Twins making move to FM radio next season
Games to be broadcast on 96.3 K-TWIN; ESPN 1500 remaining partner
The Twins-Northern Lights Broadcasting agreement calls for FM 96.3 K-TWIN to broadcast all regular-season and postseason games and at least 25 Spring Training games. Twins games will remain on AM 1500 ESPN for the rest of this season.
"The Minnesota Twins are thrilled to have this opportunity to partner with our locally owned sister company, Northern Lights Broadcasting," Twins president Dave St. Peter said. "Twins radio broadcasts have been an important part of the Upper Midwest landscape dating back to 1961. By partnering with 96.3 K-TWIN, the Twins not only gain a stellar broadcasting partner with a dynamic FM signal, but we get a chance to be an integral part of an emerging radio format that will be unique across the nation."
The Pohlad family-owned 96.3 K-TWIN will be the home of pregame and postgame shows, often originating from various spots in and around Target Field and Northern Lights Broadcasting's new studios at the Ford Center in downtown Minneapolis.
But 96.3 K-TWIN will also continue as a pop music station, so the Twins will remain partners with 1500 ESPN, which has served as the club's metro affiliate since 2007.
1500 ESPN and the stations of the Treasure Island Baseball Network will continue to air a variety of Twins-related programming year-round, including the "Ron Gardenhire Show," "Inside Twins" and an offseason Twins "Hot Stove League" program.
"While the team is excited about the new partnership with K-TWIN 96.3 FM, the Twins are equally thrilled to have this opportunity to maintain our successful relationship with Hubbard Broadcasting and 1500 ESPN," St. Peter said. "In short, we are pleased that 1500 ESPN will serve as the ballclub's 'Official Talk Station' and will continue to be the exclusive home of signature Twins ancillary programs."