Michigan stays with CBS for radio

The University of Michigan is staying with CBS Radio for its athletic broadcasts, signing a five-year contract extension with the media outlet. U-M gains a new flagship station as well, with WWJ Newsradio 950 AM out of Detroit occupying that role.

Michigan Athletics Director David Brandon likes the idea of putting the Wolverines' two most high-profile sports - football and men's basketball - on the same station. WWJ will carry all U-M football and basketball contests over the course of the contract.

The station will also host a two-and-a-half-hour network pre-game show for home football games, along with a one-hour post-game show. Men's basketball gets a 30-minute pre-game and 30-minute post-game show.

"The move to WWJ Radio for football and men's basketball provides a consistent signal for our two largest radio properties," Brandon said. "Staying with the CBS Radio family is a win-win for our fans. We are looking to add additional radio affiliates to cover the State of Michigan and the Midwest."

Dave Ablauf, Michigan associate athletic director for media and public relations, pointed out that fans will gain a sense of stability from the new deal.

"The biggest aspect for us is having both football and basketball on the same radio station," Ablauf said. "That's a major consideration. From a fans' standpoint, that's a big factor.

"They'll know there is a home for Michigan football and Michigan basketball, where they know they can hear our games. There's a consistency, and they'll know where to go. The fact that our IMG College group has worked hard to cover the state in terms of affiliates is important."

Michigan has added a number of affiliates around this state for the upcoming season, for those who may be outside the range of the flagship station. U-M games can be found on 35 affiliates, as well as Armed Services Radio and Sirius XM.

"Always having Armed Services Radio and the opportunity for Sirius XM is huge," Ablauf said. "A lot of people own the Sirius XM channel that they listen to. If you own it in your car, you can get it online, and a lot of people are buying the Sirius XM portable radio. There are a lot of opportunities for people to listen to our radio broadcasts, not only here but across the country."

Affiliate WXYT (1270 AM) out of Detroit will carry 15 Michigan ice hockey games, along with six women's basketball contests.

Some 40 radio shows will also be broadcast on WXYT during the year, including 14 football, 16 men's basketball and 10 Olympic sports. Starting Aug. 31, Inside Michigan Football with Brady Hoke will be broadcast Wednesday nights, starting at 7 p.m. The Michigan Basketball Coaches Show with John Beilein, along with 10 Olympic sports radio shows, will air on Monday nights. Those broadcasts will be presented live from the Pizza House (618 Church Street in Ann Arbor).

Here is an updated list of radio affiliates for the 2011-12 seasons:

City Station

Alma WZBX-FM (104.9)

Alpena WATZ-AM (1450)

Ann Arbor WTKA-AM (1050)

Ann Arbor WWWW-FM (102.9

Battle Creek WBXX-FM (104.9)

Benton Harbor WSJM-AM (1400)

Big Rapids WBRN-AM (1460)

Big Rapids WBRN-FM (107.7)

Cadillac WATT-AM (1240)

Cassopolis WGTO-AM (910)

Charlevoix WMKT-AM (1270)

Detroit WWJ-AM (950)

Escanaba WDBC-AM (680)

Flint WTRX-AM (1330)

Grand Haven WGHN-AM (1370)

Grand Rapids WOOD-AM (1300)

Jackson WKHM-AM (970)

Kalamazoo WNWN-AM (1560)

Kalamazoo WQLR-AM (1660)

Lansing WQTX-FM (92.1)

Ludington WKZC-FM (94.9)

Marine City WHLX-AM (1590)

Marquette WIAN-AM (1240)

Muskegon WOOD-FM (106.9)

Niles WNIL-AM (1290)

Oscoda WWTH-FM (100.7)

Petoskey WMKT-FM (92.1)

Port Huron WHLS-AM (1450)

Reed City WBRN-FM (95.1)

Rogers City WHAK-FM (99.9)

Rogers City WHAK-AM (980)

Saginaw WSGW-AM (790)

Sault Ste. Marie WKNW-AM (1400)

Toledo, Ohio WXKR-FM (100.7)

Traverse City WTCM-AM (580)