Hearst’s duo of News/Talk 1090 WBAL/101.5 W268BA and “98 Rock” WIYY Baltimore will take over as home to Baltimore Orioles baseball starting this season.
The new six-year deal is part of a multi-platform agreement with Hearst that will also include cross-promotion and non-game content on WBAL-TV. WBAL has previously served as flagship of the Orioles Radio Network from 1957-79, 1988-2006, and 2011-14. The franchise had been heard on Audacy’s “105.7 The Fan” WJZ-FM since 2015. WBAL and WIYY recently agreed to extend their deal to serve as home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens through 2026.
The Orioles today announced a multi-year partnership naming Hearst’s 98 Rock FM & WBAL NewsRadio AM/FM the new flagship stations of the Orioles Radio Network. The six-year deal also includes unique cross-promotion on WBAL-TV.
Beginning in 2022, fans can hear all 162 regular season games, select Spring Training contests, and extensive Orioles programming on Hearst platforms, including 98 Rock (97.9 FM), WBAL NewsRadio AM 1090 & FM 101.5 (& FM 97.9 HD 2), and across the seven-state, 40-station Orioles Radio Network. The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network will continue to serve as the club’s exclusive home to all television game broadcasts.
“The Orioles are thrilled to be working with Hearst Baltimore and their lineup of heritage radio stations to serve as the home of Orioles radio broadcasts,” said T.J. BRIGHTMAN, Orioles Senior Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer. “This new partnership will not only serve our fans listening throughout Birdland but create more value for our club and corporate partners who utilize our radio assets to support their own brands and drive revenues using the power of Orioles baseball.”
“The entire Hearst Baltimore Team feels like the Orioles have truly come home and are excited to have the O’s back and now on all our radio stations for the foreseeable future,” said CARY PAHIGIAN, President and General Manager of WBAL FM/AM & 98 Rock. “This iconic franchise is undoubtedly going to soon be a force in the AL East and for many years to come. We share the community’s enthusiasm with positive initiatives and plans underway within the entire Orioles organization. It’s a treasured opportunity to be partnered with Orioles baseball again, and we can’t wait to showcase the games on the radio.”
Orioles content will also be featured on WBAL-TV, where fans can receive in-depth coverage of Orioles players, as well as the club’s community initiatives, entertainment efforts, and the number one farm system in baseball.
Brightman continued, “Adding top-rated WBAL-TV to the mix was an absolute no brainer. We are eager to work with their remarkable team to showcase Orioles content and programming all year long.”
“WBAL-TV looks forward to being part of this new unique partnership with the Orioles,” said DAN JOERRES, President and General Manager of WBAL-TV. “Through our various television, radio, digital, and social media platforms, we are excited to use our powerful broadcast assets to reach O’s fans throughout the state of Maryland, as well as corporate and community partners.”
In addition to regular season and Spring Training games, year-round programming will feature Orioles broadcast talent and front office personnel with the latest news and behind-the-scenes coverage from Birdland. For more information on the Orioles Radio Network, please visit Orioles.com/Radio.
