WJFK to sports talk

July 7, 12:08 PMDC Pop Culture ExaminerPaula Cee

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Will sports really be all that bad?

Although there has been no official word, it's about as official as it gets.

Guy talker WJFK (106.7 fm) is imminently ditching their current programming scheme for what is believed to be a more lucrative format:  sports talk.

When we say imminent, we mean imminent.  DCRTV.com is reporting that the format flip could happen as early as Friday.

Not so quietly, WJFK has been scooping up local sports journalists and team contracts for their new format.  The Washington Post is reporting that WJFK has nabbed Wizards coverage for the next two years.  (Does this mean they will start winning?)  Our colleagues at the Examiner say that the Caps and Nats are also in talks with the soon to be sports talker.

For months, we've outlined why we think this will be a bad move.  But, we confess we've definitely been a little selfish in our reasons.  For one, we really enjoy the current line-up with the Junkies in the morning, Big O and Dukes middays and Mike O'Meara in the afternoons.  It is a constant on our radio dial and we know that we will giggle if we turn to it.  Also, we have loved Don and Mike since the WAVA days and we do not want to think about a DC without either on the airwaves.

But, we are alone.  Or somewhat alone at least.  WJFK has consistently performed poorly in the Arbitron ratings and since ratings determine advertising and advertising determines economic viability we are on the losing end of that argument.

There are some reasons why this switch off could be good:  The only other sports talk radio in town is WTEM, an ESPN affiliate, owned and operated by Red Zebra broadcasting.  Red Zebra is Dan Snyder and - you guessed it - they are the flagship Redskins radio station.  Perhaps with a new sports talker in town we will get some real Redskins coverage.  This is something needed, indeed.

As we told you, WJFK is already aligned with Fox Sports on the weekends and we are sure that relationship would only blossom to seven days a week.

DCRTV.com is reporting some of the lineup rumors for the new format.  They say the Junkies could revert to their old ways and become the Sports Junkies in the morning.  They also say the scuttlebutt is that Chad Dukes will join former Redskins linebacker (and fan favorite) Lavar Arrington in the afternoons.  Who knows what this means for Oscar Santana.  They also report that the Mike O'Meara Show could end up as the morning program on 94.7's (formerly the Arrow, the Globe, now Fresh) new programming.  O'Meara in the morning.  This could be good.  As long as the Junks run their commercials at opposite times.  We will be torn.

So, as much as we have been dragging our feet, it looks like this big switcheroo is going to happen.  And to paraphrase Sheryl Crow, perhaps "a change will do DC some good."

By the by, DCRTV.com is also reporting that rumors are that Mike O. recorded a farewell message to air this week (possibly Thursday).  The entire slate of guy talk programming has been in reruns this week, as the stars are all on vacations.  The last live broadcasts of the Junkies, Big O and Dukes and Mike O'Meara were all on Thursday, July 2, before the holiday break. 

For more info: Look at some comedy and get the giggles:  Jon Stewart takes on the Michael Jackson media circus and  "GoRemy" has a locally viral video hit on YouTube with "Arlington: The Rap."  YouTube's best could be the clip for the literal version of the "Total Eclipse of the Heart" music video.