Meyer Communications has announced that its Sports “98.7 The Jock” KWTO-FM Springfield, MO will become the market’s ESPN Radio affiliate on January 1, 2015.
The move will see KWTO shuffle its entire programming schedule. Imus in the Morning will be replaced by ESPN’s Mike & Mike. The local “Sports Reporters” with Ned Reynolds will slide from 8-10am to 9-11am. SportsTalk with Art Hains will remain in the 4-6pm slot with the rest of the programming schedule filled by ESPN programming. The move will see CBS Sports Radio’s Jim Rome and Fox Sports Radio’s Dan Patrick and night and weekend programming departing KWTO.
ESPN Radio is currently heard on iHeartMedia’s 1400 KGMY in the Springfield market. It will likely pick up the Fox Sports Radio affiliation on January 1.
Meyer Communications is proud to announce that beginning January 1, 2015, SW Missouri sports fans will be able to listen to America’s #1 sports radio network, ESPN Radio, on the 100,000 watts of KWTO FM 98.7 The Jock. The three year exclusive deal will bring award winning programming and sports coverage to The Jock.
The Jock will present the best national and local sports programming to the Springfield, Missouri market, including ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (5-9 a.m. CST), The Scott Van Pelt Show (11-2 p.m. CST), Sedano & Stink (6-9 p.m. CST), and The Freddie Coleman Show (9-11 p.m. CST) as well as local shows Sports Reporters with Ned Reynolds (9-11 a.m. CST) and SportsTalk with Art Hains (4-6 p.m. CST).
The signing of this exclusive agreement creates a new partnership between a long standing locally owned station dedicated to the best in local sports coverage and the World Wide Leader in Sports. The Jock will also present ESPN Radio’s national play-by-play coverage of Major League Baseball and the NBA, including the regular seasons, All-Star Games, post-seasons and The Finals and World Series. Fans
can also catch coverage of college football and college basketball.
“The Jock has provided outstanding coverage of local sports in the Springfield, Missouri market. We are excited to create this new ESPN radio partnership for sports fans across the Ozarks,” said Carl Ossipoff, Regional Manager ESPN radio.“This partnership was a no-brainer,” said Jeff Clinkingbeard, consultant for Meyer Communications, and broker of the new agreement. “The Meyer Communications family of stations, and especially The Jock 98.7 FM, has been dedicated for years in providing outstanding coverage and play by play of local collegiate and high school sports. Adding the #1 brand in sports to complement our local coverage is a win for sports fans throughout the market.”
“We are proud to be able to reward our loyal listeners by adding the ESPN radio affiliation to the Jock,” said Ken Meyer, president of Meyer Communications. “By adding ESPN to our 100,000 watt signal, we are greatly increasing the coverage area for area sports fans. This is not only great for the fans, but for advertisers too. We will be creating an excellent opportunity for area businesses to reach the greatest number of loyal listeners and potential customers.”
Meyer Communications will be posting updates leading up to the January 1, 2015, launch on The Jock website at http://www.Jock987.com and through social media. Stay tuned to Jock 98.7 FM, Springfield, Missouri.
