Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 12, 1995 TAG: 9509120088
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Roanoke Express has expanded its radio network to five stations for the 1995-96 East Coast Hockey League season.
All of the Express' games will be carried live in the Roanoke Valley. WFIR (960 AM) will air live 61 of the Express' 70 games. WWWR (910 AM) will air the remaining games that WFIR is unable to air due to prior contractual agreements.
The Express and WFIR agreed to a one-year extension that will keep WFIR as the Express' flagship station.
Because WFIR, which is part of the CBS Sports Radio Network, will be carrying live broadcasts of the National League and American League playoffs and the World Series throughout October, the Express made arrangements to have its games carried live on WWWR rather than tape-delayed on WFIR.
``[WFIR general manager] Terry Gibbons and I agreed that this arrangement is in our best interests,'' said Tim Woodburn, the Express' play-by-play announcer and marketing director. ``We've pulled out all the stops to make sure all of our games are carried live in Roanoke. WFIR will still serve as our flagship station, producing the games and running the network even if they're not airing the games.''
The Express reached three-year agreements with three other Southwest Virginia stations to air all games this season. WXCF (103.9 FM) in Clifton Forge, WBNK (100.7 FM) in Christiansburg and WLVA (590 AM) in Lynchburg will air approximately 90 percent of Roanoke's games on a live basis, with the rest airing on a tape-delay basis.
``This network solidifies our exposure over a span of approximately 165 miles for the next three years,'' said Woodburn.
WFIR will air all Express games except the following, which will be on WWWR: Oct.6, at Hampton Roads (exhibition); Oct.7, at Charlotte (exhibition); Oct.13, Richmond; Oct.14, Raleigh; Oct.21, Hampton Roads; Oct.25, at Louisville; Oct.29, at Wheeling; Nov.23, Hampton Roads; Dec.17, Tallahassee; Dec.23, Hampton Roads; and Feb.4, at Raleigh.
Woodburn said it's possible other games could be moved from WFIR to WWWR in March when the NCAA Basketball Tournament begins.
The first Express broadcast will be an exhibition game at Hampton Roads on Oct.6 at 7:15 p.m. The only game not scheduled for broadcast this season is the Express' home exhibition game against Hampton Roads on Oct.10.
by CNB