Sources: Howie Carr jumps to rival WTKK
Boston Herald ^ | 7/09/07 | Jessica Heslam

Posted on 07/09/2007 12:00:22 PM PDT by SteveBosell

In a bombshell development, WRKO-AM radio host Howie Carr is jumping ship to rival station WTKK-FM, where he’ll take over the prized morning-drive slot, sources tell the Herald. Carr, whose contract with WRKO-AM (680) expires in September, will host WTKK’s morning drive show solo and replaces shamed syndicated talk jock Don Imus, who lost his national show after the “nappy-headed hos” scandal. Carr inked a multi-year deal with WTKK (96.9), sources said. Carr could not be reached for comment and is vacationing in Florida. His move to WTKK pits him against disgraced, ex-House Speaker Tom Finneran, Carr’s longtime nemesis. Finneran’s morning-drive show on WRKO has bombed since he got behind the mic earlier this year. WRKO was banking on the former speaker to boost their dismal morning ratings. Carr informed WRKO of his decision to leave today, sources said. A Boston Herald columnist, Carr is WRKO’s marquee talent and is their highest-rated radio host by far. He has been with the AM station for 20 years and has had his afternoon-drive show since 1994. After Imus was canned in April, former Boston Globe columnist Mike Barnicle replaced him on WTKK but left the station altogether last month after failing to strike a deal with WTKK. With his jump to FM, Carr escapes WRKO AM’s weaker signal and AM radio’s dwindling, younger audience.