Powerful FM signal will give RSN the game time edge
The Region Sports Network is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with radio station WRTW 90.5fm, to provide year-round play-by-play coverage of local sporting events.
WRTW is a powerful, regional frequency, located at 90.5 on the FM dial. With more than 3000 watts of easy listening stereo power behind it, WRTW-FM, known to listeners as "The Key", covers an east-west pattern ranging from west of Joliet, Il., to east of LaPorte, a distance of about 75 miles. Its north-south signal pattern ranges from north of downtown Chicago all the way to south Jasper County, also covering a span of about 75 miles.
RSN President and Executive Producer Chris Ramirez is excited about what the new addition means to his network. “The Key delivers the biggest nighttime coverage area we’ve ever had on one Indiana frequency,” Ramirez said. “In the past we’ve had to patch together stations to keep people tuned in from Michigan City to Munster. Now listeners won’t have to touch the dial the entire ride. From Wrigleyville to Rennselaer, they can stay tuned in.”
As many as 50 broadcasts are planned for the upcoming basketball season. The IHSAA state baseball tournament along with a complete season of high school football will air on 90.5 as well. And according to Ramirez, station management is open to airing other sports programming throughout the year.
"The Key" wants to have a greater impact locally and to be thought of as a main stream northwest Indiana station” said Ramirez. “One way to get there is by offering the community additional types of programming. And local sports have proven to be popular with local audiences. We’re thrilled to be their partner in this endeavor.”
Like Ramirez, station general manager Jody McManus is looking forward to the new venture.
“This radio station has always been about community involvement, so these are exciting times at "The Key", said McManus. "We're extremely excited about this new opportunity with Region Sports Network because it means we'll become better known by the community we love to serve. By adding local sports to our program schedule, 90.5 now has even more to offer in Northwest Indiana!"”
To get the word out about the new affiliate, Region Sports Network is planning a massive advertising blitz that will span local TV, radio, print and internet.
“It’s a new spot on the dial to most followers of Region Sports, so we have to get the word about where they can hear the games,” said Ramirez. “Since we now have the largest coverage area possible, we want the largest audience possible. The first step is a promotional campaign.”
Along with 90.5 The Key, Region Sports Network programming can be heard on WLTH 1370am, WIMS 1420am, WJOB am1230am, WGVE 88.7fm and WVLP-LP 98.3fm.
Region Sports is the network voice of choice for the Munster, Crown Point, Lake Central, Andrean and Valpo basketball programs. A sneak peek at the upcoming broadcast schedule shows the RSN offering play-by-play coverage of more than 100 total radio broadcasts across the network, starting in early November.
“Listeners and advertisers have come to expect both quality and quantity from the Region Sports team,” Ramirez says. “This year they’ll get more of both.”
In addition to its radio affiliates, the RSN operates 20 local sports websites, all of which carry RSN programming, including the recently added feature of live video streaming, an extremely popular attraction on regionsports.com.
"The hot new thing for fans is live video streaming. They can't get enough," said Ramirez. "Don't be surprised if we offer as many as 20 live internet TV games on regionsports.com this season."
Region Sports audio and video programming is also available on Android powered mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets. No other northwest Indiana broadcast outlet can make such claims.