William Lou and Alex Wong announce new podcast "Hello and Welcome"

[OakleyDokely]

Read on Twitter

Their new podcast — “Hello and Welcome” — launches Tuesday on The Nation Network, a sports digital platform focused on hockey, soccer and now basketball.

They’ll start with three episodes per week, then ramp up to daily coverage of the NBA next season, including pre- and post-game analysis of all 82 Raptors games. The show also plans to feature exclusive interviews with players and coaches, watch-alongs and other special events.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/raptors-podfathers-will-lou-and-alex-wong-are-back-in-the-game-on-their-terms/article_b9d08094-1b90-11ef-894a-5b3ff02e8f61.html

[Tor_Raps]

These guys hated Blake Murphy that much eh?

I joke, they probably hated Sportsnet that much lol.

[hyper316]

So glad to see Will and Alex back together

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Billy Lou!

[ForeverTFC]

These guys hated Blake Murphy that much eh?

I joke, they probably hated Sportsnet that much lol.

They weren't made for radio. It was great to have actual Raptors content, but objectively Will wasn't great at radio. His delivery was terrible, a lot of rambling, and an alarmingly high use of "like". I do hope he continues to work on his craft because I like him, and he's the only option we have as a guy who at least somewhat understands the game, is relatable as a dude from Toronto (sorry Blake), doesn't toe the Rogers company line, and isn't so incredibly boring that it becomes a chore to listen to. Also, he has a great radio voice so he's got that going for him.

[And1Skip]

If they go big they will keep all the monetization money rather than having Rogers getting them and pay them a measly salary. But they need to expand beyond "Raptors" content to be able to grasp a larger audience to actually make some money.

[God Squad]

I think these guys are terrible, especially Alex. So I'm genuinely surprised so many people like them.

[Mr Funk]

Hopefully it's a big success. Will definitely tune into the shows which feature Will and no Alex.

[Psubs]

HelLou

[GP2]

I think these guys are terrible, especially Alex. So I'm genuinely surprised so many people like them.

I didn't listen very often, but perhaps they've got that "one of the boys" energy going for them. I didn't dislike them, but they also didn't seem suited for a corporate sports network.

All the best to them, but I find it hard to believe this can be its own self-sustaining thing.

[WuTang_CMB]

these guys are very pedestrian and im being nice. better suited to go on their own so whoever likes them can listen to their pod

[dTox]

I like Will, but cannot stand Alex on the Mike (I'm sure he's a great dude and all), I'll give this show a chance.

[kieferli]

Welcome back , I miss Alex

[mtcan]

I think these guys are terrible, especially Alex. So I'm genuinely surprised so many people like them.

Slim pickings in the Raptors media space.

You have Blake who might be a bit technical.

We already discredit Doug Smith, Michael Grange and Josh Lewenberg as illegitimate sources.

Samson Folk is a bit boring as well.

Eric Koreen is fine but not over long periods of time.

Will might be the best of what's there.

[Smalltown]

I think these guys are terrible, especially Alex. So I'm genuinely surprised so many people like them.

Slim pickings in the Raptors media space.

You have Blake who might be a bit technical.

We already discredit Doug Smith, Michael Grange and Josh Lewenberg as illegitimate sources.

Samson Folk is a bit boring as well.

Eric Koreen is fine but not over long periods of time.

Will might be the best of what's there.

That's not saying much. I don't mind Will in small doses. I was excited by the Raptors show in the early going. But it got old fast. Will and Alex are those guys who seem great and interesting in small doses. But day-to-day can be a bit grating.

Will i listen to them? Probably not often as I have to actively decide to download an episode. But that'll probably make the one or two times a month i do more interesting.

I wish them luck because the more Raptors content the better. But probably won't get much attention from me.

[Zeno]

I subscribed to be supportive of independent Raptors media. I probably won’t listen unless they stay on the topic of basketball. I wish there was a way to play Alex at 1.5 speed and the rest of the pod at normal speed. Alex sounds way better at 1.5 speed.

[ForeverTFC]

If they go big they will keep all the monetization money rather than having Rogers getting them and pay them a measly salary. But they need to expand beyond "Raptors" content to be able to grasp a larger audience to actually make some money.

The guys on "The Rights to Ricky Sanchez" seem to be doing ok and their market is a fifth of what these guys are trying to tap into. I think you can make a Raptors centric program work (it's not going to make them rich) but it needs a few things:
- They need to get a 3rd guy that fits the vibe but has a deeper and more technical understanding of basketball (Will trying to talk Xs and Os is the worst)
- They need to expand beyond the pod and starts putting out videos, articles, live shows, etc.
- They need to diversify the pods so the people that don't want their non-Raptors banter can avoid it while those that want it can still consume it (some of us just can't stand listening to Alex for more than a few mins at a time but he clearly has his fans)
- Will needs to work on his delivery and put more time into prep and monologues; even after a radio stint, he still just sounds like a guy that gets on the mic with little planned and coordinated

Essentially, they need to take what they have and add some Raptors Republic/The Ringer to it. It's important that they go out there and get a few more people into the equation.

[720]

I think people in their age demographic (20-35) area love their content. I know I do. But people older probably think they’re unprofessional. To me it just sounds like I’m listening to bunch of my friends and I when we talk about the raptors or the nba, which is appealing to me.

[KL78192020]

I think people in their age demographic (20-35) area love their content. I know I do. But people older probably think they’re unprofessional. To me it just sounds like I’m listening to bunch of my friends and I when we talk about the raptors or the nba, which is appealing to me.

Theres only so much content you can talk about with the raptors before it gets boring. If they don't care to grow and just stick with Raptors contact I guess thats good for them.

[C Court]

I think people in their age demographic (20-35) area love their content. I know I do. But people older probably think they’re unprofessional. To me it just sounds like I’m listening to bunch of my friends and I when we talk about the raptors or the nba, which is appealing to me.

Will and Alex provide the best overall Raptors content in Toronto and I am 30 years beyond the age demographic. I am glad to have them back. They are entertaining and informative. The Asian stuff is great as well!