On Monday, Hubbard Radio Minneapolis-St. Paul announced it would be unveiling a new sports product called SKOR North, a digital-first sports content brand that will be broadcast on 1500 AM. SKOR North will create and distribute content across multiple traditional and digital platforms, including 1500 AM, 94.5 FM HD-2, streaming, a SKOR North app, podcasts, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Hubbard Radio Minnesota Region Manager Dan Seeman said: “The media landscape is changing and sports fans have never had more options to get sports content. Today’s fans want sports information and opinions on their radio, mobile phone, desktop computer, and smart speakers at home. SKOR North is a content company first. We will create great sports content that will be distributed on multiple platforms so Minnesota sports fans can listen, watch, or read about Minnesota sports teams when they want it, where they want it, and how they want it.”
SKOR launches January 15.
SKOR North programming will be broadcast live on 1500 AM from 12 noon-7 p.m., Monday-Friday. Daily programs include Purple Daily, a 52-weeks-per-year daily Vikings show, SKOR North Live with Matthew Coller, and Mackey & Judd with Ramie. The SKOR North radio schedule will also feature national programming from ESPN Radio, including Golic and Wingo in the morning and Dan Le Batard in early middays.
SKOR North will make a significant commitment to digital content, including online sports stories and columns on SKORNorth.com, podcasts, and social media sports content.
SKOR North will debut with more than 15 podcasts, which will include the Purple Podcast, Reusse Unchained, Judd with Lou Nanne, Myron Medcalf on Hoops, The Scoop with Darren “Doogie” Wolfson, and the Twins Touch ‘Em All podcast.
The SKOR North commitment to covering Minnesota sports will be significant with Derek Wetmore (Twins), Matthew Coller and Judd Zulgad (Vikings), Dane Moore and Danny Cunningham (Timberwolves), Judd Zulgad (Wild), Jonathan Harrison and others (MNUFC) and Jake Depue, Daniel House, and others (Golden Gophers) covering the teams with daily beat stories and columns.
“We’re excited to entertain and connect with Minnesota sports fans on multiple platforms – in addition to radio,” said Director of Content Phil Mackey. “And we hope people will find our shows, personalities, written work, and social media to be a combination of fun, creative, intelligent, and audience-inclusive.”
With the tagline, “Minnesota Sports. Anytime. Anywhere,” SKOR North will have an active social media presence, sharing sports news and opinions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
In addition to the full-time staff of sports content creators, SKOR North will have access to Minnesota sports experts and contributors, including Myron Medcalf and Courtney Cronin from ESPN.com, hockey legend Lou Nanne, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sage Rosenfels, Star Tribune columnists Patrick Reusse and Chip Scoggins, and former Twins player and current analyst Roy Smalley.
Here’s the full lineup:
5am-9am Golic and Wingo, ESPN Radio
9am-12n Dan Le Batard, ESPN Radio
12n-1pm Purple Daily, SKOR North
1pm-2pm Purple Daily (hour 2), SKOR North Twins Show, or SKOR North Wolves Show (depending on season)
2pm-4pm SKOR North Live with Matthew Coller
4pm-6pm The Mackey & Judd Show with Ramie, SKOR North
6pm-7pm SKOR North Twins Show or SKOR North Wolves Show or Reusse Unchained, or The Beer Show
It’s the same content that 1500ESPN.com has just with a new name. All the podcast are current and have been for a while on 1500ESPN.com. Purple Podcast has 431 episodes, Ruesse Unchained has 7, Lou Nanne Podcast has 13, and The Scoop has 195. Nothing more than a glorified name change.