2 Live Stews are off 790/The Zone. Are they 92.9 bound?
The Stews will have some time to golf now that the Zone has taken them off the air with more than three months of their contract to spare. PHOTO Courtesy of Big Brothers and Big Sisters
It’s official but not surprising: 790/The Zone has taken the 2 Live Stews off the air three months before their contracts are up.
This may ease the transition to another gig. The most obvious place for Ryan and Doug Stewart to go is the new sports talk station at 92.9, owned by CBS, which launches next month, obliterating adult rock station Dave FM in the process.
There is a problem: a pesky non compete clause that is six months long and technically prevents them from being on air in Atlanta until July 1, 2013. Their agent Norm Schrutt is trying to get them out of their current contract early so the non-compete could kick in sooner. Obviously, 92.9 is trying to solidify its lineup as soon as possible and this non-compete is a hindrance for them do so since the station is interested.
Schrutt said he was a little upset with Zone management because they told him earlier this month they were going to possibly offer the Stews a contract extension next week. Instead, the Stews were told they were off air yesterday and could take a three-month paid vacation instead.
The Stews’ rise and fall on 790/The Zone was epic. The brothers started at night in the early 2000s, given a lot of leeway to learn the radio craft and built a following as African-American sports talk hosts in a world where minorities are still relatively scarce. Via their fraternity Omega Psi Phi, they would call each other affectionately as dogs. Soon, they began calling their regular callers the same. And since calling a female caller a “dog” sounded inadvertently harsh, the pair began dubbing the ladies “poodles.”
They were loud and proud and would mix in entertainment/pop culture news in between comments about the Falcons and Hawks. They were not “wonky” stats guys but entertainers.
The Zone gave them gradually better time slots and soon, they were the station’s most popular show, pulling in huge ratings in the afternoon. They nabbed a syndication deal with Sporting News, heard at one point on more than 20 stations. They also had a regular gig on ESPN. The Stews were flying high – until they weren’t.
In 2010, Lincoln Financial took over management of 790/The Zone and the Stews quickly found out their hip-hop approach didn’t appeal to the new guys in charge. Hip-hop songs that used to lead into their show were replaced by the Goo Goo Dolls. They were told to tone down the “urban” sound and entertainment news about Usher and T.I. They did as they were told. And to many readers of this blog, their schtick was starting to feel stale. Others felt they weren’t doing enough show prep. Some listeners were not thrilled by their support of Michael Vick in 2007 during the dogfighting scandal. (See the comments below.)
Then they lost their syndication deal last year. Their hours were cut. Ratings slipped. Then in May of this year, their show was diluted into something called “The Red Zone” mid-days with Hans Heiserer and a rotating set of hosts. At the same time, ESPN chose not to renew their contract.
This past Wednesday was the Stews final hurrah on the Zone after nearly 11 years. Or as they often yelped about callers: “And they’re gone!”
“They’ve been consummate pros,” said program director Bob Richards, who arrived 18 months ago.”I really respect the time and energy they put into this radio station. Without them, I’m not sure the station would have launched the way they did years ago.”
Doug Stewart, in an interview, chose not to dwell on the negative. “It’s incredible what we’ve done there over 11 years,” he said today. “I want to thank the fans who supported. This isn’t the last you’ve heard from us.”
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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241 comments Add your comment
Reggie
September 14th, 2012
2:10 pm
Your guys are marketing fools! O k so you wanted to the Stews to be “Heeeyyyyy Bucccckkkk” radio??? They are now going to FM radio with their authentic successful brand!!! You guys are fools. Now you can give the baseball fact of the day from
1856!!! Let’s see how that works out for ya!!!
WhiteGuyStewsFan
September 14th, 2012
2:11 pm
This decision was based only on color. The color green $$$$ that is. I loved the Stews. They were fresh, funny, and knowledgeable. After a while, the fresh started to get stale. The funny started to become jokes and antics that were bad taste. The knowledgeable became the absurd. I would almost stop my car after some of the dumb comments. Show prep went out the window. Apparently, I was not the only one to notice as the ratings fell and advertisers bailed. I wish them the best and hope they get a fresh start. I will certainly give their new show a listen.
The K
September 14th, 2012
2:11 pm
I agree with Ctstyle. I frequently listen to the Stews until I got tired of the misinformation. Please use the time off to get that fire back. I can’t wait to hear the Stews again.
Bob from buford
September 14th, 2012
2:17 pm
Most of the posters crying racism are obviously white people mocking stereotypical blacks. Smh
Boat
September 14th, 2012
2:20 pm
While I didn’t always agree with the Stews, I always respected them. They brought a great energy and a different vibe than the rest of the shows on 790. I always hate to see a working relationship deteriorate like that, but it’s business. I with them the best of luck and look forward to hearing them on the radio again.
And I’m Gone!
former 790 Fan
September 14th, 2012
2:24 pm
There is more than one flavor and style for the #7 Radio market in the US. Stop with the Racist card. It isn’t racism… it is bias and economics. Lincoln doesn’t identify with our Urban perspective, and “He who owns Decides”. If you want to CONTINUE to get the owners to open their ears to the concerns of the audience… vote with the Dial Knob (button, switch, etc). If the Zone ratings further drop to the bottom and they do an objective YOY analysis they can see the impact of their decisions.
Sorry Nick, Chris, Mike B & Archer… you are collateral damage. I’ll have to wait to see what 92.9 turns out to be (680 is HORRRRRRRIIIBBBLLLLEEE!)
Don
September 14th, 2012
2:24 pm
Just as I was really liking what they were bringing (with Hans running the point), they are gone. Good luck Stews!
Class of '98
September 14th, 2012
2:25 pm
Every time I tuned into the Two Live Stews, they were analyzing every story through a racial prism. Nick Fairley? UGA fans didn’t like him because he is black. Matt Ryan has been accepted by Falcons fans because he is white. The Hawks don’t draw well because the are too black, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Mike Vick? You can only imagine.
I don’t mind analyzing sports stories through the prism of race when it is warranted, by these guys seem incapable of thinking about anything else except race.
former 790 Fan
September 14th, 2012
2:28 pm
P.S. Stews… you did drift away from that early hunger for the details. Get better interns or recommit to doing the homework for STEWpendous detail. Ask Nick Saban how important the details are?
Quincy Q
September 14th, 2012
2:29 pm
2livestews 11 yrs of history great moments, quotes, and lots of laughs. They can’t stop us I mean nobody can stop u guys blood sweat and tears, hard work dedication I might sound like a nerd but I miss u goes on the show I just wanted to cry. Man it ain’t fair.
Steak Fan
September 14th, 2012
2:31 pm
Why does everyone hate on Steak? I find him entertaining and pretty funny actually. If you don’t like the program turn the channel. Steak, Domino and Cellini have good chemistry and hopefully they stay together. Bell/Archer is awesome and they hit a homerun there. Midday show needs work obviously but Hans is entertaining. Its a shame about the Stews but thier schtick did get old as I am a long long time listener. The show got way to urban if I must be honest. I understand Atlanta is a chocolate city but as a caucasian listener if I wanted urban all the time I would listen to V103… Im sure they will rebound and I will miss Ryan more than Doug If I am to be honest. Doug didnt seem too informed most of the time…
claudia
September 14th, 2012
2:31 pm
I enjoyed Ryan at first, Doug not so much. I agree heads may have gotten to big. For the ones that are saying racism a toward the Stews I think it was just the opposite if someone said something good about a white player they always had to say a black player was better (example the ate Vick up). Ryan would have been better off not to drag Doug with him. I hope all the shows get better, but be unbias about everything.
Can’t understand why anyone would say 790 did not want the stews in the first place, they were given prim time slots and lots of ad’s to build them up. Were will never know the real truth so please don’t bring racism please don’t go that way and please do not bring politics in this the country has already bene divided enough.
Roger L.Gilbert
September 14th, 2012
2:34 pm
I want to know if the show had the highest ratings of any show on the zone?
Class of '98
September 14th, 2012
2:34 pm
Steak, Domino and Chellini sound like they just got off a bus from Newark. I dislike 790 the Zone because it seems like they made a conscious effort to win the transplanted Yankee listener.
And that ain’t me. Go dawgs.
lincoln financial manager
September 14th, 2012
2:35 pm
Class of 98…I assume you are white and never have had to approach life from the minority or black mans perspective so what the H are you talking about Steak constantly raises white athletes and dises blacks we need a different perpective why do you think america is HATED worlwide because of arrogant do nothing mostly (but not all white men of privilege), you can have and also allow others to have jesus christ…and Chris dimeno sucks talks over everyone.
ATLGIANT
September 14th, 2012
2:42 pm
The Stews entertained listeners very well over the years. Obviously, they appealed to some listeners more than others. I think they lacked an adequate team around them to help the appeal to a broader audience. If you listen to ESPN Radio, you will notice that they intentionally try to appeal to a broader audience. Yes, when I say broad, I am speaking of race. The Stews will always have a core base of listeners that can relate to their background. However, if they really want to take the next step and surpass their past success, they have to find a way to appeal to much more than African-Americans. First thing they should do is hire someone who specializes in stuff like that. It will pay huge dividends later.
Tee
September 14th, 2012
2:44 pm
Get use to it folks. The angry teabagging bigots in management and ownership in most companies around this country are bitter!
Dino
September 14th, 2012
2:46 pm
bye bye zone i bet STEAK had something to do with it. His EGO !!!!!!!!. Border line racist A##.
Bubba Joe
September 14th, 2012
2:48 pm
Dem boys got too big fer their britches. Always taking up for dat thug Mikel Vick and talking trash on espn. They were just plain uppity! I’m glad they’re gone and I’ll be even happier when Hussien is gone in Novimber!
TRUTH
September 14th, 2012
2:49 pm
DANG!!! But the show went straight silly when the new station management started messing with what worked. It was a great show, and it was even better because they allowed their Urban style to shine through. That was attractive to the Atlanta market space where there are a high volume of educated sport fans, who happen to be “urban.” (NOTICE: Nowhere in that statement did that insinuate race, for those poised to jump on it.) URBAN is what Atlanta once was and now is floundering in that identity. The Stews offered a program that was hip and modern, and most of all up to date. Sure their show was not the typical sports talk show, but it was ENTERTAINING. I enjoyed it and listened to it like most urbanites and loved it. But all things come to an end and that normally signals that management changed and the things that worked aren’t going to work anymore with a leadership heading in the wrong direction.
Don’t play the race card here. It’s time. Doug and Ryan are gonna be fine. AIGHT, AIGHT, AIGHT!!
glsjunior
September 14th, 2012
2:50 pm
It is interesting that they keep getting rid of everyone else but the only constant on that station is Beau, Steak, Dimino, Celini and Bell……
p
September 14th, 2012
2:51 pm
Worst radio show ever. And ESPN apparently agrees.
C'mon man
September 14th, 2012
2:53 pm
This wasn’t a black/white thing it was a green thing. Let’s face it, there show became stale and they refused to update it. They thought by being the only African American sports talent in Atlanta their fans would keep them forever. Like other African Americans, I finally got tired of their act and moved on.
Truth
September 14th, 2012
2:54 pm
They replaced them with DJ Shockley & Alge Crumpler. Bob Richards & the management think this will make them not look “racist”! Hogwash, you brought in black guys who you can control. You hate the Stews because they don’t take $%^& from you and never will! I rather listen to 680 the Fan at least you KNOW what they are……they don’t wear sheets!!
dollarsandcents
September 14th, 2012
2:57 pm
Yes, its about race but it has way more to do with business. For instance, I’m a white sports fan with fairly liberal views and I didn’t care for the Stews. They argued and shouted all the time. Thats just not entertaining to me. Maybe its a cultural difference. I don’t know but I think most white people found them annoying and many blacks loved them in the early days but not so much lately after they toned it down. Even then, I could only listen for maybe a minute before switching. That was a bad business decision that wound up alienatating the core audience but didn’t attract any new listeners.
Steak is annoying too. 790 might not last much longer anyway
Zone 3 for life!
September 14th, 2012
2:58 pm
I cant put my finger on there down fall, But Shaggy (The White guy behind the glass) use to keep the show kind of balance. He was sorely missed, after he was gone. Keep your heads up! no one need to lose a gig this days- in any field.
Some Dude
September 14th, 2012
3:02 pm
I listen to the Zone all day but would change to 680 when the Stews came on. You know it has to be bad to tune to hear Buck and Kincaid. Talk about two guys who talk more and have less insight than anyone. Then 680 shuffled the line up and it was better with Matt and Chuck which have great chemistry and do offer great insight. Let’s face it, black, white, pink, yellow or purple, we all are sports fan and I don’t care about color unless they are team colors. These guys just did not bring a lot to the table. It was hard to take them seriously when they would get facts incorrect and mispronounce hometown players like Keith “Brookings” and “Warwick” Dunn. That ain’t hatin, that’s just factin!
pocket pull
September 14th, 2012
3:04 pm
Glad to see that the the 2 live boobs are finally gone. What a joke…Sir! Sir! Sir! Arrivas grande…big ups! big up! what a couple of clowns….goodbye and take all of your “apples ” with you SIR!
fan from the beginning.....
September 14th, 2012
3:07 pm
Wait a minute…..The Stews are out, But that clown Beau is still around???? SERIOUSLY??????
Pop
September 14th, 2012
3:08 pm
You ignorant aholes who “claim” the show got stale…on their WORSE day they were better than Mike Bell!! Call it what it is!! 98% of that station and most sports stations are lily WHITE. They hated the Stews because they were strong and didn’t give a F%^& what the teabaggers think at 790 and the knuckle draggers who still hate MV7 after 5 years!
Keenan
September 14th, 2012
3:09 pm
And today I tuned into 790 for the LAST time. GOODBYE!!!
Joesnopy
September 14th, 2012
3:10 pm
I knew something was wrong. It changed and I did not like. So 680 the Fan until they land at the other station. So long 790thefan.
Joesnopy
September 14th, 2012
3:10 pm
I mean 790thezone so long
Bubba
September 14th, 2012
3:11 pm
There is a God after all.
Obama loves unemployment
September 14th, 2012
3:11 pm
two more bros in the unemployment line-that makes 23,000,002
Joesnopy
September 14th, 2012
3:12 pm
Hey the new management must be a square Mitt supporter. This is what we will get if Mitt win so you were told. We need flavor in a lot of stuff. This is America and people have different taste so someone will pick them up.
RTD
September 14th, 2012
3:12 pm
They were terrible! The only time I ever listened to 790 was Barnhart and Durham.
DSANE33
September 14th, 2012
3:13 pm
If they were not that good on radio, why did every sports STAR IN THE TWO MAIN SPORTS IN AMERICA FOOTBALL AND BASEKETBALL enjoy being on their show and calling in. This is BS at the highest, Hey Doug and Ryan, just go create your on studio and station. Its funny how the show they want on the air doesnt represent the folks they talk about 95% of the time now. Just funny has heck, I support the Stews they made the Zone. Now watch how far your ratings fall after they leave!!!!!!
katielenn
September 14th, 2012
3:16 pm
I work with Doug Stewart’s wife and she is definitely not a white woman. She is a beautiful, articulate, strong black lady…
pocket pull
September 14th, 2012
3:20 pm
Let’s face it there are not any good sport talk show host in atlanta
I like the following.
Rude
Nick
Chuck
Chernoff
Buck
Bell
Thats! it
Love The Stews
September 14th, 2012
3:23 pm
790 has been removed from my presets and I’m deleting the App from my Iphone.
Sad day
September 14th, 2012
3:24 pm
Oh well, I guess people got what they wanted. What’s sad is between the two talk radio stations in town, you have (6 am – 7pm) 13 hours of programming on each day for a total of 26 possible hours. When the Stews had a three hour show, that amounted to approximately 11 percent of potential listening time per day. That’s all. Yet people claim that those three hours alienated listeners and only appealed to certain people. Sad thing is, there were 23 other potential listening hours to choose from. No matter what folks tell you diversity and differences aren’t bad. Will miss the Stews. Good luck fellas . . . keep your heads up
FinallyFree
September 14th, 2012
3:25 pm
Three month paid vacation. Whoa HEEECK Ya ! What a life, then you probably going to come back like beast with 92.9. Also, I can finally take 790 off my radio and save another channel. Please bring back Shaggy when you return. I’ll just stick with Sirius XM until you land. Good job and good luck Stews !!!
Michael
September 14th, 2012
3:26 pm
I knew something was funny when their time was cut on their show. When they was moved to the Red Zone (which sucked), I knew it was a matter of time that they will be gone…one way or another. I no longer listen to 790 and can’t wait to listen to the brothers wherever they land.
big dog
September 14th, 2012
3:28 pm
Their is a rumor that they are going to 680 afternoon slot?
ATL BLAZER
September 14th, 2012
3:29 pm
I hate to hear that the Stews got kicked off the air like that. I enjoyed the Red Zone with them & Hans. Good luck to your future Stews!
xaye
September 14th, 2012
3:30 pm
Y’all talk about racist. the guys after them ARE RACIST.. I listen to then 5 min and TURN
Poodle
September 14th, 2012
3:32 pm
I will be listening to 680 the fan until further notice!!
lincoln financial manager
September 14th, 2012
3:32 pm
I was listening the other morning dont know why and steak and Nick agreed that taking andrew Luck over RG3 was a great move, so I wonder what they think after the first real game not that it really matters but this is the type of attitudes Ive been tollerating just to hear the stews for a couple of hours eventually everyone will have to be tolerant of others for things to get better, so all u wht guys saying that they didnt appeal to the masses but Fog horn leg horn and Durham mister arrogance himself does…are you really serious or just stupid
Ryan Klesko
September 14th, 2012
3:33 pm
I thought they read the paper to me well each day…. They really were horrible….