Change in Omaha Sports Radio

[Greg S]

Did we lose ESPN 590? At times recently it was static. Another time I heard turned over and a song in Spanish was being played. Just tried to stream it and it said the Rich Eisen show was on but came up unavailable.

If they did go by the wayside, Omaha lost 2 of their 3 full time Sports stations in a matter of a couple months (1180 the Zone 2 is now Yacht Rock).

Greg

I haven't listened to 590 in quit a while, but yes it would be bad to go from 3 stations to 1 station. I'm assuming that will hurt UNO, Creighton, Chasers, Lancers, Etc.

I believe this is spot on and sad. Going from 3 to 1 sports stations will definitely hurt the local sports teams. It's too bad that we lost the strong signal of 590 as well.

[WBR_Tom]

It's wild how quickly the radio landscape has changed. 590's signal was strong enough to pick it up across several states. Back when they had the Creighton contract, I remember picking up games as far away as St. Louis to the east, Sioux Falls to the north, and almost to the Arkansas border to the south.

But with satellite radio, podcasts, and streaming that's not the flex it used to be even 10 years ago. Heck, I test drove an EV last summer that didn't even have AM radio in it -- the electrical interference from the motor makes it hard to pick up signals. As someone who also grew up listening to Twins games on 570 out of Yankton, SD, I remember well how it would turn to static if you drove on a road with power lines close by, so that makes sense. Still, kinda sad to see AM slowly dying off.

I'll be curious to see if someone snaps up that frequency when the license expires (maybe Usher will try to buy it from the FCC and expand 1620's footprint?), or if it just goes away.

[Brad]

It's wild how quickly the radio landscape has changed. 590's signal was strong enough to pick it up across several states. Back when they had the Creighton contract, I remember picking up games as far away as St. Louis.

It changed quick. The top two ranked sports radio shows in America don't even have a single Nebraska affiliate anymore. Dan Patrick and Colin Cowherd have at least one station in every single state west of the Application Mountains except Nebraska. Jim Rome was huge here at one time and also has zero Nebraska affiliates.

Also sucks going from 3 stations to 1, I'm assuming Gary Sharp has zero chance of getting back on the air now unless someone purchased 590.

But with satellite radio, podcasts, and streaming that's not the flex it used to be even 10 years ago. Heck, I test drove an EV last summer that didn't even have AM radio in it.

I thought they were working on a law that requires AM radio in cars?

I'll be curious to see if someone snaps up that frequency when the license expires (maybe Usher will try to buy it from the FCC and expand 1620's footprint?), or if it just goes away.

I heard a rumor Walnut Media (Boomer Radio group of stations) was trying to buy it?

[Linkin5]

Would be nice if Boomer picked up 590, they carry Husker athletics and their current signals are absolute garbage.

[Mr.Nuke]

I thought they were working on a law that requires AM radio in cars?

They are, but it hasn't passed. Most EVs including my Tesla don't have AM radio due to interference issues.

[nebugeater]

Maybe if Boomer gets their hands on 590 that can use their "boomer" leverage to go back to WOW. Unfortunately If i remember correctly that is not possible and when they moved away from the WOW call sign I seem to remember talk that they were grandfathered as all three letter call signs were and once gone it was gone.

[Omaha Cowboy]

New post that is 2 Min old when I redid my facebook search by a page called RadioInsight.com

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AS648JC6D/







https://radioinsight.com/headlines/3409 ... signs-off/

SummitMedia has signed-off Sports “AM 590 ESPN” KXSP Omaha NE.

The Nebraska Association of Broadcasters reports that the station went silent on Friday, February 20 as the station’s tower land was sold. KXSP had been running the national ESPN Radio lineup after its morning show “Hurrdat Sports Radio” hosted by Damon Benning and Ravi Lulla and afternoon show “Hail Varsity Radio” moved to digital only distribution last year. KXSP also lost the play-by-play rights to the University of Nebraska last July.

The stations was historically best known as WOW from 1926 to 1999. After a run as Adult Standards “Magic 590” KOMJ, the station flipped to Sports in 2005 first as “Big Sports 590” until 2011.

Following the flip of 1180 KZOT to Yacht Rock, the demise of KXSP leaves Usher Media’s “1620 The Zone” KOZN as the only Sports station in Omaha.

Wow. Only 1620 The Zone left…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Greg S]

With the new stations for the Husker network, many in Omaha stream due to the weak signals. Unfortunately they've been getting in front of this on the network and letting people know that the NCAA has rules forbidding the streaming of the radio broadcasts during the NCAA tournament.

[Brad]

With the new stations for the Husker network, many in Omaha stream due to the weak signals. Unfortunately they've been getting in front of this on the network and letting people know that the NCAA has rules forbidding the streaming of the radio broadcasts during the NCAA tournament.

I use the Varsity App, which google AI says will have the NCAA Games. Its been great to listen to UNO Hockey when I am out in the middle of nowhere.

The Varsity Network app provides free live audio streams of NCAA games, including March Madness, the College World Series, and hundreds of college football and basketball games.

[Greg S]

With the new stations for the Husker network, many in Omaha stream due to the weak signals. Unfortunately they've been getting in front of this on the network and letting people know that the NCAA has rules forbidding the streaming of the radio broadcasts during the NCAA tournament.

I use the Varsity App, which google AI says will have the NCAA Games. Its been great to listen to UNO Hockey when I am out in the middle of nowhere.

The Varsity Network app provides free live audio streams of NCAA games, including March Madness, the College World Series, and hundreds of college football and basketball games.

I will definitely check this out, thanks!

[Brad]

They just teased that 1620 will be on a second station soon?

[nebugeater]

They just teased that 1620 will be on a second station soon?

The new ownership mentioned that they were going to broadcast all or part of 1620
In central ne. I might have quoted some of that in an earlier post

[Ankeny Husker Freak]

They just teased that 1620 will be on a second station soon?

Grand Island

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/3431 ... -nebraska/

[nebugeater]

Here is the anoucment from 1620 this morning

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B8xWwW1YR/

[Brad]

With the new stations for the Husker network, many in Omaha stream due to the weak signals. Unfortunately they've been getting in front of this on the network and letting people know that the NCAA has rules forbidding the streaming of the radio broadcasts during the NCAA tournament.

I use the Varsity App, which google AI says will have the NCAA Games. Its been great to listen to UNO Hockey when I am out in the middle of nowhere.

The Varsity Network app provides free live audio streams of NCAA games, including March Madness, the College World Series, and hundreds of college football and basketball games.

I will definitely check this out, thanks!

They are actually advertising the varsity app on the pregame show as the way to listen to all the games.

[Greg S]

With the new stations for the Husker network, many in Omaha stream due to the weak signals. Unfortunately they've been getting in front of this on the network and letting people know that the NCAA has rules forbidding the streaming of the radio broadcasts during the NCAA tournament.

I use the Varsity App, which google AI says will have the NCAA Games. Its been great to listen to UNO Hockey when I am out in the middle of nowhere.

The Varsity Network app provides free live audio streams of NCAA games, including March Madness, the College World Series, and hundreds of college football and basketball games.

I will definitely check this out, thanks!

They are actually advertising the varsity app on the pregame show as the way to listen to all the games.

Husker pregame show?

[Brad]

Not, the Westwood one national snow that was previewing all the games from 10am to 11am.

[Greg S]

Not, the Westwood one national snow that was previewing all the games from 10am to 11am.

Yeah it looks like it's just the national broadcasts. Bummer I know a lot wanted to here Kent.

[Brad]

Not, the Westwood one national snow that was previewing all the games from 10am to 11am.

Yeah it looks like it's just the national broadcasts. Bummer I know a lot wanted to here Kent.

His broadcast was on 97.7 in Grand Island / Kearney today. That’s the station 1620 is taking over but they didn’t have 1620 on there today.

[Ankeny Husker Freak]

590 is one step closer to coming back on the air, the outfit that owns Boomer Radio is buying 590.

https://northpine.com/2026/04/18/local- ... m-station/

[nebugeater]

590 is one step closer to coming back on the air, the outfit that owns Boomer Radio is buying 590.

https://northpine.com/2026/04/18/local- ... m-station/

The win for that will most likely be that the Husker radio network will be back on a signal that can actually be heard more than a few miles from the transmitter.

[remline]

590 is one step closer to coming back on the air, the outfit that owns Boomer Radio is buying 590.

“Walnut is prepared to restore service on KXSP shortly after the transaction is consummated and to use its knowledge of the market to bolster AM service.”

Is it pretty much guaranteed that the new owners will run 590 as a sports station? Or might it be some other type of content?

[Greg S]

590 is one step closer to coming back on the air, the outfit that owns Boomer Radio is buying 590.

“Walnut is prepared to restore service on KXSP shortly after the transaction is consummated and to use its knowledge of the market to bolster AM service.”

Is it pretty much guaranteed that the new owners will run 590 as a sports station? Or might it be some other type of content?

I don't know about a sports station but I think we at least get the Huskers on there. They are the local rights holders.

[nativeomahan]

I think I had owned my car at least 5 years before I realized it came with a radio that could receive AM signals.

[nebugeater]

I think I had owned my car at least 5 years before I realized it came with a radio that could receive AM signals.

Thats fine but not the case for many

[Brad]

I think I had owned my car at least 5 years before I realized it came with a radio that could receive AM signals.

Thats fine but not the case for many

When I purchased my car, they had AM buried on the last page of the touch screen control, but I was able to move it up to the main page.

[Linkin5]

590 is one step closer to coming back on the air, the outfit that owns Boomer Radio is buying 590.

“Walnut is prepared to restore service on KXSP shortly after the transaction is consummated and to use its knowledge of the market to bolster AM service.”

Is it pretty much guaranteed that the new owners will run 590 as a sports station? Or might it be some other type of content?

I don't know about a sports station but I think we at least get the Huskers on there. They are the local rights holders.

This would be awesome. I am so tired of the Boomer signal going in and out when I listen in my car.

Also at some point we need to talk about how insane it is that Huskers awarded their radio contract to a network with weak signals called Boomer.

[nebugeater]

590 is one step closer to coming back on the air, the outfit that owns Boomer Radio is buying 590.

“Walnut is prepared to restore service on KXSP shortly after the transaction is consummated and to use its knowledge of the market to bolster AM service.”

Is it pretty much guaranteed that the new owners will run 590 as a sports station? Or might it be some other type of content?

I don't know about a sports station but I think we at least get the Huskers on there. They are the local rights holders.

This would be awesome. I am so tired of the Boomer signal going in and out when I listen in my car.

Also at some point we need to talk about how insane it is that Huskers awarded their radio contract to a network with weak signals called Boomer.

Not sure if anyone else wanted it in the Omaha market. 590 was the incumbent, and they chose not to renew. I understand that KFAB had no interest.

[Brad]

I don't think the interest in listening to the huskers on the radio is what it once was. At least in the eastern half of the state.

I'm sure the giant corporate companies like iHeart (KFAB) look at the dollars and cents and see that they can probably make more money running a pre-recorded national show instead of paying all the money to be part of the huskers radio network.

[nebugeater]

I don't think the interest in listening to the huskers on the radio is what it once was. At least in the eastern half of the state.

I'm sure the giant corporate companies like iHeart (KFAB) look at the dollars and cents and see that they can probably make more money running a pre-recorded national show instead of paying all the money to be part of the huskers radio network.

BINGO

[Greg S]

I don't think the interest in listening to the huskers on the radio is what it once was. At least in the eastern half of the state.

I'm sure the giant corporate companies like iHeart (KFAB) look at the dollars and cents and see that they can probably make more money running a pre-recorded national show instead of paying all the money to be part of the huskers radio network.

BINGO

Yeah I imagine the biggest factor is the Huskers App. I know many that listen directly through that vs trying to tune in on radio.

[Linkin5]

I don't think the interest in listening to the huskers on the radio is what it once was. At least in the eastern half of the state.

I'm sure the giant corporate companies like iHeart (KFAB) look at the dollars and cents and see that they can probably make more money running a pre-recorded national show instead of paying all the money to be part of the huskers radio network.

BINGO

Yeah I imagine the biggest factor is the Huskers App. I know many that listen directly through that vs trying to tune in on radio.

For whatever reason the Huskers app doesn’t show up on my Apple CarPlay.

[HskrFanMike]

Walnut Radio has filed an appeal with the FCC to resurrect the WOW-AM callsign on 590. The FCC doesn't grant three-letter callsigns anymore, but they are hoping for an exception to resurrect the station. (Since they only spent $40k on the station, I think they have a strong case that the frequency needs a resurrection.)

https://northpine.com/2026/05/09/waiver ... -callsign/

Also, Gary Sharp has a new gig with the World-Herald to lead digital content with podcasts and video.

[nebugeater]

I am glad to see Gary Sharp find something and say local, but to me, joining the OWH is more like taking a temp job.

[Linkin5]

I am glad to see Gary Sharp find something and say local, but to me, joining the OWH is more like taking a temp job.

Yeah this is a sinking ship. Hopefully he can get a permanent radio gig that opens up in the next couple years.

[Greg S]

With Boomer officially buying 590 I still think Husker sports will be on it starting this fall.

[nebugeater]

With Boomer officially buying 590 I still think Husker sports will be on it starting this fall.

I sure hope so

[Brad]

Looks like a done deal.

https://growomaha.com/news-briefs/

Walnut Media Acquires AM 590 & Restores W-O-W Call Letters
Jul 1, 2026

Walnut Media has acquired the AM 590 radio signal and is bringing back the historic WOW call letters. Beginning July 6, AM 590 WOW will relaunch as a sports station with ESPN programming, local sports talk and Husker athletics. AM 590 had been known as KXSP and is currently silent. Walnut had to petition to the Federal Communications Commission to revive the WOW call letters, which were originally assigned to the frequency in 1926.

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/3615 ... on-july-6/

Walnut purchased the 590 license in April for $40,000 and requested the return of the stations historic WOW call letters utilized by the signal from from December 1926 until November 1999. The station will carry ESPN Radio network programming in most dayparts with Nick Handley and Grant Hansen hosting a local afternoon show from 2-6pm and the University of Nebraska’s “Sports Nightly” from 6-8pm. Other programming will include Westwood One’s Conservative Talker “America at Night with McGraw Milhaven” from 8-11pm. Milhaven worked in the Omaha market earlier in his career.

WOW will also be the central home for Walnut Media’s coverage of University of Nebraska sports play-by-play with football game-day coverage, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, baseball and Sports Nightly airing on the station.

WOW-590.jpeg

[Greg S]

Wow that's fantastic. I'm so done with Unsportsmanlike Conduct on 1620. Will definitely switch and listen to Nick Handley on 590 in the afternoon.

FYI-McGraw Milhaven is also a NU grad. Pitched for the baseball team. Lived on my dorm floor on Abel 3 back in the day.

[Brad]

They must’ve been really confident they were getting the call sign back because not only do they have the digital logo made that I posted a couple posts before this but that same logo is already printed on a yard sign right off 120th and Webster Street by the Quiktrip… I believe the 120th and Webster yard that the yard sign is placed in is at their headquarters.