Pitt has signed a new radio deal. No longer will the games be on WRRK-FM — Steel City Media. The deal is with Clear Channel Communications for both football and basketball. The games will be carried in Pittsburgh on WPGB-FM (104.7) and WBGG-AM (970). WPGB is now a news talk format, and WBGG is sports talk. The deal looks decent for Pitt, since it calls for expanded coverage. The broadcast crews for the games will remain the same. There will be longer and more detailed pregame and postgame shows. And finally, radio shows for football coach Walt Harris and basketball coach Jamie Dixon. Something the article notes, without irony, ” that exists with many other major-college programs but hasn’t been heard here in almost a decade.” The article doesn’t say what the impact will be with affiliate stations. Whether there will be more or changes in other radio stations carrying Pitt. I have to assume that there will be some additions considering the level of station ownership by Clear Channel. Nothing, not even a press release on the Panther Website at this time.

UPDATE: Now there is a press release with some additional details, including

· A 90-minute football pregame show and 60-minute postgame coverage.

· Half-hour pregame and postgame shows for basketball.

· The return of “Panther Hotline,” an hour-long call-in show following football and basketball postgame coverage that will air on Fox Sports Radio 970 WBGG-AM.

· In-season shows featuring football coach Walt Harris and basketball coach Jamie Dixon on Fox Sports Radio 970 WBGG-AM.

Additionally, the popular “Panthers Prowl,” hosted by Mike Prisuta and Joe Bendel, will continue to air weekly with an assortment of Pitt-oriented guests during football and basketball seasons.

Looks like it has potential.