iHeartMedia is shutting down its statewide “The Game” sports radio network in Wisconsin, following its October decision to flip Milwaukee’s 97.3 FM The Game station from sports to adult contemporary.
Since the decision in October, the company had continued providing a mix of live and syndicated sports programming for affiliates across the state, including its own Madison station, 1070 The Game. Other affiliates included Eau Claire’s 98.7 WBIZ as well as streaming content in Milwaukee via YouTube and social media.
However, several other stations had already migrated to Audacy’s Wisconsin Sports Network after The Game’s format change.
The network’s closure also brings significant shifts to local programming in Milwaukee. Morning hosts Bill Schmid and Armen Saryan will now team up with former afternoon host Drew Olson for a new show titled The Huddle, which will air weekdays from 5-8 a.m. on FOX Sports 920 in Milwaukee and 1070 The Game in Madison.
Outside of those hours, both stations will carry Fox Sports Radio’s national lineup.
iHeart’s decision ends the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. DND show, which featured Doug Russell, Nick Bruesewitz, and Dave Gasper. The trio hosted their last program on Friday. The move also concludes the afternoon program most recently hosted by Olson and Hunter Baumgardt, following the departure of Kevin “KB” Brandt.
iHeartMedia has not announced plans to revive The Game branding in the region. 97.3 The Game served as the radio flagship home for the Green Bay Packers. When the programming moves were made in October, Packers broadcasts moved to sister station 95.7 Big-FM.
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Great, now we get to listen to the national bozos with little to no coverage of the local teams. Too bad the bottom line runs everything. I’ll be taking 1070 off my presets.