The Tampa Bay Rays and iHeart Media today announced a multi-year extension that will keep game broadcasts on WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM. The Rays and iHeart Media have partnered for all 18 seasons of Rays baseball.
“We are very excited about the extension of our partnership with the Rays,” said Sam Nein, iHeart Media Market President. “We have been the Radio home for the Rays since game one when Wilson Alvarez threw out the first pitch in the team’s history and we look forward to being with the team and part of many more historic moments in the years ahead!”
“The Rays and iHeart Media have enjoyed a terrific, long standing relationship,” said Rays Senior Director of Broadcasting Larry McCabe. “Our Rays Radio flagship station delivers consistent coverage and continuous promotion for our games that Rays fans enjoy. We’re also excited to introduce new FM listening opportunities during the second half of the 2015 season.”
Beginning in early August, Rays play-by-play will also be available for fans on Thunder FM for all Friday, Saturday and Sunday games.
In addition, the team released Nielsen Audio ratings for games through mid-June that showed a marked increase compared to the same period for 2014. Ratings have increased 27 percent for adults 18 and older, 21 percent for persons 6 and older and 51 percent among women listeners.
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"In addition, the team released Nielsen Audio ratings for games through mid-June that showed a marked increase compared to the same period for 2014. Ratings have increased 27 percent for adults 18 and older, 21 percent for persons 6 and older and 51 percent among women listeners."
ReplyDeleteAnd the attendance at games drops accordingly... Rays attendance average this year is below 2014 levels already...
As far as Tampa folk are concerned, they won't even know, nor care that the Tamps Rays quietly became the Montreal Rays (name to be confirmed) as they continue to stay away and just listen to AM radio.... (seriously, AM radio?)
In the mean time, in Cooperstown yesterday, Mayor Coderre was a VIP MLB invitee and ask the medias and members of Expos Nation to meet him for an unofficial press conference before the induction ceremony. Key statement from Coderre to Expos Nation and fans was: "Be ready next year, I will need you!"
ReplyDeleteThe night before, he had different discussions with Manfred, Pedro Martinez, Vladimir Guerrero, Tony Clark, ...
Stay Tuned for more announcements about an expansion or a relocation. 2016 will be an important year, very important one.
And it may start with Red Sox pre-season games with a tribute to Pedro Martinez.
... and Randy Johnson played for them.
DeleteYes, 11 games.
DeleteIt's so funny! The poor Montreal rubes think that they will be getting a MLB team. Unfortunately for you, it won't be happening. MLB wants the team in this area. I am "in the know." Btw, new stadium will be just outside Ybor City. You can take that to the bank!
ReplyDeleteThe "You can take that to the bank!" is back from Greece. Hope you had a good time.
DeleteHe's right, between Ybor & Channelside...
DeleteI was wondering what I could take to the bank today :P
DeleteI bet almost all of this blogs readers never listened to OR know the broadcasters, and then try to have an opinion, lol...
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons ratings are up is because of the new stations they're broadcasting on like in Jacksonville on Sat.. Dave & Andy are 2 of the best in baseball, along w/ Neil, it's just a shame MLB blocks radio stations for streaming online...
"I bet almost all of this blogs readers never listened to OR know the broadcasters, and then try to have an opinion, lol.."
Deleteyou mean like you, pretending you support the Rays but don't go see them at the Trop and then try to have an opinion about them leaving? Yeah. thought so
LOL, "annoy", I been to, watched, or LISTENED to almost every game over the last 7-8 seasons, so you can that bull somewhere else...
DeleteI would love to go against you in a Rays trivia contest... I would love to go against NO'ah as well... lol
DeleteNoah,
DeleteHow much are the Rays getting from WDAE for radio broadcast rights?
They'll cover free one way trips to Montreal for the team
DeleteDon't know; its a contract between two private companies, so not disclosed.
DeleteHappy Wednesday everyone (and this includes my Montreal friends)! In relation to the stadium in Ybor, they will soon be laying the ceremonial "golden brick" (indicating the initial building stages) for the new, splendiferous, baseball stadium. You can take that to the bank!
ReplyDeleteHow about a date instead of saying "soon" - "soon" in Rays language has meant 10 years so far and without an agreement to be allowed to look outside of St Pete's, your claims sound as legitimate as the Greek banks which you have been visiting all these years.
DeleteHad you said an agreement with St Pete will be coming soon followed by the 'ceremonial "golden brick"' maybe you'd have had a slither of credibility
It's coming...Just remind yourself of Bette Midler, "From a distance, there is harmony
DeleteAnd it echoes through the land
It's the voice of hope, it's the voice of peace
It's the voice of every man".....The stadium near Ybor is not too distant.. You can take that to the bank!
Yawn..... take that to your bank
Delete