Raese and WV Media explained by Gazette reporter

[genlock]

Phil Kabler of the Gazette writes:


"The idea that JR is taking the loss of WVU Athletics so personally because he built MetroNews and West Virginia Radio Corp. is interesting, but I think John's ego is ultimately tied to coin.

"The loss of WVU football and basketball means WVRC can no longer bundle their programming. Let's say you own WPKR-AM in Ona. Let's also say you want to carry the Mountaineers. What WVRC could do was make you an offer you probably couldn't refuse: You can get the Mounties for your station, but you also have to clear their pre- and post-game shows, plus you'll get a deal if you take Sportsline, and Talkline with the steam-released Hoppy Kercheval. It would also be nice if you would consider being a MetroNews affiliate.

"How many non-WVRC stations carry Hoppy and MetroNews just to get WVU football and basketball? Will they continue to do so if those shows aren't bundled with sports? That is the very real threat to JR's radio empire.

"Having said all that, I am not a fan of West Virginia Media Holdings. Their production values are horrible. The coaches' shows they do are unwatchable. I can't imagine how they could pretend to have the talent or resources to do any of the non-conference games plus the weekly coaches shows."

[Dave Harman]

Of course, his explanation is invalid, because WVRC did not control rights to broadcast WVU play by play. Those rights were granted by West Virginia University on a county-exclusive basis. In fact, there were certain markets where WVRC-owned stations were NOT able to broadcast play-by-play, because other stations owned them.

[weaver]

Phil Kabler would disregard facts in order to bash a Republican? Say it ain't so!

[EZ103.3FM]

As I mentioned in another thread, Huntington has WRVC-AM/94.1 FM Supertalk which carries Hoppy's show, the Metronews morning news program and the Statewide Sportsline and is not interested in carrying wvu games because they're the flagship (along with the Dawg 93.7 FM) for the IMG-Marshall Sports Network. They also don't carry the golf show, but they do carry the Metronews Friday night high school football show.

WVHU 800 AM carries the wvu games, but minimal pre and post game shows and no coaches' shows.