Outtakes – Stations Fight Over Radio Host

Chuck Barrett, the radio sports talk show host at KFAY, 1030-AM in Fayetteville, recently found himself in a tug-of-war between two Little Rock stations.

rBarrett, who has dominated the sports talk ratings in Northwest Arkansas for several years, recently took his afternoon “Sports Rap” program statewide. It is now distributed to 22 stations by the Arkansas Radio Network.

rInitially, Barrett went ahead and started his show on, KARN, 920-AM and 102.5-FM in Little Rock, with the agreement that contract negotiations would be worked out.

rNegotiations stalled, and in the interim KSYG, 103.7 in Little Rock, made Barrett a counter offer to bring his show to that station. When Barrett accepted, Citadel Broadcasting Co. — the parent of KARN — filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent him from going to its competitor.

rBarrett, who’s also the football game-day host for the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network, declined comment on the lawsuit. But he did say KARN continued to negotiate with him and a deal was eventually worked out. During his Sept. 25 broadcast, Barrett said he was glad to be back on KARN.

rThe station is now the flagship for “Sports Rap,” although Barrett still broadcasts from KFAY’s studio in the Hilton Fayetteville.

rSeveral sports reporters routinely contribute to Barrett’s show, including Clay Henry, publisher of Hawgs Illustrated, Dudley E. Dawson, a University of Arkansas beat writer for the Northwest Arkansas Times, and Nate Allen, the Donrey Media Group‘s Razorbacks beat writer.