Infinity Sports Network
Infinity Sports Network is an American sports radio network offering 24/7 national coverage of sports talk, breaking news, interviews, game broadcasts, analysis, and podcasts from prominent hosts and reporters.[1][2] Formerly known as CBS Sports Radio, the network debuted with hourly sports news updates on September 4, 2012, and expanded to full-time 24-hour programming on January 2, 2013, through a partnership between CBS Radio and Cumulus Media Networks.[3][4] On April 15, 2024, it rebranded as Infinity Sports Network, a name referencing the original Infinity Broadcasting Corporation founded in 1972, amid Audacy's ongoing rebranding efforts following its acquisition of CBS Radio assets.[5][6] On October 21, 2025, Audacy and Cumulus Media announced that the network would rebrand as Westwood One Sports effective December 29, 2025, with Westwood One assuming programming and distribution responsibilities.[7] The network is programmed by Audacy, Inc., and distributed by Westwood One, reaching affiliates across the United States via terrestrial radio, satellite (including SiriusXM Channel 375), and digital streaming platforms.[8] Weekend schedules include extended sports updates, game coverage, and specialized shows, with additional content available via podcasts and the Audacy app.[9]History
Launch and Early Years
CBS Sports Radio began operations with the introduction of hourly sports news updates on September 4, 2012, marking the network's initial foray into national sports radio broadcasting. This preliminary phase allowed the network to build anticipation and provide timely sports coverage ahead of its full programming rollout. The updates were distributed through a partnership with Cumulus Media Networks, which served as the exclusive syndicator and sales partner for the venture.[10] The network launched its complete 24/7 programming schedule on January 2, 2013, at midnight, featuring a lineup of live sports talk shows designed for listener interaction, expert analysis, and interviews. Key programs included Doug Gottlieb's afternoon show from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. ET, Chris Moore and Brian Jones's evening slot from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. ET, and Scott Ferrall's late-night program from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. ET, alongside other hosts such as Jim Rome and John Feinstein. This initial slate emphasized original content from CBS Sports personalities to deliver engaging, round-the-clock sports discussion.[11] At launch, CBS Sports Radio was syndicated to more than 100 affiliate stations, reaching nine of the top 10 markets and an estimated audience of nearly 10 million listeners weekly, with rapid expansion to approximately 250 affiliates in the early months. Distributed primarily through Cumulus Media's network of 67 owned-and-operated stations and additional CBS Radio outlets like WFAN in New York, the platform focused on comprehensive sports talk, news, and analysis to establish a strong competitor to ESPN Radio in the national sports audio landscape.[12][10]Ownership Transitions
The operations of the Infinity Sports Network, originally launched in 2013 as CBS Sports Radio, were transferred from CBS Radio to Entercom Communications on November 17, 2017, following the completion of the merger between CBS Radio and Entercom, which created the second-largest radio broadcaster in the United States by revenue.[13][14] This transition integrated the network's programming and affiliate relationships under Entercom's management, with no immediate disruptions to its 24/7 sports talk format.[5] In March 2021, Entercom rebranded to Audacy, Inc., to reflect its expanded focus on digital audio and podcasting alongside traditional radio, while retaining full control over the Infinity Sports Network's programming.[15] Audacy continued to oversee content production and syndication for the network, ensuring continuity in its sports coverage and host lineups.[6] Throughout this period, Westwood One, a division of Cumulus Media, maintained its longstanding role in handling national sales and distribution for the network, a responsibility it assumed upon the original launch of CBS Sports Radio in 2012, while Audacy managed all programming decisions until 2025.[16] Audacy's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on January 7, 2024, stemmed from a heavy debt load of approximately $1.9 billion, prompting a prepackaged restructuring plan that reduced its obligations by about 80% to $350 million upon emergence on September 30, 2024.[17][18] The filing had minimal impact on the Infinity Sports Network's day-to-day stability, as Audacy emphasized uninterrupted operations at its stations and networks, though it led to some affiliate reviews and minor adjustments in syndication agreements to align with the restructured finances.[17][19]Rebranding and Future Plans
In April 2024, the CBS Sports Radio Network underwent a significant rebranding to Infinity Sports Network, prompted by the expiration of licensing rights to use the CBS name, which were stipulated in the 2017 merger agreement between Entercom (now Audacy) and CBS Radio.[6][5] The change took effect on April 15, 2024, marking the end of the CBS affiliation after nearly a decade, during which Audacy had managed the network since acquiring it in 2017.[20][21] This rebrand honored the legacy of Infinity Broadcasting, the original parent company founded in 1972, while allowing the network to continue its sports programming without the CBS branding.[22] On October 21, 2025, Audacy and Cumulus Media announced another major transition, with the Infinity Sports Network set to rebrand as Westwood One Sports effective December 29, 2025.[23][16] Under this agreement, Cumulus Media's Westwood One division will assume responsibility for programming and distribution, expanding its sports audio portfolio through a deepened partnership with Audacy, which has faced operational challenges including a recent emergence from bankruptcy proceedings.[24][7] The shift aims to enhance national sports coverage, leverage Westwood One's established infrastructure for broader reach, and integrate digital platforms for improved content delivery.[23] Programming under the new Westwood One Sports banner will maintain continuity with key elements from Infinity Sports Network, including the continued syndication of The Jim Rome Show in its weekday 3–6 p.m. ET slot.[23][25] Audacy will retain production of select shows, such as You Better You Bet and BetMGM Tonight, which will join the lineup, ensuring a mix of live event coverage, analysis, and gambling-focused content.[23] As of November 2025, a complete programming schedule has not yet been fully detailed, though the partnership emphasizes 24/7 sports programming with an emphasis on real-time updates and expert commentary.[7]Programming
Weekday Schedule
The weekday programming on Infinity Sports Network, as of November 2025, emphasizes sports talk radio with a focus on analysis, interviews, and commentary across major leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and college sports. The lineup runs from early morning through late evening, providing continuous coverage tailored for sports enthusiasts during standard business hours. This schedule reflects updates implemented in early 2025 and remains in effect ahead of the network's planned rebranding to Westwood One Sports on December 29, 2025.[26][16] The core weekday slate begins with morning drive-time programming and extends into overnight hours, featuring established hosts delivering opinion-driven discussions and guest appearances. Hourly sports news updates and brief analysis segments are incorporated throughout the day to provide real-time scores, highlights, and breaking developments, ensuring listeners stay informed without interrupting the flow of talk shows.[1][8]| Time Slot (ET) | Program | Host/Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Maggie & Perloff | Hosted by Maggie Gray and Andrew Perloff, this morning show offers lively debates on current sports headlines and entertainment crossovers.[26] |
| 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Reiter Than You | Bill Reiter leads midday conversations blending humor, pop culture, and in-depth sports analysis.[26] |
| 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | The Rich Eisen Show | Rich Eisen hosts a high-energy program featuring interviews with athletes, coaches, and celebrities, emphasizing NFL and entertainment topics.[26][8] |
| 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | The Bart Winkler Show | Bart Winkler provides afternoon drive with Milwaukee-centric takes alongside national sports commentary and listener interaction.[26] |
| 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | The JR SportBrief Show | JR takes over evenings with rapid-paced rundowns of daily sports news, scores, and bold predictions across multiple sports.[26] |
| 11:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. | The Zach Gelb Show | Zach Gelb handles late-night segments with NFL insights, betting trends, and live listener interaction.[26][8] |
| 2:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. | The Pat Boyle Show | Pat Boyle anchors the overnight slot with recaps, listener calls, and updates on international and domestic sports events, followed by periodic news briefs.[26][27] |