San Diego Radio: ‘The Mighty 1090’ Is Back

San Diego's XEPRS  XX 1090 AM will have a dramatic new look heading into 2013, starting with the return of the town's premier sports talk team, Scott Kaplan and Billy Ray Smith to the station following a ten month absence, according to SDS Radio.

The duo will hold down the 3-6pm afternoon slot, which many experts call the keystone of a successful sports radio station and debut on Monday, December 17th.  Kaplan and Smith will continue their morning show on UT-TV and their print column in the Union Tribune.

Commenting on the return, 1090's VP-Market Manager Norm Feuer said,

"When I got here in September I was determined to build the best sports talk station possible.  The moves we announce today are the culmination of that determination which started with our announcement of a three year Padres renewal.  Scott and BR's 12 year heritage as a must listen to program was at the top of my list." 

"We are incredibly stoked to get back on the airwaves, re-connecting with the listeners of 1090, our great friends, and getting back on radio in addition to our TV and print platforms.  It's about connecting with fans in every way, throughout the day, and that's what Billy Ray and I are all about.  Game on!"

SDS Radio reports, Feuer also announced that Jim Rome will be joining 1090 AM on January 2nd, 2013.  Rome is moving networks in 2013 and will appear exclusively on 1090 AM in San Diego.  "Jim Rome has been the highest rated network personality in this town for nearly a generation," said Feuer, "and he's now going to be part of our superstar line-up."

Joining Scott and BR and Rome in the new 1090 AM line-up will be current personalities Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton, who will move into morning drive (6-9am) for the first time in his long career, and Darren Smith who will move into the 12-3pm shift.

Rounding out the new line-up is Coach John Kentera handling 6-9pm with the rest of the evening being handled by ESPN personalities.

The other major announcement from the station involves the return of an iconic name to San Diego's radio airwaves, The Mighty 1090 AM (50kw).

"We did a big research project a few months ago and it was clear that the station's former name was beloved, and in fact the way many still identified us.  We look at it like a sports franchise going back to a classic uniform.  And, with our new line-up of Hacksaw, Rome, Darren Smith, Scott and BR and the Coach, plus the Padres and nearly every major sports event from the Super Bowl to the World Series to the BCS Championship, The Mighty 1090 AM is the perfect name for who we are," Feuer added.