Bryce Harper goes deep

Fans of outfielder Bryce Harper and the rest of the Washington Nationals will be able to listen to games on a Harrisburg-based radio station this season. Sports Radio 96.5 has switched from a Philadelphia Phillies' radio network affiliate to the Nats for 2015.

(AP Photo / Alex Brandon)

Already the home of the Washington Nationals' Double-A minor-league affiliate, Harrisburg is getting a radio affiliate for the parent club in 2015.

Ron Giovanniello, regional vice president of Cumulus Media Pennsylvania, said Monday the company's new Harrisburg-based Sports Radio 96.5 FM will carry the Nats instead of the Philadelphia Phillies as part of a one-year deal.

"Our agreement was up and we made the decision last week to part ways with the Phillies and flip to the Nationals," Giovanniello said. "Nothing against the Phillies, but clearly the Nationals are a team on the rise. They won the NL East last year and are picked to win it again this year.

"Obviously [a winning team] helps in all ways, and they certainly will be a postseason contender that makes a deeper run in the playoffs this year. Unfortunately, I don't see that in the Phillies' immediate future."

Giovanniello said Cumulus recently acquired a new FM signal on the 96.5 frequency, allowing the company to move its CBS Sports Radio programming over from the 95.3 position. The signal is also available on 1400-AM in Harrisburg and 1440-AM in York, which also flips from the Phils to the Nats.

"Putting it on 96.5 provides for a better listening environment on FM," Giovanniello said. "We have a new tower [atop Reesers Summit], which gives us more power and provides four times the signal coverage."

Broadcasts of the Eastern League's Harrisburg Senators air on The Ticket, WTKT-AM 1460, which is owned by rival Clear Channel Communications.

Senators general manager Randy Whitaker was encouraged by the news of the Nats' arrival on local radio.

"I think that's pretty cool," Whitaker said. "It just shows how far the Nationals have come. For a long time, especially right after the change from the Expos, the team was an afterthought. They weren't well taken care of.

"Now, they're on the map. It's great to hear there's enough interest for the team in Central Pa., for their games to be on the radio. That's fantastic."

Asked whether he's concerned about a Nats' radio affiliate hurting listenership to Sens' broadcasts, Whitaker said it will ultimately be a win for area baseball fans.

"It helps the Senators in that it just validates the path our players have taken and will be taking in the future," Whitaker said. "Our fans can see them play here then listen to them when they move up [to the big leagues].

"People who are most interested in our games will be here watching the Senators in person."

According to the Nats' website, the team did not have a radio affiliate in Pennsylvania last season.

In 2014, the Phillies also had radio affiliates in Gettysburg (WGET-AM 1320), Lancaster (WLPA-AM 1490) and Lebanon (WLBR-AM 1270).

"The Nats are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, and they really wanted to be on the radio in this area and start building up their fan base," Giovanniello said. "With Washington having that connection with a farm team right here in Harrisburg, it also creates synergies and opportunities for both of us.

"They've had a lot of star talent come through here with the Senators, and we feel the Nats are a team on the rise. There's growing interest, and with this deal, we felt we've made it better. It's a one-year deal, but we have every intention of watching the relationship grow in the future."

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