A beloved FMradio news stationthat boasted over 1 million listeners will be undergoing a drastic rebrand starting in May.
The Audacy-owned KNX, which broadcasts at 97.1 FM, will be rebranded as thesports-centricThe Fan, starting on May 11, according to a press release.
The new station will be the, “first-ever FM all-sports audio brand in Los Angeles history,” covering the region’s professional and college sports teams, “including the market’s only all-live, local weekday sports lineup.”
“Los Angeles is the epicenter of the sports world, and 97.1 The Fan is its new voice,” said Jeff Federman, Regional President, Audacy West.
“With legendary franchises and global events like the FIFA World Cup and the2028 Summer Olympicson the horizon, the time was right to bring our industry-leading sports programming to this market,” he added.
“The Voice of LA Sportswill be a 24/7, multiplatform home where fans are part of the conversation every day, building on the same commitment to local connection that has made KNX News a trusted cornerstone in Los Angeles and strengthening our overall offering,” Federman said.
KNX launched as a simulcast of Audacy’s AM all-news station 1070, in December 2021, with the AM brand still continuing as the FM counterpart goes through an overhaul.
KNX’s Alex Silverman also took to the station’sInstagramon Tuesday to explain the format change to listeners in a video.
“It’s no secret that business has been tough in traditional media for a number of years. Ad dollars are spread very thin, companies are doing everything they can to try and capture more of them,” he began.
“Audacy has sports stations in many markets. They haven’t had one here in Los Angeles and they see that as an opportunity to expand that platform to L.A.”
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
