After more than 90 years of Green Bay Packers football on WTMJ 620 AM, the station and the Packers Radio Network are parting ways with the Packers switching to iHeartMedia’s Milwaukee sports-talk station WRNW 97.3 FM The Game.
Packers games and related programming in Milwaukee will transition to The Game 97.3 WRNW from 620WTMJ Radio, a longtime Packers affiliate that began broadcasting Packers games in 1929. The transition in Milwaukee is with the affiliate station only, as the Packers have produced games and related content and also managed the Packers Radio Network in-house since 2018.
"We are excited to welcome a new station to the Packers Radio Network in the Milwaukee area beginning in 2022," said Craig Benzel, Packers vice president of sales and business development. "iHeartMedia enthusiastically pursued the opportunity that being a part of the network creates, and we are looking forward to how their innovative approach will appeal to Packers fans in southeastern Wisconsin.
"The Packers have greatly appreciated the partnership with WTMJ over the years and will always respect the history they have with the franchise," said Benzel.
97.3 The Game WRNW and iHeartMedia Milwaukee will offer an attractive demographic opportunity to reach new listeners with a growing sports talk radio segment and other programming formats in the Milwaukee area.
Additionally, the partnership offers a variety of new platforms that will support key Packers initiatives, including iHeartMedia's new audio partnership with the NFL which features podcast distribution.
"All of us at iHeartMedia are honored, excited and passionate about the future of our Milwaukee affiliation with the Green Bay Packers," said Jeff Tyler, Area President for iHeartMedia Wisconsin.
The move will leave a void in WTMJ’s late summer-through-early winter programming and its role as home for game broadcasts of Wisconsin’s major professional sports teams. WTMJ continues carrying Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers game broadcasts.
The addition of Packers games will raise the profile and presumably the audience for WRNW, which was best known until now as the home of the Steve Czaban morning show.“While we’re disappointed in the Packers’ decision, we are grateful for our partnership over the years with the team,” said Steve Wexler, vice president and market manager of WTMJ owner GKB Milwaukee. “It’s been an honor to be steward of the Packers brand and we’re looking forward to continuing to serve sports fans and our marketing partners with a new era of football content. We’ll continue to cheer on the Packers for years to come.”
Not only Packers games but also related programming in Milwaukee will transition to 97.3 The Game. The change in Milwaukee impacts only the Milwaukee market, as the Packers have produced games and related content and also managed the Packers Radio Network in-house since 2018.
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