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Paul Finebaum's new ESPN Radio show will debut Monday, nearly seven months after he left Birmingham's WJOX 94.5 FM when his contract expired in January.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Sports-talk radio rock star Paul Finebaum will make his long-awaited return Monday, nearly seven months after he left the air and just in time for the kickoff of a new college football season.

In Birmingham, Finebaum's new, regionally syndicated ESPN Radio show will be heard on his old station, WJOX 94.5 FM, as well as the new ESPN 100.5 FM, which is expected to launch Monday, as well.

NEW WJOX WEEKDAY LINEUP

6-10 a.m.: "The Opening Drive"

10 a.m.-1 p.m.: "The JOX Roundtable"

1-5 p.m.: "The Paul Finebaum Show"

5-8 p.m.: "The Matt and Scot Spectacular"

Finebaum's new show, which will originate out of ESPN regional studios in Charlotte, will begin and end an hour earlier than before -- airing from 1 to 5 p.m. in Birmingham, instead of from 2 to 6 p.m.

His return has caused WJOX to shuffle its weekday lineup.

Although the station has yet to make an official announcement and program director Ryan Haney has declined to comment on any programming changes, here's what AL.com has learned from Birmingham radio insiders:

"The JOX Roundtable,"

"The Matt and Scot Spectacular,"

"The Opening Drive" -- with Jay Barker, Al Del Greco and Tony Kurre -- will continue to air in its usual morning drive slot, from 6 to 10 a.m.

Even though Finebaum's new show begins in just four days, neither ESPN Radio nor WJOX owner Cumulus Media, which is helping syndicate the show, has announced what other affiliates around Alabama will carry it.

That announcement is expected soon.