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Macnow out at middays on WIP

Rob Ellis will replace Glen Macnow as midday co-host with Anthony Gargano on Philadelphia's top-rated sports talk radio station.

Glen Macnow, of WIP Sportsradio, samples an Italian hoagie at the studio in Bala Cynwyd, in his quest to name the best in the city and talks about on the air in his Bala Cynwyd studio. (Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel / Staff Photographer)
Glen Macnow, of WIP Sportsradio, samples an Italian hoagie at the studio in Bala Cynwyd, in his quest to name the best in the city and talks about on the air in his Bala Cynwyd studio. (Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel / Staff Photographer)Read moreSharon Gekoski-Kimmel
    by By Molly Eichel | Columnist
    Published 

GLEN MACNOW will no longer be heard on middays for SportsRadio WIP.

Rob Ellis, who currently hosts the 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. slot, will replace Macnow. Josh Innes, most recently the drive-time host at Houston's KILT radio, replaces Ellis in the 6 to 10 slot. Sources had hinted for some time that Ellis would replace Macnow.

Macnow went into hiatus from his co-hosting gig with Anthony Gargano earlier this month due to contract negotiations with WIP. According to a WIP release, Macnow will continue to host his long-running Saturday midday show with Ray Didinger, and will appear on other CBS-owned stations, including KYW. Macnow will join KYW's "Reporter's Roundup" and, during football season, talk alongside Harry Donahue on the station's morning show. He will also contribute to pre- and postgame Phillies coverage for WPHT.

"I've loved doing a daily talk show for 20 years," Macnow told me in an email. "There couldn't be a better job than coming in each day to talk sports with Philadelphia fans. But, you know, things change in this business, and I respect management's right to make the moves it sees fit. Meanwhile, I'm delighted to continue working every Saturday with my friend Ray Didinger, and to continue hosting the Eagles' pregame show on WIP. I'll have a presence on the station with features like the Food Hunt and the Movie Club. I'll be part of the great Phillies coverage on WPHT. And, as a guy who really listens to KYW two, three, four times a day, I'm looking forward to offering analysis on one of the country's great news stations."

Marc Rayfield, senior vice president and market manager for CBS Radio Philadelphia, called Ellis a great talent. "He started at the very bottom, and because of his own hard work, earned the right to bat 'cleanup' for WIP," Rayfield told me via email. "He reminds me of a former Eagles linebacker who also clawed his way into the lineup both on the field and at WIP . . . Ike Reese."

While Ellis is aware of the Philadelphia sports-radio climate, Innes, 27, has more of an uphill battle. From his Facebook page, Innes hails from Poplar Bluff, Mo., and is a graduate of Louisiana State University.

"Josh is a rising star in sports-talk radio. It is always our intention to stay local, but after paying attention to him for over a year, we simply could not pass up this opportunity," Rayfield said. "His style is closely aligned with the DNA that has made WIP so successful. He will bring energy, passion and a different perspective."

I tried to reach out to Innes via Facebook but did not get a response.