Introduction
Michigan Football Radio Rights Shift to 94. 7 WCSX-FM in Multi-Year Deal Ann Arbor, Michigan – The University of Michigan’s vast athletic broadcasting landscape is undergoing a significant transformation with the announcement of a multi-year broadcast agreement that will establish a new flagship radio home for the Michigan Wolverines Sports Network. University officials, in partnership with Learfield’s Michigan Sports Properties and Beasley Media Group Detroit, confirmed the deal, which will see 94. 7 WCSX-FM—a powerful regional FM signal—take over primary broadcast duties starting with the highly anticipated 2025 Michigan football season. This move marks a notable shift in strategy, bringing live football, men’s basketball, and ice hockey coverage to a broad-reaching FM station in the crucial Detroit media market, a development officials say is intended to enhance accessibility for the sprawling Wolverine fanbase. The new agreement, which was unveiled earlier this spring, designates 94. 7 WCSX-FM, known widely as Detroit’s Classic Rock station, as the definitive home for the Maize and Blue. This is a considerable operational change, as past flagship arrangements have traditionally anchored coverage on AM frequencies, such as WWJ-AM. The partnership extends beyond football, ensuring that all men’s basketball and men’s ice hockey games will receive continuous coverage, alongside exclusive ancillary content like coaches’ weekly radio programmes. Furthermore, the collaboration ensures that select women’s basketball regular-season and postseason games will be aired on sister station 105. 1 The Bounce (WMGC-FM), securing comprehensive coverage across multiple sports and platforms within the Detroit area.
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The decision to transition the primary broadcast to an FM signal reflects a broader trend in sports media towards ensuring superior audio quality and greater ease of access for listeners, particularly those consuming media on mobile devices or in locations where AM signals may be less robust. According to data from media analysts, a move to a high-power FM signal often correlates with increased listenership, particularly among younger demographics who rely less on traditional AM radio programming. This change is therefore viewed as a strategic decision by Michigan Athletics and Learfield to modernise their reach in a key demographic and alumni region. The history of Michigan football broadcasting is rich with decades-long partnerships, notably the tenure of legendary play-by-play announcer Bob Ufer, who famously broadcast the games over WJR and WPAG, pioneering a passionate, non-objective style of college sports commentary. The recent transition comes after a period where flagship rights shifted from WJR to other AM stations, primarily WWJ Newsradio 950. The new deal with Beasley Media Group’s FM outlet represents the first time in the modern era of the Michigan Sports Network that the primary Detroit market flagship will operate on a regional FM frequency, signifying the end of the long-standing reliance on AM broadcast partners. Crucially for many long-time listeners, the new agreement ensures continuity in the booth. Despite the change in station, the familiar voices of play-by-play announcer Doug Karsch and analyst Jon Jansen will remain the official radio tandem for the football broadcasts. Jansen, a former Wolverine captain, has been a staple of the network's ancillary programming and gameday coverage for years. Maintaining the commentary team is a strategic move, analysts suggest, designed to provide a sense of stability and tradition while the technical delivery platform evolves. Kevin Rich, Vice President of Operations at Beasley Media Group, highlighted the cultural resonance of the team in the region.
“When it comes to college athletics, no brand is bigger and no fan base is more passionate than the University of Michigan,” Mr. Rich stated. “We’re thrilled to partner with the University and Michigan Sports Properties to bring top-tier programming and play-by-play coverage to fans across Southeast Michigan. Go Blue!” Echoing this sentiment, Jennifer Cadicamo, Vice President and General Manager of Michigan Sports Properties, emphasized the technical advantages. “We’re thrilled to begin this new partnership with Beasley Media Group,” Ms. Cadicamo remarked. “For the first time in the Detroit market, Michigan fans can hear live coverage of all football, basketball and hockey on a regional FM signal with 94. 7 WCSX. ” The partnership is structured as a multi-platform initiative. Beyond traditional radio airwaves, the deal encompasses a robust digital presence, promising exclusive interviews, weekly features, and behind-the-scenes content across Beasley Media Detroit’s online and on-site platforms. This comprehensive approach underscores the modern necessity for athletic departments to engage fans through multiple channels, ensuring the university’s multimedia rights holder, Learfield, can maximise exposure and advertising revenue generated by the Michigan brand.
Doug Gnodtke, Michigan’s Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief of Staff, described the collaboration as a strategic advancement. “Partnering with Beasley Media Group as our new flagship radio station marks an exciting chapter for our athletics department,” Mr. Gnodtke commented. “This collaboration will not only amplify the voices of our student-athletes and coaches, but it also strengthens our connection with fans and alumni in metro Detroit and across the state of Michigan. ” As the 2025 college football season approaches, the shift of the michigan-football-radio broadcast to 94. 7 WCSX-FM heralds a new era of accessibility and digital engagement for the University of Michigan. While the technical backbone of the radio network changes, the continuity of the broadcast team ensures the familiar sound of Wolverine football will carry across the region, blending modern media delivery with deep-seated tradition. The success of this move will be measured not only in listenership but also in its ability to integrate the broadcast experience with the increasingly digital habits of the modern sports fan.
Conclusion
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