The Wasatch Front is a rarity, boasting two 24-hour, all-sports radio stations. Only Phoenix, Dallas and a few other, much larger metro areas have that much continuous sports radio programming available.
Now, even the most die-hard sport fans can't catch all 48 hours of the talk shows and play-by-play offered by KFNZ (alias "K-Fan," AM-1320) and AM-1230 ("Sports Radio ESPN).New call letters are pending for AM-1230, but that station accents national sports programming, while sister station KFNZ will have primarily local programming, as well as Utah Jazz and Grizzlies play-by-play.
However, because of a contractual obligation with KTKK (AM-630), any play-by-play overlap on KFNZ will remain there. That may change in the future, as Citadel Communications, the owner of both all-sports stations, attempts to please local and national sports fans and those in-between.
Here's a rundown of the basic all-sports programming for weekdays on the two stations:
SPORTS RADIO ESPN 1230
ESPN Morning show with Mike Golic, 4-8 a.m.; Tony Kornheiser of ESPN, 8 a.m.-noon; Peter Brown of One-On-One Network, noon-4 p.m.; ESPN Afternoons, with Mark Gray and Doug Brown, 4-7 p.m.; Chuck Wilson and Bob Valvano show, or play-by-play of national sporting events, 7 p.m.-midnight; "Game Night," with Todd Wright, midnight-4 a.m.
KFNZ, "K-FAN," AM-1320
"MJB in the Morning," with David James, Gordon Monson and Ron Boone, 7-10 a.m.; "Sports Grill," with Ian Furness and Steve Klauke, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Dan Patrick show of ESPN, 1-4 p.m.; "Jazz Talk," with Craig Bolerjack, Tom Nissalke and Jeff Rickard, 4-7 p.m.; Utah Jazz or Grizzlies play-by-play, 7 p.m.-midnight; One-on-One Sports Network, overnight.
-- MORNING RATINGS LISTS -- Here are the top 10 rankings for morning shows, omitted from last week's column:
-- The ratings estimates for the summer of 1999 from Arbitron on morning shows, 6-10 a.m. weekdays, for the age 12-plus audience:
(1) "Grant and Amanda," KSL (8.8 percent audience share); (2) "Dain and Peggy," KSFI (7.1); (3) (tie) "Johnson and Johnson," KUBL and "The Freak Show," with Mick and Allen, KURR, (5.0); (5) "Bob and Tom" syndicated show, KBER (4.5); (6) (tie) Tom Barberi, KALL and "Radio From Hell Show" with Kerry, Bill and Gina, KXRK (4.3); (8) "Z-Morning Zoo" with Frankie, Kelli and Danger Boy (4.2); (9) (tie) Jimmy Chunga, KENZ and "Country Joe, KSOP (4.1).
-- The ratings estimates for the summer of 1999 from Arbitron on morning shows, 6-10 a.m. weekdays, for the age 18-34 audience:
(1) Jimmy Chunga, KENZ (8.7 percent audience share); (2) "Freak Show," KURR (8.1); (3) "Radio From Hell Show," KXRK (7.7); (4) "Bob and Tom," KBER (7.5); (5) "Johnson and Johnson," KUBL (5.7); (6) (tie) "Simon and Brady," KBEE and "Z-Morning Zoo," KZHT (4.9); (8) (tie) "Mike and Marci," KQMB and "Country Joe," KSOP (4.7); (10) "Cano and the Morning Crew (Rick and Dawn), KKAT (4.6).
-- The ratings estimates for the summer of 1999 from Arbitron on morning shows, 6-10 a.m. weekdays, for the age 25-54 audience:
(1) "Grant and Amanda," KSL (7.7 percent audience share); (2) "Dain and Peggy," KSFI (7.5); (3) "Freak Show," KURR (7.2); (4) "Bob and Tom," KBER (5.6); (5) "Johnson and Johnson," KUBL (5.0); (6) Jon Carter, KRSP (5.0); (7) Johnny Quest, KCPX (4.7); (8) "Country Joe," KSOP (4.6); (9) "Married with Microphones," (Dickie and Angel), KODJ (4.4); (10) (tie) Jimmy Chunga, KENZ and "Cano and the Morning Crew," KKAT (4.2)
-- MARCUS ON KZHT -- "Marcus," the former morning co-host with Jimmy Chunga on KENZ, was a guest on the "Z-Morning Zoo" (FM-94.9) show Monday.
The DJ, who has filed a lawsuit against Citadel Communications -- owner of KENZ -- told "Frankie, Danger Boy and Kelli" that he's not sure why he was fired from "The End." He stressed he did nothing illegal on the "Cruise of Dreams" and wonders why his former employer is enforcing a six-month, no-compete clause, which prevents him from getting a job at any other Salt Lake station during that time.
Marcus said he had a good time on the cruise, but afterward he was suspended for a week and then fired. He's now been replaced by "Mr. West."
-- PHIL RIESEN is leaving Clear Channel Broadcasting of Salt Lake City at the end of the month. He's been news director of the seven stations there, including KALL and KNRS, for more than one year but is now taking a new job on Salt Lake Mayor-elect Rocky Anderson's staff.
KALL and KNRS is also losing reporter Thom Dillion to Anderson's staff. Broadcasting replacements are currently being sought.
Deseret News radio editor Lynn Arave can be reached by e-mail at lynn@desnews.com or by phone at 237-2168.