DC Radio: WTEM Closes 'The Man Cave'

Just more than half a year after launching the locally based "Man Cave" morning show, Red Zebra's WTEM ESPN 980, owned by Redskins owner Dan Snyder, has pulled the plug on the show. Tuesday's show was its last, according to pressboxdc.com.

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On Wednesday, the sports talker restored ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" to morning drive on the station that can be heard on 980 AM, as well as 92.7 and 94.3 FM.

"Mike and Mike in the Morning" had been airing on Red Zebra's other sports talker, WSPZ 570 AM which has a weaker signal than WTEM.  Red Zebra will be running Steve Czaban's national ESPN show in mornings on WSPZ starting Nov. 2.

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While the "Man Cave," which was launched in late March after a delayed original start date and hosted by Jason Reid and Chris Paul, trailed in the overall radio ratings behind the "Sports Junkies" on CBS' WJFK, 106.7 The Fan, it was increasing its numbers in key male demographics, according to reports.

In the October radio ratings for the Washington, D.C., market, the "Man Cave" placed 20th, up from 21st in August, in the overall age 6-plus demographic. In comparison, "Sports Junkies" placed 12th.

"Unfortunately, we were not able to obtain the consistent level of ratings success needed in morning drive over the last seven months and therefore felt the need to make this change," WTEM program director Dan Zampillo said in a statement.