FWIW, while nothing has been officially announced yet, I noticed that ONN is not showing the "Top Ten Players" episode of Crew Xtra this offseason. Last winter, they showed that episode every week during the offseason, with the exception of the weeks surrounding the CCL matches.
Jardy giving an update, yet saying nothing really new. "Off the field, I've heard that a new TV deal might still be a few weeks away but presumably before the season would start. "
Your sources appear to be correct. I took this straight from the Crew's website. Presenting sponsor identification as “Kicks for Kids Night Presented by…” in the following promotional media elements: A minimum of five (5) live :15 second drop-ins on the Crew’s television broadcasts on FOX Sports Ohio (FSN) leading up to and during Kicks for Kids Night. Goodbye, ONN. You won't be missed.
Hopefully it was removed so they could properly announce it, and NOT because it was planned but failed.
Somewhat on topic - I am moving from PA to Cincinnati soon. Will I be able to get all the Crew games on TV and radio there? I have only been going to one game per year and watching the few I could find on national TV each year but since I will be so close I am hoping to catch every match be it live, on TV or on radio. Super excited!
Assuming the games are on FSOhio, yes. If, by some odd circumstance, the FO goes with ONN again, you'll want to pick up the Direct Kick package, or suffer through ONN's terrible quality. As far as radio goes, I'm not sure how strong 610's signal is. They may stream free through 610 WTVN's site. If not, you'll be there, or in front of a TV anyway. There's a group that regularly comes up from Cincinnati. AFAIK, they may be willing to give a ride.
ONN is only offered on TWC down here in Cincinnati...at least as far as I know. Beside the Direct Kick that was mentioned, you also have the online Matchday Live if you hook your computer up to the TV. I've only experienced a choppy picture with that service though. You don't notice it as much as the game goes on...but that my be related to the refreshments!!!! I'm hoping that the FSN Ohio thing all works out and we can get some games in HD.
I get 610 in Cleveland, and Cincy's closer to Columbus than Cleveland is, so unless there's some issues with 610's signal falling apart quickly to the south/southwest, it shouldn't be an issue.
I believe you can get Buffalo AM stations in Columbus from time to time. *there used to be a comment about how 1460 AM was all sorts of bad, but 97.1 and the internet basically took care of that*
I can vouch that 610 does stream on the website, and also through the I Heart Radio app that is free (at least for android) for smartphones. So you can have it on your phone even. I can't quite get 610 where I have been at, not sure why, but this way you can access the radio station basically anywhere.
You can get the Iheart radio app for the IPad too. Tunein Radio app has stations other than Clearchanne, like the RSL feed and others.
If I remember correctly, WTVN 610 is required to redirect it's signal toward the north and slightly power down at local sunset to avoid interference with other stations to the south on the same frequency.
Offical now, on thecrew.com: http://www.thecrew.com/news/2012/02/crew-and-fox-sports-ohio-announce-television-agreement
The initial reader comment sums it up for most of us, I assume: "I'm going to miss watching the Crew on ONN. Good reminder of what T.V. was like back in the 60's." Ha!