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Seahawks Fans in Wenatchee Left Without Familiar Voices for Super Bowl
Local radio station KPQ unable to air Seahawks broadcast due to exclusive network rights
Jan. 27, 2026 at 6:55pm
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As the Seattle Seahawks prepare for their fourth Super Bowl appearance, fans in North Central Washington face disappointment - they won't be able to hear the familiar voices of Steve Raible and Dave Wyman calling the game on local radio station KPQ. This is due to the exclusive broadcast rights held by ESPN and Westwood One, which prevent KPQ from airing the Conference Championship and Super Bowl games unless they agree to carry the entire NFL primetime schedule all season long.
Why it matters
The Seahawks have a passionate fan base across Washington state, and the inability to hear the local radio broadcast is a letdown for many loyal 12s in the Wenatchee area. This highlights the challenges smaller regional stations face in securing rights to premier sporting events, even for a team as popular as the Seahawks.
The details
KPQ has traditionally carried Seahawks games, including their Super Bowl appearances, but the station's broadcast rights are limited to the Wild Card and Divisional Rounds of the playoffs. Once the Seahawks advance to the Conference Championship, the exclusive national broadcast rights held by ESPN and Westwood One prevent KPQ from airing the game, even if they wanted to. For KPQ to secure the rights, they would have to agree to air the entire NFL primetime schedule all season long, which is not feasible for the station.
- The Seahawks will face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026.
- KPQ last broadcast a Seahawks Super Bowl game in 2015, when they were unable to air Steve Raible's call of the team's heartbreaking loss to the Patriots.
The players
Steve Raible
The longtime radio play-by-play voice of the Seattle Seahawks, known for his iconic calls during the team's biggest moments.
Dave Wyman
Raible's broadcast partner and former Seahawks linebacker, providing color commentary for the team's radio broadcasts.
KPQ
A radio station in Wenatchee, Washington that has traditionally carried Seahawks games for fans in North Central Washington, but is unable to do so for the Super Bowl due to exclusive national broadcast rights.
What they’re saying
“To date, that has not been the case, dating back to the Seahawk's first Super Bowl run in 2006. Remember the game when the referees wore yellow and black stripes!”
— Dave Bernstein, Author (kw3.com)
What’s next
KPQ plans to try again next year to secure the rights to air the Seahawks' Conference Championship and Super Bowl games, as the team's loyal fan base in North Central Washington deserves to hear the local broadcast.
The takeaway
This situation highlights the challenges smaller regional stations face in competing for the broadcast rights to premier sporting events, even for a team as popular as the Seattle Seahawks. While technology provides alternatives like streaming apps, the inability to hear the familiar voices of Raible and Wyman is a disappointment for many devoted 12s in the Wenatchee area.
