CBS Radio has promoted Mike Thomas to Vice President of Sports Programming.
Along with the new duties joining Mark Chernoff in overseeing CBS’ portfolio of all-Sports stations and the CBS Sports Radio network, Thomas will continue to program “98.5 The Sports Hub” WBZ-FM and Classic Rock 100.7 WZLX Boston.
With the premier roster of top-rated local sports stations, and the growing nationally-focused CBS Sports Radio among its portfolio, CBS RADIO announced today it was expanding its senior leadership team in charge of programming with the promotion of Mike Thomas to Vice President, Sports Programming. The announcement was made by Chris Oliviero, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS RADIO.
Thomas will continue to serve as CBS RADIO’s head of programming in Boston while also guiding the on-air presentation and strategic planning for 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) and 100.7 Classic Rock (WZLX-FM). The appointment is effective immediately.
In this new role, Thomas joins Mark Chernoff in overseeing CBS RADIO’s nearly 30 sports formatted stations, as well as CBS Sports Radio, with more than 300 affiliates nationwide. CBS RADIO owns the most listened to sports stations in the country with weekly audiences in excess of 9 million, including WFAN-AM/FM in New York, WSCR-AM in Chicago, WXYT-FM in Detroit and WIP-FM in Philadelphia, among others.
Additionally, CBS RADIO stations serve as the flagship for more than two dozen professional sports teams across the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL.
“Mike’s creativity and expertise in the format is evident by The Sports Hub’s quick ascent in one of the most competitive and passionate sports towns in America,” said Oliviero. “These skills will serve CBS RADIO well as Mike joins Mark in guiding our continually growing, industry leading portfolio of both local and national sports brands which combined produces nearly 300 hours a day of original content.”
Thomas has served as Program Director for CBS RADIO Boston’s WZLX-FM since 2006 and 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) since 2009. He has nearly 20 years of top management experience as a radio program director. Prior to joining CBS RADIO, Thomas was Program Director as well as midday on-air personality at KGB in San Diego, Calif. He also programmed WFBQ in Indianapolis, Ind., WTUE and WXEG in Dayton, Ohio and WYMG in Springfield, Ill.
98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) was named Sports Station of the Year at the 2011 National Association of Broadcasters’ (NAB) Marconi Radio Awards, and consistently captures the largest share of listening among Men 18-49 and 25-54 in Boston.
