MUMBAI: US based media conglomerate CBS has created a 24 hour sports radio network in the nation – CBS Sports Radio, slated to launch early next year in major markets.
The station will debut on 2 January 2013, featuring a lineup of national programming from premier entities including CBS Radio and CBS Sports for 24 hours throughout the week.
The programming will comprise of original shows across multiple weekday and weekend slots featuring sports commentary and interviews with major sports figures along with listener calls and fan interaction amongst others. All shows will be broadcast live with an array of hosts, anchor teams and contributors.
Cumulus Media, the leading pure-play radio broadcaster in the US, is the network’s exclusive syndicator and sales partner to secure affiliate agreements and ad sales with radio stations nationwide through Cumulus Media Networks. In addition, Cumulus will make CBS Sports Radio programming available on 67 of its own stations.
At launch, CBS Sports Radio will reach listeners in nine of the nation’s top 10 markets with a cumulative audience reach close to 10 million listeners, nearly 90 per cent of them located in top 50 markets.
CBS president & CEO Leslie Moonves said, “As one of the leading media companies in the world and a dominant force in sports programming, we look forward to bear the full resources of CBS and capitalizing on an exciting new growth opportunity for the company. CBS Sports and CBS Radio have been widely recognised for their outstanding contributions to sports broadcasting. This next step in their evolution will serve an ever-expanding audience of sports fans from coast to coast.”
Cumulus Media chairman president & CEO Lew Dickey said, “We are pleased to partner with CBS to deliver the leading entrant into the sports radio market. CBS Sports Radio is an exciting opportunity for us to offer compelling sports content to listeners nationwide, and unique sports marketing opportunities for our advertisers.”
CBS Sports Radio is designed to enhance the network’s existing sports properties and extend the national reach of CBS Sports and CBS Radio brands to additional outlets across the country.