As expected, YES Network has reached an agreement to simulcast ESPN New York 98.7 FM’s The Michael Kay Show live on weekdays, starting next month.
Bowing Feb. 3, The Michael Kay Show will air Mondays-Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (ET). Kay, who also serves as play-by-play man on New York Yankees telecasts on YES, is joined by Don LaGreca as they provide an amalgam of news, analysis, interviews and call-ins covering all of New York sports. The program will also gain exposure outside the nation’s top DMA, via carriage as part of YES National program offerings.
Kay’s show moves into the time slot on YES that has been occupied by a simulcast of Mike Francesa’s radio program, Mike's On: Francesa on the FAN, the sports talk leader in the New York DMA. Francesa’s WFAN show – the first six years along with Chris Russo, under the Mike and the Mad Dog heading – has been a part of YES since its debut in March 2012.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the license fee for Kay's show is said to be much less than Francesa's.
With WFAN's Boomer & Carton weekday morning show now simulcast on CBS Sports Network after ending its run on MSG Network last September, media reports have the simulcast merry-go-round potentially stopping with Francesa’s show joining the RSN that is home to the New York Knicks and Rangers. The Jan. 6 arrival of Boomer & Carton displaced the simulcast of Sirius XM's The Tim Brando Show on CBS Sports Network. Brando ended his 18-year relationship with CBS Sports earlier this month.
Kay has been the play-by-play man for YES’ New York Yankees telecasts, and the host of the network’s CenterStage with Michael Kay interview show, since the network launched. Kay has won seven New York Emmy Awards and has earned 23 Emmy nominations during his tenure at YES. He began his ESPN New York radio hosting duties in 2002.
“Michael Kay is a New York sports institution, having covered the New York sports scene for more than 30 years,” said John J. Filippelli, president, production and programming, YES Network. “Michael personifies the New York sports scene. He boasts a constant stream of A-list guests, and gives passionate New York sports fans a platform to exchange their views. Michael fits in perfectly with our programming lineup.”
Traug Keller, senior vice president, production business divisions, ESPN, noted: “The team of Michael Kay and Don LaGreca has been a staple of ESPN New York since 2002. We are pleased to work with YES to increase the show’s exposure, allowing New York sports fans another outlet to enjoy compelling content.”
