Update 10/14: WWWL transitioned from “ESPN 1350” to “3WL” this morning.
“3WL 1350 celebrates the three greatest passions of New Orleanians: sports, food and fun! Think of 3WL as a radio station as tasty as gumbo, as fun as Mardi Gras and as passionate as Saints fans on Sundays,” said Chris Claus, Vice President and General Manager of Entercom New Orleans. “In the three weeks since we announced 3WL, the response has been overwhelming. 3WL is perfectly set up to succeed and deliver real results for our advertisers.”
Award-winning WWL Operations & Program Director, Diane Newman, who will oversee 3WL, commented on the launch, “Today is the culmination of a lot of hard work and planning. Our lineup from top to bottom is as good as any in the country. With sports in the morning, food at lunch, and a larger-than-life personality, Spud McConnell, in the afternoon, 3WL launches with tremendous strength, proven talent, and unquestioned passion.”
The move currently leaves New Orleans without an ESPN Radio affiliate, although we previously reported that 100.3 KLRZ Larose is likely to fill that gap.
Original Report 9/23: On October 14, Entercom will shift “ESPN 1350” WWWL New Orleans to a mix of Sports and Lifestyle Talk branded as “3WL“.
The new station lineup will feature a local Sports talk show in mornings hosted by T-Bob Hebert and sister WWL sportscaster Kristian Garic. Hebert is the son of former New Orleans Saints QB Bobby Hebert. NBC Sports Radio’s Erik Kuselias will follow from 9am to 12pm.
At 12pm, “The Food Show” hosted by Tom Fitzmorris will relocate from its current 3-6pm spot. Fitmorris has been at 1350 for over 25 years and has outlasted nine format changes on the frequency.
John ‘Spud’ McConnell will relocate from middays on 870/105.3 WWL to 3-6pm on 3WL. Former WWL-TV anchor Angela Hill will replace him on 870/105.3 on September 30.
The remainder of 1350’s lineup will be filled with NBC Sports Radio programming. No word yet whether ESPN Radio has found a new affiliate in the New Orleans market to replace WWWL.
The press release announcing 3WL follows:
Today Entercom New Orleans announced the launch of a new radio station, 3WL 1350. This AM station is an extension of the Gulf South POWERhouse, WWL AM/FM. 3WL builds on the success of this New Orleans legendary station by offering a “branch” focused on the passions of New Orleans. 3WL will go live Monday, October 14th.
“3WL 1350 celebrates the three greatest passions of New Orleanians…sports, food and fun! Think of 3WL as a radio station as tasty as gumbo, as fun as Mardi Gras and as passionate as Saints fans on Sundays,” said Chris Claus, Vice President and General Manager of Entercom New Orleans. “3WL will build on the tremendous success of WWL, but have a focus all its own. This is an exciting time for Entercom New Orleans and our clients. There is no city like New Orleans in America and there will be no station like 3WL in New Orleans.”
Award winning WWL Operations & Program Director, Diane Newman, who will oversee 3WL, commented on the launch, “From 6am to 6pm 3WL 1350 has a lineup that New Orleans not only knows but connects with. With sports in the morning, food at lunch and larger than life personality, Spud McConnell, in the afternoon, 3WL launches with tremendous strength, proven talent, and unquestioned passion.”
3WL’s lineup will launch Monday, October 14th and feature:
6am to 9am – Morning Drive with T-Bob Hebert and Kristian Garic. T-Bob, former LSU lineman and son of iconic Saints QB Bobby Hebert, joins Saints sideline reporter and WWL sportscaster Kristian Garic to create NOLA’s newest and best morning sports show.
9am to Noon – The Power of NBC Sports with Erick Kuselias.
Noon to 3pm – “The Food Show” with Tom Fitzmorris. Now in its 25th year “The Food Show” with Tom Fitzmorris taps into the hot New Orleans food scene and a culture wrapped around the Crescent City’s love of food—eating out or dining in. It’s a platform unlike any other in local media.
3pm to 6pm – The Lighter Side of The Spud Show. WWL mainstay John Spud McConnell brings his irreverent take on life, politics and today’s events to 3WL 1350 on a new edition of The Spud Show. Spud will celebrate our city’s lighter side and what makes the Crescent City so special!
6pm to 6am – NBC Sports Radio
When 3WL is not live and local, the backdrop will be NBC Sports Radio.
