NFL on Westwood One Sports
In 1985, Westwood One purchased the Mutual Broadcasting System, which had aired NFL coverage since 1940. The network absorbed NBC Radio in 1987, claiming exclusive rights to that era's broadcasts from 1985 through 1986. CBS Corporation owned Westwood One for approximately ten years starting in 1998. In 2007, CBS sold the company to The Gores Group. Dial Global acquired Westwood One from The Gores Group in 2011 and temporarily dropped the Westwood One name during its ownership period. Cumulus Media Networks later merged with Dial Global, restoring the original branding by 2013. The network has maintained a long-standing relationship with CBS Radio throughout these transitions. A theme song titled Posthumus Zone by E.S. Posthumus served as the audio identity from 2003 until the end of the 2012 season. That same track was used for the NFL on CBS television coverage. For the 2013 season onwards, the network commissioned a new radio-specific score. Christmas Day games feature the song Christmas Baby Please Come Home by Darlene Love for opening introductions alongside standard game clips.
Westwood One distributes every primetime regular season NFL broadcast across the United States and Canada. The package includes Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, and Thursday Night Football. It covers the opening game of each season and all International Series games played abroad. Any game airing on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day is included in the national feed. Late season Saturday broadcasts are also part of the agreement. The Pro Bowl and all playoff games fall under this umbrella, including the Super Bowl. The network carries the annual Hall of Fame Game as well. During the 2020 season, Westwood One distributed postponed games nationally due to impacts from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2008, reports indicated the NFL might leave Westwood One for rivals like ESPN Radio or Sports USA. On the 12th of March 2009, the league announced a two-year extension with Westwood One. A subsequent announcement on the 22nd of December 2010, extended the contract through 2014. Cumulus Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2017 and began canceling national contracts starting in January 2018. No new contract extension was announced by May 2018, though the league still recognized Westwood One as a partner. San Diego's KWFN confirmed it would carry the package after switching to sports radio in April 2018. In March 2022, Westwood One confirmed an extension covering other events like the NFL draft and NFL Honors.
Jack Buck called the initial Sunday night games in 1987 for CBS Radio Sports. Jim Nantz took over for Buck following that first season and announced until 1990 when he moved to television. Howard David replaced Nantz for 1991 and continued through 1995 before taking over Monday Night Football duties. Brad Sham joined from the Dallas Cowboys to replace David for the 1996 season but left after one year to return to his previous role. Joel Meyers took over and stayed until the 2005 season when Dave Sims replaced him. Sims remained in this role until the end of the 2012 season when he traded places with Kevin Kugler. Tom McCarthy substituted for Kugler during Week 8 of both the 2018 and 2019 seasons while Kugler worked for Fox. During week 11 of the 2019 season, McCarthy again filled in as Kugler called a game from Mexico City. For the 2020 season, Westwood One utilized different broadcasters from week to week depending on where each game originated due to the pandemic. The network returned to having a single lead broadcaster for its Sunday night coverage starting in 2022. On the 30th of March 2022, Ryan Radtke was announced as the new lead announcer after serving as the network's primary college football voice.
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Common questions
When did Westwood One purchase the Mutual Broadcasting System?
Westwood One purchased the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1985. The network had aired NFL coverage since 1940 before this acquisition.
Who announced the initial Sunday night games for CBS Radio Sports in 1987?
Jack Buck called the initial Sunday night games in 1987 for CBS Radio Sports. Jim Nantz took over for Buck following that first season and announced until 1990 when he moved to television.
What audio identity served as the theme song from 2003 until the end of the 2012 season?
A theme song titled Posthumus Zone by E.S. Posthumus served as the audio identity from 2003 until the end of the 2012 season. That same track was used for the NFL on CBS television coverage.
On what date did Ryan Radtke get announced as the new lead announcer for Westwood One?
Ryan Radtke was announced as the new lead announcer on the 30th of March 2022 after serving as the network's primary college football voice. The network returned to having a single lead broadcaster for its Sunday night coverage starting in 2022.
Which organization owned Westwood One for approximately ten years starting in 1998?
CBS Corporation owned Westwood One for approximately ten years starting in 1998. In 2007, CBS sold the company to The Gores Group before Dial Global acquired it in 2011.