On The Air
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
July 29, 2005

The enormous popularity of the Eagles is translating into accolades for Eagles’ expert Ray Didinger, as he won two awards from “Philadelphia” magazine in its upcoming “Best of Philly” issue – “Best Radio Talk Show Personality” and as part of the “Best Local TV Show” for “Eagles Post Game Live” on Comcast SportsNet.

“I am shocked about the radio award,” said Didinger who co-hosts only one show a week with Glen Macnow on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on WIP 610-AM. However, he said he wasn’t surprised that his awards correlated with the success of the Eagles.

“People identify me as a football guy and the Eagles are probably more popular than they’ve ever been,” he added.

Coincidentally, the last time the former Eagles reporter won a “Best of Philly” award, it was in 1981, the last time the Eagles were in the “Super Bowl.”

Didinger’s new book, “The Eagles Encyclopedia,” co-authored by Bob Lyons is scheduled to arrive in bookstores Labor Day weekend.

Didinger will also appear as a reporter in the upcoming movie about former player Vince Papale, “Invincible,” starring Mark Wahlberg as Papale and Greg Kinnear as Dick Vermeil.  Currently, Kinnear is playing a little league baseball coach in “The Bad News Bears.”

Possession of Sixers – WIP
Though it was previously reported here that the Sixers were moving to WPEN 950-AM, the team decided to stay on WIP 610-AM.  The radio station and the team agreed to a new long-term agreement.  The Sixers have been on WIP 610-AM for over 30-years.

Here’s the updated NFL broadcasters scorecard for 2006:

NBC – “Sunday Night Football” will be hosted by Bob Costas and Cris Collinsworth, who moves to NBC from Fox.  John Madden will be the game analyst.  A play-by-play person hasn’t been selected yet.

ESPN – “Monday Night Football” will be given to Al Michaels, who moves from ABC, Joe Theismann, and sideline reporters Suzy Kolber and Michele Tafoya.  ESPN “Sunday Night Football” announcers Mike Patrick and Paul Maguire will not be in the booth.  Maguire is likely to be part of the pre-game show.

FOX – Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, who signed a long-term contract with the network, will continue doing the NFC games.  There is no word if Fox will replace Collinsworth in the booth for the “A-Team.”

CBS – It remains status quo with its AFC package at this time.