Eight Men In At SNY

Mets Net Boosts On-Air Roster, Adds Two New Shows

By Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 3/23/2008 6:34:00 AM

SNY, the TV home of the New York Mets and New York Jets, is fortifying its on-air roster and revamping its lineup that will now include two new debate-oriented shows.

SNY is expected to officially announce tomorrow that eight broadcasters -- many of whom work for New York sports talk radio leader WFAN -- that have served the channel as contributors in the past will assume more expansive roles at the regional sports network. 

Officials indicate that Joe Benigno, Chris Carlin, Scott Ferrall, Jon Heyman, Marc Malusis, Sweeny Murti, Adam Schein and Brandon Tierney will now provide exclusive TV work for SNY in the New York market.

SNY, owned by Sterling Entertainment Enterprises (tied to the ownership of the Mets), Time Warner Cable and Comcast Corp., which manages the service, is also scheduled to launch two new series March 24.

The WheelHouse will feature Ferrall (Sirius Satellite Radio), Tierney (ESPN Radio) and host Brian Custer, engaging in “nine innings” of fast-paced discussions about the leading sports topics of the day. The weekday show will run from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Immediately thereafter from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., SNY will air Loud Mouths in which Schein (Fox Sports on MSN, Sirius) and Carlin (WFAN) go after the hottest topics in sports and each other. Loud Mouths will also showcase various interactive features, including live phone calls, emails, Webcam questions and text messages. Carlin and Schein will also hit the streets to debate sports with passionate New York sports fans.  

Other enhancements to the current SNY programming roster include Daily News Live and Geico SportsNite. The half-hour DNL, hosted by Chris Cotter, will now air weekdays at 5 p.m. and shift to a new roundtable format. Joe Benigno (WFAN) will appear regularly on the show along with Daily News writers and occasional guests. SNY is also revamping the 10 p.m. Geico SportsNite program – from an hour – to back-to-back half-hour shows.

Jon Heyman (WFAN) joins SNY as its new Major League Baseball insider, making appearances throughout the network on a variety of different shows, including Geico SportsNite, Mets Pre- and Post-game shows and Mets Hot Stove. 

Sweeny Murti (WFAN, YES) officially becomes the network’s New York Yankees insider/beat reporter, where he will also appear throughout the network on programs such as Geico SportsNite and Daily News Live. 

Marc Malusis (WFAN, Sirius) joins SNY as a regular contributor to Geico SportsNite.

“This announcement further represents our commitment to covering New York sports from every angle, while providing our viewers with a unique, entertaining experience,” said SNY president Steve Raab in a statement. “We’re confident that our continued investment in original entertainment programs – combined with the addition of these dynamic personalities – will continue to forge a passionate connection to sports fans throughout the region.”