Westwood One to Broadcast NFL Wild Card Weekend

Rhea-AI Summary

Cumulus Media's (NASDAQ:CMLS) Westwood One, celebrating its 38th consecutive year as the NFL's official audio partner, will broadcast live play-by-play coverage of all six NFL Wild Card Weekend games from January 11-13, 2025. The coverage includes:

- Saturday: Chargers vs. Texans (4:00 PM ET) and Steelers vs. Ravens (8:00 PM ET)
- Sunday: Broncos vs. Bills (12:30 PM ET), Packers vs. Eagles (4:15 PM ET), and Commanders vs. Buccaneers (8:00 PM ET)
- Monday: Vikings vs. Rams (7:30 PM ET)

Scott Graham will host pre-, half-, and post-game coverage for Saturday and Sunday games, while Rich Eisen will handle pre- and halftime coverage for Monday's game. Broadcasts will be available on approximately 500 radio stations, westwoodonesports.com, SiriusXM, NFL+, and the NFL App.

Positive

• Maintains exclusive NFL audio partnership for 38th consecutive year
• Broad distribution network across 500 radio stations and multiple digital platforms

Negative

• None.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

The NFL broadcast deal, while routine for Westwood One's 38-year partnership, represents a important revenue stream for Cumulus Media (CMLS). Sports broadcasting rights, particularly NFL content, typically command premium advertising rates during playoffs. However, with CMLS's micro-cap status ($14.3M) and challenging radio industry landscape, this seasonal boost may have impact on overall financial performance.

The broad distribution network spanning 500 stations, SiriusXM, NFL+ and digital platforms demonstrates strong reach but faces increasing competition from streaming services and changing media consumption habits. While the NFL partnership provides valuable content, the traditional radio broadcasting model continues to face secular headwinds in advertising revenue and listener engagement.

Media Industry Expert

The multi-platform distribution strategy across traditional radio, satellite and digital channels reflects industry adaptation, but raises questions about revenue share and monetization efficiency. The NFL Wild Card Weekend broadcasts, though prestigious, represent a small portion of CMLS's annual content offering. Historical performance indicates these marquee events typically generate short-term advertising spikes without significantly impacting long-term shareholder value.

The continuation of this long-standing NFL partnership provides stability but doesn't address fundamental challenges in the radio broadcasting sector. With radio advertising spending showing consistent decline and digital audio alternatives growing, CMLS needs more substantial catalysts for meaningful market revaluation.

Westwood One, Official Audio Partner of the NFL, Delivers All the Action With Live Play-by-Play Coverage of All Six NFL Games on Saturday, January 11th, Sunday, January 12th, and Monday, January 13th

NEW YORK, Jan. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cumulus Media’s (NASDAQ:CMLS) Westwood One, America’s largest audio network and the official audio partner of the National Football League, will present live play-by-play coverage of NFL Wild Card Weekend on Saturday, January 11^th, Sunday, January 12^th, and Monday, January 13^th.  This season marks Westwood One’s 38^th consecutive year as the official audio partner of the NFL.  

Westwood One opens NFL Wild Card Weekend on Saturday, January 11^th, with live coverage of the match-up between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Houston Texans in Houston at 4:00pm ET, followed by the 8:00pm ET Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens game in Baltimore.  

The play-by-play action continues with three power-packed face-offs on Sunday, January 12^th, beginning at 12:30pm ET in Buffalo, as the Denver Broncos go head-to-head against the Buffalo Bills. Next up on Sunday at 4:15pm ET, the coverage moves to Philly, where the Green Bay Packers take on the Philadelphia Eagles. Sunday’s triple header heads south to Tampa at 8:00pm ET, with coverage of the Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game. 

Capping off the NFL Wild Card Weekend is coverage of the Minnesota Vikings and L.A. Rams who clash in Los Angeles on Monday, January 13^th, starting at 7:30pm ET. 

The complete broadcast schedule follows*:  

Saturday, January 11
4pm ET airtime---Los Angeles Chargers @ Houston Texans
PXP:	Kevin Kugler
Analyst:	Ryan Harris
8pm ET airtime---Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
PXP:	Ryan Radtke
Analyst:	Mike Golic
Sidelines:	Ross Tucker
Sunday, January 12
12:30pm ET airtime---Denver Broncos @ Buffalo Bills
PXP:	John Sadak
Analyst:	Derek Rackley
Sidelines:	Olivia Dekker
4:15pm ET airtime---Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles
PXP:	Tom McCarthy
Analyst:	Ross Tucker
Sidelines:	Amber Theoharis
8pm ET airtime---Washington Commanders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PXP:	Jason Benetti
Analyst:	Mike Mayock
Sidelines:	Laura Okmin
Monday, January 13
7:30p ET airtime---Minnesota Vikings @ LA Rams
PXP:	Kevin Harlan
Analyst:	Kurt Warner

*Both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions have BYES into the Divisional.  

For the 16^th consecutive season, Scott Graham will host Westwood One’s pre-, half-, and post-game coverage for Saturday and Sunday’s Wild Card games, while the NFL Network’s Rich Eisen will pick up the pre- and halftime coverage for the Wild Card Monday game.  

Listeners can hear Westwood One’s NFL broadcasts on approximately 500 broadcast radio stations nationwide as well as on westwoodonesports.com, SiriusXM, NFL+ and via the NFL App.  

About Westwood One Sports 
Westwood One Sports is home to some of the most exciting sports broadcasts on radio. In addition to being the official audio partner to the NFL since 1987 – featuring regular and post-season NFL football, including the playoffs and the Super Bowl – its other extensive properties include NCAA Basketball, including the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tournaments and the Final Four®; The Masters; NCAA Football; and other marquee sporting events. Westwood One also distributes and represents the Infinity Sports Network. On social media, join the Westwood One Sports community on Facebook at facebook.com/westwoodonesports, Instagram at instagram.com/westwoodonesports, and X at x.com/westwood1sports. For more information, visit www.westwoodonesports.com. 

About Cumulus Media  
Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) is an audio-first media company delivering premium content to over a quarter billion people every month — wherever and whenever they want it. Cumulus Media engages listeners with high-quality local programming through 400 owned-and-operated radio stations across 84 markets; delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, Infinity Sports Network, AP News, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and many other world-class partners across more than 9,800 affiliated stations through Westwood One, the largest audio network in America; and inspires listeners through the Cumulus Podcast Network, its rapidly growing network of original podcasts that are smart, entertaining and thought-provoking. Cumulus Media provides advertisers with personal connections, local impact and national reach through broadcast and on-demand digital, mobile, social, and voice-activated platforms, as well as integrated digital marketing services, powerful influencers, full-service audio solutions, industry-leading research and insights, and live event experiences. Cumulus Media is the only audio media company to provide marketers with local and national advertising performance guarantees. For more information visit www.cumulusmedia.com.  
  
Contact: Lisa Dollinger, Dollinger Strategic Communication, for Cumulus Media | Westwood One, lisa@dollcomm.com, and 512.633.4084.  

FAQ

What games will Westwood One broadcast during NFL Wild Card Weekend 2025?

Westwood One will broadcast all six NFL Wild Card games from January 11-13, 2025, including Chargers vs. Texans, Steelers vs. Ravens, Broncos vs. Bills, Packers vs. Eagles, Commanders vs. Buccaneers, and Vikings vs. Rams.

How long has Cumulus Media (CMLS) been the official audio partner of the NFL?

Cumulus Media's Westwood One has been the official audio partner of the NFL for 38 consecutive years.

Where can listeners access Westwood One's NFL Wild Card Weekend broadcasts?

Listeners can access the broadcasts on approximately 500 broadcast radio stations, westwoodonesports.com, SiriusXM, NFL+, and via the NFL App.

Who are the hosts for CMLS's NFL Wild Card Weekend coverage in 2025?

Scott Graham will host pre-, half-, and post-game coverage for Saturday and Sunday games, while Rich Eisen will handle pre- and halftime coverage for Monday's game.