Westwood One's Enduring NFL Grip: Radio Tackles Wild Card Weekend

NEW YORK, NY – January 09, 2026 – As the NFL postseason kicks off this weekend, millions of fans will experience the drama not through a screen, but through their speakers. Cumulus Media’s Westwood One is set to continue a nearly four-decade tradition, delivering live, exclusive national radio coverage for every game of a packed NFL Wild Card Weekend. This year’s broadcast, powered by Verizon, marks the 39th consecutive season the network has served as the official audio partner of the NFL, a testament to the enduring power of radio in an increasingly fragmented media world.

From Saturday through a special Monday night contest, Westwood One will broadcast all six high-stakes matchups across a vast network of platforms. The coverage begins with the Los Angeles Rams visiting the Carolina Panthers and culminates with a clash between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers. This extensive operation highlights a strategy that both honors the legacy of audio sports and aggressively embraces the digital future, ensuring the sounds of the NFL are accessible anywhere.

A Four-Decade Legacy in Audio

Westwood One's relationship with the NFL is one of the longest-running partnerships in sports media. While this season marks 39 consecutive years of exclusive playoff coverage, the network's roots with the league stretch back over half a century. This long-standing connection has made its broadcasts a cornerstone of the NFL fan experience, particularly for those on the road or away from a television. Recent industry analysis underscores this point, revealing that over 80% of the Westwood One NFL audience is reached in-car, turning commutes and travels into front-row listening sessions.

The appeal of the radio broadcast lies in its ability to create a “theater of the mind,” a craft perfected by generations of announcers. It’s an intimate, focused experience that relies on the descriptive power of the human voice to paint a vivid picture of the on-field action. Data suggests that this format attracts a uniquely dedicated listener base. NFL AM/FM radio audiences are often found to be more passionate and engaged with the sport than their television-viewing counterparts, more frequently participating in fantasy leagues and identifying as sports experts among their peers. For these millions of listeners, the audio broadcast isn't a secondary option; it's a primary and preferred way to consume the game.

Beyond the Dial: A Multi-Platform Audio Empire

While its foundation is in traditional radio, Westwood One's modern strategy is defined by digital expansion and accessibility. The network's claim to exclusivity is no longer just about the AM/FM dial; it's about owning the national audio space across every relevant platform. The Wild Card games will be available on approximately 500 radio stations nationwide, but also streamed live on westwoodonesports.com, the Westwood One Sports App, SiriusXM, the league's own NFL+, and the NFL App.

This multi-platform approach has proven highly effective. During the 2023-24 season, Westwood One’s NFL broadcasts reached nearly 64 million unique listeners, a figure that saw a significant surge of over 10 million during the postseason alone. Tellingly, the audience is now almost evenly split between traditional AM/FM radio and digital listeners who tune in via streaming or satellite radio. This hybrid model ensures the network can capture both its legacy audience and a new generation of fans accustomed to on-demand content.

The “Powered by Verizon” sponsorship for the weekend is more than just branding. It reflects a deeper alignment between two NFL partners focused on technology and fan engagement. Verizon, a league sponsor since 2010, has shifted its strategy from simple logo placement to creating immersive experiences, leveraging its technology to enhance how fans connect with the sport. This partnership with Westwood One’s ubiquitous audio feed fits seamlessly into that modern sponsorship model, amplifying the reach of both brands.

The Voices of the Game

At the heart of Westwood One's broadcast appeal is its roster of seasoned and respected announcers. These voices are not just narrating the game; they are the architects of the listening experience. For the Wild Card Weekend, the network has assembled a lineup of its top talent. The formidable duo of Kevin Harlan and Kurt Warner, with Ross Tucker on the sidelines, will call the marquee Monday night game between the Texans and Steelers. Other key matchups will feature veteran broadcasters like Ian Eagle, Jason Benetti, and Kevin Kugler, paired with expert analysts including Mike Golic, Ryan Leaf, and Ross Tucker.

Continuity in the studio is just as crucial. For the 17th consecutive season, host Scott Graham will anchor the pre-game, halftime, and post-game coverage for the Saturday and Sunday slates, providing a familiar and authoritative presence for listeners throughout the weekend. On Monday, the popular father-son team of Mike Golic and Mike Golic, Jr. will take over hosting duties, bringing their well-known chemistry to the airwaves.

This collection of talent is a core asset for Westwood One. In a competitive media environment, these trusted personalities build a direct connection with the audience, fostering loyalty and making the network a destination for fans seeking insightful and entertaining commentary. Their expertise transforms a simple play-by-play into a compelling narrative, enriching the story of each game.

Navigating a Shifting Landscape

Westwood One's continued dominance in NFL audio comes at a challenging time for its parent company, Cumulus Media, and the broader radio industry. Cumulus reported disappointing financial results in its most recent quarter, facing revenue declines and a widening net loss that reflect sector-wide headwinds. The company's stock has faced significant pressure as it navigates a transitionary period for audio media.

Within this difficult business climate, the exclusive national rights to the NFL represent a crown jewel asset. The massive and engaged audience that tunes in for NFL games provides a powerful and unique value proposition for advertisers that is difficult to replicate. While local team radio networks handle regional broadcasts, Westwood One's exclusive lock on national primetime and all postseason games gives it a significant competitive advantage. This content is critical to the company's strategy of leveraging its premier assets to weather market turbulence.

As the weekend's action unfolds, fans will have a full slate of games to follow. The action begins Saturday with the Rams at Panthers (4:00 pm ET) and Packers at Bears (8:00 pm ET). Sunday features a triple-header: Bills at Jaguars (12:30 pm ET), 49ers at Eagles (4:15 pm ET), and Chargers at Patriots (8:00 pm ET). The weekend concludes Monday night with the Texans at Steelers (7:00 pm ET), while the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks enjoy byes into the Divisional Round. This comprehensive schedule, delivered across a vast and modern network, demonstrates that while the media landscape may change, the fundamental connection between sports fans and the sound of the game remains as strong as ever.