Craig Carton Confirmed to Return to WFAN Afternoon Drive in Seismic Lineup Shake-Up: BT & Sal Show Cut
The King is Back: WFAN Bets Big on Carton’s Dramatic Third Act, Triggering Massive Lineup Overhaul
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the competitive New York sports media landscape, WFAN, the legendary “Fan,” is reportedly finalizing a deal for the return of its most polarizing and popular personality, Craig Carton. The former host is slated to anchor the station’s lucrative afternoon drive-time slot (2-6:30 p.m.) beginning in January 2026, marking his third, and arguably most dramatic, tenure with the sports radio powerhouse. The news, first broken by The Athletic, confirms weeks of industry speculation and signifies a massive, high-stakes gamble by Audacy, WFAN’s parent company, to reclaim dominance in the nation’s toughest radio market.
However, Carton’s triumphant return comes at a high cost for other established voices. The ripple effect of this decision will completely reshape WFAN’s weekday programming, forcing a significant realignment of talent and, most notably, signaling the end of the midday show, “BT & Sal.”
This is not merely a personnel change; it is a declaration of war in the New York sports talk ratings battle, prioritizing star power and controversy over continuity. The entire industry is now watching to see if the gamble on the outspoken host can deliver the renewed energy, stronger ratings, and increased advertiser demand the station desperately seeks.
The Anchor of the Afternoon: Carton’s Return and New Partner
For WFAN, the afternoon drive slot—the coveted 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. window—is a signature franchise position, capturing the bulk of the commuter audience and dictating the station’s financial success. The decision to place Carton back in this key time slot is a clear strategic play to maximize his outsized personality and proven ability to generate buzz, listener calls, and, critically, high ratings.
Carton, who originally gained legendary status co-hosting the Boomer & Carton morning show for a decade, has a career defined by spectacular highs and devastating lows, including a federal conviction for securities and wire fraud that led to him serving a year in prison. His previous return in 2020 saw him rebuild the afternoon slot with Evan Roberts, a partnership he left in June 2023 to pursue a short-lived national morning show on FS1.
Now, Carton is back, and his potential new co-host is reportedly WFAN overnight personality, Chris McMonigle. McMonigle is seen internally as a strong candidate due to his growing on-air profile, his familiarity with the station’s core audience, and his capacity to manage the high-volume, often chaotic, caller segments that Carton’s show generates. This pairing of a New York radio veteran with an up-and-coming talent suggests a deliberate effort to blend the station’s history with a fresh perspective.
The Cascade: Shifting the Entire Weekday Lineup
The consequences of the Carton move extend far beyond the afternoon. The most immediate and painful effect will be felt by the hosts who are being moved or removed from the lineup.
Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber Move to Midday
The current afternoon drive duo, Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber, will be shifted to the midday slot (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). This is a particularly significant change for Roberts, who has been a mainstay in the afternoon for several years, first with Carton and then with Barber. While Roberts and Barber successfully helmed the post-Mike Francesa afternoon slot, the ratings pressures appear to have dictated a different course.
The move puts the Evan and Tiki show directly in competition with the highly successful midday show on rival ESPN New York, creating a head-to-head battle that will be one of the most closely watched contests in the new year. For Roberts, it is his second major schedule change in two years, and for both hosts, it represents a substantial repositioning in the station’s hierarchy.
The End of BT & Sal
Perhaps the most dramatic casualty of the overhaul is the current midday show, BT & Sal, hosted by Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata. Their program is expected to be removed from the weekday lineup entirely.
The reports surfaced while Tierney and Licata were on the air, creating a truly awkward and high-profile scenario. On Wednesday, December 3, the duo opened their program by addressing the news, acknowledging they were “in the loop” and that Carton’s return was always “inevitable.” Tierney confirmed to listeners that the news was accurate, though the contract was not officially signed, stating, “We’re not trying to fool anybody.”
Licata, who had previously quipped about Carton, “You’re not taking my spot,” now faces the reality that the reports indicate he is indeed losing his slot. While Tierney, a longtime New York radio fixture, may be left without a role, reports suggest Licata could potentially remain with the station to fill the nighttime vacancy left by Keith McPherson, who departed last week. The situation underscores the brutal, high-stakes nature of major-market sports talk radio.
The Strategy: A Bet on Star Power and Nostalgia
WFAN’s decision to pursue Carton for a third time is a deliberate and calculated risk designed to reignite the station’s ratings and market momentum. The New York sports radio market is highly competitive, and while WFAN remains the original all-sports station and the flagship broadcaster for the Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, and Knicks, it has faced perennial challenges.
Carton’s appeal lies in his ability to generate extreme reaction. Listeners either love him or hate him, but crucially, they listen to him. The move is a significant investment in a personality who can draw a massive audience through sheer force of will and a non-traditional, often controversial, approach to sports talk. The station is clearly prioritizing high-profile star power, even with its attendant baggage, to create a must-listen product that commands attention and premium advertising dollars.
Furthermore, the move taps into a deep sense of nostalgia for the Boomer & Carton era, which was a dominant force in morning radio for a decade. By putting him back in a prime slot, WFAN is hoping to recapture the energy and audience loyalty from that time.
The Broader Media Context: A Career Defined by Comebacks
Craig Carton’s professional life has been an incredible sequence of triumphs and falls. He left WFAN initially in 2017 following his arrest. After serving his prison time, his return in 2020 with Evan Roberts was considered a major success, proving his drawing power remained intact. His departure in 2023 was amicable, citing the difficulty of balancing the WFAN afternoon show with his national FS1 morning show, a venture that was ultimately canceled in a summer programming overhaul.
Carton’s impending third act is a testament to the fact that in media, especially sports talk, talent that can generate conversation and ratings often finds a way back, regardless of past controversies. For Audacy executive Chris Oliviero, who was instrumental in bringing Carton back after his legal troubles, the return signifies a continued belief in his unique marketability.
Anticipating the Audience Reaction
The immediate online reaction to the news has been, characteristically, mixed. Social media commentary reflects a passionate split: some fans are thrilled by the return of a beloved, energetic personality, while others are vehemently opposed, citing his controversial past and on-air style as non-conducive to traditional sports analysis. This polarization is, in itself, a key part of the WFAN strategy—controversy drives calls, clicks, and listenership. The debate over Carton is the conversation WFAN is paying a premium to own.
As the sports radio world looks ahead to January 2026, the new WFAN lineup promises a dramatic reset. The station is wagering that Craig Carton’s high-wire act is the best way to secure its future in a fragmented and increasingly competitive media landscape, even if it means sacrificing established shows and shifting successful personalities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When will Craig Carton officially return to WFAN’s afternoon drive?
A: Craig Carton is reportedly finalizing a deal to return to the afternoon drive-time slot beginning in January 2026. While the station has not made an official announcement and the contract is not officially signed, multiple reports and on-air comments from other hosts confirm the move is imminent.
Q: Which WFAN shows and hosts are impacted by this lineup change?
A: The move creates a cascade of changes:
- Craig Carton will take over the afternoon drive (2-6:30 p.m.).
- Current afternoon hosts Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber will move to the midday slot (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.).
- Current midday hosts Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata (the BT & Sal show) are expected to be removed from the weekday schedule entirely.
- Overnight host Chris McMonigle is the leading candidate to co-host with Carton in the afternoons.
Q: Why is WFAN making such a drastic lineup change?
A: WFAN is executing a major lineup revamp to strengthen its ratings and regain market momentum in the highly competitive New York sports talk radio market. By bringing back Craig Carton, a personality with immense drawing power and a controversial, buzz-generating style, the station is making a calculated bet on star power and nostalgia to boost listenership and increase advertiser demand for the lucrative afternoon drive time slot.
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