At 3pm today, Sinclair Communications pulled the plug on Soft Oldies “Vintage 96.5” W243DJ Norfolk/106.1 WUSH-HD2 Poquoson VA after just two and a half months.
The station, which dropped its Active Rock “96.5 Rocks” identity on June 26, has now flipped to a simulcast of “Sports Radio 850” WTAR. The move comes days after WTAR announced a new programming schedule set to debut this coming Monday.
Owner Bob Sinclair released the following statement regarding the change:
We feel that Sports Radio 850 now has one of the one best lineups of any sports talk radio station in the US, and we just felt it was time to reach an even larger audience by simulcasting the station on 96.5FM. I feel that while ESPN used to be a great brand, the fact is that their morning show is disbanding this fall, and probably the best talent they had, Colin Cowherd, left the network and is now on Sports Radio 850 live from noon-3pm. We are affiliated with Fox Sports and through their connections; Dan Patrick, Rich Eisen and Clay Travis are also broadcast daily on WTAR. We’ve added the Nick Bailey Show, live and local, Monday-Friday from 3-5pm. In addition, Sports Radio 850 is the home of the Washington Redskins, UVA football and basketball, and the Washington Nationals. If all that wasn’t enough, it is no secret to anyone that ESPN has received a big backlash from their perceived liberal bias on what should have been a pure sports network.
I know that Vintage 96.5 had thousands of loyal listeners. We thank you for listening but please be aware that our co-owned station 93.7 BOB FM plays unquestionably the best variety of classic rock and classic hits from every decade from the 60s through today,
Charles Everett 
Nathan Obral
Those “thousands of loyal listeners” to Vintage 96.5 had to be a state secret. Sinclair Communications doesn’t subscribe to Nielsen Audio ratings — and Hampton Roads is a PPM market.
As well, liberal-bashing is in Sinclair’s blood since the company’s cluster includes WNIS with its Right-Wing format.
“If all that wasn’t enough, it is no secret to anyone that ESPN has received a big backlash from their perceived liberal bias on what should have been a pure sports network.”
But, of course, you’re fine with running noted right-wing knuckle-dragger Clay Travis in morning drive.
What an absolutely garbage statement. This Sinclair may not be connected to the Republican Party mouthpiece out of Hunt Valley, Maryland, but could you really tell the difference?
And “one of the one best lineups of any sports talk radio station in the US?” The CBS Radio sports talkers would like to say hello.