NEW YORK — The nation’s No. 1 media company has wagered on the success of delivering vignette-style reports from its stable of sports talk hosts by launching a new service, modeled after syndicated news offerings, to upward of 500 broadcast stations across the U.S.
As of today, the iHeartSports Network (IHSN) will offer up programs from such esteemed sports commentators as Cris Collinsworth, Colin Cowherd, Dan Patrick and Joy Taylor.
How so?
IHSN will deliver short-form national, regional local sports reports to listeners on formats that index high against sports interest, including Rock, Country, Hip-Hop, Classic Hits, News/Talk and Sports Talk.
Why? According to iHeartMedia, using Scarborough data, some 83% of sports fans want a daily update.
And, it cites Nielsen research showing that 89% of sports fans listen to radio each week and that radio listeners typically tune in multiple times day.
Furthermore, iHeart cites “research” showing that almost two-thirds of sports fans do not have the time to seek out additional desired information. As such, the iHeartSports Network will deliver sports reports to listeners “conveniently and timely wherever they are.”
Leading the rollout is iHeartMedia Markets Group President Greg Ashlock.
“This is a product driven network responding to the interests of our listeners,” Ashlock said. “People are passionate about sports and this will deliver the timely regional and local coverage they care most about along with the biggest national stories.”
Reports are not expected to be offered to non-iHeart stations in markets where the company has a presence.
