Audacy is flipping its 97.1 FM frequency in Los Angeles to an all-sports format called The Fan, launching May 11 as the market’s first all-sports FM station.
The New York-based company announced Tuesday that it is ending the simulcast of its all-news station KNX on 97.1 FM. KNX will continue its news format exclusively on its longstanding AM signal at 1070 and on 97.1 HD2.
The move gives Audacy a dedicated sports talk presence in the nation’s second-largest radio market, where it previously lacked an FM sports outlet.
 |
| Chris Oliviero |
Chris Oliviero, Audacy’s chief business officer, said the strategy is designed to deliver significantly more local programming to Los Angeles listeners.
“We’re going to be providing twice as much original local L.A. content than we were previously,” Oliviero said. “We are taking these two broadcast frequencies, and getting more out of them.”
The Fan will feature on-air talent deeply familiar with Los Angeles teams and will air local hosts during daytime hours, directly competing with syndicated programming on rival stations.
Audience Growth and Commitment to News
The FM simulcast had boosted KNX’s audience, increasing its share more than 25% since it began in December 2021. Audacy says it remains fully committed to the all-news format, which continues to reach large audiences through its app and streaming platforms.
 |
| 97.1 FM (21 Kw) |
Sports Radio Landscape in Los Angeles
Sports fans currently rely primarily on AM stations: KLAC (iHeartMedia/Dodgers), ESPN LA 710, and KLAA 830 (Angels-owned). The Fan will launch without live play-by-play rights for major local teams, but Audacy plans to pursue available broadcast rights in the future.
Oliviero highlighted the strong upcoming sports calendar, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, as a major opportunity for the new station.
Strategic Background
Sports talk radio has proven highly attractive to advertisers, and Audacy already operates successful sports stations in other major markets. Los Angeles was the only top-10 market where the company did not have a dedicated sports outlet.
Audacy has owned KNX since its 2017 merger with CBS Radio (then operating as Entercom). In addition to KNX and the soon-to-be The Fan on 97.1, the company’s Los Angeles cluster includes KRTH-FM (101.1 classic hits), KTWV-FM (94.7 rhythmic hits), KCBS-FM (93.1 adult hits), and KROQ-FM (106.7 alternative rock). All stations broadcast from studios on the Miracle Mile.