Update 8/12: Greater Media has confirmed “Detroit Sports 105.1” will launch at 3pm this afternoon with Drew Lane.
The station’s lineup will feature ESPN’s Mike & Mike in mornings and Colin Cowherd from 10am to 12pm. Rico Beard and WJBK-TV reporter Ryan Ermanni will host a local show from 12pm to 3pm until a permanent show is named leading into Lane from 3 to 7. ESPN Radio programming will air at night.
Listen to the launch of Detroit Sports 105.1 at FormatChange.com.
The full Press Release from Greater Media follows:
Greater Media unveiled the brand new Detroit Sports 105.1 in the Motor City with new afternoon drive personality Drew Lane at 3pm today.
Powered by ESPN, the new station will feature America’s top sports morning show, “Mike & Mike” each weekday morning from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. From 10 to noon listeners will hear the outspoken Colin Cowherd on “The Herd.” During both shows, listeners will receive news and information about local Detroit teams three times an hour.
Afternoon drive will be hosted by legendary former long-time WRIF-FM morning personality Drew lane from 3pm to 7pm. He will be joined by longtime producer Marc Fellhauer.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer Detroit a new alternative that will be designed with our loyal and dedicated sports fans in mind,” said Greater Media Market Manager Steve Chessare. “We look forward to providing the very best local and national talent on the airwaves for our listeners. We will have more announcements surrounding the new station in the near future.”
Detroit Sports 105.1’s agreement with ESPN will allow the station to use all of the resources of “The Worldwide Leader in Sports” to entertain the fans of Detroit. ESPN Monday Night Football announcer and Ann Arbor resident Mike Tirico will make a weekly appearance on Detroit Sports 105.1. The station will have access to the full slate of ESPN’s analysts and personalities.
“We are excited about expanding our relationship with Greater Media by providing ESPN Radio programming to the 12th largest media market in the country on Detroit Sports 105.1,” said Patrick Polking, ESPN Senior Director, Distribution and Business Development. “This move provides Detroit’s passionate fans the best of our national and their local coverage and analysis while extending our goal of moving our content to the FM dial. This addition becomes our 148th FM affiliate (roughly 40%) for ESPN Radio.”
The agreement with ESPN will allow the Detroit Sports 105.1 to air some of the biggest events in the world of sports including: The World Series, The NBA Finals and The BCS Championship Game.
In addition, “Ryan and Rico”, consisting of Ryan Ermanni and Rico Beard will be hosting the noon -3 PM program until a permanent personality is announced.
Stay tuned for more exciting announcements in the near future.
Original Report 8/9: The long-expected flip of AC “Today’s 105.1” WMGC Detroit to Sports will become a reality on Monday, August 12.
It appears the station will be branded as “Detroit Sports 105.1” as Michiguide.com reported yesterday amidst rumblings of an accelerated launch for the new format. We can add that DetroitSports1051.com and a few decoy domains were anonymously registered together in late July.
The station’s launch on Monday at 3pm will coincide with for now will be the only local program on the station hosted by former 101.1 WRIF morning host Drew Lane. The remainder of the station’s programming at this time will likely come from ESPN Radio.
Jason Dixon, most recently OM/PD of Capitol Broadcasting’s “99.9 The Fan” WCMC-FM Raleigh has been hired as PD for the new format.
