Big Ratings Week For ESPN

As the Boston sports radio battle continues between WEEI-FM and WBZ-FM Sports Hub, the morning drive battle between the two just got a lot more interesting. WEEI-FM's Kirk & Callahan morning show is now officially without Kirk Minihane. Mike Mutansky has been named as official co-host of the show along with Gerry Callahan.

Minihane and the station parted ways over what Minihane called "a philosophical difference" with the station, announcing the change on WGBH-TV earlier this week. Kirk had missed time from the show earlier this year due to "mental health issues", although he revealed during the TV interview that he was given limitations about being critical of the Red Sox and the Globe (newspaper).


The big news in New York radio is the Mets making another move to a new flagship station. After only a couple of seasons on WOR 710 (from WFAN prior to that), the Mets move to WCBS-AM 880. The team will have a new second play-by-play voice, as Josh Lewin is leaving the Mets' booth to head back to San Diego.

Lewin will be a part of the Padres broadcasts starting in the spring, although early word is that he will primarily handle the pre-game and post-game shows. Since Lewin continues as radio voice of UCLA football, the move significantly reduces his travel schedule during the last two months of the baseball season. He had worked on the Mets broadcasts for the past five seasons.

As of press time, the Mets have not announced a replacement yet. Howie Rose will return to the Mets broadcast, having agreed to a new deal with terms not disclosed.


The amazing Monday Night Football game (11/19) between the Rams and Chiefs brought ESPN its biggest MNF audience in nearly two years. In Los Angeles, the telecast, on both ESPN and KABC-TV Channel 7, was the highest rated NFL telecast locally since 2016. One interesting ratings stat is that ESPN had a higher rating than Channel 7, which aired the same ESPN telecast.

In Kansas City, KMBC-TV had more than double the rating than ESPN, with the duplicate telecast combining for an amazing 52.8 local rating.


This week figures to be a ratings bonanza for ESPN. On Wednesday (11/21), its NBA coverage includes the LeBron James return to Cleveland, now as member of the Lakers. Along with anticipated national interest, ESPN gets an added boost because it will be the exclusive telecast into the Cleveland market as well. As you would expect, the #1 team of Mike Breen and Mark Jackson will call the game.

Next will be a weekend filled with NCAA basketball and football for the ESPN networks.


In Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia scored with its Sixers coverage following the team's acquisition of Jimmy Butler. Last week (11/14), the Sixers telecast against Orlando with Butler's Sixers debut was the number one cable show overall in the market. More importantly, it was the network's (including previous incarnations) highest rated Sixers regular season game since 2001.


It's a long way off, especially with the recent snowstorm on the east coast, but ESPN has announced its opening MLB schedule for late March and early April. It's March 28th opening day triple header choices will surprise a grand total of absolutely no one. As if we need to report this, the Yankees, Dodgers, and Red Sox games will open their season.

One first on their schedule is, along the line of their NFL coverage, having a doubleheader to kick off Sunday Night Baseball. They will show the Chicago Cubs at Texas at 4 PM ET on Sunda March 31, followed by the Braves at Phillies at 7 PM ET. The network also has planned for four live games on Monday April 1st.


Happy Turkey to all!