Madden returning? Bettis to 1250?
Pittsburgh:Not confirmed: Mark Madden returning to the airwaves via Clear Channel's WXDX-FM (105.9). That could be the situation this fall after Madden's no-compete is up. According to Bob Smizik, sources claim Madden and WEAE (1250) agreed to a buyout after firing him in May after nasty comments regarding Senator Kennedy. The format of the show remains a mystery, but it's apparent that he'll take over the 3-7p.m. slot. Smizik figures that Clear Channel will frown upon the attacks he used to place on people such as Myron Cope or Hines Ward.
On the flip side of the token, CC may be looking forward to having Madden for his knowledge and love of the Penguins whose broadcast contract is up with Clear Channel after the upcoming season. His show would be a perfect lead-in. (WEAE (1250) and even KDKA (1020) would love to be able to pick up a sport broadcast contract!)
ALSO NOT CONFIRMED: Meanwhile, on Ardmore Boulevard, rumors have been floating that Jerome Bettis might be a part of the team taking over where Madden left off.
Stay tuned.
Readers’ Forum
I seriously doubt, with all due respect to Bob Smizik, that Clear Channel will frown upon the tripe that got Mark Madden canned at 1250? I mean, come on, we’re talking about Clear Channel, the same outfit that runs Rush Limbaugh nationally and has everyone in Pittsburgh brainwashed into thinking Jim Krenn is the greatest thing to hit radio since album-oriented rock (the latter which, come to think of it, also isn’t that great, either).
Just another excuse to avoid listening to FM radio.
Rick - July 15, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Jim Krenn was at DVE long before Clear Channel owned it. And, although I’m not a big Rush fan, I don’t think I’ve ever heard him be foul-mouthed. (Unless you consider “poppycock” foul.) I think what Smizik was referring to was the ousting of Howard Stern from several CC stations (including WXDX) back in 2004.
Eric - July 16, 2008 at 4:16 pm