Storm, PLATTE RIVER RADIO STRIKE EXCLUSIVE DEAL
Tri-City will broadcast all radio games with one family of stations next season
Monday, June 6, 2011
- For Immediate Release
KEARNEY, Neb. - The Tri-City Storm has developed an exclusive deal with Platte River Radio – Classic Hits 98.9 FM (KKPR), The Breeze 94.5 FM (KLIQ), and ESPN Superstation 1460/1550 AM (KXPN, KICS) – to become the Storm Radio Network’s home in the 2011-2012 season.
All three stations will broadcast a select amount of games, which will be determined after the USHL finalizes the 2011-12 schedule. In addition to the radio, all games will be streamed online at www.stormhockey.com with a free audio link to the broadcast. Also, games are available to listen via a smart phone depending on which station is carrying the broadcast of that game through the following links: m.kkpr.com, m.kliqfm.com or m.espnsuperstation.com.
“We are thrilled to continue and expand this radio broadcast agreement with the Platte River Radio group,” said Greg Shea, Storm president. “Their commitment to clear more air time on the family of stations is a testament of how this partnership continues to grow.”
Terms of the agreement have the Storm organization buying air time to carry the broadcasts for the third consecutive season.
“The Storm have become ingrained in the Central Nebraska sports scene and every one of Platte River Radio's five stations have a solid stake in both amateur and professional sports, so we think it is a natural fit,” said Craig Eckert, general manager of Platte River Radio.
“The Storm will have consistent coverage and the benefits of our ability to cross promote the Storm Radio Network no matter which of our stations has the game, although the vast majority will be on Classic Hits 98.9 FM.”
Free downloads of every game broadcast will be available through the Platte River Radio stations’ websites. The overall expansion to the radio deal between the Storm Radio Network and Platte River Radio was one that Eckert felt would enhance additional media coverage through the family of stations.
“Anytime you can associate with a quality enterprise like the Storm it opens up promotional opportunities as well as on-air entertainment,” Eckert said. “We like being able to bring the fans out-of-game features with the coaches and players on ESPN Superstation’s ‘The Storm Hockey Show’ and ‘The Doug and Daddy Show’.”
Skip Berry, the play-by-play voice of the Storm for the past two seasons, will continue to provide the in-depth coverage for the Storm Radio Network. Berry has 11 years of experience in radio broadcasting. He has broadcasted over 390 sporting events, which includes 290 games in his hockey career.
“This is really exciting news for our fan base, who have been waiting for this expansion on the radio for over three seasons,” said Berry, who is the Director of Media Relations/Broadcasting. “We are extremely pleased with this arrangement and look forward to the season ahead.”
Platte River Radio also owns KHAS 1230 AM in Hastings. KKPR and KLIQ are 100,000-watt signals that can be heard across central Nebraska in a 100-mile radius from the Tri-Cities, while KXPN and KICS are best heard in Kearney and Hastings.