Two of the radio industry’s largest owners of AM and FM radio stations are uniting to give the Infinity Sports Network a relaunch, a “strategic move” coming at the end of December that “solidifies both companies as recognized leaders in national sports audio.”
With Cumulus Media’s Westwood One partnering with Audacy, the latter’s sports network will shed a name once linked to a company run by Mel Karmazin acquired by CBS to become Westwood One Sports.
The end of Infinity Sports Network extends a partnership between Westwood One and Audacy that started in 2012 with the launch of CBS Sports Radio.
This arrangement sees Westwood One assume programming and distribution
for the majority of the lineup of syndicated sports programming, including “The Jim
Rome Show,” heard from Noon-3pm Pacific each day.
Audacy will continue to produce such BetMGM Network programs as “You Better You
Bet” with Nick Kostos (6am-9am Pacific) and “BetMGM Tonight” (3pm-8pm Pacific), as well as additional weekend programming as part of the Westwood One Sports roster.
BetMGM will remain a presenting partner and the exclusive sportsbook partner of these
programs.
The full programming lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Audacy and Westwood One have a long, storied history of collaboration, and today’s
evolution of our national sports partnership is that next chapter in our commitment to our
hundreds of affiliates, their listeners, and our client partners,” said Chris Oliviero, Chief
Business Officer for Audacy. “Be it local or national, broadcast or digital, opinion content or
play by play, we continue to smartly look at ways to enhance our leadership position in
sports content.”
Westwood One President and Cumulus Media EVP of Corporate Strategy Collin Jones added, “Westwood One Sports has always been synonymous with the biggest moments in
sports audio. Launching Westwood One Sports 24/7 programming strengthens that legacy and positions us to deliver unmatched coverage and commentary to fans coast-to-coast. We’re excited to work with Audacy to make this transition seamless and impactful.”
The shift comes as Audacy moves far ahead from its previous leadership and with a post-bankruptcy operation plan under the leadership of CEO Kelli Turner. For Cumulus, which last week sued Nielsen Audio for claims it operates as an unfair monopoly, various fiscal challenges have challenged the audio content creator and producer for multiple quarters dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic of more than five years ago.
