Philly Radio: NBC Sports Cancels Philly Sports Talk

NBC Sports Philadelphia has canceled Philly Sports Talk after a 21-year run and replaced it with the final hour of The Mike Missanelli Show, the popular radio program that the network has been simulcasting for 10 months.

Effective March 4, Philly Sports Talk, which has aired weekdays from 5 to 6 p.m. will cease production. NBC Sports Philadelphia spokeswoman Maureen Quilter said the move was made largely to reallocate resources toward the regional sports network’s game coverage, namely pre- and post-game shows. The Comcast Corp. property airs Phillies, 76ers and Flyers games and pre- and post-game coverage for those three teams and the Eagles.

According to the Philly Business Journal, Quilter said there will be no layoffs as a result, with behind the scenes staff and on-air personalities reassigned to other programs. Co-host Amy Fadool will become the primary pre- and post-game show host for 76ers coverage, while Michael Barkann will continue to serve as primary host of Flyers and Phillies pre- and post-game shows.

Co-host Marc Farzetta will become multiplatform host and reporter. Farzetta also serves as host of WPEN 97.5 FM The Fanatic’s morning drive show.

“Not many shows can survive for 21 plus years, but as consumer habits have evolved, now is the right time to move in a new direction,” NBC Sports Philadelphia President Brian Monihan said in a statement.

NBC Sports Philadelphia began simulcasting Missanelli’s highly rated afternoon drive program on The Fanatic last April. Missanelli’s show airs on The Fanatic from 2 to 6 p.m. but NBC Sports Philadelphia had only broadcast the first three hours before making way for Philly Sports Talk.

For The Fanatic, owned by Beasley Broadcast Group, NBC Sports Philadelphia's programming change earns it an extra hour of exposure for Missanelli’s program.