Chicago-based WSCR-AM in its first season broadcasting Cubs games is "generating record ratings and revenue, and prepping for a potentially historic postseason run as the only Chicago station -- radio or TV -- to call the Cubs' championship quest," according to Robert Channick of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Cubs games have helped move WSCR's audience "into the top 10 among Chicago radio stations." Sources said that WSCR "will bring in" about $10M in Cubs play-by-play revenue this season. In addition to the $10M rights fees, WSCR "has to pay the play-by-play team of Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer, along with engineering, marketing and sales expenses." WSCR Operations Dir Mitch Rosen did not say whether the station "was in the black with the broadcasts." However, despite having the "exclusive local broadcast rights, WSCR won't be the only Chicago radio station carrying the Cubs throughout the playoffs." ESPN Radio 1000 Chicago is set to air the national broadcasts. ESPN Chicago Program Dir Adam Delevitt said that his station is "'all in' trying [to] steal [WSCR's] thunder, promoting the upcoming playoffs, selling advertising packages and pitching its broadcasts as an alternative to the home team call." WSCR is the third station to carry Cubs games during the past three years, and Delevitt also is "counting on confusion over the changing frequencies of Cubs radio partners to snare some listeners" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/20).
TAKING PRECEDENT: In Des Moines, Andrew Logue notes Cubs games air locally on KRNT-AM, but the station is the home of Drake athletics, which "will likely lead to Saturday scheduling conflicts" when the MLB postseason begins. Drake football "will stay on KRNT, while the Cubs will move" to sister station KPSZ-AM. Drake takes precedence because of "seniority," as its sports "have aired on KRNT for as long as anyone can remember" (DES MOINES REGISTER, 9/20).
