You’re stuck in Sunday afternoon traffic on the Long Island Expressway. Or maybe you're out in the backyard, grill firing up, but you can't be tethered to a television. We've all been there. You need the New York Jets radio broadcast, and you need it now. There’s something about the crackle of a radio play-by-play that just hits different than a sanitized TV broadcast. It feels more intimate, more desperate, and—let’s be honest—more like being a Jets fan.
Listening to the game on the radio isn't just a backup plan. It's a choice. When the Jets are marching down the field, or more likely, testing your blood pressure in the fourth quarter, you want a voice that understands the specific brand of suffering and hope that comes with Gang Green. Finding that voice in the modern media landscape is actually trickier than it used to be. You can’t just spin a dial and hope for the best anymore. Between terrestrial radio, digital streams, and satellite blackouts, you need a roadmap.
The Home of the Jets: 98.7 ESPN New York and Beyond
For a long time, the New York Jets radio broadcast has lived at 98.7 FM. That’s the flagship. If you are within the tri-state area, that’s your North Star. But radio is changing fast. ESPN New York recently made waves by moving away from the 98.7 FM signal (which they were leasing) to focus on their AM 1050 signal and digital distribution. It's a bit of a mess for the casual listener. Basically, if you’re in your car in North Jersey or Queens, you’re looking for 1050 AM if the FM signal isn't pulling through like it used to.
Don't panic. The team has a massive affiliate network. It stretches from Syracuse down to the Jersey Shore. If you’re hanging out in the Hamptons, you’re looking for 104.7 FM (WELJ). Up in Albany? Check 104.5 FM (WTMM). The key is knowing that the "flagship" is more of a digital hub now.
The broadcast team is where the real magic happens. Bob Wischusen has been the "Voice of the Jets" since 2002. That’s over two decades of seeing every high and (mostly) every low. He’s a pro’s pro. He treats a three-yard run in a blowout with the same vocal precision as a game-winning touchdown. Then you’ve got Marty Lyons. Marty is a member of the legendary New York Sack Exchange. He’s not just a color commentator; he’s a piece of the team’s soul. When he gets frustrated with a missed tackle, you feel it because he’s literally lived that contact on the turf. He doesn't hold back. If the defensive line is getting bullied, Marty will call it out before the play-by-play guy even finishes the sentence.
Digital Streams and the "Out-of-Market" Headache
Here’s where it gets annoying. If you try to go to the ESPN New York website on your phone while you’re in, say, California, you probably won't hear the game. NFL broadcasting rights are tighter than a cornerback in press-man coverage. Local radio stations usually have to "geo-block" their digital streams during game time.
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If you’re outside the New York market, you basically have three legitimate options.
- SiriusXM: This is the most reliable way. They have dedicated channels for every NFL team. The Jets broadcast will be there, usually on the "Home" or "Away" feed depending on the schedule. It’s clear, it doesn't cut out when you go under a bridge, and you get the actual New York announcers, not some national crew who can't pronounce "Secaucus."
- NFL+: The league’s own subscription service. It’s a bit of a pill to pay for another subscription, but it gives you the live audio of every single game. No blackouts for audio.
- The Jets Official App: Sometimes—and I stress sometimes—the team app allows for a local stream if your GPS proves you are in the broadcast area. It’s hit or miss.
Honesty time: some people try to find those "underground" streams or Twitch mirrors. Don't bother. They get nuked by the NFL's legal team by the second quarter, and you'll spend the whole game refreshing a page instead of listening to the action. It's not worth the headache when the official audio options are actually pretty solid.
Why Radio Still Wins Over TV
TV is great for the replays, sure. But the New York Jets radio broadcast offers a level of detail that TV often ignores. On the radio, the announcer has to tell you the formation. They have to tell you the wind direction. They have to tell you the body language of the head coach.
Wischusen is incredible at spatial awareness. He’ll tell you Aaron Rodgers is "scanning left, looking for Wilson, now tucking it, rolling right, fire..." and you can see it in your head. TV directors often zoom in too tight on the quarterback’s face, and you miss the deep safety crashing down. On the radio, the safety’s movement is part of the story.
The Pre-Game and Post-Game Rituals
A broadcast isn't just the 60 minutes on the clock. It’s the two hours of screaming and analysis before kickoff and the three hours of venting afterward. The "Fifth Quarter" show is where the real New York comes out.
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The post-game show is basically group therapy for Jets fans. You’ll hear callers from Staten Island who sound like they haven't slept since 1969. They’ll demand the offensive coordinator be fired into the sun after a win. It’s beautiful. It’s chaotic. It’s the radio equivalent of a New York diner at 2:00 AM.
The pre-game usually starts about two hours before kickoff. They go deep into the inactive list. If a key offensive lineman is out with a calf strain, the radio crew spends 20 minutes explaining exactly how that changes the blocking schemes. You don’t get that on the national TV pre-game show, which is mostly just retired players laughing at each other’s jokes.
Dealing with the Delay
If you are trying to watch the game on TV with the sound muted so you can listen to the radio, be prepared for the "sync gap." Digital TV signals (especially streaming services like YouTube TV or Hulu) are often 30 to 60 seconds behind the actual live radio. It’s infuriating. You hear the radio announcer scream "Touchdown!" while the TV still shows the team breaking the huddle.
If you have a high-end receiver, you might be able to pause the radio stream to let the TV catch up. Otherwise, you just have to pick a lane. Personally? If the TV announcers are particularly grating, I’ll take the radio delay any day.
Technical Tips for the Best Audio Experience
Let's talk hardware for a second. If you’re using a traditional radio, get it near a window. Simple, but it works. AM signals (1050 AM) are prone to interference from electronics, so if your radio is buzzing, move it away from your laptop or microwave.
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For the digital listeners, use a dedicated Bluetooth speaker. Phone speakers are tinny and blow out the crowd noise, which is a huge part of the atmosphere. The roar of the crowd at MetLife Stadium after a sack is a massive part of the New York Jets radio broadcast experience. You want to hear that low-end rumble.
Specific Station Frequencies to Bookmark
- New York City/Tri-State: 1050 AM (WEPN)
- Long Island: 98.7 FM (when available) / 1050 AM
- Hampton Bays: 104.7 FM (WELJ)
- Albany: 104.5 FM (WTMM)
- Rochester: 1280 AM (WHTK)
- Syracuse: 1260 AM / 96.5 FM (WTLA)
The Evolution of the Broadcast
The Jets have been through a lot of radio homes. From the old WABC days to the long run on WEPN. What hasn't changed is the loyalty of the listeners. Radio listenership for the NFL actually holds steady even as TV ratings fluctuate. There’s a mobility to it. You can take the Jets with you on a hike, to the hardware store, or while you're working in the garage.
It’s a connection to the city. When you hear the "J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets" chant through a radio speaker, it sounds grittier. It sounds like New York. The broadcast doesn't try to be "slick" like a Hollywood production. It’s blue-collar. It’s loud. It’s exactly what the team represents to its fanbase.
Bob Wischusen often talks about how he views himself as a surrogate for the fan. He isn't there to be a cheerleader, but he isn't there to be a hater either. He’s there to document the reality. In a world of "hot takes" and manufactured drama, that honesty is why people keep tuning in to the radio.
Actionable Steps for Next Game Day
Don't wait until five minutes before kickoff to figure out your audio situation. The NFL changes streaming rules more often than some teams change jerseys.
- Check your location: If you're in the NY/NJ/CT area, download the ESPN New York App. It’s the most direct way to get the local feed without hunting for a signal.
- Sync your devices: If you’re doing the "Radio Audio/TV Video" combo, start the radio stream early and practice pausing it to match the TV's game clock.
- Battery check: If you're using a portable radio or Bluetooth speaker, charge it the night before. There is nothing worse than the radio dying during a two-minute drill.
- Explore the archives: Many of the post-game shows are uploaded as podcasts immediately after the broadcast. If you missed the live venting, search for "The Jets Postgame Show" on your favorite podcast app.
Listening to the game on the radio is a tradition that survives because it works. It cuts through the fluff and gives you the game in its purest form. Whether it’s 1050 AM or a satellite stream, the voice of the Jets is the constant in an ever-changing league.