The Fan: Audacy's New All-Sports FM Station in Los Angeles
Audacy's KNX, a Los Angeles news radio station, will no longer simulcast on 97.1 FM, as the frequency will transition to a sports talk format on May 11. The re-branded station, known as The Fan, will be the first all-sports FM station in the Los Angeles market. KLAC, an AM station co-owned by iHeartRadio and the Dodgers, currently serves sports talk listeners in the area. KNX will maintain its all-news format on AM frequency 1070 and will also be available on 97.1 HD2 for listeners with digital radios.
Chris Oliviero, Audacy's chief business officer, stated that the changes aim to offer more local content to Los Angeles listeners. The Fan will feature on-air talent knowledgeable about the region's sports teams, providing twice as much original local content compared to before. The move is part of Audacy's strategy to maximize the use of its broadcast frequencies and cater to the preferences of the audience.
The FM simulcast benefited KNX's news format, increasing its audience share by over 25% since December 2021. Audacy remains committed to the news format, which has a substantial following on the station's app and other streaming platforms. With a strong track record in sports talk radio, Audacy's expansion into the Los Angeles market is expected to attract advertisers and capitalize on upcoming major sporting events in the city.
The Fan will debut without live play-by-play coverage of Los Angeles teams, as KLAC holds the audio rights to several local sports franchises. Audacy plans to pursue audio rights for Los Angeles teams as they become available. The station will feature local hosts during daytime hours, complementing KLAC's syndicated programming. Audacy's diverse radio portfolio in Los Angeles includes classic hits, rhythmic hits, adult hits, and alternative rock stations, all broadcasting from studios on the Miracle Mile.
Audacy acquired KNX in 2017 as part of a merger with the radio division of CBS Corp. The company's expansion into sports talk radio in Los Angeles fills a gap in its top 10 market presence. The move reflects Audacy's commitment to delivering compelling content to listeners and advertisers in the competitive Los Angeles media market.