The playbook of the legendary Chicago Bears wasn’t this well guarded. But CBC’s new sports station is playing it close to the vest until this afternoon.
On Wednesday, October 10, 2007, WCMC-FM will become 99.9 The Fan and launch the Triangle’s first all-sports-talk radio station. With the Wolfpack of N.C. State, the Carolina Hurricanes, College & NFL Football and much more, 99.9 The Fan will be THE source for the best and latest scoop on sports in the Raleigh-Durham market.
The afternoon launch is cloaked in mystery. New radio personality and former N.C. State football player, Mark Thomas will be broadcasting live and the identity of his co-host will be revealed.
“It’s under wraps until 3pm,” said Capitol Sports Vice President George Habel. “I’m sworn to secrecy!”
The Fan’s complete programming line-up will also be released – local hosts as well as nationally syndicated personalities. The much-anticipated roster is sure to earn a hearty cheer from Triangle sports enthusiasts.
“I will say that it’s amazing at what’s been accomplished in sixty days, and I’ll take this opportunity to thank Human Resources,” said Habel. “We hired 16 people – talk show hosts, producers, reporters – in less than two months. CBC New Media for the web site – new station portal, streaming, blogs. And the FM engineers – reworking studios for talk, a new editing suite, remote gear. The staff at Mix 101.5 has been incredibly helpful. Same for the crew at Wolfpack Sports Marketing.”
The first of the16 new staffers was The Fan Program Director Dave Shore. “I can’t say enough about how receptive everyone in the company has been to helping us launch this radio station and sharing in our excitement about our product,” said Shore. “Sports is a lifestyle for so many people and they will come to us in many different forms to satisfy their sports cravings. We are going to put out entertaining and informative radio with hosts that listeners can relate to. It’s going to be fun!”