Compass Media Networks
Compass Media Networks launched in January 2009 as a new American radio network. Peter Kosann, the former CEO of Westwood One and former COO of Connoisseur Media, owns the company. The organization provides programming, representation, and marketing services for national radio stations across the United States. This structure allowed Compass to enter the market with experienced leadership from major industry players. The company focused on building a diverse portfolio of shows rather than owning physical broadcast towers or transmitters. Their business model relied on distributing content to existing local affiliates instead of operating their own signal infrastructure.
Compass acquired several former Westwood One weekend music programs after Dial Global purchased the parent company. Bob Malik hosts The Beatle Years while Jed the Fish presents Out of Order. Uncle Joe Benson leads Off the Record as part of this expanded library. Josh Holstead, known as Rowdy Yates, hosts The Original Country Gold after Compass hired him to continue the previous format. Nick Michaels fronts The Deep End, a program that was never previously distributed by Westwood One. The M.G. Kelly syndicated program library entered the Compass lineup following the merger between Dial Global and Cumulus Media Networks. Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 also became available through these corporate consolidations. Big D and Bubba moved from Premiere Networks into the Compass distribution system. Carsen hosts a midday country show alongside Taste of Country Nights evenings.
Compass began broadcasting Sunday afternoon NFL games during the 2009 season alongside Dial Global. Brent Musburger serves as the voice for Las Vegas Raiders broadcasts with analyst Lincoln Kennedy and studio host Tim Cates. Danny White and Kevin Ray announce Dallas Cowboys games featuring in-studio host Jerry Recco. Chris Carrino pairs with Brian Baldinger for other play-by-play duties. Jon Rothstein acts as studio host across various matchups. Gregg Daniels, TJ Rives, Tiki Barber, Steve Beurelein, Bill Rosinski, Chad Brown, and Drew Bontadelli fill additional announcer roles. The Raiders signed on to Compass in 2009 while the Cowboys joined fully in 2011. Initial agreements covered eight teams including Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Washington Redskins. Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals were added to the agreement in 2010. Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks joined for the 2011 season. Compass expanded coverage to 60 games per season through these new contracts.
Dial Global and Compass announced NCAA football game coverage beginning in the 2009 season. Games featured teams from Pac-12 Conference, Western Athletic Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference, Big 12 Conference, Conference USA, and Southeastern Conference. Texas Bowl rights lasted only one season before ESPN Radio took over in 2010. By 2012, Compass broadcast games exclusively from Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC conferences. Compass signed a contract with Big Ten Conference to be exclusive radio provider of first and second rounds in 2010. All tournament games began airing starting in 2011. A multi-year deal in 2011 included broadcasting the Big Ten Championship game. Chris Carrino and Steve Quis served as play-by-play announcers for Los Angeles Angels broadcasts in April 2012. Steve Phillips and Darryl Hamilton worked as analysts during those 25 out-of-market games. Tampa Bay Rays home games were acquired for the 2013 season. Compass has not syndicated MLB games since that year ended.
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Common questions
When did Compass Media Networks launch and who owns the company?
Compass Media Networks launched in January 2009. Peter Kosann, the former CEO of Westwood One and former COO of Connoisseur Media, owns the company.
What shows does Compass Media Networks distribute for national radio stations?
The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show airs during morning drive time on classic rock and active rock stations. Ron Insana debuted The Market Score Board Report nationally on the 11th of May 2009. Gordon Deal anchors This Morning, America's First News with cohost Jennifer Kushinka and producer Michael Gavin.
Which NFL teams signed contracts with Compass Media Networks between 2009 and 2011?
The Raiders signed on to Compass in 2009 while the Cowboys joined fully in 2011. Initial agreements covered eight teams including Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Washington Redskins. Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals were added to the agreement in 2010. Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks joined for the 2011 season.
When did Compass Media Networks begin broadcasting NCAA football games and which conferences are included?
Dial Global and Compass announced NCAA football game coverage beginning in the 2009 season. Games featured teams from Pac-12 Conference, Western Athletic Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference, Big 12 Conference, Conference USA, and Southeastern Conference. By 2012, Compass broadcast games exclusively from Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC conferences.
What MLB broadcasts did Compass Media Networks syndicate before ending the program?
Chris Carrino and Steve Quis served as play-by-play announcers for Los Angeles Angels broadcasts in April 2012. Tampa Bay Rays home games were acquired for the 2013 season. Compass has not syndicated MLB games since that year ended.