You’re stuck on I-75. It’s a Sunday in October. The sun is dipping low, and the Lions are down by four in the fourth quarter with the ball on their own twenty-yard line. Your data is spotty, so the streaming app is spinning its wheels. You reach for the dial. That tactile click of the radio knob feels right. Finding Detroit Lions radio affiliates isn’t just about catching the score; it’s about that specific, crackly energy you only get from a live broadcast.
Radio is still king for NFL fans in the Midwest.
Honestly, the Lions have one of the most robust radio networks in the country, spanning across Michigan and leaking into parts of Ohio and Indiana. It’s anchored by the legendary WJR 760 AM in Detroit. If you’ve lived in Michigan for more than five minutes, you know that 50,000-watt blowtorch. It carries the voice of Dan Miller and Lomas Brown into living rooms and car cabins from the Upper Peninsula down to the Toledo border.
Why WJR Changed the Game for Detroit Lions Radio Affiliates
For years, the Lions bounced around the dial. They spent a long stint at WXYT-FM (97.1 The Ticket). While "The Ticket" is a sports talk powerhouse, the move to WJR 760 AM back in 2021 was a homecoming of sorts to the "Great Voice of the Great Lakes."
WJR is a clear-channel station. That’s a technical way of saying they have a massive signal that isn't obstructed by other stations on the same frequency at night. You can literally be in northern Ontario or halfway down to Florida on a clear night and hear the Lions broadcast. It gives the team a geographic footprint that few other NFL franchises can claim. When people look for Detroit Lions radio affiliates, they often start and end with 760 AM, but the network is actually a complex web of nearly 40 different stations.
The shift to WJR also changed the tone of the broadcast. It feels more "state-of-the-state." It’s less about the hot takes you get on midday sports talk and more about the prestige of Sunday afternoon football. Dan Miller’s "Touchdown Detroit Lions!" call has become the soundtrack of the Dan Campbell era. It’s visceral. Miller brings a level of intensity that perfectly mirrors the grit of the current roster.
Finding Detroit Lions Radio Affiliates Across Michigan
If you aren't in the immediate Metro Detroit area, you rely on the affiliate network. It’s a patchwork quilt of FM and AM stations.
In West Michigan, the Lions are practically a religion. Fans in Grand Rapids usually tune into WBFX 101.3 FM. It’s a rock station most of the week, but on Sundays, it transforms into the hub for the Pride. If you're further north, maybe heading up to a cabin in Traverse City, you’re looking for WCCW 1310 AM or their FM signal at 107.5.
The Upper Peninsula is a different beast entirely.
Because of the vast distances and the dense forests, signal strength is everything. Stations like WUPZ 94.9 FM in Marquette are lifelines. Think about it. You’re out in the woods, maybe out of cell range, but you’ve got a battery-powered radio. You can still hear every snap. That’s the utility of the Detroit Lions radio affiliates network. It’s about accessibility where digital fails.
Here is the thing about these local stations: they often carry their own local flavor. You might get local commercials for a tractor dealership in Bad Axe or a pasty shop in Iron Mountain during the breaks. It makes the game feel like a community event rather than a corporate product.
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The Voices: Dan Miller and Lomas Brown
You can't talk about the radio network without talking about the guys in the booth. Dan Miller is the play-by-play lead. He’s been at it for decades. His voice is synonymous with the team. Beside him is Lomas Brown, the legendary offensive tackle who spent most of his career protecting Lions quarterbacks.
Lomas brings the "player’s perspective." He’s not just calling the play; he’s telling you why the left guard missed the stunt or how the crowd noise is affecting the snap count.
Together, they create a broadcast that is tailored for the radio listener. TV announcers can afford to be quiet because you can see what’s happening. Radio announcers have to be your eyes. They have to describe the formation, the weather, the look on the coach’s face, and the trajectory of the ball.
Technical Hurdles and Blackout Myths
A common frustration for fans is trying to find the game on "radio" via the internet.
Here is the reality: most Detroit Lions radio affiliates are restricted from streaming the game through their own websites or apps due to NFL licensing agreements. If you try to listen to WJR’s web stream during a game, you’ll likely hear a syndicated talk show or music instead of the kickoff.
The NFL wants you to use their official apps (like NFL+) or the Detroit Lions official mobile app. The "radio" signal is strictly for over-the-air waves. It’s a bit of a throwback, but it’s how the league protects its broadcasting rights.
Also, the "blackout" rule. People still worry that if Ford Field isn't sold out, the radio broadcast won't happen. That’s old news. The NFL suspended the blackout policy years ago. Even if the stadium was empty (which doesn't happen these days, thanks to the recent success), the radio affiliates would still be pumping out the game.
The List of Key Affiliates (The Heavy Hitters)
While the list can shift slightly year to year based on station ownership changes, the core of the network is solid.
In the Lansing area, you’re usually looking at WJIM 1240 AM or WMMQ 94.9 FM. Lansing is a tough market because it’s a mix of Lions fans and people who migrated from other regions, but the Lions presence is dominant.
Down in the Tri-Cities (Saginaw, Bay City, Midland), WKQZ 93.3 FM is the go-to. They’ve been part of the network for a long time.
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Out in the thumb? WLEW 102.1 FM in Bad Axe covers that corner of the state.
What’s interesting is how many of these stations are FM. Back in the day, sports were almost exclusively AM. But as FM signals became more prevalent for talk and sports, the audio quality improved. Hearing the crunch of a tackle in high-fidelity FM is a different experience than the muffled tones of AM.
How to Get the Best Reception
Radio is fickle. It’s affected by the sun, the clouds, and even the steel beams in your garage.
If you’re struggling to pick up your local Detroit Lions radio affiliates, try these old-school tricks. First, if you’re using an AM station like WJR, remember that AM signals are directional. Rotating your radio 90 degrees can sometimes clear up the static.
For FM stations, the height of the antenna is everything. If you’re inside, move the radio near a window.
If you’re in a "dead zone" between two affiliates, you might get "bleeding" where two stations overlap. In that case, you have to be precise with the tuning. Digital tuners make this easy, but if you have an old analog dial, it’s a fine art.
The Future of Lions Radio
Will radio survive the digital onslaught?
Honestly, yeah. It will.
There is a segment of the population—hunters, truckers, people working in garages—who don't want to mess with a touch screen. They want the simplicity of the airwaves. The Detroit Lions know this. That’s why they continue to invest in a massive affiliate network.
We might see more integration with digital platforms, but the core "over-the-air" broadcast isn't going anywhere. It’s too vital for the rural parts of Michigan.
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Why the Radio Broadcast Often Beats the TV Version
Many die-hard fans do what’s called "the sync." They turn down the volume on the TV and turn up the radio.
Why? Because local announcers are biased. And that’s a good thing!
National TV announcers have to be neutral. They have to talk about both teams equally. But on the Detroit Lions radio affiliates, Dan Miller and Lomas Brown are rooting for Detroit. When the Lions score, they celebrate. When there’s a bad call, they get frustrated. It feels like watching the game with friends who care as much as you do.
The only problem is the delay. Digital TV (cable or satellite) usually has a delay of 10 to 30 seconds. Radio is nearly instantaneous. If you try to sync them, the radio will be way ahead of the picture. You’ll hear the touchdown before you see the snap. Some high-end home theater systems have a "delay" feature to fix this, or you can use certain apps to pause the radio stream to match the TV.
Your Sunday Radio Strategy
If you're planning on catching the game via the airwaves, don't wait until kickoff to find your station.
Identify your primary and secondary stations. If you're traveling, know where the handoff happens. For instance, if you're driving from Detroit to Grand Rapids, you’ll start with 760 AM. As you pass through Lansing, you might lose WJR and need to switch to 94.9 FM. By the time you hit Grand Rapids, 101.3 FM will be your clearest bet.
Check the battery. If you're using a portable radio at a tailgate or in the backyard, have spares. Cold weather—common in Michigan—drains batteries faster than you’d think.
Know the pre-game schedule. Most affiliates start their coverage two hours before kickoff. This is where you get the nitty-gritty details on injuries and inactive players. It’s also where you get the best pulse of the fan base through call-in segments.
Use the official Lions app as a backup. If you're in a total dead zone for radio but have a bar of LTE or 5G, the Lions official app usually allows for local-market streaming of the radio call. It’s the "modern" way to access the traditional broadcast.
The Detroit Lions radio network is more than just a list of frequencies. It’s a piece of Michigan culture. It’s the sound of Sunday dinner, the background noise of a deer camp, and the companion for a long drive home. Whether you're on a clear-channel giant like WJR or a small FM station in the middle of the woods, you're part of a massive, invisible stadium of listeners.
Actionable Next Steps for Lions Fans
- Program your presets now. Don't fumble with the dial while you're driving. Save WJR 760 AM and your closest local affiliate to your car’s radio presets today.
- Verify your local station. Radio ownership changes. A station that carried the Lions last year might have flipped formats this year. Visit the official Detroit Lions website and look for the "Radio Network" page to see the most current list of call signs.
- Test your equipment. If you’re planning on listening during a power outage or while camping, pull out that old transistor radio and make sure the antenna isn't snapped and the speakers aren't blown.
- Download the Lions App. If you're within the Michigan broadcast market, this is your safety net. Ensure your location services are turned on so the app can verify you are in-market to receive the stream.
- Sync your social media. Follow Dan Miller on social platforms. He often posts snippets of his "calls of the game" shortly after the clock hits zero, which are great for re-living the highlights if you missed the live broadcast.