Radio Row: Local afternoon drive is going to be a gas
“In addition to the wildly popular show “the Drive” with Big Al and Dmac from 3-6 PM, listeners will now have the option of flipping to 102.3 ESPN to catch Gary Miller, Tom Nalen and Nate Kreckman together in the same studio. The new ESPN show is called “the Locker room”.”
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They say that you can’t get too much of a good thing. Denver sports radio listeners are going to be putting that theory to the test during afternoon drive time.
In addition to the wildly popular show “the Drive” with Big Al and Dmac from 3-6 PM, listeners will now have the option of flipping to 102.3 ESPN to catch Gary Miller, Tom Nalen and Nate Kreckman together in the same studio. The new ESPN show is called “the Locker room”.
Gary Miller is the newest addition to the station (which can also be heard at 105.5 FM). His recent departure from Channel 4 to cover CSU athletics left him available to do daily radio again – without his former cohort Vic Lombardi. Miller is incredibly sharp and likeable and will be a massive asset to ESPN Denver.
Tom Nalen had been teamed with Les Shapiro from noon-three weekdays. He has been moved up a slot due to the positive response he has gotten from listeners. Nate Kreckman, who was previously coupled with Charles “CJ” Johnson (who is being bumped back to noon-three with Les Shapiro) is the only one who’s not new to the drive time show. He has anchored the spot for a while now. Kreckman is a very polished and very entertaining radio personality with a sharp wit.
ESPN Denver is rolling the dice to an extent by coupling Kreckman with the unfiltered Nalen, who has a tendency to stir the pot. Kreckman and Nalen together are definitely going to delve into areas most radio show hosts wouldn’t. Miller is likely to be the voice of experience and reason and the one to keep the show on the rails. One thing is for certain – the mixture will be entertaining.
The afternoon drive time slot is the most important in radio. Strong ratings from three to six are crucial for the financial success of a station. The better the ratings are the more the station can charge for advertising. Clearly, ESPN Denver’s goal is to chew into the Fan’s success in the afternoons.
When it comes to the concept of a three-man show I am dubious. Normally, I prefer a two-man set up. In cases where there are three personalities in one studio I prefer that one of them be a woman. There are not nearly enough women in local sports radio. Miller, Nalen and Kreckman are a compelling trio, however. It will be interesting to see how well they compliment one another.
For fans of sports radio afternoon drive is going to be real gas. Hopefully the Drive and the Locker Room won’t go to commercial at the same times because I can foresee my presets getting a serious workout.
In cases where both shows are at commercial at the same time, there’s always Mile High Sports’ very good show, Drive Time with Mac and Goodman. It’s an embarrassment of riches.
