By Justin Spiro
spirojus@msu.edu
January 29, 2015
There are several reasons the Detroit Sports 105.1 experiment is failing miserably. You could blame the national programming in the morning that NO ONE cares about.
You could blame the continued employment of proven ratings failure and alleged gambling addict/homophobe/racist Ryan Ermanni.
You could blame Drew Lane, who thought wearing a Detroit Tigers hat in his Twitter avatar was the only adjustment he needed to make in his new life as a sports radio host.
These are all good reasons, and each has played a significant role in 105.1’s failure to stir any interest in the market.
But this week has demonstrated an entirely new reason to shake your head™ (Vincent Goodwill Jr.) at the three-ring circus taking place up the dial. Program Director Jason Dixon has made the decision to ax the Saturday baseball show “Hardcore Baseball”, hosted by Tony Paul.
The show was the best in town, with the possible exception of when Mike Valenti is completely alone in-studio and is, for whatever reason, particularly engaged.
Of course, even Dixon would likely tell you his preference would be to air “Hardcore Baseball” instead of more syndicated programming that zero people listen to. But the failure of 105.1 these past 17 months means that money is tight and times are tough. When the budget is tightened, some things have to go. A somewhat understandable situation, yes?
Then can someone please tell me why Matt Dery and THREE other members of 105.1 are currently in Arizona broadcasting live from media row!?!?
Yes, the radio conglomerate that only a couple of weeks ago laid off two employees because of 105.1’s financial failures thought it would be a brilliant idea to send Dery, Dixon, Tom Mazawey and a marketing person from Greater Media to Arizona this week.
Look. Even if the 105.1 coffers were overflowing, sending a team of mediocre Detroit broadcasters to Arizona to cover a game between teams from New England and Seattle makes zero sense from a strategic programming perspective.
It is completely asinine to think that radio listeners in Detroit even CARE about the game beyond a casual interest. Yes, it is the Super Bowl and we all like our parties, squares, and prop bets. But what percentage of fans in this market is DYING for an entire week’s worth of Super Bowl coverage? And what percentage of THOSE fans would reject all other sources of this coverage in favor of MATT FRIGGIN DERY!?!?
And even if 105.1 did decide to cover the Super Bowl ad nauseam this week, why was it necessary for them to broadcast live from Arizona? Is the listening experience enriched whatsoever by Dery’s physical presence in the anti-immigrant state?
Money is extremely tight at the flailing 105.1, and they allocate precious resources to a weeklong live remote at the Super Bowl? I am sure the hotel rates in town are steeply discounted during the down period known as SUPER BOWL WEEK!!!
At least Dery and Mazawey had enough free time to take in the very Detroit-centric Wizards vs. Suns game at US Airways Center. Way to abuse your press pass privileges, guys! This is the worst offense involving a press pass since Jeff Moss was denied entry into the Dave Dombrowski season-ending press conference because he is Jewish.
Let’s call this trip to Arizona exactly what it is: A paid vacation for Dery, Mazawey, and co. There was absolutely zero strategic benefit to sending them on an all-expenses paid trip across the country.
Never forget™ (Rob Otto) that in the same week Dixon got rid of “Hardcore Baseball” due to budget constraints, he paid Dery and Mazawey and some other schmuck to fly cross-country and attend a Phoenix Suns game.
We now go live to the Greater Media compound in Ferndale for exclusive budgetary discussions regarding their sports station ….
When 105.1 finally dies, the autopsy won’t take long.