NYC Radio: WEPN Going Live&Local In AM Drive

In a move that will ratchet up the NYC radio ratings war, WEPN 98.7 FM ESPN New York will for the first time have its own local program to compete against WFAN, The NY Post is reporting.

Rick DiPietro, Chris Canty and Dave Rothenberg are moving to mornings and will be on from 5-8 a.m. daily on 98.7 FM, setting up a battle with WFAN’s No. 1 rated “Boomer & Gio.”

Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams and Zubin Mehenti will lose an hour in the New York market, but will remain on from 8-10 a.m. The moves were all made in the wake of Dan Le Batard’s departure that shuffled ESPN Radio’s national lineup.

After the morning shows on 98.7 FM, Mike Greenberg’s show from 10-to-noon will precede the newly made national program featuring Bart Scott and Alan Hahn from noon-to-2.

Max Kellerman will remain with an hour prior to Michael Kay’s heavyweight battle with WFAN’s new program, “Carton & Roberts,” from 3-7 p.m. Carton & Roberts’ first hour has the advantage of starting its 2 p.m. show against Kellerman for an hour.

When reached for comment by The Post, ESPN New York’s GM Tim McCarthy confirmed the moves. The changes will go into effect next month.

It all sets up a new morning competition in New York sports radio that ESPN New York has ceded since its inception in 2003. From “Imus in the Morning” to “Boomer & Carton” and now “Boomer & Gio,” WFAN has had the luxury of going against national programming. Though “Mike & Mike” was a huge success, while “Golic & Wingo” was less so, it has been difficult for ESPN New York to start its day strong without a local focus.