The 98.5 Toucher and Rich intrigue continues: Shertenlieb will no longer run show’s social media account
The speculation about Toucher & Rich’s future continued on Thursday after a major change to the 98.5 The Sports Hub radio show’s popular social media account.
Two weeks after host Fred Toucher signed a multiyear contract with the Boston radio station, host Rich Shertenlieb announced that he will no longer run the Toucher & Rich account on X (formerly Twitter).
This change also comes a couple weeks after the X account with nearly 150,000 followers had dropped Toucher’s name and left the account for only Shertenlieb (@heyrichhey). But now, the account’s handle is back to @touchernrich.
“Hello, this is Rich. As of this post, I will no longer maintain and will not be communicating through this account. Please contact me and follow me at my personal X account at @HeyRichHey. Thanks! – Rich Shertenlieb,” the host posted from @touchernrich on Thursday.
Shertenlieb then posted from his new personal account.
“HEY GUYS HEY. Well look at that, I finally have my own personal account. Someone else now runs the show account so you can follow and contact me HERE,” he wrote. “I’m also on Instagram @RichShertenlieb. Retweet and tell a friend ya dipstick!”
Shertenlieb and Beasley Media Group did not immediately respond to comment on Thursday.
This latest chapter in the social media account changes for Toucher & Rich is again leading to speculation and questions from loyal listeners.
“Hopefully you guys aren’t breaking up. I enjoy listening,” a fan wrote.
“Mornings just wouldn’t be the same without T&R,” another commented.
“I know it’s your personal business but I hope you’re not leaving the show Rich,” a person wrote.
Others were wondering whether it has to do with Beasley Media running the account.
“I think Beasley is taking over all accounts related to the show,” an account posted.
“Everyone calm down. They probably have an intern taking over this account,” another wrote.
Gambling advertisements could be playing a role in this change, according to Boston Radio Watch.
“Naples (where Beasley Media Group is headquartered) can now monetize the show account by inserting DraftKings ads without asking Rich for assistance,” Boston Radio Watch posted.
When Toucher’s new contract was announced in the final week of October, Beasley Media Group did not mention Shertenlieb’s name even once.
Also, their show “Toucher & Rich” was not mentioned in the press release; the company referred to the show as “98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston’s Award-winning morning show.”