St. Louis Radio: Talk Wars Loom

Starting Monday, NewsTalkSTL will hit the airwaves at K270BW 101.9 FM (fed by KLJY 99.1 HD3), with an on-air roster peppered with familiar local voices and one rising star on the syndicated circuit, reports stltoday.com.

“When people tune in they’ll hear voices that they know and trust talking about the issues that impact their city.” said Jeff Allen, co-owner and programming boss of the new station.

The station, which is locally owned and not part of any chain, seems poised to compete for the conservative audience now being served by KFTK 97.1 FM.

Mike Ferguson

Allen was the longtime program director of KFTK, until he was let go in 2018 after the station was bought by Entercom Communications (now Audacy), which also owns KMOX 1120 AM and several other frequencies.

Longtime STL radio sales executive Joe Rusch is the managing partner of the station, which will operate under the corporate name of Epic STL.

Allen is not the only KFTK alum joining the new station. In fact, much of the on-air talent are alums of STL’s first conservative talk station.  Tohers include: Tim Jones, Vic Porcelli, Tony Columbo, Katie Fitzpatrick, Chris Arps and morning host Mike Ferguson.

On the out-of-town side, the new station will feature nationally syndicated conservative commentator Dan Bongino, show will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bongino’s show has been the most popular pick-up for stations looking to replace the late Rush Limbaugh.

Also, a short 20-minute show from longtime conservative talker Bill O’Reilly will air at 3 p.m. weekdays.

“This is the team that defined conservative talk radio in St. Louis for many years,” Rusch said, “and we are excited about the opportunity to do it again.”

NewsTalkSTL will quickly get conservative talk competition. On July 26, RealTalk 99.3 is scheduled to hit the air. Rick and Tracy Ellis will head-up the effort on KRTK 993. FM Hermann and KVMO 194.3 Vandalia MO. 

The station will feature Gateway Pundit editor Joe Hoft in mornings and also carry Dan Bongino from 11am-2pm. Westwood One’s Ben Shapiro will air from 7-9pm followed by simulcasts of One America News in late nights.