CBS Sports Radio takes over 610 AM

This morning, fans who regularly wake up to WIP 610 may have wondered what happened to Angelo Cataldi's morning show.

Where was the ranting about Andy Reid? The ogling of Wingettes? The banter with Al Morganti and Rhea Hughes?

And why were these strange voices talking about the Clippers and the Knicks?

Today, a national CBS sports talk network took over 610 AM, with the local sports lineup now found just on FM.

For the most part.

"CBS Sports Radio 610 is also the home for play-by-play coverage of St. Joseph's University Men's Basketball, Villanova Men's Basketball and Football, NFL Sunday Afternoon and Primetime (Thursday, Sunday and Monday Night Football), Major College NCAA Football, Major College NCAA Men's Basketball and the NCAA Tournament," according to CBS's local website, http://philadelphia.CBSlocal.com.

Next summer, Eagles games, including pre- and post-game shows, will also be carried on both 610 AM and 94 FM.

The new network's weekday lineup will consist of former N.Y. Giants running back Tiki Barber, with Brandon Tierney and Dana Jacobson, both formerly with ESPN, in the morning, sportswriter John Feinstein from 9 a.m. to noon, veteran talker Jim Rome from noon to 3 p.m., and basketballer-turned-analyst Doug Gottlieb from 3 to 6 p.m.

A brief listen to the morning show revealed that it's asking fans to give it a good name, since "TBD in the AM," as it's dubbed on Twitter (www.twitter.com/TBDintheam) not only reflects the hosts' first initials but suggests "to be determined."

SportsRadio 94WIP will continue its current cast of characters, with the morning crew followed by Ike Reese and Michael Barkann at 10 a.m., Anthony Gargano and Glen Macnow at 1 p.m., Rob Ellis in the evenings, and Big Daddy Graham overnight.

On Dec. 22, the main local sports talk rival, the Fanatic, also dropped its AM-band version, as Christian broadcaster Family Radio took over the 950 AM spot.

The lineup continued on 97.5 FM with Mike & Mike in the Morning, Brian Baldinger, Jon Marks, Tony Bruno and Mike Missanelli, as well as Sixers and - eventually - Flyers games, once the NHL lockout is settled.

If the Sixers and Flyers conflict, the hockey game will be broadcast on WMMR (93.3 FM).

The station will also continue to air some national games, such as college bowls and the NBA playoffs, made available through its affiliation with ESPN.

CBS said its sports radio network will involve more than 100 radio stations, including ones in the 10 top U.S. markets.