Jim Williams: Riggo to sport Red Zebra stripes
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Jim Williams, The Examiner
Jul 3, 2006 5:00 AM (4 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 1 of 12,284 articles
WASHINGTON - Legendary Redskin and Hall-of-Famer John Riggins will be the first big name to join Red Zebra Broadcasting, Dan Snyder’s impending foray into the sports radio business.
Red Zebra is set to launch sometime within the next two weeks on WBZS 94.3 FM, WBPS 92.7 FM, WKDL 730 AM and Richmond-based WXGI 950 AM. Also, expect to hear the network on both its own Web site and, most likely, Redskins.com.
What is not yet clear is if Red Zebra will show up on a more powerful D.C.-based station. It may employ less powerful stations and place Redskins games on an outlet with a stronger signal not owned by Snyder. Whatever the choice, Red Zebra is poised to make a big splash in the D.C. market and the signing of Riggins is emblematic of that.
Riggins will be heard daily from 4-7 p.m., Monday through Friday. His likely partner will be former WTEM personality Bram Weinstein. The duo makes for a formidable afternoon drive team and that will go head-to-head with WTEM’s “John Thompson Show.”
Riggins gave up two high profile jobs to be Red Zebra’s main man. He left SIRIUS NFL Radio’s successful “Afternoon Blitz” and also gave up the Sunday Night Football color analyst job on CBS/Westwood One radio.
Redskins Radio voice Larry Michael will also be part of the Red Zebra radio team and will handle the 10 a.m.-1 p.m. slot. Look for Michael to feature exclusive Redskins player and coach interviews just like he does now on daily Redskins.com Web casts.
Expect ESPN to do all it can to help Red Zebra. That means regular appearances from top analysts and hosts.
I also expect Red Zebra will battle area stations for both pro and college sports programming. Yes, it has taken some time, but Red Zebra’s launch will drastically alter the Washington radio scene.
Jim’s predicted lineup
Here is what I think the Red Zebra lineup will be when it signs on in about two weeks:
» Mike and Mike in the Morning, 6-10 a.m.
» Larry Michael, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
» The Dan Patrick Show, 1-4 p.m.
» John Riggins and Bram Weinstein, 4-7 p.m.
» ESPN Game Night will handle primetime and ESPN All Night with Jason Smith covers the late night.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner