This from the NBC Sports Group, NBC and Dial Global Radio are forming the NBC Sports Radio Network. It will begin operation in September with hourly sports news updates and various commentaries. Then long form programming will start later with shows that will be streamed at both NBCSports.com and DialGlobal.com.
Programming will be made available as podcasts for personal downloading. Expect to hear commentaries from the likes of Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Erik “The Butcher” Kuselias, Michelle Beadle, Russ Thaler and others. Not sure if Dan Patrick’s radio contract would allow him to take part in this venture, but with Dial Global’s reach, perhaps he could change distributors down the line.
Here’s the announcement.
NBC SPORTS GROUP AND DIAL GLOBAL PARTNER TO FORM THE NBC SPORTS RADIO NETWORK
New National Sports Radio Network Begins in September, to Include Regional Daily Sports Updates
NEW YORK, NY, June 11, 2012 – The NBC Sports Group and Dial Global (NASDAQ: DIAL) announced a partnership today to create the NBC Sports Radio Network. Beginning in September, the network will be distributed to radio stations nationwide by Dial Global.
The network’s content will include hourly sports news updates, daily features as well as full-length shows.
In addition to distribution on terrestrial radio stations, NBC Sports’ audio content will be available on a wide variety of digital platforms. Live shows will be streamed onNBCSports.com, DialGlobalSports.com, affiliate stations’ websites and other streaming services. On-demand short-form audio content will also be distributed online and through podcasts and other digital applications. Dial Global will be the exclusive ad and affiliate sales representative to the network.“We are thrilled to bring the rich heritage of NBC Sports to listeners across national radio for the first time,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “By adding radio to our broadcast, cable, regional, and digital assets, the NBC Sports Radio Network will give sports fans a new way to interact with the NBC Sports Group day in and day out.”
“Dial Global is excited to partner with NBC Sports Group to expand upon Dial Global’s live play-by-play platform. We are confident that with NBC’s sports assets, we will create a leading full service sports network and bring great sports audio to listeners across America,” said Spencer Brown, Co-CEO of Dial Global.
Tapping into the NBC Sports Group’s unique mix of national and local assets, the NBC Sports Radio Network will provide stations both national and regional sports content. Listeners may hear hourly sports updates, long-form shows and features hosted by national NBC Sports voices, NBC Sports Regional Networks on-air personalities, or NBC affiliate sportscasters, depending upon location. Specific programming and commentator details will be announced at a later date.
“Dial Global is the perfect partner for us in this new endeavor because of their unsurpassed national radio experience, relationships and infrastructure,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, Senior Vice President, NBC Sports Ventures and International. “We look forward to growing the NBC Sports Radio Network together.”
“With the combination of Dial Global’s market-leading play-by-play and the growing NBC Sports Group’s brand and talent, we are building an exciting and unique opportunity for the market that will bring new voice to sports radio that will quickly make an impact” said Chris Corcoran, Executive Vice President/GM of Dial Global.
This partnership expands upon the existing radio relationship between Dial Global and NBCUniversal, which includes NBC News, The Weather Channel, NBC Olympics and more. Earlier this year, NBC News partnered with Dial Global to create NBC News Radio—a 24-hour radio news network distributing news reports and content to over 700 stations nationwide.
Back in the mid-1980’s under owner General Electric, NBC got out of the radio business, selling its radio network to Westwood One. Now under Comcast, NBC is getting back into radio through Westwood One’s new owners in Dial Global. What’s old is new again. And I’m happy to see NBC back into radio.
We’ll see if it can make a dent in a crowded sports network lineup that includes ESPN, Fox and Yahoo.
