Tony Paul

The Detroit News

For the second time since the station decided to flip from adult contemporary to sports less than three years ago, Detroit Sports 105.1 (WMGC-FM) is looking for a program director.

Dave Shore, hired as program director in February 2015 and a co-host of afternoon-drive since this past March, was let go Tuesday, according to two sources at the radio station.

According to the sources, who declined to be identified, former Piston Lindsey Hunter will remain on afternoon drive, from 2-6 p.m. weekdays, working this week with Rob Pascoe. Jake Chapman, on vacation this week, will make it a three-man booth next week.

Shore came to Detroit from Los Angeles, to replace Jason Dixon, the program director when the station went sports in August 2013 -- with heavy emphasis on popular radio host Drew Lane's return to the airwaves.

Lane, who drew the best ratings at the station, left 105.1 in October over a dispute about content.

Lane's departure led to Matt Dery moving from middays to afternoon drive, working alongside Drew Sharp, also of the Detroit Free Press, before the plug was pulled on that show this past March.

Shore wasn't immediately available for comment Tuesday, nor was Steve Chessare, vice president/market manager for Detroit's Greater Media stations.

The sports station has struggled to take much, if any, audience, away from ratings powerhouse 97.1 The Ticket.

The station has no plans to switch formats away from sports, according to a source with knowledge of the station's plans.

Ryan Ermanni and Rico Beard have been steadily gaining more listeners at middays, and the station apparently believes the new morning show of Sean Baligian, Marc Fellhauer and Tom Mazawey has potential.

Detroit Sports 105.1, an ESPN affiliate, finally got out of its agreement to air "Mike & Mike" in the mornings, so it could go all local weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and sometimes later.



Detroit Sports 105.1 just completed its second year as the home of the Pistons, though suffered a major blow when it made a competitive bid for the Tigers -- a ratings giant -- but were beat in the end by 97.1, the longtime home of the Tigers and Red Wings. The Lions just moved from 97.1 to WJR 760 for the 2016 season.

Buzz Knight, senior vice president for Greater Media programming, is expected to travel from Boston to Detroit soon to assess the situation, according to a source.



(Editor's note: Tony Paul has filled in occasionally on the air at 105.1, but he's not an employee of the station.)

tpaul@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @tonypaul1984