On November 9, sports data and iGaming affiliate platform QL Gaming Group (QLGG) officially became an Entercom Communications entity, as the company now known as Audacy closed on its all-cash purchase of QLGG.
In late January 2021, that deal gave birth to the BetQL Audio Network, with programming created expressly for the sports gaming community. Now, Audacy has rebranded four CBS Sports Radio stations, eliminated “The Score” in one market, and dropped Spanish-language sports programming from a heritage Washington, D.C., AM to help spread the “BetQL” brand.
Starting today, the following stations will take on new branding as “The Bet”:
- Baltimore – WJZ-AM 1300
- Detroit – WXYT-AM 1270
- Houston – KIKK-AM 650
- Kansas City – KWOD-AM 1660
- Las Vegas – KXST-AM 1140
- Washington, D.C. – WJFK-AM 1580
On June 28, an additional station — WWWL-AM 1350 and its FM translator at 92.9 MHz — will switch from “New Orleans Classic R&B” to “The Bet.”
The rebranded stations follow the launch earlier this year of “The Bet” on KEZW-AM 1430 in Denver, and on FM HD multicast signals in Chicago and Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, WQAM-AM 560 in Miami will air select BetQL Network programming, as will WRNL-AM 910 and FM translator 105.1 MHz in Richmond and WTEM-AM 980 in Washington, D.C.
Future stations will be announced in the coming months as markets legalize sports betting, Audacy says.
Furthermore, Audacy plans to distribute the network via affiliate opportunities with additional network providers. Details to be announced in the coming weeks.
However, an Audacy spokesperson tells RBR+TVBR that the company is not rebranding CBS Sports Radio, and that the stations the company owns that aren’t making the change to BetQL Network programming will keep things as is.
“When we launched the ‘BetQL Network’ in January, we committed to giving our national audience a home for compelling sports betting content as this new landscape was rapidly growing,” said Audacy EVP/Programming Jeff Sottolano. “This expansion is the next step in that goal and we’re pleased to bring new and dynamic ‘BetQL Network’ programming to nine additional markets and new digital platforms. We are proud to build on our local and national sports audio leadership position with this expanded commitment to production and distribution of entertaining sports betting content to audiences across the country.”
As of 11:42am Eastern, Audacy shares were trading at $4.15.
