For the past five years, Kirk has been co-host of the “Kirk and Callahan” morning show on WEEI 93.7 FM. The new platform will expand Kirk’s reach to a national audience and explore wide-ranging topics in addition to sports. Kirk’s podcast and column are expected to launch in January 2019 and his new, daily, weekday radio show, which will include a co-host to be named at a later date, is expected to launch in early 2019.
“As an industry leader in compelling, proprietary content, Entercom is making sure RADIO.COM is populated with the very best programming available. Kirk Minihane fits this model perfectly,” said Pat Paxton, President of Programming, Entercom. “His ability to entertain and engage is second to none, and there is no question Kirk will become a highly successful national audio personality. He already conquered Boston. Now on to the rest of the world!”
“I’m extremely excited to return to the air and reach a national audience, with greater autonomy to focus on a variety of topics, and even more digital platforms to connect with my fans,” said Kirk Minihane.“It’s been awesome to be part of WEEI and I know Gerry and Mut will continue to put on a great show. I want to thank the listeners for their patience and loyalty over the past several weeks, and I can’t wait to get started on RADIO.COM.”
RADIO.COM is the exclusive digital home for all Entercom content across the company’s robust portfolio of 235 radio stations.
Minihane run as a cohost of the morning program om WEEI has been marked by controversy, contentiousness, and consistent ratings success, according to boston.com.
In 2014, Fox temporarily pulled its advertising when Minihane referred to Fox Sports sideline reporter Erin Andrews as a “gutless bitch’’ for the way she handled an interview during baseball’s All-Star Game. Minihane was briefly suspended.
In August, Tom Brady hung up during his paid weekly appearance on “Kirk and Callahan’’ after Minihane pressed him with questions about Alex Guerrero, the quarterback’s controversial trainer.
In a statement, WEEI said, “This national platform will provide Kirk the opportunity to host a show the way he envisions without having to worry about certain station and FCC guidelines. Kirk remains an employee of Entercom and part of the Entercom/WEEI family.’’Minihane’s daily program will not air at the same time as “Mut and Callahan’’ for now. But it will be available on demand for listening at any time.
Minihane has been on a leave of absence from the morning program since early September. He had revealed Aug. 9 that he had recently checked himself into Winchester Hospital with suicidal thoughts. He said he was transferred to McLean Hospital, where he underwent treatment.
Minihane briefly returned to the show, but went back on his leave of absence Sept. 6.
“Still battling mental health issues,’’ Minihane tweeted. “Truth is I came back to work too fast.’’
Minihane, who has long been candid about his battles with depression, acknowledged then that he was still working through some of the reasons for his struggles. Those included conflicts with Entercom and WEEI management about the direction of the show.
In recent weeks, there has been much suspense regarding when or if Minihane would return to “Kirk and Callahan.’’ He tweeted that he was cleared by his doctor to return Oct. 12, but WEEI would not put him back on the air.
Minihane had a palpably positive effect on ratings when he joined WEEI’s morning show as a third voice in February 2013. “Kirk and Callahan’’ was the highest-rated morning drive show in Boston over the summer among the men 25-54 demographic.
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