Coyotes' New Radio Home Will Increase On-Demand Content
The Coyotes' impending move to Fox Sports Radio 910 Phoenix is about "more than a different radio frequency," as the team can now "expect to be guaranteed a spot on the dial as well as have on-demand content available digitally," according to Richard Morin of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Coyotes games "constantly moved from station to station under their previous radio partnership" with KMVP-FM. Since Fox Sports 910 is owned by iHeartMedia, Coyotes games and other content will be "streamable digitally and out of market." The games will be "simulcast on an FM frequency as well as AM and on the app." The Coyotes are "not the only NHL team with an iHeartMedia partnership," as the Blackhawks, Kings and Devils "all have games broadcast via radio to go along with the miscellaneous content on the iHeartRadio app." Since KMVP generally "did not give the Coyotes much air-time," the team seems "thrilled to now have an exclusive, consistent home for their content" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 8/14).
STATE OF AFFAIRS: Coyotes President & CEO Ahron Cohen said it has been an "exciting time for the city and this whole organization" since the introduction of new Owner Alex Meruelo on Aug. 1, as he has given the team "some additional resources." The Coyotes on June 29 traded for RW Phil Kessel and Cohen said the team got "quite a boom" in season ticket sales, seeing a 600% increase "right when we brought in Phil that week." Meanwhile, Cohen said the Coyotes in regard to a new downtown arena are "looking at all the different opportunities for us to be successful here long-term." Cohen: "Obviously, there's some unique challenges being out in Glendale ... (as) the core fan base is more geared toward the east part of town so it's a challenge getting out there on weeknight games." But he added it is "something that we are really focused on and we've been focused on the past little bit here is not using that as a crutch, not being so focused on arena challenges and focused more on just building a great team and a great organization" ("NHL Tonight," NHL Network, 8/13).