Updated: 5-11-11, 2:10 a.m.
A week after announcing they have brought their radio network in-house, the Bengals said Tuesday they are keeping their broadcasts on Clear Channel Media Cincinnati's high-voltage "triple-cast."
In a news release the club said it has extended the agreement through the 2013 season, keeping intact the power-packed lineup of 700 WLW, 102.7 WEBN and ESPN 1530. The 50,000-watt ESPN 1530 and 102.7 WEBN continue to serve as the flagship stations for the Cincinnati Bengals Radio Network, as well as 50,000-watt 700WLW following the Reds season.
"Clear Channel Media Cincinnati provides a very strong station lineup, and we are proud to have them continue to serve as the home for Bengals football," said Katie Blackburn, Bengals executive vice president, in the news release.
"The new 'in-house' model will provide us a lot of flexibility with our business partners and will allow us to leverage all the marketing assets of Bengals football. We look forward to working in a positive way with Clear Channel Media Cincinnati to provide great radio broadcasts, but we also want to go beyond that to develop additional coverage that will interest our fans."
With the Bengals now coordinating the sales and operations of the broadcasts, the new announcing team of play-by-man Dan Hoard and long-time analyst Dave Lapham means they'll have more of a presence on Bengals.com, social media, and radio and TV platforms the club uses.
"Our cluster of market-leading media brands are thrilled to continue to partner with the Bengals and the NFL," said Charles J. Fredrick, President/Market Manager for Clear Channel Media Cincinnati in the news release.
"This new partnership allows both of us to do what we do best in serving our audience and the business community."
ALL CALL:NFL commissioner Roger Goodell hits the phone lines at 11:30 a.m. and head coach Marvin Lewis follows at noon Wednesday to field questions each for 30 minutes from Bengals season-ticket holders.
No doubt callers plan to grill Goodell on the lockout and Lewis on the status of the club's two biggest question marks in quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.
The Bengals are moving like Palmer is retired after drafting TCU quarterback Andy Dalton in the second round while not indicating they'll trade him. The Ocho's status is a bit cloudier. Lewis has taken several shots at him this offseason and while Ochocinco looks on the way out with the drafting of A.J. Green, he does have one year left on his deal and with Green represented by agent Tom Condon in the No. 4 slot The Ocho may be insurance if Green doesn't get to camp on time.
There was more grist for the mill Tuesday night. Gregg Rosenthal of ProFootballTalk.com reported via The Associated Press that The Ocho has accepted a challenge from the Professional Bull Riders to ride a bull at the Lucas Oil Invitational this weekend in Duluth, Ga.
Also Tuesday night, Bengals running back Cedric Benson told Sirius Radio that bringing back Palmer "wouldn't be healthy."
"To bring him back would be detrimental to the team. If he's there and not happy, he's not going to give us his best," Benson said according to a tweet from the program "Late Hits."
