CLEVELAND -- So, in this same space a week ago, I broached the subject of an afternoon talk show. And then, I read every single one of your replies, took all of them (I swear) into consideration, then shared the more common sentiments with Dali.
Here's what we came up with: We'll do a live show every weekday, 4 p.m. Eastern, from our Downtown HQ, and it'll be called 'DOUBLE-SHOT' -- see the Boss' logo above -- playing off the Daily Shot morning podcasts and continuing, still, our coffee motif that originated with the old Morning Java. But it won't be a talk show, at least not in the traditional sense.
Details so far:
• No, we don't have a starting date. Contingent on a couple of variables completely out of our control. We'd like to get started as soon as possible, but we're also prioritizing having everything be first-class. That begins with an intro/animation that'll have a very familiar feel for long-timers here.
• Yes, it'll be available in all forms, not just live. Right away, in fact. And on all platforms. We'll pump it out as a podcast, too.
• I'll be seated at a new set we're building, with a desk that's visible, with live Fifth Avenue fun in the background (people walking, PRT buses, etc.), and with no regard for whoever might or might not be behind me. Just how we'll roll. All part of the set.
• A second individual from the staff will be part of this, remotely (for less sound interference/overlap) and in a second box on the screen. This'll be Chris Halicke most often, but it could be anyone. We'll interact, obviously.
• We'll still seek viewer participation in the form of submitted 30-second videos. 'Hey, this is Paul in McKeesport! Is anyone ever going to get rid of this general manager? I mean, a 27th-ranked farm system in Year 5 of a rebuild? What's up with that?' After which we respond. The videos can be simple selfies, shot from anywhere and sent to us in a snap. This allows us to do the screening so many of you advised, in addition to weeding out the lesser material that some of you suggested would be a turn-off.
• We're coming up with concepts for 'departmental' type features. Like 'Mount Rushmore Monday,' in which we pick a Mount Rushmore topic and crush it.
As ever, I'll be in comments if any questions.
INSIDE THE WORKS
• Now that Anthony Murphy's gotten going on our minor-league baseball coverage within the Pirates Feed, he'll be branching out a bit in days to come. That begins today with his first Live Qs, so go say hello or something. Dude knows his stuff.
• A new Pitt podcast debuts this weekend, by Greg Macafee. Before and after each football game, so Fridays and Sundays.
• We're changing up the way our Feed fronts appear, the better to make the latest news as clear -- and un-cluttered -- as possible, and I have details this week: There'll be one big headline under each Feed box, followed by two smaller, lighter, bulleted headlines. The functionality won't change. Just how it looks.
• A new Rob Ullman book, one that collects the overwhelming majority of his Cartoon Canon run here, will be available by Christmas. It'll take you through the history of our city's sports, in chronological order, through our staff artist's eyes. More details as they arrive, but this week found us a printer. Big first step.
• Everyone loving being ad-free? If you're not there yet, it's only for paying subscribers. If you aren't subscribed yet or if your subscription's expired: This is our subscribe page. From there, make sure you're logged in, tap on the link, and thumb down to the bottom for the SUBSCRIBE button to buy/renew at the monthly or annual level. We also offer mega-discounts, as ever, for student subscriptions and senior subscriptions.
• Grateful that so many of you continue to leave us good reviews on outside platforms. For anyone who hasn't yet, feel free to add your own on our Google business listing, our Apple or Spotify podcast channels, our YouTube channels for the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates and, last but not least, our own app, whether it's the Apple or Android version. And again, thank you!
BACK TO BUSINESS
• Our page-view numbers for the past week were 916,624, with 32,233 unique users over the most recent full seven-day span, Aug. 22-28. Our most-read original piece -- and it wasn't even close -- was my Grind on the Penguins' big prospect trade, at 26,777. Never forget where you live, Pittsburgh. We love our pucks.
• On the multimedia front, our podcast downloads for the past week were 97,078, and our YouTube video views were 140,113.
• Our company social media accounts are at 56,436 followers on X, 41,126 on Facebook, 32,185 on YouTube, 15,263 on Instagram, 916 on TikTok ... and already 5,057 on the new Threads!
• We make mistakes. If you see one, email: Typos@DKPittsburghSports.com
• Our HQ/shop merch is available online. The Downtown shop itself's open Tuesday-Saturday, 12-6 p.m.
• Anything you need, email: Help@DKPittsburghSports.com
• Thanks for reading and, as ever, for your support of this independent venture.
