Is there a Fairness Doctrine in Sports Radio

by JimmyJohnson on Aug 10, 2009 11:11 AM CDT

One of the great things about my new smartphone is the ability to listen to Dallas Sports Radio for updates on the Cowboys and for insights from Michael Irvin and Nate Newton. I usually jump between ESPN, The Ticket and the FAN. But one thing really irritates me. On every show (including Irvin), they seem to feel obliged to dedicate equal time to every other sport - especially the Mavericks and Rangers. I notice they do the same thing in North Carolina with Hockey or women's basketball during ACC basketball season. The other day, Nate started to share something really insightful when the hosts cut him of and said "Sorry big fella, next segment is the Rangers".

I want to say "WHO CARES ABOUT THE RANGERS???" But I'll make my criticism much more narrow. There are 3 sports radio stations. Don't you think people who are really interested in baseball would tune into one of the other stations during the MICHAEL F'n IRVIN SHOW? Additionally, when an average football game pulls in a bigger rating than the World Series or NBA Championship, you would think they would skew coverage toward the NFL instead of making sure they cover each sport equally. But no such luck. Maybe it's my own bias. Maybe baseball fans feel like they are neglected during their regular season for TC coverage. But c'mon... I'd like to hear the thoughts of other fans - especially in the Dallas Area.

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I agree somewhat

But can promise you that once the regular season starts, it’s almost all football all the time. Especially since the Rangers have been out of playoff race by that time. But I guess since the Rangers are in the wild card hunt, we’re getting more Rangers coverage than normal.

"So you can’t stiff arm at all? What about the throat?"- Marion "Barbarian" Barber

by DC_fan on Aug 10, 2009 11:20 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah I hate how local stations have to pimp out their own stuff and that

ends up cutting into NFL time during the offseason. Usually I listen to the national based shows because I can avoid any radio time that is devoted to minor league hockey, arena league 2 football, college basketball (mens and women), minor league baseball, etc.

Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!

by cowboy78 on Aug 10, 2009 12:57 PM CDT reply actions

Ugh.

I am a Cowboys fan. I am a Rangers fan. I am a Mavericks fan.

On Sunday nights, each of the local television stations have a sports special. Despite the the Rangers being in the thick of a playoff race for the first time in a decade (Tied in the wild card/3.5 out in the West), every station led off with Cowboys training camp coverage. There are plenty of reasons to have beef with the local media, but this isn’t one of them.

To your other point, I have no idea why anyone would tune into the Michael Irvin show, period. There is a terrific 12-3 show just down the dial. If the ratings book numbers are accurate, not too many people actually bother with ESPN or The Fan.

by BrentTaylor21 on Aug 10, 2009 4:02 PM CDT reply actions

Well said on all points

And during the actual NFL season the majority of the talk will be focused on the Cowboys. But right now there’s a lot of buzz around the Rangers and that’s what the locals would rather them talk mostly about. I haven’t heard much Mavs talk since the NBA draft.

I come here for my Cowboys info during camp. No radio program on the planet is going to dissect camp the way Raf does.

ESPN radio, especially during the 3-6 hours, doesn’t compare to what the Ticket has to offer. I the Ticket does a lot more shtick and bits, but I found after switching over to them that it’s a bit of a relief. I want a slight interruption in sports talk from time to time. You probably wouldn’t find it as useful since you’re not a local guy and therefore ESPN or The Fan would be your best choice probably. But stay away from Randy Galloway. He’s a broken record if it has to do with the Cowboys, and 95% of the time he takes on a humbug attitude. Fire Wade, bring back the “Jimster”, Jerry sell the team, nothing they do will ever work and if it does we don’t bring up the fact that I was wrong. If TO had a big game it didn’t matter but when he had a bad one that’s why they lost. He gives me tired-head. That’s why the Ticket refers to him as Grandpa Urine.

by SLIDE 910 on Aug 11, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions