QR Calgary 770 AM is rolling out a new look on September 14, and Flames fans are the ones who stand to notice it most.
The Corus Entertainment station will become the new radio home for Calgary Flames coverage under a previously announced five-year broadcast partnership. On game nights, veteran broadcaster Derek Wills will handle play-by-play, while Calgary sports mainstay Pat Steinberg will anchor the pre- and post-game shows. Steinberg is also set to front a new program, Flames Now, which will deliver the latest NHL news and Flames-related coverage.
The station’s shift comes with a broader programming reset, as QR Calgary says it will unveil a refreshed weekday lineup that blends familiar voices with new shows and expanded sports coverage.
Tammy Cole, VP Audio at Corus, called the move a major step for the station and its listeners. “Bringing the Calgary Flames to QR Calgary is an exciting new chapter for our station, and for sports fans across the city.
With such an exceptional broadcast team in place, we’re proud to deliver unparalleled access and bring listeners closer to the action than ever before,” said Tammy Cole, VP Audio, Corus. “With Derek and Pat leading our Flames broadcasts, we’re building a lineup that brings together trusted voices, compelling local programming and deeper access to the teams and personalities that matter most to our listeners.
QR Calgary will be a destination for fans from game day through the rest of the week.”
Robert Hayes, president and CEO of Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, said the deal keeps the team’s radio presence rooted in a familiar tradition. “This partnership is about keeping Flames hockey connected to the C of Red and building on the longstanding tradition of Flames radio; a tradition shaped by memorable voices and moments that have brought generations of fans closer to the team,” said Robert Hayes, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation President and CEO. “We’re thrilled to have Derek Wills and Pat Steinberg continue behind the mic as part of this next chapter, bringing the passion, insight and energy Flames fans have come to know and appreciate over the years.”
In Other News...
Flames Fans Will Love This Brutal Take On Edmontons Blue Line
The Oilers blue line got an unexpected little taxidermy treatment on a recent podcast, where Peng zeroed in on Edmontons habit of collecting former San Jose Sharks defensemen and used it as a shorthand for his larger doubts about the roster. With Jake Walman, Ty Emberson and Shakir Mukhamadullin all now part of the conversation around the back end after the Darnell Nurse trade, the veteran hockey voice framed the group as a reason to question how sturdy the Oilers really are when the games get tight.
There is a caveat worth keeping in mind, because past Sharks struggles do not automatically tell you what Edmontons current defense will look like. Still, the reaction captures the broader skepticism hanging over the Oilers right now, and it is the kind of take Flames fans are always happy to hear when the Battle of Alberta debate turns to who actually looks built for a long playoff run. [Read more 🡒]
Former Flame Weighs In On A Debate Calgary Fans Know Too Well
The debate over whether some NHL players would rather land in a U.S. market than a Canadian one has been around for years, and it tends to flare up any time a player asks out of a team north of the border. Around the league, there have been examples of players wanting trades or steering toward American destinations, which only adds fuel to a conversation Calgary fans know well.
MacKenzie Weegar added his own perspective to that discussion, and it carried a different tone than the usual skepticism. The Canadian-born defenseman made it clear his time in Calgary and in Canada was a positive one, a reminder that the pull of Canadian hockey can still matter to players who appreciate the passion around the game. [Read more 🡒]
Flames Radio Picture Is Clearing Up But One Spot Still Looms
The Flames radio future is starting to take shape after the closure of Sportsnet 960, with QR 770 stepping in on a five-year agreement to become Calgarys new broadcast home. Derek Wills will stay on as the play-by-play voice, giving the station a familiar lead-in as it builds out its hockey coverage around the team.
Pat Steinberg and Jock Wilson are also set to host a daily Flames show, giving listeners a fresh weekday hub for team coverage and conversation. One piece still hasnt been filled in, though, and it is the one that will matter most once game night arrives: the club has not yet announced who will handle colour commentary on Flames broadcasts. [Read more 🡒]
