What Radio Station Is Ohio State Football On?

By Sarah Miller · June 22, 2052

Ohio State football games are primarily broadcast on 97.1 The Fan (WBNS-FM) in Columbus, with the statewide network including over 30 affiliate stations and SiriusXM channel 122.

Where to Listen to Ohio State Football Radio Broadcasts

The official radio home of the Ohio State Buckeyes is 97.1 The Fan (WBNS-FM), a Hubbard Radio station based in Columbus. This flagship station carries all Ohio State football games, pre-game shows, halftime analysis, and post-game coverage. In addition to local FM broadcasting, fans across Ohio and surrounding states can tune in via a wide network of affiliate stations.

Key Stations and Coverage Areas

Flagship Station: 97.1 The Fan (WBNS-FM) – Columbus, OH
AM Partner: 1460 AM (WBNS-AM) – Also covers Columbus area
SiriusXM Satellite Radio: Channel 122 (ESPN Radio)
Streaming: Available via the Audacy app and website (audacy.com)

Ohio State Football Radio Network Affiliates

The Ohio State Sports Network, operated by Learfield, includes more than 30 radio stations across Ohio and parts of neighboring states. These affiliates ensure that fans can listen to every Buckeyes game regardless of location within the region.

Station Call Sign	Frequency	City	Signal Range (Miles)	Notes
WBNS-FM	97.1 FM	Columbus	50	Flagship station
WKKO	99.9 FM	Toledo	40	Coverage in NW Ohio
WZOQ	96.3 FM	Uhrichsville	35	Eastern Ohio signal
WOGH	103.5 FM	Youngstown	30	Shared with Pittsburgh market
WCKY	1530 AM	Cincinnati	70 (night), 30 (day)	Clear-channel AM station

Table data source:1, 2

The table highlights key affiliate stations across Ohio, demonstrating strong geographic coverage from Toledo in the northwest to Cincinnati in the southwest. AM stations like WCKY extend reach significantly at night due to long-range propagation. Urban FM stations such as 97.1 The Fan offer high-quality audio for local listeners.

How to Stream Ohio State Football Games Online

Fans outside the terrestrial broadcast range can stream live games through several platforms:

Audacy App & Website: Free streaming of 97.1 The Fan live
SiriusXM Satellite Radio: Channel 122, available nationwide
Ohio State Athletics Official Site: Links to authorized streams at ohiostatebuckeyes.com
ESPN App: When games are nationally broadcast, radio may be available via ESPN’s platform

About the Broadcast Team

The voice of the Buckeyes is Pete Van Pelt, who serves as play-by-play announcer. He is joined by former Ohio State linebacker Tony Gentry for color commentary. The team provides expert analysis, real-time insights, and deep knowledge of Buckeye tradition and strategy.