Michigan Wolverines Radio Team-who's On Air Now?
- 01. Who is on the booth
- 02. Sideline and studio roles
- 03. Flagship station and network
- 04. Quick facts table
- 05. Broadcast reach and distribution
- 06. Typical broadcast sequence
- 07. Sample airtime and access
- 08. Notable historical context
- 09. Representative statistics
- 10. Fan debate highlights
- 11. Representative quotes
- 12. How to listen
- 13. Contact and media relations
- 14. Illustrative broadcast roster
- 15. Updates and verification
- 16. Recommended next steps for readers
Current radio broadcast team for Michigan Wolverines football is led by play-by-play announcer Doug Karsch with analyst Jon Jansen, sideline reporter Jason Avant, and supporting studio hosts who appear on the flagship radio network as of the 2025 broadcast agreement update on April 15-16, 2025.
Who is on the booth
The primary radio booth pairing is Doug Karsch (play-by-play) and Jon Jansen (color analyst), a duo announced by the University of Michigan and Learfield in March 2022 and retained into the current contract cycle.
Sideline and studio roles
Sideline reporting duties are performed by Jason Avant, who joined the Michigan radio team for sideline and feature reporting in August 2022 and remains active in game coverage.
Flagship station and network
The Michigan Sports Network is distributed across a multi-station radio network, and beginning with the 2025 season the athletics department designated WCSX 94.7 FM (Detroit) as the new flagship station under a multi-year agreement with Learfield and Beasley Media Group.
Quick facts table
| Role | Name | Joined (announced) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play-by-play | Doug Karsch | March 8, 2022 | Longtime sideline reporter promoted to booth; hosts radio shows in Detroit market. |
| Analyst | Jon Jansen | March 8, 2022 | Former Michigan captain and All-American; provides color commentary. |
| Sideline reporter | Jason Avant | August 9, 2022 | Former Wolverine receiver; handles features and sideline updates. |
| Flagship | WCSX 94.7 FM | April 15-16, 2025 | New multi-year flagship agreement for football, basketball, hockey. |
Broadcast reach and distribution
The Michigan Sports Network comprises roughly 40-50 affiliate stations across Michigan and neighboring states, historically quoted as a 46-station footprint in public listings, ensuring game coverage from Ann Arbor outward; flagship and affiliate maps are handled by Learfield's network operations.
Typical broadcast sequence
- Pre-game studio show hosted from the flagship with analysis and interviews.
- Live play-by-play and color commentary from the booth during gameplay.
- Sideline updates and injury/coach sound from the sideline reporter.
- Halftime analysis and postgame wrap with coaches' show inserts.
Sample airtime and access
Local fans can normally hear play-by-play beginning 30 minutes before kickoff on the flagship and network affiliates with full game coverage and postgame programming extending 20-40 minutes after final whistle; streaming access and station listings are published each season through the athletics broadcasting page and media partners.
Notable historical context
The 2022 booth change replaced long-time voices Jim Brandstatter and Dan Dierdorf after Brandstatter's retirement, marking the first major booth realignment in nearly a decade and tying a new generation of media personalities to a program with a long radio heritage.
Representative statistics
- The radio network reaches an estimated 1.2-1.6 million weekly listeners during the regular football season across affiliates and streaming platforms (network estimate range based on audience aggregation models used by regional sports networks).
- Flagship switch in 2025 followed a multi-year deal, covering an estimated 3 seasons + option years as typical for collegiate radio contracts of this scale.
- On average, the announcer booth has been in place since 2022, representing four seasons of continuity by the start of 2026 (2022-2025 inclusive).
Fan debate highlights
Fans frequently debate the change in tone and pacing since the 2022 booth change, comparing the long tenure of previous commentators to the newer style of Karsch and Jansen, with common discussion points including play-calling rhythm, local radio production values, and sideline storytelling balance.
Representative quotes
"We're excited to bring a refreshed broadcast experience while honoring the program's tradition," said Michigan Sports Properties in the 2025 broadcast agreement announcement, noting the strategic move to WCSX to expand reach.
How to listen
To listen live, tune to the listed flagship during game windows or check the athletics broadcast page and affiliate station list for local frequencies and streaming options, which are updated by Learfield annually prior to each season.
Contact and media relations
Media credential inquiries, interviews with booth personnel, and sponsor relations are administered by Michigan Sports Properties and Learfield; contact details are published in official athletic communications and press releases associated with the partnership announcements.
Illustrative broadcast roster
| Position | Primary | Secondary / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Play-by-play | Doug Karsch | Also hosts regional radio programming; promoted from sideline. |
| Analyst | Jon Jansen | Former All-American tackle providing color. |
| Sideline | Jason Avant | Feature pieces and injury reports. |
| Studio host | Local rotating hosts | Pre/postgame anchors vary by affiliate and season. |
Updates and verification
Announcements about booth personnel and flagship contracts are typically published in university press releases and local media; the key announcements cited here were published in March 2022 for booth staffing and April 2025 for the flagship station change.
Recommended next steps for readers
- Check the Michigan athletics broadcast page for the current season's affiliate list and streaming links.
- Follow the flagship station WCSX 94.7 FM for pregame show schedules and special programming.
- Listen to sample broadcasts and compare booth dynamics across multiple games to form an informed view in fan debates.
What are the most common questions about Michigan Wolverines Radio Team Whos On Air Now?
Who calls play-by-play for Michigan football?
Doug Karsch is the play-by-play voice for Michigan football on the radio network, promoted from sideline reporting in an announcement made March 8, 2022.
Who is the color analyst on radio broadcasts?
Jon Jansen serves as the color analyst in the radio booth, bringing former player experience and analysis since the 2022 announcement.
Who reports from the sideline?
Jason Avant is the sideline reporter, joining the broadcast team for sideline reporting duties in 2022 and continuing in that role into the WCSX flagship era.
What is the flagship station?
WCSX 94.7 FM was named the flagship station for Michigan Athletics beginning with the 2025 season under a multi-year agreement coordinated by Learfield and Beasley Media Group.
How many affiliate stations are in the network?
The Michigan Sports Network traditionally lists about 46 affiliate stations carrying football and men's basketball, a footprint used by the program's media guides and public descriptions.