats on the Podcast downloads. If someone is going to do some investigated journalism they would get the ratings and Podcast downloads. I know I can only listen to the stews on my way home from work so I download the Podcast.
Why is it such a bad thing to have an ethnic focused radio show? Isn’t the city of Atlanta in the top 5 for cities with the most black residents? This just doesn’t make business sense and the former athlete thing just doesn’t work. Hell didn’t a Miami station copy the stews?
charliehorse
May 3rd, 2012
8:11 pm
Sports talk with hot sauce is now sports talk with mayo
CM
May 3rd, 2012
8:51 pm
I agree, this new concept is whack! I never enjoyed The Stews since Shaggy left and the digression has continued. I do listen to Hanz & Beau’s show on sunday mornngs & it is hillarious. I see the personality in hanz & maybe that is their angle? A different show that doesn’t allienate half of their audience? Ebony & ivory tom-foolery? That’s the only thing I can read into this. I’m going to give it some time. Hanz is a funny dude. But I agree. It seems weird right now.
Papa
May 3rd, 2012
9:55 pm
I agree CM. I went to HS with Hans and know him well. He’s the guy they need. 790 has lost so much talent to 680 they should have learned their lesson. Atlanta rIadio needs a local. He’s a great guy and I’d trust him with my life. And yes, one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met. He’ll make it work. #Chattahoochee
Joesph Pough
May 4th, 2012
8:58 am
we are doing a protest Tuesday march 8th at 12pm at the station. we have cleared it with cityhall. so, there will be no illegal activity t protest. We r protesting to get them to bring two live stews back at there regular format. see u there.
Sonny Clusters Sr.
May 4th, 2012
10:08 am
Someone give my boy his own show.
T Nice From Chi
May 4th, 2012
10:51 am
I eat, breathe, and live sports and sports talk. I’ve traveled to many cities across the U.S. and no one and I mean no one! Brings sports to life like the Stews. I admit it is from an Urban prespective, but that prespective is needed and greatly appreciated by many of their fans. I don’t want the same ole same ole and I don’t want to listen to a Pop station to get my sports.
Chris and Nick brought me to the Zone (Steak screwed that up) and Ryan and Doug kept me, but until the 2LiveStews show is returned. I for one will not listen nor support any of the Zones sponsors.
I’m a unhappy customer who chooses to take my business elsewehre.
T Nice From Chi
May 4th, 2012
10:57 am
If you haven’t done so and want the 2LiveStews Show to return please sign OUR petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/keep-the-2livestews-on-the-air-at-790-the-zone/
Doing nothing may gain the same results but at least doing something gives us a choice. Thanks!
FROM THE LOWCOUNTRY,SOUTH CAROLINA
May 4th, 2012
11:27 am
DON’T EVEN TUNE INTO 790 AT KNOW POINT..CAUSE YOU WILL HEAR BY WORD OF MOUTH WHEN THE STEWS COME BACK…DON’T GIVE 790 THE TIME OF DAY…