CBS Radio, Cumulus pact for “CBS Sports Radio” network (audio)

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CBS RadioIn a move that establishes what will be the most listened to sports radio network across the Top 50 markets, CBS Corp. has created “CBS Sports Radio,” a 24/7 lineup of national programming from CBS Radio and CBS Sports.


Cumulus Media Networks is the network’s exclusive syndicator and sales partner to secure affiliate clearances and ad sales with radio stations nationwide.  In addition, Cumulus will make CBS Sports Radio programming available on 67 of its O&O stations.

At launch, CBS Sports Radio will reach listeners in nine of the nation’s Top 10 markets, with a cumulative audience reach at debut close to 10 million listeners – nearly 90% of them located in Top 50 markets.

Cumulus COO John Dickey tells RBR-TVBR all about the strategy and impact of this move, along with what’s in store for ESPN Radio affiliations at Cumulus stations. Listen to the audio, below:

[audio:John-Dickey-062112.mp3|titles=John Dickey, COO, Cumulus]

CBS Sports Radio is designed to enhance CBS’s existing sports properties and extend the national reach of the CBS Sports and CBS Radio brands to additional outlets across the country.  Programming will be led by the award-winning team at CBS Radio, owners and operators of such #1-rated sports stations WFAN-AM New York, WSCR-AM Chicago, WIP-FM Philadelphia, WBZ-FM Boston and WXYT-FM in Detroit, among others.

Elements of CBS Sports Radio will include:

–24/7 all-sports talk radio lineup to debut on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013.  Original programs across multiple weekday and weekend time periods will feature expert sports commentary and interviews with major sports figures along with listener calls and fan interaction.  All shows will broadcast live with an array of hosts, anchor teams and contributors.

–Opportunities for affiliates to regionalize their lineup by choosing from select programs currently featured on CBS Radio or Cumulus sports stations.

–Beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 4, CBS Sports updates can be heard on all network affiliate stations (see attached list).  Headlines, breaking news and scores from the day’s major events and stories will be heard hourly.

–Contributions from sport-specific experts, as well as a prominent role on the network from CBS Sports, CBS Sports Networks and CBSSports.com’s roster of high-profile personalities delivering analysis, features and special reports.

–Online streaming of live network broadcasts.

The following CBS Radio stations will add various components of CBS Sports Radio programming to their lineup:

WFAN-AM (New York)

WSCR-AM (Chicago)

KRLD-FM (Dallas)

KILT-AM (Houston)

WJFK-FM (Washington, D.C.)

WIP-FM (Philadelphia)

WBZ-FM (Boston)

WXYT-FM (Detroit)

WSJT-FM (Tampa)

WJZ-FM (Baltimore)

WFNZ-AM (Charlotte)

KDKA-FM (Pittsburgh)

KHTK-AM (Sacramento)

WKRK-FM (Cleveland)

The following CBS Radio stations will broadcast CBS Sports Radio programming as their 24/7 lineup when the network debuts on Jan. 2, 2013:

KIKK-AM (Houston)

WIP-AM (Philadelphia)

WXYT-AM (Detroit)

WQYK-AM (Tampa)

WJZ-AM (Baltimore)

WBCN-AM (Charlotte)

KRAK-AM (Riverside)

KYDZ-AM (Las Vegas)

The following Cumulus radio stations in the Top 100 markets will broadcast CBS Sports Radio programming:

KNBR-AM (San Francisco)

KTCT-AM (San Francisco)

KTCK-AM (Dallas)

WCNN-AM (Atlanta)

WGFX-FM (Nashville)

WSJZ-FM (Orlando)

WHGB-AM (Harrisburg/Lancaster)

WJOX-A/F (Birmingham)

WBBL-FM (Grand Rapids)

WWLS-A/F (Oklahoma City)

KNML-AM (Albuquerque)

WMTI-FM (New Orleans)

KARN-AM (Little Rock)

WNML-A/F-WNRX-FM (Knoxville)

KCUB-AM  (Tucson)

WWBU –FM (Roanoke)

WTRX-AM (Flint)

WLQR-FM (Toledo)

WBGG-AM (Des Moines)

WNKT-FM/WYMB-AM (Columbia, S.C.)

WUMP-AM (Huntsville)

WSKO-AM (Syracuse)

KLTD-FM (Waco)

WXSM-AM (Tri Cities)

KCSF-AM (Colorado Springs)

WZAT-FM/WJLG-AM (Savannah)

RBR-TVBR observation: It’s getting more and more competitive out there for spoken-word format stations and sports programming networks are rushing to offer the ever-increasing number of stations that have given up on playing music. ESPN Radio is no longer the only game in town. In addition to CBS Sports Radio, and recently unveiled NBC Sports Radio Network with Dial Global, stations can also choose from (full time, dayparted and play-by-play offerings) Yahoo! Sports, Sports USA, Compass Media Networks and more.