NYC Radio: WEPN Looking to Beef-Up Local Content

WEPN ESPN 98.7 FM New York is in deep discussions to strengthen its hand in the local market with yet another former WFAN headliner, The NY Post is reporting.

Ex-FAN afternoon host Chris Carlin is in advanced talks with ESPN New York to work evenings, following the Michael Kay show, according to sources.

Last week is was reported that Bart Scott plans to leave FAN to co-host a new local show from 1 to 3 p.m. on ESPN New York in 2020.

Scott is expected to be teamed with Alan Hahn, according to sources. Hahn’s promotion from nights will open up the spot for Carlin, who could also add some ESPN Radio talk and play-by-play roles.

Entercom, WFAN’s parent company, badly wants to center its daytime programming around Scott and spent last week trying to convince him to change his mind, according to The Post citing sources.

Meanwhile, Michael Kay continues to dominate Mike Francesa in the last Nielsen ratings.

Kay beat Francesa 7.5-6.2 Men 25-54 in the second month. If Francesa’s debated streaming numbers are added, Kay still holds a 7.5-6.9 advantage.

In mornings, Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti dominated, finishing first by a wide margin. ESPN Radio’s national show, “Golic & Wingo,” was 12th in New York.

In the way WFAN looks at the ratings (streaming included), Scott and Maggie Gray finished first with a 7.0 share, while Stephen A. Smith’s national show was a respectable sixth at 5.3.