Update 5:02pm: WPEN has announced that as of Monday at 10:00am, “950 ESPN” will relaunch as “97.5 The Fanatic” as we mentioned earlier. However, 97.5 has already begun simulcasting the programming of 950.
Update 7:00pm: The station has unveiled its new lineup. ESPN’s Mike & Mike continue from 6 to 10am. Middayers Harry Mayes and Dan Schwartzman are split up. Mayes moves to 10am to 12pm teamed with Stephen A. Smith until a permanent host is named for that slot. Schwartzman will be joined by NBC 10 Sports Director (and former Eagle) Vai Sikahema for 12pm to 2pm. Mike Missanelli adds an hour to his show, which will now run from 2pm to 7pm. Specialty shows will run from 7pm to 10pm. Content Factory/Fox Sports Radio’s Into the Night with Tony Bruno airs from 10pm to 1am, while ESPN’s Jason Smith runs overnights.
Original Entry 10/9/09 1:35pm: AllAccess.com has reported within the last hour that Greater Media will move Sports WPEN “950 ESPN” Philadelphia to 97.5 FM on Monday, October 12 replacing Hot AC WNUW “Now-FM“.
With the move of the programming to the FM band, it appears as though a new name will accompany the shift. 975TheFanatic.com and 975FMTheFanatic.com were registered anonymously earlier this week. While most markets are familiar with the shortened term “Fan”, Philadelphia is home to the beloved Philly Phanatic.
In its current form “950 ESPN” carries local programming from 11am to 10pm, we’re going to guess that 950 will shift to a 24/7 simulcast of ESPN Radio’s national programming following the launch of 97.5.
