Following on the heels of the study released with Edison Research showing that 22.9 million radio listeners tuned in to pro football on the NFL Championship weekend, EVP Branding at Dial-Global Roby Wiener took a moment to talk with RBR-TVBR about this year’s Super Bowl plans.
“We’re really excited this year at Dial Global with our broadcast of the Super Bowl and our parnership with the NFL. There are a lot of exciting things we’re doing in terms of increased distribution,” said Roby.
She said 663 stations are on board to air the game this year—a seamless transition after the Westwood One-Dial Global merger. The game, via Westwood One Sports on the Dial Global Radio Network, will also air on Verizon smartphones and SiriusXM, streamed at Audiopass.nfl.com and inside Lucas Oil Stadium from the boxes to the concourses in Indianapolis this year.
Roby said another study with Edison will be released on Super Bowl audio listening within two days of the game. Most people think of the Super Bowl as a televised event, but radio has a broad reach for the game as well. We’ll be seeing just how much.
“We’re going to capture all of that listening through research and investment in research that Dial Global is making again to let our advertisers, the NFL and everyone interested know that radio attracts a very strong listenership–even during events that are seen as televised only,” she added.
Here is the all-pro broadcast team for Super Bowl XLVI:
Kevin Harlan, Boomer Esiason, Mark Malone, James Lofton, Jim Gray and Scott Graham. Beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET, the Monday Night Football broadcast team of Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason will call their second Super Bowl together. Hall of Fame Packers receiver James Lofton will patrol the Patriot’s sidelines and former Steelers quarterback Mark Malone will report from the Giants’ sidelines. Jim Gray hosts the pregame and halftime shows, as well as provides interviews and insight from athletes and celebrities in attendance, and Scott Graham kicks off the coverage hosting Super Bowl Preview at 3:00 p.m. ET, followed by Super Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET. Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will contribute to the pregame coverage and CBS Sports Lead Analyst and former Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms will once again contribute to the halftime coverage.
Multi-platinum selling, GRAMMY Award-winning artist, Darius Rucker, will commence Westwood One/Dial Global Sports broadcast of Super Bowl Sunday with his tailor-made NFL tune, “Kick-Off.” Being a passionate football fan, Rucker jumped at the opportunity to create a song for the league. “I wasn’t good enough to ever be on the field with these guys, so this is the closest I get to the pros, but man, I love it!” shares Rucker. “Looking forward to the rematch – it ought to be a great game.” Since it’s October 2010 debut, Rucker’s latest release, Charleston, SC 1966, has garnered two #1 hits with “Come Back Song” and “This.” His chart-topping 2008 release, Learn to Live produced three consecutive No. 1 singles and the Top 5 smash, “History in the Making.” Darius is currently a special guest on Lady Antebellum’s Own the Night Tour and working on his third solo country album.
As the exclusive radio partner of the NFL, Westwood One Sports on the Dial Global Radio Network 2011-2012 NFL broadcast schedule featured 58 national games, including: Opening Kickoff game, 17 Monday Night games, including one doubleheader, 17 Sunday Night games (including Christmas Night), 7 Thursday Night games (including Thanksgiving Night), one Saturday Night game, a Thanksgiving Day doubleheader, 12 Postseason games, including the NFL Playoffs, the AFC and NFC Championship Games, the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. Additionally, Westwood One/Dial Global Sports also broadcast a Sunday afternoon doubleheader each week, as well as delivered specialty programs throughout the season, including: The NFL Today, NFL Preview, NFL Insider, NFL Sunday, and NFL Fantasy Football Forecast.
