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
DecaturHurrianceAlum
September 16th, 2012
11:01 am
This is GREAT, now I will be able to enjoy Jim Rome and the 2 Live Stews on the CBS Sports Network, the rest of you can fight but from my standpoint this is great for Atlanta sports radio now we’ll have four sports stations and at least the old Dave FM we can get all over Georgia, THANKS CBS RADIO!
MattMD
September 16th, 2012
1:15 pm
So Rodney, why would another station, especially a new one, want to hire them if they’ve been on a downward spiral since 2010? Even when they were “re-tooled” the show still seemed a little stale.
liberalefty
September 16th, 2012
1:52 pm
much ado about nothin. the STEWS were entertaining and at the end of the day thats all they are; entetainers and nothing more.
liberalefty
September 16th, 2012
1:52 pm
y
bluebengal
September 16th, 2012
2:23 pm
Off topic, but why would 790 on a Sunday morning, broadcast a show that was five days ago? This is pathethic! Many of us would like to hear about the NFL games today, Saturday night college games and yet we get a national broadcast of a host five days earlier. What choice does one have for sports talk.I just can’t listen to the insufferable John Kincaid, the other espn station 1340 has gear head talk. I welcome a new station.
LMAO
September 16th, 2012
2:25 pm
Mike Bell and Chris Damino are you listening? Hopefully you’ll get to get out before the lights are turned out. You guys are now the sole talent left. I started listening to News 106.7 during the day once they added that Hans dude. 790 is done for sure now.
Mike Bell 790
September 16th, 2012
4:47 pm
FIRST!!
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September 16th, 2012
10:00 pm
I regret, that I can not participate in discussion now. It is not enough information. But with pleasure I will watch this theme.
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Ed S.
September 16th, 2012
11:38 pm
For those of you predicting the demise of 790 you are sorely misinformed. The Two Live Racists have been the weakest link in the chain for years. There’s no viable competition in that time slot and they couldn’t compete. For those of us with the option of switching to Chris Russo on satellite we all did. Others went to the dribble on 680. If 92.9 chooses to employ these two I give them a year before they change formats again.
Be Real
September 16th, 2012
11:55 pm
You Better Call “Magic Johnson” Only African American who puts his money where his mouth is.
The Stew
September 17th, 2012
1:17 am
Very sad day in Atlanta radio history. If the Stews are so horrible Lincoln Financial should void the non compete and let them be free to move on effective January 1, 2013, but they will not do it because they know the Stews will kill anyone that 790 puts up against them. Stay up Doug and Ryan God has your back.
skeeter
September 17th, 2012
2:18 am
As Chris Rock once said, nothing makes a white man with a nickle more angry than a black man with a dime. Thus all the comments from the AAWM.
Herschel Walker's Revenge
September 17th, 2012
9:47 am
I never liked them. I thought they were a fad when they were on at night. I told Steak the same back in 2003 at a 790 The Zone remote broadcast. He admitted that there was some interest in having an A-A sports talk show, but of course, it really alienated a lot of other listeners.
The best show The Zone has ever had was “The Bottom Line” with Domino and Cellini back in the late 90s. It’s still the smartest and funniest show on Atlanta sports talk. “Chuck and Chernoff” is a distant second, but I listen to it now because I cannot listen to any 790 the Zone shows. I like Mike Bell, but I cannot listen to any other shows.
G
September 17th, 2012
12:24 pm
Like it or not, the Stews proved to everyone in the region that more voices & perspectives needed to be heard, in terms of Atlanta sports talk. Sure, the Stews don’t speak for all of Atlanta, but neither does Steak, Buck, or the Chucks.
Elton Richardson
September 17th, 2012
12:27 pm
That really sucks 790 let the Stews go. They were a voice for people to listen to sports and not hear Steak and the good ole boys talk about the places he is going to eat at. Good thing about it you can’t keep good educated people down The Stews will rise again. Until then everybody will be waiting.
Bob "Bubba" Richards
September 17th, 2012
1:00 pm
I’m the Man up in this Piece! King Kong aint gone nothing on me! 92.9 Ninjas, you will be taking calls from Pelican Bay!!!!!
Richard
September 17th, 2012
1:05 pm
790 is close to finish and Stews are going to look back and laugh at these last 18 plus months that Richards has been trying to get rid of them and make there employment at Lincoln anything but comfortable. They cant even afford to keep Sandra Golden so I know then this day would come. Stews aint thinking about you Jive Turkeys who have nothing going on your life’s so keep on with the unoriginal dribble you spew like your parents did and your parents parents did.
Fred
September 17th, 2012
4:52 pm
I do feel it is a white thing but this is how our socity is. I hope the best gor the Stews because I was a fan of theirs. They were good for Atlanta. I will really miss them and I am saying good bye to 790 the zone.
Philip Garland
September 17th, 2012
5:59 pm
I couldn’t believe it when I was reading my dawgs comments on Twitter. I live here in Detroit & I regularly listen to Ryan & Doug on the internet. People are saying racism, people are saying good ridding to some guys that felt were full of them selves. At the end of the day what does this mean? Simply that Sports Talk radio have lost two of the most talented Sports Talk Radio Show host that not only had followers in the state of Georgia & the City of Atlanta. They had followers all over the entire country. The other thing that it means is that GOD has something better in store for them. I can’t wait to hear where they land. I have never met Doug or Ryan in person but; they consistently responded back to me on Facebook or Twitter when ever had a question or problem with something &, if I say so my self they have never lead me wrong. They weren’t just good at Sports Talk radio, they were good at just being good men to whom ever. Not seeing them on ESPN is a big void that can’t be field by anyone but; them. The truth they spoke it, the gospel they spoke it, the real they spoke it, they delusional they denounced it, the irrational they denounced it, the BS they denounced it. 2 Live Stews y’all gone always be my dawgs fam. Look forward to hearing your wild, live & crazy show again all the way up here in Detroit. Mad love fam, be easy, Holla at cha boy Master Miles keep ya pops & uncle up money. 313 is no longer in the buildin’ I’m out!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mile High Listener
September 17th, 2012
6:15 pm
I’m going to e-mail the advertisers of the station and let them know they they have lost at least 5 die hard listeners that I know of. Including 4 on-line listeners in Denver. I even personally referred somebody I know in the ATL to “the only Honda dealer inside the perimeter.”
DecaturHurricaneAlumni
September 18th, 2012
12:21 am
All you folks that are glad they aren’t at 790 the zone why are you so upset at them being hired at the new station CBS radio already owns the old Dave FM 92.9. 1) If those of you that hate the fact CBS radio is hiring them knew the Atlanta radio stations that CBS already owns/operates it should not surprise you that they would be looking at hiring Doug and Ryan in the first place 2) Don’t hate you good old boys (from your point of view only) now have 2 radio stations really 2 a half if you count 1100 am just for you at least I believe that is your POV. 3) Doug and Ryan going to the new sports Dave FM 92.9, along with Jim Rome to CBS radio and Atlanta’s Score Atlanta will make them the most dominate sports station in the Georgia market one because it’s backed by CBS, two it will be the first Atlanta sports station that will be heard outside of 285 that is 24 hours a day up to north GA and down to middle GA. So again I am actually happy for the good old boys that feel such hate for The 2 Live Stews you get what you want. Just tell me in detail why can’t you be happy that these guys are going to a station where CBS radio wants to target a more deserve market?
Carlos
September 18th, 2012
11:17 am
Saw this coming a mile away. When the stews are told to “tone it down” that’s corporate slang for don’t be yourself but can give Mike Bell an additional hour while he still gets to keep his personality, call it what you want but there was a level of jealousy they had towards the stews. It’s funny how and I hate to say this but white people can be themselves and it’s ok but when black people do it, there’s a problem. Ryan and Doug thanks for doing it your way and God has a plan for both of you. Some people just cant stand to see blacks doing well. Sorry but true.
BRborn
September 18th, 2012
11:18 am
The stews did there thing for 11yrs. I can’t wait to see where they land because I will be tuned in. These two guys made you feel like you were at home chating it up with your family about sports.
2 Live Stews I am a fan!!!!
Aubrey Camacho
September 18th, 2012
12:26 pm
For all of the white haters making their loathsome comments against the Stews, like always, you just don’t get it. The “urban” sound and theme of the Stews are a reflection of their life experience. They are not racist. I have heard many times, Kincade of 680theFan referring derogatorily about those “All-Right, All-Right guys up the dial” and yet the Stews never reciprocated. Now, who is really the racist? White America, you have more than 99% of the country overwhelmed by the “white voice” in radio sports news. This voice spews all its biases and twists its bigoted commentaries as…laudatory comments for white players and begrudgingly extracting the same for blacks. These so-called “sports journalists” (an oxymoron if I ever saw one) heap criticisms and denunciation on black players, but sweep under the rug the same for whites. Yet the Stews are racist. The best retribution to all you Stew haters is that the Stews “Blow-up-tuate” (for the non-urban crowd, that means immensely rise up) even further in notoriety and prominence and of course financially.
Afronaut
September 18th, 2012
12:41 pm
Mainstream only wants cookie cutter programming, evident in the way music stations do their business and sports talk followed suit. Yes Doug could do more prep, and their opinions did not goose step along with the mainstreams opinion. But we deserve diversity. Why does everything have to be in accordance to the mainstream(aka white) America. There are people who love sports who process information differently and they(we) would like to hear our opinions echoed from time to time. Out of 12 hours of programming we can’t even get a quarter of that time to take a break from the same old pasty stale and unimaginative programming. Nice job 790. I will miss mike bell and Dave archer but this moves smacks too much of marginalizing a segment of Atlanta’s sports population
weliverough
September 18th, 2012
1:28 pm
only show i will listen to now is mayhem because of chris. just hope they don’t compete head to head with the stews new location
Leo
September 18th, 2012
3:18 pm
If the stews are gone I am also I want listen to 790 again.
freddy b
September 18th, 2012
10:15 pm
790 is the worst, the stews kept it afloat, i hope they go under……soon . The stews now will do what the other good/entertaining personalities did that used to be there[chuck oliver, jon kinkaid, matt chernoff] get the hell on and rise up!
Tim
September 18th, 2012
11:01 pm
You gotta laugh at the people who are saying that The Stews “alienated” listeners.
Many white people think that everything should be targeted FOR THEM.
You get to hear your views promoted 99% of the time because sports talk radio is WHITEWASHED. Heaven forbid you have to actually listen to a different perspective instead of always having your opinions reinforced.
Jerrold
September 19th, 2012
10:09 am
790 the zone, you’ve officially lost an avid listener and fan of your station!
Jay D
September 19th, 2012
1:32 pm
Where are the Stews? I am down with the Stews 4 life! Just let me know where you guys land and I will be the first to support you guys!
EAZZ
September 19th, 2012
1:38 pm
You could see this coming a mile away…I would listen all the time and enjoyed them. I look forward to them reappearing bigger and better. Good luck fellas and God Bless
Very dissappointed...
September 19th, 2012
1:48 pm
I just googled this because I haven’t heard the Stews on the air this week. “Click”… I just closed the browser that was streaming in 790 and all of the “red zone” sponsors that I did patron (zerorez, superior plumbing, etc…), no more. Its amazing how much hatred of diversity exist not only in society but within corporate America. My company will not renew its ad block with 790.
chester
September 19th, 2012
2:13 pm
It is because of the Stews that I start listing to talk rado, I will not tune in to 790 the zone anymore . I saw it coming when the time change and they Hans .
Gsufree
September 19th, 2012
6:20 pm
I have deleted all my 790 the zone apps … Will no longer listen to the station …. 680 here I come …..waiting on the stews
BUMBLE B
September 19th, 2012
8:00 pm
THIS IS A SAD DAY BUT THE STEWS WILL BE OK THE SUN SHINES ON A DOGS ASS SOMETIMES GOOD LUCK STEWS CANT WAIT TO HEAR YOU ON THE AIR SOON
S'VILLE HELLION
September 19th, 2012
11:20 pm
It must be nice to go through life with the crutch of racism to lean on instead of blaming yourself for
your failures. If 790 thought they were profitable they would still be on the air! If you believe otherwise
then your blinded by your own ignorant prejudice!
scottie Johnson
September 20th, 2012
1:28 pm
The brothers was getting to strong. All the black People in the city of atlanta that listen to sports talk. Find another station. Just say no to the zone. We have lost the hot sauce
Former 790Listener
September 20th, 2012
2:58 pm
It is just funny to me how the new management at 790 made the Stews replace all the hip hop from their show with pop and country, but the rest of the “non urban” shows on the station seemed to add hip hop more and more to their intros and outros. I’m I the only one who noticed this?
Friend of the Stews
September 21st, 2012
1:15 pm
For those with negative comments the positive comments on this page out weigh yours. These guys took their job seriously at 790. When they had events and hosted the AFC/NFC party there where people of all races and background who supported the Stews and who are loyal listeners. Yes the talked sports from a urban perspective, but who wants to listen to the same old people all the time. Beau took these guys under his wing and gave them a chance years ago and I know that 790 is losing a lot of listeners from all backgrounds since the Stews are no longer on. Lincon Finacial you have made a mistake and cant recognize talent just because these men dont fit into your standard view of what everyone else is doing. They did it different and their way which made them successful and they are on there way to moving to new heights and 790 will be begging them to come back
The Stews will Alway Perserver and See it through
790 listener
September 21st, 2012
2:12 pm
The Stews were a fresh sound to sports talk…Breaking them down, they were former jocks with limited sports knowledge, but pretty good on air personality. Not sure how hard they really worked at their trade because outside of football, and the NBA, they were lost. I’m sure they saw this coming with the reduction of airtime, etc. They had a good run, and who wouldn’t want 3 months off paid! Wish them the best.