NYC Radio: Entercom Cuts May Hit WFAN

WFAN's Carlin, Maggie & Bart

The future of WFAN’s “Carlin, Maggie & Bart” is in question, The NYPost is reporting.

In an odd situation, CMB’s status for the fall is unclear, even as they generate very strong ratings, including being tied for first in their time slot two-thirds of the way into the latest ratings book.

Nonetheless, FAN’s parent company, Entercom, may prefer slicing three salaries off the books and moving to the more traditional three shows rather than four during the day.

CMB’s future could be linked once again to the man they replaced and who replaced them — Mike Francesa.

Here's how the thinking goes...If Francesa can get his plans straight and commit to FAN, CMB may be in trouble, despite their success.

The Post citing sources reports Bart Scott’s contract is up at the end of the year, while Entercom has a company option on Maggie Gray and Chris Carlin.

Since they were paid as afternoon hosts doing four-and-a-half hours and now are on less than half the time in a less desirable time slot (1-3 p.m.), Entercom may prefer to renegotiate or they could just drop the show entirely.

Entercom is expected to make a decision on its programming lineup by the beginning of the fall book in September. In theory, it could wait until the end of the calendar year, but that seems less likely.

While Entercom has a chance to demonstrate that it is not a rinky-dink, strictly cost-cutting organization, some in the industry think it may just give the soaring “Joe & Evan” show another hour, as well as extending Francesa from 2 to 6:30.