Ohio State Football Radio Cincinnati: How to Catch the Buckeyes in Bearcat Country

You're driving through Blue Ash or maybe sitting in traffic on I-71, and the kickoff is minutes away. You want the Buckeyes. But let's be honest, being an Ohio State fan in Cincinnati is a unique experience. It’s a city that bleeds Bengals orange and Bearcats black, yet the scarlet and gray presence is massive. Finding Ohio State football radio Cincinnati options shouldn't be a chore, but with the way signal strengths fluctuate and stations flip formats, it kinda helps to know exactly where to turn the dial.

It’s about the tradition. Paul Keels' voice is basically the soundtrack to autumn in Ohio. If you aren't hearing his "Touchdown Buckeyes!" call, it just doesn't feel like Saturday.

The Home Base: 1360 WSAI

For years, the primary destination for Ohio State football radio in Cincinnati has been 1360 WSAI. It’s the Fox Sports affiliate in the Queen City. It’s reliable. Most Saturdays, you can flip to 1360 AM and hear the pre-game festivities starting long before the ball actually hits the tee in Columbus.

But AM radio is, well, AM radio.

If you’re under a bridge or near some heavy power lines, the static can get annoying. That’s why a lot of folks in the tri-state area have started migrating toward the FM signals or digital streams. It’s just cleaner. If you can’t get a clear signal on 1360, don't panic. There are workarounds that most people forget about until they’re already halfway through the first quarter and missing the action.

Why the Cincinnati Market is Tricky for OSU

Cincinnati isn't Columbus. Obviously. In Columbus, 97.1 The Fan dominates the airwaves with wall-to-wall Buckeye coverage. In Cincinnati, the radio landscape has to balance the Reds, the Bengals, and UC. Sometimes, there are scheduling conflicts. If a Reds game is dragging into extra innings in September, the Buckeye broadcast might get bumped to a secondary station.

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This is where being a savvy listener comes in.

You've gotta keep an eye on the iHeartRadio app. Since WSAI is an iHeart station, you can usually stream the local Cincinnati broadcast directly on your phone. This is a lifesaver if you're at a tailgate at Nippert Stadium but still want to keep tabs on what’s happening up at the Shoe.

The Power of the Ohio State Sports Network

The Ohio State Sports Network is massive. It’s one of the largest collegiate radio networks in the country, managed by Learfield. It spans over 70 stations. While 1360 AM is the "official" Cincinnati home, the signal footprint of other affiliates often bleeds into the metro area.

If you’re on the north side of town, say up near Mason or West Chester, you might actually get a better signal from WHIO 1290 AM or 95.7 FM out of Dayton. Dayton’s signal is famously strong. I’ve known people in Liberty Township who swear by the Dayton feed because it stays crystal clear even when the Cincinnati AM signal starts to fade or crackle.

Then there’s the Columbus powerhouse itself. 97.1 FM WBNS. On a clear day, if you’re driving on the high ground near Lebanon, you can sometimes catch the actual Columbus feed. It’s a bit of a gamble, but for the purists who want the local Columbus commercials and the hometown vibe, it’s worth a shot.

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Digital Alternatives: Beyond the Dial

Honestly, the "radio" part of Ohio State football radio Cincinnati is becoming more of a digital conversation.

1. The Ohio State Buckeyes App: This is the most direct way. It’s free. You download it, hit the audio button, and you’re listening to the Learfield broadcast. No static. No searching for frequencies.
2. SiriusXM: If you have a subscription, the Big Ten gets a lot of love here. Usually, the Buckeyes are on Channel 83 (The Big Ten Radio channel) or one of the dedicated play-by-play channels. The benefit here is the national perspective during the pre-game, though you might miss some of the hyper-local Cincinnati flavor.
3. TuneIn: Another solid choice, though sometimes they gate the live play-by-play behind a premium paywall.

What Most People Get Wrong About the Broadcast

People often think the radio broadcast is just a secondary version of the TV feed. It’s not. Paul Keels and Jim Lachey (the legendary Buckeye offensive lineman) provide a level of tactical nuance you just don't get from the national TV announcers who might only watch Ohio State twice a year.

Lachey is a master at explaining line play. If a zone-blocking scheme fails, he’s going to tell you exactly which guard missed the pull. That’s the "expert" level of detail that makes the radio experience superior for a lot of die-hard fans. They aren't just calling the game; they're analyzing it for an audience that knows the roster inside and out.

Dealing with the "Cincinnati Conflict"

We have to talk about the rivalry. Or rather, the lack of one that feels like one. Cincinnati fans have a chip on their shoulder regarding Ohio State. Because of that, you won't find every sports bar in Cincy blasting the OSU radio feed. If the Bearcats are playing at the same time, you're going to hear the UC broadcast on the speakers.

This is why having a portable radio or a solid data plan for streaming is non-negotiable for a Buckeye fan living in the 513. You have to create your own "radio bubble."

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Signal Strength and Geographic Quirks

The geography of Cincinnati is hilly. Those hills are the enemy of AM radio. If you're down in the basin or tucked away in a valley near the river, the 1360 AM signal can bounce and fade.

• East Side (Anderson/Mt. Carmel): You're usually fine with 1360, but keep an eye on interference from other stations as you get closer to the hills.
• Northern Suburbs: Switch to the Dayton feed (95.7 FM) if the Cincinnati signal gets fuzzy. It's often more reliable the further you get from the city center.
• Kentucky Side (Covington/Newport): The river valley is a dead zone for some frequencies. Streaming is almost always your best bet if you're hanging out on a rooftop in Newport.

The Evolution of the Broadcast

Back in the day, you had to huddle around a transistor radio. Now, we have 5G. But the soul of the broadcast hasn't changed. The Ohio State Sports Network still prioritizes that "sitting on the porch" feel.

They also do a great job with the "Buckeye Roundtable" and other midweek programming. If you're looking for Ohio State football radio Cincinnati during the week, 1360 often carries these syndicated shows in the evenings. It’s a great way to hear Ryan Day’s press conferences or interviews with coordinators that don't make the evening news highlights.

Real Insights for Game Day

If you’re planning to rely on the radio this weekend, do a "signal check" about thirty minutes before kickoff. Don't wait until the opening drive.

Check 1360 AM first. If it's grainy, try to find a Dayton affiliate. If all else fails, open the iHeartRadio app and search for "Ohio State Football." Most people don't realize that the "local" broadcast is actually a global one now. You can be at a park in Hyde Park and hear the same crisp audio as someone sitting in the press box at Ohio Stadium.

Actionable Steps for the Best Listening Experience

1. Download the iHeartRadio and Ohio State Buckeyes apps now. Don't wait for a data bottleneck on game day when everyone else is trying to do the same thing.
2. Program 1360 AM and 95.7 FM into your car's presets. Having both the Cincinnati and Dayton options ready allows you to flip back and forth depending on where you are in the city.
3. Invest in a pair of noise-canceling earbuds if you're in public. Cincinnati crowds can get loud, especially if there's a crossover with a Bengals or Bearcats game.
4. Sync the audio. If you’re watching the game on TV but want to hear Paul Keels, use a DVR to pause the TV for a few seconds. Radio signals usually travel faster than digital TV broadcasts, so you'll need to delay the TV slightly to make the "Touchdown!" match the visual.

The Buckeye community in Cincinnati is vocal and proud. Whether you're a student who moved down for a job or a lifelong resident who never looked back after a trip to Columbus, the radio is your connection to the team. Keep the dial set, the battery charged, and the signal clear.

Go Bucks.