Mike Thomas Named Vice President, Sports Programming;
Joins Mark Chernoff As Division’s Principal Innovators Of Popular Format
With the premier roster of top-rated local sports stations, and the growing nationally-focused CBS Sports Radio among its portfolio, CBS RADIO announced today it was expanding its senior leadership team in charge of programming with the promotion of Mike Thomas to Vice President, Sports Programming. The announcement was made by Chris Oliviero, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS RADIO.
Thomas will continue to serve as CBS RADIO’s head of programming in Boston while also guiding the on-air presentation and strategic planning for 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) and 100.7 Classic Rock (WZLX-FM). The appointment is effective immediately.
In this new role, Thomas joins Mark Chernoff in overseeing CBS RADIO’s nearly 30 sports formatted stations, as well as CBS Sports Radio, with more than 300 affiliates nationwide. CBS RADIO owns the most listened to sports stations in the country with weekly audiences in excess of 9 million, including WFAN-AM/FM in New York, WSCR-AM in Chicago, WXYT-FM in Detroit and WIP-FM in Philadelphia, among others.
Additionally, CBS RADIO stations serve as the flagship for more than two dozen professional sports teams across the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL.
“Mike’s creativity and expertise in the format is evident by The Sports Hub’s quick ascent in one of the most competitive and passionate sports towns in America,” said Oliviero. “These skills will serve CBS RADIO well as Mike joins Mark in guiding our continually growing, industry leading portfolio of both local and national sports brands which combined produces nearly 300 hours a day of original content.”
Thomas has served as Program Director for CBS RADIO Boston’s WZLX-FM since 2006 and 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) since 2009. He has nearly 20 years of top management experience as a radio program director. Prior to joining CBS RADIO, Thomas was Program Director as well as midday on-air personality at KGB in San Diego, Calif. He also programmed WFBQ in Indianapolis, Ind., WTUE and WXEG in Dayton, Ohio and WYMG in Springfield, Ill.
98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) was named Sports Station of the Year at the 2011 National Association of Broadcasters’ (NAB) Marconi Radio Awards, and consistently captures the largest share of listening among Men 18-49 and 25-54 in Boston.
About CBS RADIO
CBS RADIO is one of the largest major-market broadcast media operators in the United States and the undisputed leader in news and sports radio. Producing original audio and video content, live events and exclusive programming broadcast via on-air, online and mobile platforms, CBS RADIO reaches more than 72 million consumers nationwide each week. As a part of CBS Corporation, the division owns 126 stations in 27 markets – including all of the top 10 as ranked by Nielsen Audio – as well as an extensive array of digital assets. CBS RADIO distributes its programming via AM, FM and HD Radio stations, Radio.com and CBS Local Digital Media apps, making engaging with audiences easier than ever before. For more information on CBS RADIO, please visit www.cbsradio.com
About CBS Sports Radio
Launched on September 4, 2012, CBS Sports Radio offers around-the-clock national sports coverage and programming to more than 300 stations across the country, including stations in all of the Top 10 markets. CBS Sports Radio harnesses the power and resources of CBS RADIO and the award-winning CBS Sports with original programs across multiple weekday and weekend time periods featuring expert sports commentary by experienced broadcasters including Jim Rome, Boomer Esiason, John Feinstein, Doug Gottlieb and Scott Ferrall, among others. Eric Spitz serves as Director of Programming. Westwood One is the exclusive syndicator and sales partner for CBS Sports Radio.
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