ESPN Richmond adds FM signal

2

1005-logoRed Zebra Broadcasting’s ESPN 950 WXGI-AM announced it will LMA Religious 100.5 FM “The Truth” WZEZ-FM Goochland/Richmond, VA starting 2/1. The deal  between Red Zebra and Delmarva Educational Association will extend the market reach for Richmond’s ESPN Radio broadcast on the FM signal with the existing on-air sports talk schedule, which includes local and national talk shows along with additional National and Regional play-by-play events.


WZEZ is 2600 Watts @ 509 feet HAAT. It covers both Richmond and Charlottesville, VA adequately—and reaches well north of Richmond, almost covering Fredericksburg, VA as well:

WZEZ coverage

“We could not be more excited to move our dynamic on-air lineup onto the FM frequency,” says WXGI GM Buck Albritton. “Most importantly, we are increasing our signal reach to serve more sports listeners.”

In February, ESPN 950 and Sports FM 100.5 will broadcast the Super Bowl live from New York, the 2014 Olympic Winter Games live from Sochi, Russia, plus great college basketball and NBA matchups on both the AM and FM signals.

“Not only is this an opportunity to serve a greater number of listeners, we will increase the number of games that we can broadcast.” adds PD Mitchell Bradley. “We’ll be able to carry one play by play lineup on our AM station while featuring another program event on the FM signal.”

ESPN 950, Richmond’s home for Redskins radio, currently carries a mix of syndicated network shows including Mike & Mike, Colin Cowherd and Scott Van Pelt. Additionally, two award winning local sports talk shows air daily, SportsPhone with Big Al and Hardly Workin’ with Greg Burton. The station also has agreements with the University of Richmond, Westwood One Sports and Compass Media which provide play-by-play broadcasts throughout the year.

Red Zebra Broadcasting operates WTEM AM 980, Washington DC; WWXX FM 94.3, Warrenton, VA; WWXT FM 92.7, Prince Frederick, MD; WSPZ, Bethesda, MD; WXGI AM 950, Richmond. Most Red Zebra Broadcasting stations are home to live play by play of the Washington Redskins. Red Zebra Broadcasting was established in 2006. Daniel Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins is a primary investor in Red Zebra Broadcasting.

RBR-TVBR observation: WZEZ has received numerous offers over the years from broadcasters—especially local AMs looking to beef up their coverage and add a nighttime signal. WXGI is 3,900 watts daytime and only 45 watts night. WZEZ used to be Soft AC and was owned by Hoffman Communications for years. It sold to Delmarva, along with sister station WGGM-AM in October, 2011.

2 COMMENTS

  1. When I heard about a FM Sports station coming to Richmond I was soooo excited. This is a major disappointment. The signal is so weak I can get better reception from the FM station in Norfolk and I live right here in Richmond. Why is the AM sister station stronger than the FM station makes no sense.

Comments are closed.