"Andy and I are looking forward to a little extra work," said Murphy, WHO-TV's sports anchor who co-hosts "Sound Off" with reporter Fales. "In these economic times, you have to make sure you have a backup plan."

Murphy and Fales will begin their 2-4 p.m. radio broadcast Monday and will fill the slot recently vacated by Jon Miller, who now co-hosts the station's morning show from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. with WHO Radio broadcaster Steve Deace.

The launch of the Murphy and Fales afternoon show is the most recent development stemming from the firing of radio personalities Marty Tirrell and Larry Cotlar last month after a broadcast of a profanity-laced argument between the men. Geoff Conn, a co-host and producer of Cotlar's morning show, also lost his job as a result of the argument.

Murphy said that he and Fales were approached by Joel McCrea, vice president of Clear Channel/Des Moines, about doing the show. He said there had been earlier discussions of an afternoon show featuring the two television broadcasters.

"Andy and I are both excited about the prospect of having the time to discuss sports and other issues in a much more in-depth way," Murphy said.

"At the same time, I am sure we will learn a lot more about those things that bother Andy." KXNO now has to fill only its 4-7 p.m. daily time slot. Station officials have said that Ken Miller, who was partnered with Tirrell in that time slot, would be retained. Officials have said they hoped to have that show on the air by April 27.