You know that feeling. It’s a crisp October afternoon in Ann Arbor. You’re stuck in traffic on I-94, or maybe you're out by the grill in the driveway, and you need to hear the roar of the Big House. For decades, the university of michigan football radio network has been the literal heartbeat for fans who can’t be in the stands. It’s more than just a broadcast; it’s a shared experience that spans the entire Great Lakes State and beyond.
Honestly, the way we consume sports is changing so fast it’ll give you whiplash. But radio? Radio stays. There’s something about the crackle of a play-by-play call that a 4K TV stream just can’t replicate.
The Big Switch: A New Home for the Wolverines
If you’ve been tuning your dial to 760 AM for the last forty-some years, you probably noticed a massive shift recently. For a long time, WJR was the undisputed home of the Maize and Blue. It was a legacy. But as of the 2025 season, things look a lot different.
The university of michigan football radio network officially moved its flagship operations in Detroit to 94.7 WCSX-FM. This was a huge deal in the local media world. Basically, Michigan Sports Properties (powered by Learfield) inked a multi-year deal with Beasley Media Group. Moving to a high-powered FM signal in the Detroit market was a move designed to reach a younger, more mobile audience while keeping that crystal-clear sound.
You’ve still got the heavy hitters on the air, though. Doug Karsch and Jon Jansen are the voices you’re hearing on Saturdays. Karsch handles the play-by-play with that familiar energy, while Jansen—a former Michigan captain himself—brings the kind of "in the trenches" analysis that you only get from someone who’s actually lived it. They took over the mantle after legends like Jim Brandstatter and Dan Dierdorf retired in 2021, and honestly, they’ve filled those massive shoes incredibly well.
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Where to Tune In: The Affiliate Map
The network isn't just one station. It’s a web. We’re talking about roughly 35 to 40 affiliates depending on the year, stretching from the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula down to Toledo.
If you’re hunting for the game, here is how the landscape usually shakes out across the state. Note that stations can flip formats, but these are the anchors:
- Ann Arbor: WTKA 1050 AM remains the local North Star for fans in the shadows of the stadium.
- Grand Rapids: WOOD 1300 AM / 106.9 FM is usually where you’ll find the broadcast in West Michigan.
- Lansing: WQTX 92.1 FM keeps the Spartan territory informed on what’s happening in A2.
- Northern Michigan: WKAD 93.7 FM in Cadillac and WTCM 580 AM in Traverse City are the go-to spots for the Up North crowd.
It’s kinda wild when you think about the reach. You could be hiking in the Porcupine Mountains or driving through the thumb, and as long as you have a battery-powered transistor or a car radio, you’re connected to the game.
Digital Is Great, But Signal Is King
We have to talk about the apps. Look, everyone has a smartphone now. The Varsity Network App is the official digital home for the university of michigan football radio network. It’s free, it’s easy, and it works. You can also find the stream on TuneIn or through the official Michigan Athletics site, MGoBlue.com.
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But here’s the thing most people get wrong. They assume the digital stream is always better. Have you ever tried to stream a game at a crowded tailgate? The cell towers are absolutely slammed. Your "live" stream ends up being three minutes behind the actual action. You hear your neighbors cheering for a touchdown while your phone is still showing a third-down conversion.
That’s why the traditional radio signal still matters. It’s instantaneous. No buffering. No "reconnecting" spinning wheel of death. Just the raw sound of the game.
A Legacy of Voices
You can't talk about the network without mentioning Bob Ufer. He was the "Voice of Michigan" for 37 years. If you’ve ever heard a recording of a man screaming about "Meechigan" with a horn honking in the background, that was Ufer. He didn't just call the game; he was a partisan cheerleader in the best possible way.
He set the tone for what Michigan fans expect: passion.
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The current booth of Karsch and Jansen keeps that spirit alive but with a modern twist. They aren't just reading stats. They’re telling the story of the season. They’re explaining why a blitz package failed or why a wide receiver's route was perfect. It’s an education as much as it is entertainment.
How to Get the Most Out of the Broadcast
If you want to do it right, don’t just tune in at kickoff. The pre-game show usually starts 90 minutes to two hours before the ball is in the air. This is where you get the deep intel—injury reports that weren't public on Friday, the vibe of the locker room, and the tactical matchups that will actually decide the game.
- Check your local affiliate early. Don't wait until 12:02 PM on Saturday to realize your usual station changed its format to 80s pop.
- Sync the radio with the TV. If you’re at home, try to mute the national TV announcers (who sometimes... let’s be honest, don't know the roster that well) and play the Michigan radio feed. It takes a little finessing with the "pause" button on your DVR to get the audio and video to line up, but it’s worth it.
- Use the Varsity App for the post-game. The press conferences and the "Inside Michigan Football" segments that air after the game are gold for the die-hard fans.
The university of michigan football radio network isn't going anywhere. Even in an era of TikTok highlights and VR, there is something fundamental about the human voice describing a 40-yard touchdown run. It’s the soundtrack of autumn in Michigan. Whether you’re listening on a flagship FM station in Detroit or a small AM station in the Upper Peninsula, you’re part of a tradition that’s been running since the 1920s.
Next time you head out for a Saturday drive, skip the playlist. Find that local affiliate, turn it up, and let the voices of Ann Arbor take you home.
To ensure you never miss a snap, your best move is to download the Varsity Network App now and bookmark the official MGoBlue broadcast schedule. This gives you a backup plan for those moments when you're outside of a local station's range or traveling out of state. If you are a SiriusXM subscriber, keep the Wolverines' dedicated channel (usually 195 or 196) saved in your favorites for national coverage that works even in the middle of the wilderness.