Scrap of the radio airwaves looming

LIKE most sports fans around the country, my day usually begins with Tony Veitch dragging me forcibly from my sleep of the innocents. It’s not an ideal wake-up call by any stretch of the imagination but given my job, the occasionally interesting segment and a general inability to break longstanding habits, the dial stays tuned in the same place.

I used to be a big fan of Veitch’s predecessor Martin Devlin, until I met him, and really it’s been a lovehate relationship with the sometimes very good, sometimes not so good, station ever since.

If you were going to give Radio Sport a report card it would probably read ‘‘could try harder’’, but then it’s easy to be critical and there’s nothing worse, more indulgent or boring, than watching the media snipe at each other.

There will be interest, however, from next Monday when a competitor of sorts hits the airwaves.

BSport describes itself as New Zealand’s first dedicated sport and racing network for the sports purist.

According to its press release it is ‘‘primarily targeting 40+ males’’. BSport combines youth and experience with the country’s most talented sportspeople and broadcasters.

‘‘BSport Radio tracks the action and uncovers the stories before, during and after local and international sporting events. An entertaining, exciting and informed delivery of results and reaction. BSport is your big ticket, bringing you much more than the score.’’

Ok, most of that’s crap, but if the new pretender can live up to even half of its own hype we could be in for an interesting radio scrap.

The good news for our Central Otago readers is that they should be able to tune in too.

As for ‘‘talent’’, Dean Lonergan appears to be the driving force. He’s got the 6-10am slot, which puts him up against Veitch and the first hour of Brendan Telfer, and he’ll be backed up by Ian Smith and Nathan Rarere.

The 10am-noon bracket will be shared amongst Kevin Sinnott, a TV3 sports reporter, James McOnie, a columnist and satirist, and Simon Doull, who could well be going to hell for his hatred of Southland rugby.

And that’s it. The station will flame out at lunchtime, giving way to Radio Trackside, and only runs during the week.

You might think it a bit curious that a sport radio station won’t be doing business at the weekend, and you would be right.

However, as the French would say, vive la difference — let conscience, or preference (or your ability to decipher how the dials on your car stereo work) be your guide.

nathan.burdon@stl.co.nz