Sports programming and talk have been growth markets for radio stations over the last few years. As if further proof were needed, notice of two teams signing programming deals has crossed the Radio World desk.
In Big D, the Texas Rangers are returning to Dallas’ KRLD. From 1995–2008, Rangers games were carried on long-time Metroplex news-talk powerhouse KRLD(AM). The creation of the sports-oriented KRLD(FM) saw Ranger weekday games move to the FM in 2009. But CBS Radio lost the games for a short period of time. For 2015 they will return.
Besides play-by-play coverage of the games, the station will also provide pre- and post-game shows, and special daily programming to promote the team. The entire CBS Radio Dallas-area cluster will pitch on that latter effort.
Rangers’ play-by-play man Eric Nadel picked up the 2014 Ford C. Frick Award, given to exceptional baseball announcers, will be entering his 37th year behind the mic.
In the Queen City, the Cincinnati Bengals have extended their tristation deal with iHeartMedia properties in the city until 2019. The Bengals are carried on Cincinnati’s legendary WLW(AM), along with WCKY(AM) and WEBN(FM). Also, analyst Dave Lapham will enter his 30th year on Bengals broadcasts.
