Greg Ashlock calls iHeartMedia’s newest offering a “product-driven network.”
The president of iHeartMedia Markets Group was talking about the iHeartSports Network that launched today.
“People are passionate about sports and this will deliver the timely regional and local coverage they care most about along with the biggest national stories,” Ashlock said in the announcement.
The network — also referred to as IHSN in the press release — will provide content to some 500 stations and their digital streams.
Almost exactly a year ago, the company launched an iHeartRadio Sports website.
“IHSN will deliver short-form national, regional local sports reports to listeners on formats that index high against sports interest, including rock, country, hip hop, class hits, news, talk and sports,” the company said.
Talent to be heard on the network include Cris Collinsworth, Colin Cowherd, Dan Patrick and Joy Taylor.
The company cited research from Scarborough that 83 percent of sports fans want a daily update, and from Nielsen that 89 percent of sports fans listen to radio each week.
“Research also indicates that almost two-thirds of sports fans do not have the time to seek out additional desired information.”