UTICA/ROME -- After a sudden absence which started nearly two weeks ago, the long-running SportsWatch returns to Townsquare news/talker WIBX 950 tonight. The show will air in less than an hour, resuming its most-recent timeslot of 6-8pm. WIBX News Director Jeff Monaski will share co-host duties with Ray Rich.
It appears the show's comeback was either put together very quickly or it was a well-kept secret -- as of late Monday afternoon, the program schedule on the WIBX website still lists "Sporting News Radio" for the two-hour block. CNYRadio.com first learned of the show's comeback through an email sent to "WIBX Incentive Club" members earlier today.
Back on May 25, SportsWatch quickly disappeared from the WIBX lineup after PD and Co-Host Gene Conte said he submitted his resignation earlier that day. He told CNYRadio.com that he had accepted an offer to program Galaxy's trio of Utica/Rome ESPN Radio stations (WTLB/WIXT/WRNY). Late last week, Galaxy confirmed the move with an official announcement, adding that longtime co-host Fred Miller will join Conte on "The Cheap Seats," weekday afternoons.
At this time, we don't know if the re-launch of SportsWatch will have any further impacts on WIBX's staffing or program schedule, but several questions certainly come to mind. We'll keep you posted here at CNYRadio.com if there are any additional developments to report.