Concord fans have tuned into Classic Rock 102 The River (WMTD 102.3 FM) for broadcast coverage of Mountain Lions sports, with webcasts at www.theriver102.com.
That will change. For sports fans, that change will be for the better.
Southern Communications, which owns and operates WMTD-FM, has announced the station is flipping its format.
Starting at 12:00 pm EST on Monday, March 29, 2010, WMTD-FM will become an all-sports station and join the ESPN Radio network.
WMTD will be dubbed “The Ticket.” Its revamped website will be www.theticket102.com.
The format flip comes a week earlier than the original target date of April 5th.
“The Ticket” will carry ESPN Radio programming like “Mike & Mike In The Morning,” and remain the radio flagship for Concord football and men's and women's basketball.
Being Concord's home station is part of what Southern Communications owner Shane Southern says will be “The Ticket's” emphasis on local sports.
“We're looking forward to continuing our relationship with Concord,” said Southern. “It's a very exciting time there and we want to remain part of it.
“There is a tremendous void in our area for a station like this,” Southern continued. “In this day and age, sports fans, like everyone else, are used to getting the information they want instantly. We can do that with 'The Ticket.'
“The way radio is now, local teams and local schools can fall through the cracks. There are so many teams and athletes and coaches that don't get the attention they deserve. Now they will.”
Along with the Concord Mountain Lions, “The Ticket” will continue to provide play-by-play coverage of Summers County High School and Princeton Rays professional baseball.
The new station will also focus on local stories during its frequent daily “SportsCenter” updates.
As part of the format change, “The Ticket” will upgrade its webcasting capacity. Previously, the number of on-line listeners was restricted, but Southern says such limits will be removed.
“There was such a demand for our webcasts and we're responding to that demand,” he said. “We literally draw listeners from all around the world to our website, and now each and every one them will be able to follow Concord and their other favorite teams. Basically, whoever wants to can listen. No matter where in the world they are.”
Gary Fauber of the Beckley Register-Herald has written a story about the format flip in the newspaper's March 24, 2010 edition:
