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L.A. Radio Format Change Attracting Attention Continent Wide
It's not often a format flip in L.A. sparks notice in other cities across North America. But that's what happened Tuesday when Audacy's KNX-FM - which has been simulcasting its AM all news feed since 2021 - announced it would be ending the 1070 simulcast beginning in May. It will be flipping to all sports, under the name The Fan 97.1.
The move comes even though the simulcast has helped increase ratings for KNX by more than 25% and the station has no rights to any of the big teams in the area, the second largest market in the U.S.
Audacy explains it's the only city where it owns stations that doesn't have an FM sports format - and there are already two others on AM. It will be the first FM sports format ever in L.A.
What's weird about the change is the attention it's garnered since the announcement came out Tuesday. Articles appeared in major national publications. The New York Post did a big story on the flip. And it's even gotten the attention of the international press. which often does not cover radio at all.
Not since WCBS-AM New York changed to all sports in 2024 has a format change received this much attention.
The new station starts May 11th.
From the L.A. Times:
Audacy’s KNX will replace news on 97.1 FM with a sports talk format
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Re: L.A. Radio Format Change Attracting Attention Continent Wide
Looking at all the others... KNX appears to be the only one not performing ratings wise since the move to FM. KCBS in San Francisco is on FM and is way ahead. Wins since moving to FM has watched it become a huge ratings and financial winner. Wbbm in Chicago also is performing. This says to me either the market isn't accepting the programming, wrong talent or they have made some bad decisions with KNX that the audience is not accepting. Overnights coming from KCBS wasn't a great move as LA is a major market that should be able to support local overnights in this format. This is also a market where there isn't an FM sports option... I think they felt it was easier to jump on that than fix KNX to appeal to their 25-54 goal. I doubt this is any sign to a future for the others.. based on ratings, this is a local only decision to try and correct the sinking ship of 2 signals. Sadly KNX will need some work to fix even on 1070 am/hd