1050 ESPN NY expands afternoons

1050 ESPN New York (WEPN-AM) has expanded its afternoon drive The Michael Kay Show by one hour, weekdays 2-7PM, effective next Monday, January 12.  In addition, the station has named the program’s long-time talent, Don La Greca, as co-host.  The Kay show has seen its ratings steadily increase among the station’s target M25-54 year-old audience, posting a 3.7 share among that demo in December 2008 (up from 2.6 a year earlier). The Kay show was also tied for #2 in the market with a 5.8 share in December 2008 among M35-49.

In October 2008, 1050 ESPN announced a new agreement with Kay, one of the market’s most recognizable broadcasters, for three years through 2012.  The Michael Kay Show has been part of 1050’s lineup since the station’s inception in 2001 and in the afternoon drive slot since 2005.  Last April, it was extended one hour to 3-7PM.

Joining the station effective 1/19 as its afternoon SportsCenter anchor is Michelle Beadle, who is well-known to area listeners for her work on the YES Network on Yankees and Nets programming.