Pulitzer-Winner Buzz Bissinger Joins Talk Radio 1210 WPHT
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Talk Radio 1210 WPHT today announced a new weekday line-up, featuring all live and local talent beginning on Monday, June 25. The newest addition to the station as host of afternoon drive (3:00-7:00PM) will be Pulitzer Prize-winning author and pundit Buzz Bissinger. He's joined by Steve Martorano, currently heard on WPHT and best known to listeners for his many years on WIP radio. The station can be heard on-air at 1210AM, online at www.cbsphilly.com, and through the Radio.com app available for a variety of mobile devices.
The station will be anchored in morning drive by witty and provocative host Chris Stigall (5:30-9:00AM), followed by Dom Giordano (9:00AM-12:00Noon). Popular and award-winning Michael Smerconish will broadcast live on WPHT from 12:00Noon-3:00PM.
"With the Presidential election only a fe
w months away, there couldn't be a better time to heighten our focus on how today's issues affect our friends, relatives and neighbors," said Marc Rayfield, Senior Vice President, CBS RADIO Philadelphia. "The addition of Buzz to the line-up and presenting Michael's program live to the audience gives us an incredible advantage as a station created in Philadelphia by Philadelphians for Philadelphians. Buzz has one of the most compelling voices in Philadelphia today. He's intelligent, honest and hard hitting. He doesn't play favorites; his only goal is to pursue the truth and no one in local media is more qualified to do so."
Added Bissinger, "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. I will be as I always am--opinionated, passionate, prepared, and willing to listen...most of the time. Working alongside Steve, a consummate pro, I can promise the audience the show will be lively, entertaining, and informative."
"To write the sort of provocative things that Buzz has authored requires keen insights about people and a well-developed sense of street smarts," said Smerconish. "He has weighed-in on all the major issues of our time, always with an unpredictable, unvarnished opinion that will make him a compelling radio host. I am very excited that our heritage radio station is about to launch the talk radio career for Buzz Bissinger, and he is perfectly paired with a real pro and bona fide Philly-guy in Steve Martorano."
Bissinger, a former Philadelphia Inquirer columnist (where he won the famed Pulitzer), has written some of the most highly acclaimed books of the past two decades. Best known for "Friday Night Lights," which was the inspiration for the highly successful movie and long running network television show, Bissinger also wrote "Prayer for the City," a brilliant exploration into the Rendell Administration; "Three Nights in August;" and the critically acclaimed "Father's Day,' which was released just last month.
Bissinger has also written for some of the nation's most prestigious publications including Vanity Fair, The New York Times Magazine and Sports Illustrated; and was a co-producer and writer for the ABC television drama NYPD Blue.
About WPHT:
WPHT, with one of the strongest signals in the United States, is owned and operated by CBS RADIO. A division of CBS Corporation, CBS RADIO operates 127 radio stations, the majority of which are in the nation's top 50 markets. CBS RADIO also owns and operates KYW, WIP FM/AM and WOGL in Philadelphia.
