A beloved FM radio information station that boasted over 1 million listeners will probably be present process a drastic rebrand beginning in Could.
The Audacy-owned KNX, which broadcasts at 97.1 FM, will probably be rebranded because the sports-centric The Fan, beginning on Could 11, in response to a press launch.
The brand new station would be the, “first-ever FM all-sports audio model in Los Angeles historical past,” protecting the area’s skilled and faculty sports activities groups, “together with the market’s solely all-live, native weekday sports activities lineup.”
“Los Angeles is the epicenter of the sports activities world, and 97.1 The Fan is its new voice,” stated Jeff Federman, Regional President, Audacy West.
“With legendary franchises and international occasions just like the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer season Olympics on the horizon, the time was proper to carry our industry-leading sports activities programming to this market,” he added.
“The Voice of LA Sports activities will probably be a 24/7, multiplatform dwelling the place followers are a part of the dialog every single day, constructing on the identical dedication to native connection that has made KNX Information a trusted cornerstone in Los Angeles and strengthening our total providing,” Federman stated.
KNX launched as a simulcast of Audacy’s AM all-news station 1070, in December 2021, with the AM model nonetheless persevering with because the FM counterpart goes by way of an overhaul.
KNX’s Alex Silverman additionally took to the station’s Instagram on Tuesday to elucidate the format change to listeners in a video.
“It’s no secret that enterprise has been robust in conventional media for various years. Advert {dollars} are unfold very skinny, firms are doing every part they will to attempt to seize extra of them,” he started.
“Audacy has sports activities stations in lots of markets. They haven’t had one right here in Los Angeles they usually see that as a chance to develop that platform to L.A.”
The KNX FM simulcast noticed its viewers develop by greater than 25% for the reason that launch, with the FM model nonetheless obtainable on 97.1 HD2, which might sometimes be present in autos with digital radios.
Chris Oliviero, chief enterprise officer for Audacy, stated the corporate remains to be devoted to KNX, which has a good portion of listeners by way of the station’s app and different streaming platforms.
“We’re going to be offering twice as a lot authentic native L.A. content material than we had been beforehand,” Oliviero stated. “We’re taking these two broadcast frequencies, and getting extra out of them.”
Oliviero added that main sporting occasions coming to Los Angeles, such because the World Cup this summer time and the Summer season Olympics in 2028, will possible assist drive listeners to the station.
The launch is not going to be with out some challenges, although, since The Fan is not going to have any rights to broadcast dwell play-by-play protection for Los Angeles groups.
KLAC at the moment holds the audio rights for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Chargers and UCLA soccer.
Oliviero added that The Fan will probably be seeking to purchase radio rights to groups as they develop into obtainable, they usually wish to problem some distinguished morning radio hosts as nicely.
They’ll carry on native hosts for morning broadcasts to counter KLAC’s syndicated hosts Dan Patrick and Colin Cowherd, and KLAC’s Petros and Mooney within the afternoons, although the hosts have but to be introduced.
The Fan additionally solidifies Audacy’s place as a frontrunner in sports activities radio, including a key piece to their portfolio as nicely.
Los Angeles was the one top-10 radio market the place Audacy didn’t have a sports-talk radio station, which is able to change on Could 11 when The Fan launches.
“This launch additional strengthens Audacy because the unmatched chief in sports activities audio, reaching extra sports activities listeners than our eight closest rivals mixed,” Oliviero stated.
“Including Los Angeles—probably the most passionate and influential sports activities markets within the nation—completes our presence throughout the highest 10 markets and meaningfully expands our attain and scale. It permits us to ship even larger affect for listeners and companions by way of premium content material, unmatched distribution, and deeper fan engagement,” he concluded.
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