Howard Eskin announces departure as WIP host
We won't call it a "stone cold mortal lock," as Howard Eskin might, but it's pretty certain that the Sportsradio 610 WIP AM host will not be hosting a daily talk show for the station after Labor Day. Eskin may address the situation on this afternoon's show.
Howard Eskin announces departure as WIP host
Dan Gross
UPDATE: Eskin announced his departure from the 3 to 7 shift today: "25 years ago this month I did the first sports talk show at WIP,” said Eskin, with his voice breaking with emotion. “My career has been filled with challenges. In life there is only so much time to fit them all in," said Eskin, adding that he wanted time to pursue other opportunities, which he didn’t get into though he has been filling in recently on former ESPN host Dan Patrick’s nationally syndicated radio show.
“After Sept. 2 I will be giving up the 3 to 7 p.m. shift but will still continute as part of WIP as part of the Eagles broadcast, as part of the pre-game shows and other broadcasts. Let me be clear I am staying at WIP but after close to 6000 sports shows I really thought it was time,” Eskin said.
EARLIER: We won’t call it a “stone cold mortal lock,” as Howard Eskin might, but it's pretty certain that the Sportsradio 610 WIP AM host will not be hosting a daily talk show for the station after Labor Day.
Sources say Eskin, who has worked at WIP for about 25 years, will step down from daily broadcasting but remain as a contributor and Eagles sideline reporter.
The station is expected to announce this change among other updates to its line up sometime this week, insiders tell us.
We have heard that Eskin may address this situation on his show today which can be streamed live here.
Among changes, as we reported two weeks ago, is that WIP may soon take over the FM signal of rock station 94 WYSP.
WIP’s AM sports-talk competitor ESPN 950 began simulcasting on 97.5 The Fanatic in Dec. 2009 and quickly found increased listenership, especially among younger people whom advertisers target the most. 97.5’s Mike Missanelli show, which competes with Eskin and Ike Reese in the afternoon-drive slot, has been outperforming WIP in the key advertising demographics for a while.
Asked Friday about his situation, Eskin said he would be at WIP next week, next month, and next year, but asked specifically whether he would be hosting a weekday show, he didn’t get back to us. WIP Program Director Andy Bloom and CBS Radio Market Manager Marc Rayfield both said they are working on a long term deal with Eskin but also didn’t get back to us about whether his daily hosting days are over.
Comment removed.
PLEASE PLEASE take Cataldi and Rhea Hughes. Good heavens, two of the dopiest sports people on radio. I tune in just to see if they are there, and if they are...back to Mike and Mike— tbrenpsu- Jewish HOF isn't he? lol
— Nitroglycerin - Changing to F.M. Will have an instant impact on ratings. Miss Mikey likes to take all the credit, but really moving to F.M. Had bigger impact then his show. Wip needs a line up shake up, Eskin is a good start. Getting rid of Cataldi would be really bring me back. That show is completely un listenable— yourdaddy!
- It's about time...his rhetoric has been tiring for years. When he is on, I turn to other stations...Can he and Andy Reid go retire together? WE WANT BILL COWHER!!!!!— WeArePennState
- Eskin the radio personality is a jerk. Eskin in real life is a really nice guy. I have had the pleasure of meeting him several times and he could not have been nicer and is very charitable. I have heard that Cataldi is just as arrogant as he is on the air.— oharabri
- Where are my comments?— Politico1
- You know how to tell when you've made it? Rivals work to take you down and even your haters take time to comment. Until you've done something besides breathe for over 25 years, at least respect the accomplishment.— CornerOffice
- All "sports radio" sucks in this town...they do nothing but promote controversy, belittle the Philly teams and take the fun out of being a fan...and it's YOUR FAULT for being brain dead sheep. Have some self respect, put on music and cheer for our teams.
— Gray Areas - WIP caters to Scamdicappers who give out losing picks like Marc Lawrence. Isn't gambling illegal in PA? How much $$ does WIP take from these frauds in order to dupe its listeners. WIP and Howard Eskin SUCKS just like Marc Lawrence every Friday on his show.— Politico1
- @georgekissel...is it fair to assume that you listen to Cataldi? To paraphrase a well-respected media critic, "90% of those who claim not to listen, actually listen."
BTW..Joey Vento would make an excellent Eskin replacement. Or may be Rendell...although the microphone would be covered w/spittle rather quickly. I think Vento knows more about sports than rendell anyway. - Maybe now the Cataldi/Hughes hatred of all things Eagles will vanish now that the Eskin 'Eagles can do no wrong' rhetoric is gone. I would LOVE to see Jody Mac back with Glen and Anthony with Ike. Message to Keith Jones...form your own opinion of the Birds. Don't buy into what Angelo and Rhea are selling. You're better than that.— Tripod
- Definitely not an eskin fan, but the guy was set up to fail as soon as they partnered him w Ike Reese. Ike knows absolutely nothing about sports besides football, is not articulate, and asks pointless questions. Last week the guy thought the "masters" was the term given to all golf majors and thought tiger had won 13 masters....how is eskin supposed to work with that???? But dont let the door hit ya on the way out Howard, its time for new blood anyway - station is getting stale.— mjtp03
- Ike barely knows football...I think he should go back to Ike at Night or more like midnight because afternoon drive is not for him — rvb2321
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