The Spread' show terminated
Categories: ESPN1480
Tags: the spread ESpn1480 jason Peter
Former Husker All-American Jason Peter was told Monday his radio show, “The Spread” on ESPN 1480, was terminated immediately by Three Eagles Communications.
The sports talk show featured Peter and Jeff Wilkerson from 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays and had been on the air since the summer of 2007.
“They, the general manager Joy Patten and program director Mark Taylor, called us in and said it was an economy thing and we were done,” Peter said. “They said more changes were coming at the station but didn’t say what.”
Peter said he was puzzled by the move just days before Nebraska plays Texas in the Big 12 title game in Dallas. He said he was told two months ago that “everything was fine and that ratings were far beyond what was expected.”
He added: “I don’t know how they explain to advertisers who joined on because of my voice or the show.”
Wilkerson also was perplexed. Three Eagles let him go as the station’s program director as well.
“This is local radio in a recession,” Wilkerson said. “You never know what’s going to happen.”
Patten was unavailable for comment, failing to return phone messages Monday afternoon.
Three Eagles replaced “The Spread” Monday with a nationally syndicated show from ESPN Radio hosted by former Oklahoma State basketball player Doug Gottlieb.
“The Spread” began in September 2007 with then-program director Chris Schmidt, Peter and part-timer Wilkerson as hosts. It replaced the locally produced “Average Joe Show.”
Three Eagles removed Schmidt from the show the following year and released him in November 2008.
Wilkerson was hired full-time and became program director following Schmidt’s departure from the show.
Ratings surveys showed “The Spread” held its own among its target demographic, men ages 25 to 54.
According to Arbitron, the station ranked fourth in the demographic during drive time (3 to 7 p.m.) in the Spring 2009 survey, finishing behind 96KX, KLIN and Froggy 98.
“The Spread” was No. 1 among men ages 25 to 54 last fall during the college and pro football season.
“I thought we did a good production,” Wilkerson said. “I thought the show was good. Obviously, it took time for us to get on track. That happens with any new show.”
Peter, who wrote a New York Times bestseller, “Hero of the Underground,” said he will continue with a weekly show “Under the Helmet,” with Elissa Campbell Walker on radio in Texas and will pursue other radio or TV jobs. He will also continue his public speaking and fundraising efforts.
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com. Reach Ken Hambleton at 473-7313 or khambleton@journalstar.com.
This is a damn shame. I listened to the show every night since it started and really enjoyed it. I can't believe that three eagles can't see that it had a huge following.
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How could anyone think cancelling the best radio show in town would be a good idea? Everyone who is a husker fan listens to the show, just stupid! Economic issues, no wonder why with that kind of stupidity!
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This is a lame move by Three Eagles! I absolutely loved this show...it was the highlight of my day. The show was extremely entertaining as well as informative. Can't believe the garbage that is on the air under Three Eagles and this is the first to go, stupid move.
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This is too bad. I genuinely enjoyed the program and looked forward to listening when I could. Jason is a state treasure and I genuinely hope he finds other opportunities locally.
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I too will miss the spread. I enjoyed the show and the chemistry between the "Nancy-boy" and yourself. Best of Luck with your future endeavours.
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This sucks big time. What great timing by 3 eagles. Using the "economy" as an excuse is gutless. Try poor management, that's the reason not the economy.
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Sorry to hear the folks @ Three Eagles couldn't see what they had in front of them. Jason you gave a no-nonsense commentary on sports (football in specific) from the perspective of a warrior that put his hand in the dirt and played the game the way it was meant to be played with reckless abondon, bad ass attitude and unquestionable effort. I hope that you'll continue to call Nebraska home and will find opportunities that take full advantage of that knowledge and passion you brought to your radio listeners!!!
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Really?!? This show was never that great. I would much rather listen to national broadcasts then the garbage that Jason and Jeff put out there. There were times that I would switch to a station that had a commercial on because I just couldn't take it.
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Who are you? A sCUmbag fan??? I hope Santa leaves you with an old bag of coal! If you have nothing good to say, keep it to yourself! Apparently, you are not a fan, but an intruder!
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What the hell are you talking about? I loved the show!
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I was replying to Mitch, whose comments were right above my reply. Didn't you read the messages? Again, look for Mitch, right above mine reply. Hello?
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I too am a huge fan of the show and will miss Jason's excellent analysis of Big Red football. That is why I e-mailed Gary Buchanan gbuchanan@threeeagles.com the president of Three Eagles. Maybe he'll realize the mistake
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Jason,I hate that three eagles took your show off.It was the best darn sports talk show around.I hope I can hear you on another show very soon.Good luck and GO BIG RED!!!!!
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Take your show to KZUM!
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Does anyone have an address that we can write to to complain about this? I live in Des Moines, so this show was basically my connection back to the Cornhusker state, since moving from Lincoln 4 years ago. I listened to it every day. Now it is gone. I guess I will stop listening to all Three Eagles stations from now on.
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Thats is good old fashion crap - I loved the no BS commentary that has true cred.
Well Three Eagles GM - do you really think that run of the mill ESPN show is going to compete with Unsportsmanlike Conduct on 1620 the Zone? during the afternoon drive? Man, talk about head up the whazu
Best to you JP and Jeff.
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I'm really disappointed that the show has been cancelled. I live in the South and travel the eastern seaboard as my territory. One of the highlights of my travels was winding down the business day listening to these guys on my laptop. Someone with half a brain pick them up on another network and get it on the web!!!!! Don't leave the Cornhusker state guys.
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The Spread was the best show on the radio!!! I can't believe that you are not going to be on anymore. You and Jeff need to find another station for your show. Best of luck and I hope to hear you back on the radio soon!!!
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Good job on Unsportsmanlike Conduct! I hope you're going to be on there more often.
Sent an email to 3 birdies, I don't expect to hear from them but hey I sent one.
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I'm stunned, disappointed and sick that they pulled your show. It too was the highlight of my day. I always could count on commentary that was accurate, hard charging and entertaining. Will miss seeing you guys at the Manse on game days. Three Eagles clearly has no clue. Hope you guys are picked up soon by another local station. Stay the course, JP. We're rooting for you!
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Jason and Jeff, I wish you and your families the best. I enjoyed the show and it gave us another choice outside of Omaha to get our drive time information regarding sports. Too bad local radio is not a solid place to be. Hope you get to stay in the area. Best of luck. Hey Three Eagles, is this your way of telling them Merry Christmas. Thanks again for more of the same national media and redundant information that I can get from 6AM to 11PM.
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Gonna miss The Spread. I enjoyed hearing about the Huskers from your perspective as a former player during the glory days. I hope you stick around Nebraska but I wish you best where ever the Lord takes you! Nice job on 1620 today.
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I loved the show and cannot believe it was taken off the air. I will not listen to 1480 during this time slot anymore. Jason's commentary and observations were always very good.
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Lincoln deserves a local sports talk radio show. I like Kugler and Severe, but it's still an Omaha show and doesn't play as well in Lincoln or SE Nebraska, despite the Husker-centric focus during the football season. Jason, I enjoyed your broadcasts. You improved greatly from start to finish. Stay in the business.
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This absolutely stinks. Move over to 1400 the official Husker site. I am going to miss your Husker bias show.
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Well, I am totally bummed out! I wasn't able to listen daily; but, let me tell you, this was the best "radio" to listen to if you were a Husker fan. I always wanted to hear Jason's opinions on our team, good or bad. Jason was totally entertaining, without a doubt.
Hopefully, Jason, you will get another gig on the radio.
Jason, you and I met each other at the USC rally in LA. It was good to see you doing so well. I hope, one day, to meet you, again. Take care and good luck.
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Jason and Jeff, really going to miss a real Husker radio show. I moved from Lincoln this summer and have depended on you guys to keep me up to speed. I am very disappointed in this decision. I wish you both the best. Jason, it has been a real pleasure to listen to your takes and insight. You provided us with a perspective that nobody else can.
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I too am very disappointed that The Spread was cancelled. I would tune in whenever possible and truly enjoyed getting the local perspective rather than all the repeat syndicated crap. What a shame. I also e-mailed the manager yesterday -- but of course I have not received a reply. What a dumb move!
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This is horrible news! Three Eagles has lost this listener forever. Doug Gottlieb is unbearable. I enjoyed your perspective over the years. You were saying what everyone was feeling during the Callahan days and keeping it real during the Pelini craze. I'm lost during drive time now. You and Jeff did a great job. Good luck to you and your family!
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As non-native Nebraskans, we originally started to listen to the show as a kind of light-hearted illustration of the intensity surrounding Husker sports (but especially football). But over the course of the last year or so we really started to appreciate Jason's straight-forward, and often times, rogue sports commentary and Jeff's role as the show's pace-setter.
We really liked the show and we'll miss hearing you both on the ride home.
Good luck.
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As non-native Nebraskans, we originally started to listen to the show as a kind of light-hearted illustration of the intensity surrounding Husker sports (especially football). But over the course of the last year or so we really started to appreciate Jason's straight-forward, and often times, rogue sports commentary and Jeff's role as the show's pace-setter.
We really liked the show and we'll miss hearing you both on the ride home.
Good luck.
Reply to this
As non-native Nebraskans, we originally started to listen to the show as a kind of light-hearted illustration of the intensity surrounding Husker sports (especially football). But over the course of the last year or so we really started to appreciate Jason's straight-forward, and often times, rogue sports commentary and Jeff's role as the show's pace-setter.
We really liked the show and we'll miss hearing you both on the ride home.
Good luck.
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I am so disappointed to hear that you and Jeff are no longer on the radio - i listened everyday and so looked forward to hearing your perspective on the Huskers and direction of the program - the banter between Jeff and you was great and made me laugh - you just can't find that anywhere! Best of luck! Hopefully you will be back on the air soon!
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