Townsquare Media has announced it has signed the syndicated Free Beer & Hot Wings morning show based Rock 97.9 WGRD Grand Rapids MI to an extension as recent affiliations bring the show to now twenty Townsquare markets.
Led by Gregg ‘Free Beer’ Daniels and Chris ‘Hot Wings’ Michaels, the show debuted in 1997 in afternoons at Rock “89.7 The River” KIWR Omaha. After a brief stint in mornings at “104.5 The Bone” WBON Knoxville, the pair joined the then-Nassau Broadcasting combo of “94.5 The Hawk” WTHK Trenton and “105.7 The Hawk” WCHR-FM Manahawkin NJ in 2002. After the flip of WTHK in 2004, the show moved to WGRD but continued syndicating back to WCHR-FM and began adding additional affiliates.
With the new deal, the company has announced the show’s recently launches at WAAL Binghamton, WBUF Buffalo, and 106.9 KLUB Victoria TX.
Townsquare Media, Inc. announced today the extension of Free Beer & Hot Wings across seventeen existing stations and the addition of the top-rated morning show on WAAL in Binghamton, NY, WBUF in Buffalo, NY and KLUB in Victoria, TX.
“Free Beer & Hot Wings have demonstrated time and again that they can win in our markets, and we are proud to announce that we have extended our agreement with them so that we can keep winning,” said Erik Hellum, Townsquare Chief Operating Officer-Local Media.
“This is a labor of love,” said Gregg “Free Beer” Daniels. “Townsquare Media has been a tremendous friend and partner to us for over ten years.”
Added “Hot Wings” Chris Michels, “In many of these markets, we have celebrated year after year of ratings success and these local communities feel like home to us.”
“We are excited to win in Buffalo, Binghamton, and Victoria,” said Co-Host Joe Gassman. “We were made for Buffalo – the home of the original hot wing.”
Townsquare now broadcasts Free Beer & Hot Wings in the following twenty markets: Albany NY, Atlantic City NJ, Augusta ME, Battle Creek MI, Binghamton NY, Bismarck ND, Buffalo NY, Casper WY, Duluth MN, Evansville IN, Flint MI, Grand Rapids MI, Grand Junction CO, Monmouth-Ocean NJ, Missoula MT, Utica NY, Rochester MN, Victoria TX, Yakima WA, and Wichita Falls TX.
“Compelling, relatable, timely, and entertaining content wins,” said Kurt Johnson, Townsquare Senior Vice President of Programming. “We could not be happier to have Free Beer & Hot Wings continue as a key part of our success on these local rock stations for years to come.”