HOUSTON'S TOP 10 SPORTS TALK SHOWS FOR 2014 - (10-6) - CRAIG SHELTON

HOUSTON'S  TOP 10 SPORTS TALK SHOWS FOR  2014 - (10-6)

Written by: Craig Shelton
Date posted: 12/30/2014

#10. IN THE LOOP - (SPORTS RADIO 610)

The duo of Nick Wright and John Lopez barely squeezed in the rankings for 2014, just ahead of the TRIPLE THREAT from Sports Radio 610, which fell just short on the list of shows being considered for my Top 10 list.

In my view, the fall in performance and ratings production for "IN THE LOOP" falls not solely on the headstrong poorly conceived delivery of content by the lead host, Nick Wright, as most would argue.  The program director has failed by allowing "IN THE LOOP" to go unchecked, and not imposing format change. Lopez is just a guy who fills a demo role and Nick Wright has turned out to be more of a liability than a symbol of credibility for the once dominant CBS RADIO brand.

Bring the egos down a notch (or two), take a few callers an hour, and return the SR610 morning drive back to the listeners.

Who knows "IN THE LOOP", you may save more than your pride in the next ratings book.

#9. THE NIGHT SHIFT - (SPORTS RADIO 610)

In my view, Brien Straw and Paul Gallant were one of the more surprising duos in 2014. Once you get past the immaturity and annoying animal noises from Paul Gallant, you're not nearly as annoyed by his mostly  anecdotal sports takes, as you might expect to be.

The success or failure in future growth for this duo is primarily contingent on how well the maturation process expedites itself in terms of Gallant's development. Brien Straw is steady, but he's more Joe Flacco than Aaron Rodgers. Paul Gallant must mature into more of a Steve Smith, Sr. playmaker than a Jacoby Jones head scratcher.

#8. PRIME CUT - (YAHOO RADIO)

Houston radio icon, John Granato, and the always brash and honest Sean Salisbury may be Houston's best kept secret on sports talk radio. Most in the market have bailed on YAHOO RADIO listening habits, but quietly tucked away weekdays (3p-7p) on 1560TheGame is an entertaining machine built for men.

John and Sean are heavy in genuinely generated laughs and just enough topical sports content to satisfy the palate.

Sean Salisbury can be sharp and straightforward with his dialogue and he's certainly not always a recommendation for the drive home with the kids.  Sean Salisbury drinks from a dirty shot glass, and we need that in this lily-white,  lollipop, swell guy, media town.

 

#7. TEXANS RADIO NETWORK - (SPORTS RADIO 610)

John Harris' footprint as Houston's most valuable football resource has allowed the TEXANS RADIO NETWORK to create a successful bookmark in the Houston sports talk community. Led by the voice of the Texans, Marc Vandermeer, the broadcast has become a welcome edition to the off-season when many Texans fans fall on hard times looking for a Texans' fix.

The only disappointing non-development by Vandermeer and the network is the failure to diversify the network, so it looks and sounds more representative of the Texans fan base and the city.

Finish the deal, Marc.

#6.  MATT THOMAS - (SPORTS TALK 790)

Matt Thomas lands right in the middle of the rankings at Number 6 and it's all too fitting.

Matt has become a mostly entertaining and always likable mid-day sports talk radio elixir.

Most people I talk to and those I observe on social media are seemingly always 50/50, or right down the middle on love, dislike, or indifference towards Matt's major market sports talk radio show. 

Matt Thomas is light on relevant or knowledgeable sports takes in regards to what pleases the hardcore fans appetite for sports takes.  But Matt does offer an opinion and will stand by it. I respect that. Matt will listen to and not duck or cherry pick callers. I respect that, also.

Sometimes, it's good enough just to be a genuinely likable guy.

* The remainder of the TOP TEN RANKINGS (5-1) coming next week.

Craig Shelton
HMW