WTIC1080 no longer broadcasting UConn games?

[UCMB88]

IMG, which holds the broadcast rights for all UCONN athletics most likely wanted significantly more money for the radio rights in a new contract. Entercom, which now owns WTIC, refused to pay what UCONN/IMG was looking for and decided that they could do without UCONN athletics. The Entercom VP's statement is a way to justify their not paying what UCONN was looking for. "I couldn’t justify what they were seeking when compared to more successful partnerships Entercom enjoys with elite Power 5 institutions." Sadly, there is an element of truth to that statement, thanks to the current state of the FB and MBB teams.

UCONN/IMG was probably looking for Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State (FB) Duke, North Carolina (MBB) type money. I'm sure there were negotiations, but ultimately a a deal could not be reached and Entercom walked away.

It appears iHeart Radio is stepping in to pick up the broadcasts and put them on 97.9 FM. The current wave in professional and college sports is to move the radio broadcasts to the FM dial. Of course, FM doesn't have the reach of AM, and 97.9 has limited reach outside of the greater central Connecticut region, so look for a network to be put together - probably with stations in New Haven, the Norwich/New London area and the Fairfield County/Danbury area.

Sadly, WTIC is a shell of its former self, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if they fill the UCONN void with more satellite feeds of nationally syndicated shows, which are cheap to put on the air.

 

[Jaybird65]

Market value....in the global picture in Entercom's seat, they are not going to pay what IMG was asking for rights to a school in a non-P5 asking to be paid like a P5....conference affilliation means $$$$$$$$......

 

[Towney007]

Imagine that. You ask for a lot of money to broadcast games against teams that people won't go to or don't want to watch. And fly your broadcast crew all over the country to broadcast games no one wants to see or listen to.

And the broadcaster says 'yeah, no thanks.'

IMAGINE THAT.

But hey FOOTBALL~!

 

[DSquiz]

Imagine that. You ask for a lot of money to broadcast games against teams that people won't go to or don't want to watch. And fly your broadcast crew all over the country to broadcast games no one wants to see or listen to.

And the broadcaster says 'yeah, no thanks.'

IMAGINE THAT.

But hey FOOTBALL~!

Well except ESPN/iHeartRadio said yes. It's a business move IMG/UConn isn't going to offer content for a discount because of an attachment to 1080. Highest bidder wins

 

[Towney007]

Well except ESPN/iHeartRadio said yes. It's a business move IMG/UConn isn't going to offer content for a discount because of an attachment to 1080. Highest bidder wins

Highest Bidder

Highest Bid

A Bid. That might have been what they wanted, but probably wasn't close. There's no one to negotiate against.

 

[DSquiz]

Highest Bidder

Highest Bid

A Bid. That might have been what they wanted, but probably wasn't close. There's no one to negotiate against.

Jeff Jacobs just reported that the new deal with ESPN is being announced in a press conference this afternoon. The 1080 contract was up and companies placed bids. Clearly 1080 didn't want to match the ESPN bid so backed out of negotiations. I don't think its more complicated then that.

 

[BlueDogs]

I’m guessing it has something to do with IMG.

UConn doesn’t negotiate these things directly.

Having IMG manage and control UConn rights was a huge mistake. It's totally unnecessary and this is another brand disaster. We just lost 50,000 watts of AM coverage over a good portion on New England. If there is a wrong direction we find a way to take it.

 

[DSquiz]

Having IMG manage and control UConn rights was a huge mistake. It's totally unnecessary and this is another brand disaster. We just lost 50,000 watts of AM coverage over a good portion on New England. If there is a wrong direction we find a way to take it.

Ok guys, calm down. The IMG deal was a big time move. It was an 80 million dollar 10 year deal. I believe it was top 10 in college athletics at the time. Using our brand to make more money at a time we desperately need it isn't a huge mistake. 1080 AM isn't the Taj Mahal.

 

[huskymedic]

Having IMG manage and control UConn rights was a huge mistake. It's totally unnecessary and this is another brand disaster. We just lost 50,000 watts of AM coverage over a good portion on New England. If there is a wrong direction we find a way to take it.

Really? They paid UConn $8+ million a year ($80M+ over course of contract) for that right... sounds like a smart move @ the time.

 

[Husky25]

You ask for a lot of money to broadcast games against teams that people won't go to or don't want to watch.

What are the local ratings? Honest question. UConn is not drawing fans to the arena, but to be in attendance carries more resource cost than watching on TV or listening to the radio, which are monetarily free (with a paid cable/Satellite, or Internet subscription.).

Could be that a lot of people want to watch, but the benefit of going does not meet, let alone exceed, the cost of going.

That's my theory with football. Going to the Stadium is virtually an all day event and at the end of the day, people want to feel satisfied. For at least 15,000 people who used to come to games, the cost of parking, tailgating, tickets to the game, time for all of the above, and related intangible costs (Hangover, nagging (again, as applicable,), etc.) is so not worth suffering through poor quality live entertainment as compared to the ability to flip on the radio while mowing the lawn and the ability to turn the station if need be.

 

[RoderickSpode]

Having IMG manage and control UConn rights was a huge mistake. It's totally unnecessary and this is another brand disaster. We just lost 50,000 watts of AM coverage over a good portion on New England. If there is a wrong direction we find a way to take it.

Is lack of presence on AM radio really a big deal in 2018? On the rare cases when I've had to listen to a UConn game over the past few years, I just bring up the UConn IMG Sports Network stream on TuneIn radio.

There is a nostalgic connection to WTIC (and Joe D has been the voice of the team for decades) but I cant remember the last time I actually tuned to 1080 on a radio dial.

 

[BlueDogs]

Really? They paid UConn $8+ million a year ($80M+ over course of contract) for that right... sounds like a smart move @ the time.

You don't know that. That manage a lot of brands and dont think for a second we aren't arbitraged to lever other brands.

 

[BlueDogs]

Is lack of presence on AM radio really a big deal in 2018? On the rare cases when I've had to listen to a UConn game over the past few years, I just bring up the UConn IMG Sports Network stream on TuneIn radio.

There is a nostalgic connection to WTIC (and Joe D has been the voice of the team for decades) but I cant remember the last time I actually tuned to 1080 on a radio dial.

Listened to a game from lower VT recently. Just plain false.

 

[huskymedic]

Updated w/ more details:

 

[huskymedic]

 

[lanieer]

Thank God I don’t have to hear promos for political ads Hannity, Rush and the Rush wannabe Dunaway ( he was rude and arrogant at a football game and we all laughed).

 

[pepband99]

The release seems to hint that WTIC wasn't a good partner in building a usable affiliate network. Our affiliate network is terrible, and has been for years.

The idea that you can't receive a UConn broadcast over the entire small state of CT at night is unimaginable, but it's been the case for the majority of time that i can remember.

If WTIC has a hand in that, good riddance.

 

[UCONNJACK]

Per a buddy in the business. Negotiations started in November. Wayne Norman is in. No decision on Joe D.

 

[J187Money]

Per a buddy in the business. Negotiations started in November. Wayne Norman is in. No decision on Joe D.

Cue 7800 posts cajoling UCONNJACK to name his source...

 

[jibsey]

WTIC was a black hole before this with only a strong signal to point to. Think for a second about their daytime lineup. Joe D was the only listenable thing on there andhis coverage was very soft especially on KO’s coaches show. Embarrassing. Glad UCONN is leaving them.

 

[Guapo]

I dunno about all this handwringing.

I'll obviously miss 1080 and Joe D (if he doesn't come along), but being on FM is a good thing in my humble opinion.

They will almost certainly put together a radio network for the whole state, so I wouldn't worry too much if you're down in FF county or someplace outside the Hartford market.

iHeart Radio is a powerful brand in the media world and if they're willing to pay us millions of dollars to broadcast games then it would be crazy not to take it.

If they were willing to bid significantly more than 1080, than all the better.

We need the money, people!

Do I hear buyout? (just kidding...kind of)

 

[Chin Diesel]

Those waxing nostalgic over losing 1080 are so stereotypical New England curmudgeons.

New deal is FM though iHeart radio and is much more aligned with current and future media distribution.

 

[gtcam]

You don't listen to Rush?

No
I have Patriot Radio on my Sirius XM
Thanks for asking

 

[gtcam]

It's Ollie's fault.

Thanks CHB
Made my day!

 

[J187Money]

AM station to stop broadcasting UConn games, ESPN radio takes on job