ESPN Moves Planned For Denver

Sports radio giant ESPN will switch stations from KKFN 104.3 FM and 1600 AM KEPM over to dial positions owned by the fledgling Front Range Sports Network, beginning Jan. 1.

According to Penny Parker at The Denver Post, Lincoln Financial Media, owner of KKFN, known as The Fan, and what's now called ESPN Radio 1600, opted not to renew its contract with the ESPN Network.

"We realized that with our position and ratings strength, we have an opportunity to put our own local morning show on and continue with the growth The Fan has had," said KKFN/KEPN program director Nate Lundy.

The Fan likely will replace the weekday ESPN morning drive show Mike and Mike with local talent, Lundy said. On the AM side, radio station 1600's nearly all-ESPN programming will completely change.

Starting Jan. 1, Mike and Mike, along with ESPN Network's The Herd with Colin Cowherd will air on Front Range Sports stations The Ticket, which moves from 87.7 FM to 102.3 FM March 31.

ESPN Deportes, the Spanish sports station on 102.3 FM, will move to 87.7 FM.

Read more here.

Tom's Take: Denver is top heavy  with sports stations with at least four all slicing up a 2.4 share.