Official: Sabres Radio Broadcasts To Remain on WGR550

[Brawndo]

From the Pete Guelli and Its Always Gameday Podcast

 

Club possibly could renew its deal with WGR 55 radio to broadcast Sabres games 

Buffalo Sabres President of Business Operations Pete Guelli appeared on the Always Gameday in Buffalo podcastwith WKBW’s Matthew Bove and WGR radio’s Sal Capaccio this week and hinted of the possibility that the club will stay with WGR 550 radio next season, unlike the NFL Bills, who switched to producing their own radio broadcasts and locally to 97 Rock FM for terrestrial radio broadcasts.

"We're having those conversations now, and I have no problem saying this. GR is the incumbent. We've been with them for a long time. I think they really like and value the Sabres brand, and just because we did something with the Bills doesn't mean that's necessarily right for the Sabres. So we're in dialog with them right now, and I don't know where that's going to net out, but it can very easily still stay with GR depending on where these discussions end up" Guelli said. 

 "(The) footprint for an NFL property is a little bit different than it is for an NHL property. So we're having dialog with leadership at GR, and I think there's a good chance it could end up back there again, and I can't commit to anything, but the door's open, and we're having really good dialog."

Edited Thursday at 12:39 PM by Brawndo

[tom webster]

Were you just getting in at 5:30 or just getting up?

[Brawndo]

Flying back from Orlando-had a 6:30 pickup time

59 minutes ago, tom webster said:

Were you just getting in at 5:30 or just getting up?

 

[PromoTheRobot]

There isn't another station in Buffalo that can devote 84+ nights to hockey like WGR can. Another huge advantage is WGR's signal reaches Toronto and Southern Ontario, even at night.

 

[Derrico]

Just now, PromoTheRobot said:

There isn't another station in Buffalo that can devote 84+ nights to hockey like WGR can. Another huge advantage is WGR's signal reaches Toronto and Southern Ontario, even at night.

 

Was going to chime in that I hope they go with WGR broadcasts as the signal is relatively clear in most parts of southern Ontario.  Heck, listening to Sabres games on WGR is how I fell in love with the team and I still flip it on driving around the other side of Lake Ontario.   

[Taro T]

10 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

There isn't another station in Buffalo that can devote 84+ nights to hockey like WGR can. Another huge advantage is WGR's signal reaches Toronto and Southern Ontario, even at night.

 

 

Great.  You can pick up GR after the sun goes down clearly in TO.  You can't in Alden.

Stupidest footprint ever.

[PromoTheRobot]

36 minutes ago, Taro T said:

 

Great.  You can pick up GR after the sun goes down clearly in TO.  You can't in Alden.

Stupidest footprint ever.

Alden population vs Southern Ontario population? 🤔

Alden can get WGR-FM 107.7.

Edited August 30 by PromoTheRobot

[Taro T]

19 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Alden population vs Southern Ontario population? 🤔

Alden can get WGR-FM 107.7.

That simulcast only started in the past couple of years.

The ####ing station is supposed to serve Buffalo and WESTERN NEW YORK.  It doesn't even serve all of Erie County most nights. 

You're in (or were in) radio.  When did the ratings books start including foreign countries listeners habits in their rankings?  Pretty sure they don't, but they do/should include listeners in the same friggin' county the station broadcasts out of.

[PromoTheRobot]

10 minutes ago, Taro T said:

That simulcast only started in the past couple of years.

The ####ing station is supposed to serve Buffalo and WESTERN NEW YORK.  It doesn't even serve all of Erie County most nights. 

You're in (or were in) radio.  When did the ratings books start including foreign countries listeners habits in their rankings?  Pretty sure they don't, but they do/should include listeners in the same friggin' county the station broadcasts out of.

The ratings don't include foreign listeners but c'mon. You're reaching 6MM+ more listeners. Even without official ratings, advertisers know it. And with AM stations you can't just choose where to cover. You have to protect other stations that were there before you. There are other 550 stations in Cincinnati, Vermont and Rhode Island.

[Rico7]

KB 1520 used to be heard up and down the country and Canada. Not sure if the broadcast reach is still the same. If so, could be a alternative to WGR, although I believe they have the same ownership 

[thewookie1]

From my inside source, the Sabres will likely also go inhouse with production akin to the Bills but may sign a new agreement with WGR 550 for the license; it would give them the ability to also to shop around for the Rochester, Syracuse and even Erie PA markets if they so choose.

[PromoTheRobot]

3 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

From my inside source, the Sabres will likely also go inhouse with production akin to the Bills but may sign a new agreement with WGR 550 for the license; it would give them the ability to also to shop around for the Rochester, Syracuse and even Erie PA markets if they so choose.

They ought to allow a separate radio feed that focuses on describing the action, not telling long stories.

[PASabreFan]

1 hour ago, thewookie1 said:

From my inside source, the Sabres will likely also go inhouse with production akin to the Bills but may sign a new agreement with WGR 550 for the license; it would give them the ability to also to shop around for the Rochester, Syracuse and even Erie PA markets if they so choose.

The broadcast is already produced by the Sabres. I don't understand.

[thewookie1]

1 hour ago, PASabreFan said:

The broadcast is already produced by the Sabres. I don't understand.

Akin to the Bills, they want the whole kit and caboodle 

[Pimlach]

On 8/30/2026 at 5:40 PM, PASabreFan said:

The broadcast is already produced by the Sabres. I don't understand.

Do you pick up WGR down there in Erie PA?  or is it re-transmitted on another frequency?  

[shrader]

On 8/30/2026 at 5:26 PM, PromoTheRobot said:

They ought to allow a separate radio feed that focuses on describing the action, not telling long stories.

But I want more alumni interviews completely ignore all action up until the first commercial break. Why not bring in a second player for the next segment?

[Doohickie]

1 hour ago, shrader said:

But I want more alumni interviews completely ignore all action up until the first commercial break. Why not bring in a second player for the next segment?

I can't wait for Prostate Cancer Awareness Night!

[PASabreFan]

1 hour ago, Doohickie said:

I can't wait for Prostate Cancer Awareness Night!

I know my brown ribbon is around here somewhere.

[PromoTheRobot]

On 9/1/2026 at 12:11 PM, Doohickie said:

I can't wait for Prostate Cancer Awareness Night!

Whatever you're into, man. I don't judge.

[Brawndo]

 

[That Aud Smell]

On 8/30/2026 at 12:10 PM, PromoTheRobot said:

There isn't another station in Buffalo that can devote 84+ nights to hockey like WGR can. Another huge advantage is WGR's signal reaches Toronto and Southern Ontario, even at night.

 

On 9/1/2026 at 10:12 AM, Pimlach said:

Do you pick up WGR down there in Erie PA?  or is it re-transmitted on another frequency?  

I’ve done a few Sunday afternoon drives from Cleveland to Buffalo in the fall.

When 271 spurs off 90 in Cleveland’s eastern suburbs, we were able to tune in WGR. Something about the lakeshore, I was told.

[SabresFan69420]

I know this is blasphemous to probably 90% of Sabres fans but I’m happy this means Paul Hamilton will be on the beat still. 
 

The dude has his share of ***** takes but he’s largely open and transparent and one of the few who we have access to who is with the team “every day”

[Weave]

1 hour ago, That Aud Smell said:

I’ve done a few Sunday afternoon drives from Cleveland to Buffalo in the fall.

When 271 spurs off 90 in Cleveland’s eastern suburbs, we were able to tune in WGR. Something about the lakeshore, I was told.

Radio is line of site.  Along the lake There are no hills, buildings, etc to interfere with radio transmission.  The only hindrance is curvature of the earth and broadcast power.

[PromoTheRobot]

2 hours ago, Weave said:

Radio is line of site.  Along the lake There are no hills, buildings, etc to interfere with radio transmission.  The only hindrance is curvature of the earth and broadcast power.

That's only true in FM. AM is ground wave. Ground wave is enhanced by moisture in the ground. Hence AM signals become stronger over water.

[PromoTheRobot]

3 hours ago, SabresFan69420 said:

I know this is blasphemous to probably 90% of Sabres fans but I’m happy this means Paul Hamilton will be on the beat still. 
 

The dude has his share of ***** takes but he’s largely open and transparent and one of the few who we have access to who is with the team “every day”

 

I think you're just used to Hambone. He ought to be a lot better considering how long he's been at the job. Imagine having a Matthew Fairburn in that role?