SportstalkNETWORK

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sportstalkNETWORK.com
Image:STN Wiki.jpg
City of license Cleveland, Ohio
Broadcast area Global
Slogan Sports Talk & Entertainment Programming - America's Internet Broadcast Giant
First air date March 15, 2002
Format Sports & Entertainment
Owner Belfi Internet Ventures, LLC.
Website sportstalkNETWORK.com

sportstalkNETWORK.com (aka as STN and formerly known as sportstalkCLEVELAND) is an internet-only sports talk station in Cleveland, Ohio. The company is managed & owned by founder and president Paul Belfi, and their studios are located at 5500 South Marginal Road and E. 55th St., just off I-90.

The station features local and national sports talk from Cleveland-area personalities.

Due out in April, the "STN Journal" will be delivered to various Northeastern Ohio eating establishments and other locations. This alternative newspaper will feature articles from sportstalkNETWORK on-air personalities, and the topics will vary between local, national, and niche sports.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] The WKNR Years

In February of 2002, an agreement was reached with Salem Communications to partner WKNR with the fledgling Internet broadcast entity & website sportstalkCLEVELAND.com (aka STC). STC was to not only serve as the Internet home of WKNR and selected WKNR programming but to also offer Internet exclusive programming that would occasionally cross over on to the radio.

The very first sportstalkCLEVELAND broadcast was live on March 15, 2002 at the original Harpo's Sports Cafe on Brookpark Road.

WKNR's personalities would not only broadcast their show on terrestrial radio, they would also do a show on STC. Some notable personalities include the late John Antus, Les Levine, Bruce Drennan, Kenny Roda, Greg Brinda, Ken Silverstein, Dave Milo, Dave Scherer, Buck Woodward, Mike Ptak, Joe Lull, Matt Monter, Gene Winters, Andre Knott, Josh Sabo, Matt Loede, Bil Needle, Jeff Sack and Mike Catan.

In March of 2005, WKNR and sportstalkCLEVELAND went their separate ways. Over a weekend, all of STC's equipment was moved from the old WKNR studios in Broadview Heights, Ohio to the old ClevelandHits.com building at E. 55th and South Marginal.

[edit] 2005 and Beyond

Since 2005, former WKNR personality Bruce Drennan served as a host for STC prior to his departure to a federal penitentiary for violating tax laws. Bruce left STC upon his release from prison due to STC refusing to pay him for working at STC. Veteran Cleveland sports talker, Kendall Lewis, returning from a stint in Memphis, Tennessee, became the midday host in late 2006. His arrival was both successful but brief, since "The BSK" also signed a deal to become Les Levine's new co-host on FSN Ohio's Cleveland Rants, replacing Neil Bender. Because of the hectic schedule, Kendall would not be able to return as the midday host.

Major changes to the station occurred in the Spring of 2008 beginning with the addition (and return) of Kendall Lewis as a feature show host beginning May 5, 2008. 'The BSK on STN' airs M-F from 3-5p Eastern.

Former WMMS and Cleveland radio personality Lisa Dillon joined the staff at STN in April of 2008 to host a new show which airs M-F 1-3p Eastern.

In April, 2008 the station evolved into sportstalkNETWORK with market specific websites in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Chicago, New York, Seattle, Detroit, and Canada.

sportstalkNETWORK currently features daily sports & entertainment shows such as "AM Mayhem" and "Rappin with J-Rock". Also, STN broadcasts niche programming which is original content produced exclusively for STN. "Breaking Balls" with former WKNR producer/reporter Bernard Bokenyi is a daily program devoted to sports and entertainment. Talk NASCAR and motor sports with Frank Reese on "Reece on Racing". Hockey fans can check out "The Goon Squad" on Thursday nights with Rick Morris & Kyle O'Rourke. Thursday nights also features "Fantasy Draft Help Insider" with Rick Morris and Jason Jones which is dedicated to the fantasy sports enthusiast.

New programming is being developed to feature shows on boxing, outdoors, scuba diving & golf.

[edit] Current Programming

Program Hosts Time Day Program Content
AM Mayhem Paul Belfi, Jennifer Horvath, Don Peterson & Tony Mazur 9am - 11am Monday-Friday Sports Talk, Politics, Entertainment
Rappin' With J Rock Jay Rizzo 11am - 1pm Monday-Friday Sports Talk & Entertainment
The LEWD Show Lisa Dillon 1pm - 3pm Monday-Friday Music & Entertainment Talk
The BSK On STN Kendall Lewis 3pm - 7pm Monday-Friday Sports Talk & Entertainment
Reece on Racing Frank Reece & "Steady" Eddie 9pm - 10pm Monday Motor Sports Talk
Frank Reece's Blue Zoo Frank Reece 10pm - 11pm Monday Hobby/Recreation
Pro Wrestling Insider Buck Woodward, Mike Ptak & Paul Belfi 7pm - 9pm Tuesday Professional Wrestling & Sports Entertainment Talk
NAAFS Radio Jake Digman 9pm - 10pm Tuesday Amateur & Professional MMA Talk
Fantasy Draft Help Insider Rick Morris & Jason Jones 7pm - 9pm Wednesday Fantasy Sports Talk
The Goon Squad Rick Morris & Kyle O'Rourke 9pm - 10pm Wednesday National & International Hockey Talk
The Vegas Vic Show Dave Rice 7pm - 8pm Thursday Sports Handicapping
The Squared Circle Don Peterson 12p - 1p Saturday Boxing Talk
On Tour Music Show Anthony & Matt Petrone 6pm - 8pm Sunday Local Music Talk
The FDH Lounge Rick Morris & Friends 8pm - 11pm Every Other Sunday Sports, Politics, and Pop Culture Talk

[edit] External links