Two of Arkansas’ most decorated sportscasters, Chuck Barrett and Bo Mattingly, are coming together to build a new radio program for Razorback fans, the “Chuck and Bo Show.”
The show will air live from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. weekdays starting Aug. 26.
The ESPN Arkansas network, including FM 99.5 in Fayetteville, 96.3 in Fort Smith and 104.3 in Harrison/Mountain Home will carry the audio program. The show will stream live on hitthatline.com and on YouTube, adding a visual element Barrett and Mattingly expect to enhance the show. They also plan to provide exclusive content on Instagram, TikTok, X and Facebook, according to a news release.
Both Barrett and Mattingly are three-time recipients of the Arkansas Sportscaster of the Year Award, and both have long and deep ties to University of Arkansas sports. Barrett has been the play-by-play voice of the Razorbacks, and has a wide following among fans.
Mattingly hosted “Sports Talk With Bo Mattingly” and has produced programs for ESPN, the SEC Network and HBO Sports.
Plans for the Show
They promise inside insights, entertaining segments, live discussions with listeners and a strong lineup of guests. Bart Pohlman, whose work with Mattingly stretches back more than 10 years, will be the new show’s executive producer.
“Our mission is to create the premium radio production that Arkansans have been asking for,” Barrett said in a statement. “We will produce a show of record for Razorback fans that is entertaining while raising the discourse.”
Mattingly said the program will be “about connecting with the fans and giving them the in-depth analysis and access they crave. We’re excited to work together and partner with some of the most respected brands in Arkansas to enrich our community.”
The men said their vision has already excited fans and advertising prospects.
Initial advertisers will include First Security Bank; Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric; Weichert Realtors — The Griffin Co.; and Fayetteville Auto Park.
The program will announce more partners soon, the release said.
Sponsor Enthusiasm
Adam Rutledge, senior vice president of First Security, said the bank “is thrilled to partner with Chuck and Bo on their new radio show. We look forward to all the stories … which will give fans even more to love about sports in Arkansas and our Razorbacks.”
Charley Boyce, president and CEO of Paschal Air, said in the release that as a former Razorback athlete, he’s looking forward to the show’s debut. “Paschal is proud to be locally owned and operated,” he said, “and we’re excited to partner with Chuck and Bo in this endeavor.”
Boyce, a stalwart right handed pitcher for the Razorback baseball team, in 2004 threw 14 and one-third innings and 203 pitches in two days’ time.
Another former Razorback, basketball player Carter Clark, owns Weichert Realtors — The Griffin Company. “We don’t see much of a better way to represent our brand and serve our great state than what Chuck and Bo are doing through their partnership,” he said.
Thom Stathakis, area vice president for Fayetteville AutoPark, was also enthusiastic. He even got in a plug for his business. “Northwest Arkansas premier automotive dealership for 25 years is excited to partner with the “Chuck and Bo Show” and talk all things Razorbacks and the great state of Arkansas,” he said in the release.
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