What to KnowAudacy announced Tuesday that KNX FM will switch from a news simulcast to an all-sports format branded 97.1 The Fan.KNX News AM 1070 will continue its all-news format, which has been a mainstay of Los Angeles radio for decades. Audacy told NBCLA there will be no layoffs in connection with the format change.97.1 The Fan will debut May 11.
KNX FM will switch from a news simulcast to an all-sports format with coverage of Southern California’s college and pro sports landscape, station owners Audacy announced Tuesday.
The re-formatted brand, 97.1 The Fan, spells an end to the KNX AM-FM simulcast and will debut May 11. KNX News AM 1070 will continue its all-news format, a mainstay of Los Angeles radio for decades.
“Los Angeles is the epicenter of the sports world, and 97.1 The Fan is its new voice,” said Jeff Federman, regional president of Audacy West. “With legendary franchises and global events like the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics on the horizon, the time was right to bring our industry-leading sports programming to this market. The Voice of LA Sports will 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.”
Audacy told NBCLA there will be no layoffs in connection with the format change.
The Los Angeles station will become Audacy’s 22nd FM sports station. LA was Audacy’s only top-10 market without an all-sports format.
In addition to UCLA, USC and many other college sports programs, LA is home to 12 major league professional teams.
“This launch further strengthens Audacy as the unrivaled leader in sports audio, reaching more sports listeners than our eight closest competitors combined,” said Chris Oliviero, chief business officer for Audacy. “Adding Los Angeles—one of the most passionate and influential sports markets in the country—completes our presence across the top 10 markets and meaningfully expands our reach and scale. It allows us to deliver even greater impact for listeners and partners through premium content, unmatched distribution, and deeper fan engagement.”
One of the oldest radio stations in the United States, KNX received its first broadcast license in the early 1920s and has been an all-news broadcaster since the late 1960s. KNX 1070’s sister station was added in 1948 with the call sign KNX-FM.
KNX became an all-news station in 1968.
In 2017, CNS Radio merged with Entercom, which changed its name to Audacy. KNX currently shares studios and offices with several other radio broadcasters at a office in Los Angeles’ Miracle Mile.