With TV Rights in Flux, Twins Urge Parents to Explain AM Radio to Young Fans

[RandBalls Stu]

“It’s like a podcast that has commercials for funeral homes.”

Image courtesy of Unsplash/Stephen Andrews

While the expiration of the Twins’ TV contract is leading to a lot of agitation about the team’s 2024 payroll, there’s also some concern within the organization about where people can follow next year’s games.

“I’m confident that we’ll have a presence on television next year,” said a front office source. “But we have to be prepared for all possible outcomes.”

If that outcome doesn’t extend beyond the team’s current radio broadcasts, team officials say they’re laying the groundwork for a vigorous educational outreach program about the audio-only format.

“AM radio has a loyal base of listeners—shut-ins, reactionaries, those who fear change, residents of unlicensed nursing homes—but that base skews older,” said the source. “We need to let our younger fans know that an alternative to TV and streaming exists. Their parents are our greatest tool.”

The source shared a working document with Twins Daily that’s aimed to help families talk about AM radio with youths and anyone else under the age of 39. Some of the talking points include:

• There’s no video element. This is on purpose.
• No, really.
• No, seriously.
• Yes, this was often the only option to follow a live baseball game when I was growing up.
• No, I did not call social services about this. Your grandparents had nothing to do with this.
• Yes, anyone who calls them “the good old days” should be shunned by decent people. I’m glad we’ve found common ground.
• You like podcasts, right?
• Think of it like a podcast that has commercials for dairy cooperatives and funeral homes.
• No, it’s not a murder podcast. The funeral home thing is a coincidence.
• Washburn-McReavy’s trusted staff can help you with funerals, cremation, burial, and pre-planning services and are always willing to assist you and your family in this time of need.
• The nice man’s name is Cory, the man who always sounds upset about the way things ought to be is Dan.
• No, for the last time, no video. Just audio.
• Traffic and weather are on the 8s.
• Yes, you can use your phone to check both those things at any time. I am aware of this.
• You really seem hung up on this traffic and weather thing. What if you're driving? You look down to check your phone and boom you just T-boned a family of 6. Now you’re in jail and you know who’s not going to have TV privileges? You, the phone murderer.
• Stop crying.
• What do you mean, what’s a radio? Let’s start over.

The sources said a final call on the document and outreach will be made before Jan. 1.

Image license here.

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[Riverbrian]

Pure brilliance! 

[Ex-Iowegian]

“AM radio has a loyal base of listeners—shut-ins, reactionaries, those who fear change, residents of unlicensed nursing homes—but that base skews older,” 

 

I resemble that remark. 🙂

[Rod Carews Birthday]

"The nice man’s name is Cory, the man who always sounds upset about the way things ought to be is Dan. "  WWHCD --- What Would Herb Carneal Do?  All joking aside, I do really miss him on the radio!

[Richie the Rally Goat]

The murder podcast really resonated with my children

[BA Papi]

Hey kids, ya like country music? Let's listen to the Opry tonight!

On a side note, I've pulled in WCCO at night many a time down in southwest Missouri. 

[Dave The Dastardly]

AM radio - also known as "talk" radio - where crack pots, the uninformed, weak-minded and mentally unstable call in to reveal their ignorance on many subjects before baseball games. Not to be confused with frustrated fans who call in to complain after their team loses due to poor management, cheap owners and/or less than stellar players.

FM radio - music to calm the beast without the AM "static".

[NeverSeenATwinsPlayoffWin]

If you use your cell phone to play an AM radio station, does the universe spontaneously combust? I feel like that would be the equivalent of using AI to run a steam engine.

[Nine of twelve]

30 minutes ago, NeverSeenATwinsPlayoffWin said:

If you use your cell phone to play an AM radio station, does the universe spontaneously combust? I feel like that would be the equivalent of using AI to run a steam engine.

Like buying a Porsche and then using a team of horses to pull it.

[RpR]

AM -- for those who want to know what  life is like outside there rabbit hole.

FM - for those who pull shut the rabbit hole lid shute and do not like the outside world.

 

AM - at least before president shrub, has long range, I could get stations a thousand miles away at night.

[Patzky]

3 hours ago, NeverSeenATwinsPlayoffWin said:

If you use your cell phone to play an AM radio station, does the universe spontaneously combust? I feel like that would be the equivalent of using AI to run a steam engine.

Ok I'll bite. Virtual SDR radios exist online so you can listen to any AM station in range of the receiver without blackouts. Great for most MLB stations that have at least one AM outlet. 

[Minny505]

What if I just download the MLB app on my kids's phones instead and they listen to the radio broadcast thru that?

I'll see myself out...

[howeda7]

12 minutes ago, Minny505 said:

What if I just download the MLB app on my kids's phones instead and they listen to the radio broadcast thru that?

I'll see myself out...

In all seriousness, WCCO now streams the Twins games free on the Audacy app. Pretty sure you have to pay to stream off the MLB app.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

This is all well and good until they hear Dan Gladden on the radio (or the dead space that he occupies)...

I thought the Twins wanted to increase their listening audience...

[Oldgoat_MN]

1 hour ago, Minny505 said:

What if I just download the MLB app on my kids's phones instead and they listen to the radio broadcast thru that?

I'll see myself out...

There's a showoff in every crowd.

[Minny505]

3 hours ago, howeda7 said:

In all seriousness, WCCO now streams the Twins games free on the Audacy app. Pretty sure you have to pay to stream off the MLB app.

You're probably right. I always get a free subscription thru friends that have T-mobile.

[Jocko87]

I feel seen and attacked all at the same time.

[howeda7]

On 11/10/2023 at 4:53 PM, Minny505 said:

You're probably right. I always get a free subscription thru friends that have T-mobile.

You do. I've always had the MLB At Bat subscription because it's like $20/year. Also, upon further research you can stream on the Audacy app only if you're in the Twins territory.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Despite the wonderfully witty way this was written, i can't help feeling sad about radio being such an after thought these days. On an impulse i bought one of them crank radios a year or two ago, and was sadly disappointed it only had fm, and only auto-tuned...

 

Oh well. World keeps on moving.