Costas on the Radio was an American radio show hosted by Bob Costas. It aired weekly on Premiere Radio Networks (affiliates could choose to air the show on Saturdays or Sundays). Although a longtime sportscaster, Costas discussed many issues besides sports, interviewing celebrities and newsmakers in a format similar to that of fellow broadcaster Larry King's radio days.
The show began its run on September 16, 2006. Costas on the Radio succeeds Costas Coast to Coast, a syndicated call-in radio show hosted by Costas from 1986 to 1996.
The show ended its run on May 31, 2009.
The show was created by Sean Compton and Costas.
Each two-hour show featured Costas administering one or two longform interviews (usually lasting for an entire hour) of various athletes, sports book authors, journalists, and other entertainers and newsmakers not necessarily involved in the sports industry. Guests usually appeared in studio, but interviews were occasionally conducted over the telephone. Costas described the show in a promo as having "something for everyone."
Packaged with the show were the daily minute-long Costas Cut and Costas Minute features, for sports and news/talk stations respectively. The features included bits from prior interviews on the main show.
Each show was recorded on Thursday afternoon, and Premiere Radio fed the program to its affiliates via satellite four times each weekend.
The show originated from New York City or St. Louis and was syndicated across the United States and Canada, on over 220 AM and FM stations, by Premiere Radio Networks. It also aired three times each weekend on XM Talk Radio 165.
Guests of Costas on the Radio included (but are not limited to) the following:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, former National Basketball Association playerBen Affleck, actorLance Armstrong, 7-time Tour de France-winning cyclistTiki Barber, former New York Giants running backChuck Berry, musicianGary Bettman, National Hockey League commissionerBrian Billick, former Baltimore Ravens Head CoachLarry Bird, former National Basketball Association playerBill Bradley, former U.S. Senator and New York Knicks forwardMark Brunell, New York Jets quarterback.Joe Buck, Fox MLB/NFL announcerFrank Caliendo, comedian/impressionist, best known for his impersonation of John MaddenLinda Cohn, anchor on ESPN's SportsCenterDabney Coleman, actorCris Collinsworth, NBC Sports and NFL NetworkKevin Costner, actorChili Davis, former Major League Baseball designated hitterFrank Deford, sportswriterDan Dierdorf, former St. Louis Cardinals lineman and current NFL on CBS commentatorHéctor Elizondo, actorRoger Goodell, National Football League CommissionerRutger Hauer, actorIce Cube, rapper/actor/directorJerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys principal ownerRichard Karn, actorJohn La Puma, physician and host of Lifetime TV's "Health Corner"Matt Lauer, The Today Show anchorMark Linn-Baker, actorBernie Mac, actor/comedianBill Maher, comedian and host of HBO's Real Time with Bill MaherHowie Mandel, comedian and host of Deal or No DealMatthew McConaughey, actorNorm Macdonald, comedian and star of Dirty Work.Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family GuyJohn Mellencamp, musicianAl Michaels, NBC Sunday Night Football play-by-play announcerJerry O'Connell, actor and star of SlidersConan O'Brien, Host of NBC's The Tonight ShowBill O'Reilly, Fox News Channel commentatorBuster Olney, ESPN.com baseball writerMehmet Oz, cardiothoracic surgeon, author and host of The Dr. Oz Show.Dan Rather, former CBS Evening News anchorRobin Roberts, Good Morning America anchorRachel Robinson, widow of Jackie RobinsonAlex Rodriguez, New York Yankees shortstopPete Rose, former Cincinnati Reds manager and first basemanChris Sabo, former Cincinnati Reds third basemanJeremy Schaap, author and ESPN reporterBill Scheft, senior writer for Late Show with David LettermanJason Sehorn, former New York Giants cornerbackBud Selig, Major League Baseball CommissionerDavid Stern, National Basketball Association CommissionerDarryl Strawberry, former baseball playerBob Uecker, announcer for the Milwaukee BrewersFay Vincent, former Major League Baseball CommissionerMax Weinberg, drummer for The E Street Band and The Max Weinberg 7 of The Tonight ShowBrian Williams, NBC Nightly News anchor