Westwood One to Broadcast NFL Wild Card Weekend, Powered by Verizon
Rhea-AI Summary
Westwood One (OTCQB:CMLS), the official network audio partner of the NFL, will carry live play-by-play of all six NFL Wild Card Weekend games on Jan 10–12, 2026, powered by Verizon. This marks Westwood One’s 39th consecutive year as the NFL’s exclusive network audio partner. Broadcasts air across ~500 radio stations and digital platforms including westwoodonesports.com, the Westwood One Sports App, SiriusXM, NFL+, and the NFL App.
Notable matchups include Rams vs Panthers, Packers vs Bears, Bills vs Jaguars, 49ers vs Eagles, Chargers vs Patriots, and Texans vs Steelers with named play-by-play teams and hosts.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, CMLS gained 17.48%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
The stock fell 11.76% while several broadcasting peers also showed declines (e.g., FHLD -9.28%, SALM -1.9%, SBSAA -1.27%) and others were flat, but no peers appeared in the momentum scanner, suggesting a company‑specific move rather than a coordinated sector rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 18 | Sports lineup launch | Positive | -17.0% | Announced new Westwood One Sports Talk lineup starting December 29, 2025. |
| Dec 03 | Host appointment | Positive | -1.5% | Named Drake C. Toll as host of new weekday morning sports talk show. |
| Nov 14 | Syndicated show host | Positive | -11.6% | Appointed McGraw Milhaven to host nationally syndicated 'America at Night'. |
| Nov 12 | Podcast network deal | Positive | +0.0% | Shots Podcast Network joined Cumulus Podcast Network via Westwood One partnership. |
| Nov 06 | Podcast acquisition | Positive | -12.1% | INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet added to Cumulus Podcast Network under Westwood One. |
Recent positive programming and content expansion announcements have often coincided with flat or negative next‑day price moves.
Over the past few months, Cumulus Media has focused on expanding its Westwood One and podcast portfolios. Announcements on Nov 6, 12, 14, Dec 3, and Dec 18, 2025 highlighted new syndicated shows, podcast partnerships, and a 24/7 sports talk lineup. Despite these seemingly growth‑oriented moves, 24‑hour price reactions were negative in four cases and flat in one, suggesting that similar content deals, like the NFL Wild Card coverage, have not consistently translated into short‑term share price strength.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock surged +17.5% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the strategic value of long‑term NFL audio rights. The announcement reinforced Westwood One’s 39‑year partnership and broad distribution on about 500 stations and digital platforms. Historically, however, prior content and lineup expansions often saw weak or negative next‑day moves, so any outsized gain could have been vulnerable if enthusiasm faded or if broader concerns about fundamentals re‑emerged.
Key Terms
play-by-play technical
postseason technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Westwood One, Official Network Audio Partner of the NFL, Delivers All the Action with Live Play-by-Play Coverage of All Six NFL Games on Saturday, January 10, Sunday, January 11, and Monday, January 12
NEW YORK, Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cumulus Media’s (OTCQB:CMLS) Westwood One, the official network audio partner of the National Football League, will present live play-by-play coverage of NFL Wild Card Weekend, powered by Verizon, on Saturday, January 10, Sunday, January 11, and Monday, January 12. This season marks Westwood One’s 39th consecutive year as the exclusive network audio partner of the NFL.
Westwood One opens NFL Wild Card Weekend on Saturday, January 10, with live coverage of the match-up between the Los Angeles Rams and the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte at 4:00pm ET, followed by the 8:00pm ET Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears game in Chicago.
The play-by-play action continues with three power-packed battles on Sunday, January 11, beginning at 12:30pm ET in Jacksonville, as the Buffalo Bills go head-to-head against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Sunday at 4:15pm ET, the coverage moves to Philly, where the San Francisco 49ers take on the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. Sunday’s triple header heads north to Foxborough at 8:00pm ET, with coverage of the Los Angeles Chargers vs. New England Patriots game.
Westwood One caps off the NFL Wild Card Weekend with a Monday Night game between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers who clash in Pittsburgh on Monday, January 12, starting at 7:00pm ET.
The complete broadcast schedule follows*:
Saturday, January 10, 2026 @ 4pm ET
Los Angeles Rams @ Carolina Panthers
Announcers: Jason Benetti & Ryan Leaf
Saturday, January 10, 2026 @ 8pm ET
Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
Announcers: Ryan Radtke & Mike Golic
Sunday, January 11, 2026 @ 12:30pm ET
Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Announcers: Kevin Kugler & Mike Mayock
Sunday, January 11, 2026 @ 4:15p ET
San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles
Announcers: Ian Eagle & Ross Tucker
Sunday, January 11, 2026 @ 8pm ET
Los Angeles Chargers @ New England Patriots
Announcers: Tom McCarthy & Derek Rackley
***All games listed above hosted by Scott Graham***
Monday, January 12, 2026 @ 7pm ET
Houston Texans @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Kurt Warner & Ross Tucker (sidelines)
Hosts: Mike Golic & Mike Golic Junior
*Both the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks have BYES into the Divisional.
For the 17th consecutive season, Scott Graham will host Westwood One’s pre-, half- and post-game coverage for Saturday and Sunday’s Wild Card games, while Mike Golic and Mike Golic, Jr. will pick up the pre- and halftime coverage for the Wild Card Monday game.
Westwood One will broadcast every NFL postseason game, from Wild Card Weekend through Super Bowl LX, on approximately 500 radio stations nationwide as well as on westwoodonesports.com, the Westwood One Sports App, SiriusXM, NFL+, and via the NFL App.
About Westwood One Sports
Westwood One Sports is home to some of the most exciting sports broadcasts on radio. In addition to being the exclusive network radio partner to the NFL since 1987 – featuring regular and post-season NFL football, including the playoffs and the Super Bowl – its other extensive properties include NCAA Basketball, including the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tournaments and the Final Four®; NCAA Football; The Masters; US Soccer; and other marquee sporting events. On social media, join the Westwood One Sports community on Facebook at facebook.com/westwoodonesports, Instagram at instagram.com/westwoodonesports, and X at x.com/westwood1sports. For more information, visit www.westwoodonesports.com.
About Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media (OTCQB: CMLS) is an audio-first media company delivering premium content to a quarter billion people every month — wherever and whenever they want it. Cumulus Media engages listeners with high-quality local programming through 395 owned-and-operated radio stations across 84 markets; delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, US Soccer, the Masters, AP News, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and many other world-class partners across more than 7,800 affiliated stations through Westwood One, a leading national audio network and the premier destination for opinion talk and live sports; and inspires listeners through the Cumulus Podcast Network, an established and influential platform for original podcasts that are smart, entertaining, and thought-provoking. Cumulus Media provides advertisers with personal connections, local impact and national reach through broadcast and on-demand digital, mobile, social, and voice-activated platforms, as well as integrated digital marketing services, powerful influencers, full-service audio solutions, industry-leading research and insights, and live event experiences. For more information visit www.cumulusmedia.com.
Contacts:
Cumulus Media | Westwood One: Lisa Dollinger Strategic Communication lisa@dollcom.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0f77dc61-b351-4c84-9359-573ad34d88b5
FAQ
When will Westwood One broadcast the NFL Wild Card Weekend games for CMLS?
How can listeners access Westwood One’s CMLS NFL Wild Card Weekend coverage?
Which NFL games does Westwood One (CMLS) cover during Wild Card Weekend?
Who are the announcers and hosts for Westwood One’s CMLS Wild Card broadcasts?
What milestone does Westwood One (CMLS) reach with the 2026 NFL Wild Card broadcasts?
Will Westwood One (CMLS) carry every NFL postseason game beyond Wild Card Weekend?
