FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State University athletic department has reached agreements with three separate media groups for coverage through the 2018-19 athletic seasons.  Football television remains with KVLY-TV and all NBC affiliates in North Dakota, men's and women's basketball television were awarded to Midco Sports Network®, and all radio coverage will shift to Radio FM Media.
 
"This was an incredibly competitive process.  We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with NBC North Dakota and building new partnerships with Midco Sports Network and Radio FM Media," said NDSU athletic director Matt Larsen.  "Our collective goals will be to deliver superior content to our fan base while also building upon the strong Bison brand throughout North Dakota and the surrounding states."
 
The agreement with Fargo-based Radio FM Media involves exciting new elements for radio coverage.  Bison football and men's basketball will air on 107.9 The Fox as well as new Radio FM Media-owned affiliates KDLB 94.5 FM in Detroit Lakes, Minn., and KBMW 1450 AM in Wahpeton, N.D., while women's basketball will air on KQWB 1660 AM.  The rest of the Bison Radio Network affiliate list remains the same.
 
Radio FM Media will re-brand 1660 AM "The Bison" which will have exclusive NDSU Athletics content including but not limited to the re-air of games and Bison-based talk shows, and will be a platform to air other Bison sports.  Radio FM Media in conjunction with NDSU Athletics will begin a national search for the lead play-by-play position on the Bison Radio Network.
 
"Our team is excited to be part of Bison Athletics and we look forward to working with all the coaches, staff and teams at North Dakota State University.   Radio FM Media knows what a proud tradition that North Dakota State University has and we are thrilled to be part of that tradition," said Jim Ingstad, owner of Radio FM Media.
 
The football television agreement with KVLY-TV and all other NBC affiliates in North Dakota is for three years and $1.2 million.  All KVLY-produced games will be provided to ESPN3 for national coverage.  The Bison Football Show will continue to air live statewide in North Dakota on Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
 
"Since 2007, KVLY has been the television partner of NDSU football in the Red River Valley, and we are so happy to continue to be partners with the Bison for the next three seasons," said Jim Wareham, vice president and general manager of KVLY and KXJB TV.
 
"Western North Dakota has certainly embraced Bison Nation," said Barry Schumaier, vice president and general manager of KFYR, KMOT, KUMV and KQCD TV.  "KFYR-TV and our sister stations in Minot, Williston and Dickinson couldn't be more proud to continue bringing NDSU football to our viewers!"
 
Midco Sports Network® will televise all NDSU men's and women's basketball non-conference home games in HD and as many Summit League home games as allowed outside of the league's existing broadcast agreement with MidcoSN®.  All televised home games will be provided to ESPN3 for national coverage.  In addition, a new Bison Basketball Show will begin during the upcoming season.
 
"As the regional leader in sports broadcasting, MidcoSN is proud to add Bison basketball to our lineup," said Mark Powell, vice president of business development for Midco Sports Network.  "We pride ourselves on showcasing the talents of schools within our footprint – and adding NDSU really sets MidcoSN as the place to watch Division I basketball.  We look forward to expanding our partnership with NDSU and helping elevate its basketball programs within our viewing area."
 
The new agreements will begin with television and radio coverage of the annual Green and Gold Spring Game on Saturday, April 23, at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.
 
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
North Dakota State University is a student-focused, land-grant, research university located in Fargo, N.D., with an enrollment of more than 14,500.  NDSU is a member of The Summit League and Missouri Valley Football Conference with an affiliate membership in the Big 12 Conference for wrestling.  NDSU has a storied history of athletic success including 25 team national championships since 1965 in football, women's basketball, wrestling, softball, men's cross country and women's indoor track and field.  In only eight years since completing a reclassification to NCAA Division I, the Bison have won five football national championships, made three NCAA men's basketball tournaments, six softball regionals and one super regional, three NCAA women's volleyball postseason appearances, NCAA regionals in women's soccer, women's golf and baseball, and produced several All-Americans in track and field, cross country and wrestling.
 
RADIO FM MEDIA
Locally owned Radio FM Media offers the top rated radio stations, HD technology, an unmatched digital platform and a championship team of creative marketers and broadcasters that are committed to excellence and passionate about Bison Athletics.
 
MIDCO SPORTS NETWORK
Midco Sports Network provides live coverage of local sporting events and produces award-winning original sports programming.  Since 2010, MidcoSN has delivered the sights and sounds of high school, collegiate, outdoors, motorsports and more to homes and businesses across the Upper Midwest.  Visit MidcoSN.com to catch up on the action and check out blogs from the MidcoSN team.
 
NBC NORTH DAKOTA
KVLY, KFYR, KMOT, KQCD and KUMV are owned by Gray Television Inc., of Atlanta, Ga.  Gray Television owns and/or operates television stations in 50 television markets in the United States.