PromoTheRobot Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Since GR started getting more access to the Bills and their players they toned down the petty BS, though Jerry Sunshine still cranks it out in spades. Of course that's his act so he's not about to change it. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icymonsters Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 that stinks it was the only way i could hear the game when its not on tv here in connecticut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offside Number 76 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Since GR started getting more access to the Bills and their players they toned down the petty BS, though Jerry Sunshine still cranks it out in spades. Of course that's his act so he's not about to change it. PTR Thanks for adding this. I had forgotten that there was a point several years ago where the station and the team were at odds with each other. But for a number of years now, it's been pretty straight reporting and commentary, IMO. I think people will like the change. Unlike 97 Rock, WGR is able to handle a lot of weekly Bills-related programming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderbread Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 WGR makes it super easy to listen. Go to the website. Click on the listen live tab on the upper corner and a Radio player will appear on your screen click play. Not to hard. They have a smartphone app as well. Making listening on the go easy as well.IMO WGR is better suited to handle the Bills coverage. Many of you forget thats where they were in "the glory days" Now i'm not a GR hack but the station provides good content. Its how I get my Bill/Sabres news in Pittsburgh. Of course i am sure I will get flamed for putting out my honest opinion out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbb Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Since GR started getting more access to the Bills and their players they toned down the petty BS, though Jerry Sunshine still cranks it out in spades. Of course that's his act so he's not about to change it. PTR This is exactly it. I hated them, too, back when they were doing the petty BS during the Donahoe era - they hated him for some sort of snub he supposedly did to them. I wanted to punch Mike S. back then. I also hated Dickerson before that, who had a vendetta against the Bills. But, since then, they have covered the Bills fairly, despite what you hear on this board. If you notice, and I did, there were no GR Hate threads here in September and October, despite the fact there was one just about weekly before that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GG Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I predict Rogers' "The Fan 590" in Toronto will be the new Bills flagship. PTR I think that would invite a bunch of league & FCC questions to have a foreign broadcaster be the flagship, never mind the issues with local advertisers as you know how Arbitron counts the listeners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I think that would invite a bunch of league & FCC questions to have a foreign broadcaster be the flagship, never mind the issues with local advertisers as you know how Arbitron counts the listeners. There is no FCC jurisdiction involved in broadcast rights. Can't imagine what issues there would be with advertisers. In fact they might sell more ads in Canada. No Arbitron issues since you would have local affiliate stations. Of course that's all moot now. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Now that the games are on WGR, look for their talking heads to do an about face on the radio shows, which will cause the non-talking heads in Buffalo to think the team is great now.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbb Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Now that the games are on WGR, look for their talking heads to do an about face on the radio shows, which will cause the non-talking heads in Buffalo to think the team is great now.... When's the last time you listened? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 When's the last time you listened? 2006, I would guess. My iQ has shot straight up since not listening to that garbage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sds7973 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 that stinks it was the only way i could hear the game when its not on tv here in connecticut Go to the App store or Andriod market and get the WGR mobile app. Then stream away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbb Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 2006, I would guess. My iQ has shot straight up since not listening to that garbage. That's actually about the time that they stopped their petty agenda against the Bills (esp. Mike S). I hated them, too, then. They're very fair now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 That's actually about the time that they stopped their petty agenda against the Bills (esp. Mike S). I hated them, too, then. They're very fair now. My guess is that they will go the opposite way, now that they have a contract with the Bills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbb Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 My guess is that they will go the opposite way, now that they have a contract with the Bills I don't think so. They are very critical of the Sabres now. Unlike back when you were listening. They claim it's because there wasn't much to be critical of back then, and they are mostly right....But, their petty stuff with the Bills then was more than just the on field product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderbread Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I don't think so. They are very critical of the Sabres now. Unlike back when you were listening. They claim it's because there wasn't much to be critical of back then, and they are mostly right....But, their petty stuff with the Bills then was more than just the on field product. agreed on all counts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GG Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 There is no FCC jurisdiction involved in broadcast rights. Can't imagine what issues there would be with advertisers. In fact they might sell more ads in Canada. No Arbitron issues since you would have local affiliate stations. Of course that's all moot now. PTR Local stations would raise a stink with the FCC and advertising would be a big issue if WNY locals start placing ads on 590, and how would you manage the "local" affiliate issue in Buffalo if a lot more people start listening to the 590 feed dropping the local affiliate ratings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I don't think so. They are very critical of the Sabres now. Unlike back when you were listening. They claim it's because there wasn't much to be critical of back then, and they are mostly right....But, their petty stuff with the Bills then was more than just the on field product. Yeah, I agree with all of this. Bills fans who blast GR55 for giving too much air time to the Sabres, while showing no consideration of the Bills are pretty off base. They talk about the Bills plenty...now, people may not appeciate all the personalities they have, but I suspect there will be some changes in that area. They will almost certainly add more Bills programming. What I like about this, we will most likely have more local programming, as they will be covering both pro sports teams...if they can figure out any way to cut Colin Cowherd, or at leas cut down on him, it will be a positive. I wouldn't be surprised if they add Chris Brown for a Bills specific show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbb Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Yeah, I agree with all of this. Bills fans who blast GR55 for giving too much air time to the Sabres, while showing no consideration of the Bills are pretty off base. They talk about the Bills plenty...now, people may not appeciate all the personalities they have, but I suspect there will be some changes in that area. They will almost certainly add more Bills programming. What I like about this, we will most likely have more local programming, as they will be covering both pro sports teams...if they can figure out any way to cut Colin Cowherd, or at leas cut down on him, it will be a positive. I wouldn't be surprised if they add Chris Brown for a Bills specific show. I'd really like Brad Riter to take over Cowherd's spot. I wonder if the Bills will get a beat reporter other than Paul Hamilton? You can tell that the Sabres are what he really cares about. As for the notion on this board that GR kisses Sabres butt, this was in today's Buffalo News: There are critics of the station who believe that their hosts occasionally go easy on the Sabres and their management due to their broadcast partnership, but anyone who listens to a steady diet of Schopp, in particular, or the frequent on-air appearances by News Senior Sports Columnist Jerry Sullivan, would not be likely to invest much in those conspiracy theories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Local stations would raise a stink with the FCC and advertising would be a big issue if WNY locals start placing ads on 590, and how would you manage the "local" affiliate issue in Buffalo if a lot more people start listening to the 590 feed dropping the local affiliate ratings? As a person who has applied for and built two FM stations from scratch, and has some knowledge of FCC regs, this would be not something the FCC would involve itself in. Buffalo stations could raise all the stink they want. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 (edited) I'd really like Brad Riter to take over Cowherd's spot. I wonder if the Bills will get a beat reporter other than Paul Hamilton? You can tell that the Sabres are what he really cares about. As for the notion on this board that GR kisses Sabres butt, this was in today's Buffalo News: There are critics of the station who believe that their hosts occasionally go easy on the Sabres and their management due to their broadcast partnership, but anyone who listens to a steady diet of Schopp, in particular, or the frequent on-air appearances by News Senior Sports Columnist Jerry Sullivan, would not be likely to invest much in those conspiracy theories. Yes. I used to normally just listen to the archived stuff on GR, interviews and such, so you didn't get too much editorializing. But, starting with this football season, work situation changing, I have listened to more real time stuff on GR, and I never get the feeling that they are "too soft" on the Sabres. Schoop and Bulldog are pretty harsh at times... Agree, too, abotu Hamilton. I think he is great as a Sabres reporter, because hockey is, obviously, his passion, and I never get the feeling that he knows as much about football, he is just doing the job, as he is instructed. He offers, IMO, more insight than any local person, on the Sabres "behind the scenes", but doesn't seem as well connected with the Bills. I don't fault him, but, I suspect GR will get somebody else on the Bills beat, maybe Joe Buscaligia? I also wouldn't be surprised to see much of 97Rocks' programming and Bills people moved to GR. Honestly, and I hate to say this, because I know he lurks here, but I guess I am missing the "alternative appeal" that Brad Riter seems to have. I don't dislike him, mind you, he is fine...but, to me, has many of the same strengths and weaknesses as Mike Schoop, who most (not me) seem to have the biggest issues with. Either way, it seems like he (Riter) may have said/written enough to have irreparably damaged his realtionship with GR. I can't see him going back there. To me, this is a great move. It is far better to have one comprehensive channel for WNY sports talk, than two that are sort of only half-way there. Edited January 6, 2012 by Buftex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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