The Los Angeles radio landscape is preparing for its most significant shakeup in years. Starting May 11 at 6:00 AM PT, KNX News 97.1 FM will officially end its FM simulcast to make way for a dedicated sports talk format: 97.1 The Fan Los Angeles. This move by Audacy marks a strategic pivot to capture the massive sports advertising market in Southern California, particularly as the region prepares to host the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.
What happened to KNX News on 97.1 FM?
KNX News 97.1 FM is leaving the 97.1 FM frequency on May 11 to make way for a new sports talk station, 97.1 The Fan. Listeners can continue to hear KNX News on the heritage AM 1070 signal, the 97.1 HD2 subchannel, the Audacy app, and via smart speakers.
The Big Switch: Why Audacy is Launching 97.1 The Fan Los Angeles
The decision to pull the KNX News 97.1 FM simulcast is a calculated business move by Audacy to solidify its dominance in the sports audio space. Los Angeles was previously the only top-10 U.S. market where Audacy did not operate a "Fan" branded sports station. By launching 97.1 The Fan Los Angeles, the company completes its national footprint, offering a high-value platform for national advertisers who seek scale across major metropolitan areas.
Chris Oliviero, Audacy’s Chief Business Officer, has emphasized that this isn't a retreat from news, but an expansion of local content. The company intends to provide twice as much original local L.A. content by utilizing both frequencies for distinct purposes. While KNX 1070 AM remains the bedrock for breaking news and traffic, 97.1 FM will pivot to "The Voice of LA Sports," focusing on live, local talk during the weekdays to compete directly with iHeartMedia and its sports flagship, KLAC AM 570.
How to Listen to KNX News: AM 1070, HD2, and Streaming
For loyal listeners of the all-news format, the KNX News simulcast ending on the primary FM dial does not mean the station is disappearing. There are several ways to maintain your daily routine with the KNX newsroom:
- AM 1070: The heritage signal remains the primary home for KNX News. As a Class A 50,000-watt station, AM 1070 has a massive reach that covers most of Southern California and can even be heard in neighboring states at night.
- 97.1 HD2 Subchannel: If you have a modern vehicle with an HD Radio receiver, you can still hear KNX on the FM band. Simply tune to 97.1 and wait for the digital signal to lock, then toggle to the HD2 subchannel.
- The Audacy App: This remains the primary digital destination for high-fidelity streaming, offering the KNX News streaming URL for mobile and desktop users.
- Smart Speakers: Listeners can continue to use voice commands like "Play KNX News" on Amazon Alexa or Google Home devices.
Technical FAQ: Finding the HD2 Signal
Many listeners are unfamiliar with the HD2 subchannel. Unlike traditional analog radio, digital HD Radio allows a broadcaster to "multiplex" their signal. Think of it like digital television subchannels (e.g., 4.1, 4.2). To find KNX News, ensure your radio displays the "HD" logo. Once 97.1 is tuned, use your seek or tune buttons to move to channel 2. Note that HD Radio coverage typically has a slightly smaller radius than the primary analog FM signal, so listeners in the far reaches of the High Desert or deep canyons may find the AM 1070 signal more reliable.
97.1 The Fan: A New Challenger in LA Sports Talk FM
The launch of 97.1 The Fan Los Angeles places it in direct competition with KLAC AM 570 (the Dodgers flagship) and KSPN ESPN LA 710. While The Fan will initially launch without major live play-by-play rights, the station is positioning itself as the only all-live, local weekday sports lineup on the FM dial.
Andrew Williams, the newly appointed Brand Manager, is tasked with building a lineup that can challenge established local titans. Market speculation suggests Audacy will target local personalities to counter syndicated morning shows like Dan Patrick or Colin Cowherd. By focusing on "hyper-local" Southern California sports, The Fan aims to capture a larger share of the 25-54 male demographic, which is highly coveted by media buyers.
"Adding Los Angeles completes our presence across the top 10 markets and meaningfully expands our reach and scale," says Chris Oliviero. "It allows us to deliver even greater impact for listeners and partners through premium content."
The Battle for Sports Rights
While 97.1 The Fan starts without the Lakers or Dodgers, the industry is watching closely for upcoming contract expirations. The Los Angeles Rams, UCLA Bruins, and Los Angeles Clippers are all entities that could see their radio rights become the subject of a bidding war as Audacy seeks to bolster its new FM sports brand. The 97.1 FM signal coverage map offers a distinct advantage over AM competitors, providing a clear, static-free signal across the Los Angeles basin that is essential for modern sports broadcasting.
The History of 97.1 FM in Los Angeles: From KLSX to The Fan
The 97.1 frequency has a storied and volatile history in Southern California. For decades, it was the home of KLSX "Hot Talk," famously serving as the Los Angeles home for Howard Stern. In 2009, the station pivoted to a Top 40 format as 97.1 AMP Radio (KAMP-FM), which famously flipped to the KNX News simulcast in December 2021 during the middle of a Post Malone song.
The move to an Audacy sports radio format marks the fourth major identity for the frequency in twenty years. This reflects a broader trend in the radio ratings landscape: while all-news radio is prestigious and high-revenue, it is also incredibly expensive to produce. Sports talk offers a similar high-revenue potential but often with lower overhead costs for daily programming compared to a 24/7 newsroom.
Business Impact: Audacy Bankruptcy and the All-News Landscape
Industry analysts have questioned how the Audacy bankruptcy and subsequent restructuring have influenced this move. While the company has emerged from Chapter 11, there is a clear mandate to maximize the revenue of every broadcast asset. In markets like New York, the all-news WCBS 880 was recently shuttered entirely, while 1010 WINS was moved to the FM dial.
In Los Angeles, the strategy is different. By keeping KNX 1070 AM as the news flagship and turning 97.1 into a sports powerhouse, Audacy is betting that it can own two distinct, high-performing niches rather than one overlapping one. There are currently no reports of significant layoffs within the KNX newsroom; instead, the staff will focus their efforts on the AM signal and digital growth.
AM 1070 vs. 97.1 FM: Signal Strength Comparison
| Feature | KNX 1070 AM | 97.1 FM (The Fan) |
|---|---|---|
| Power/Wattage | 50,000 Watts (Class A) | 21,000 Watts (Effective) |
| Daytime Reach | All of Southern California | LA Basin, OC, parts of IE |
| Nighttime Reach | Up to 1,000 miles (Skywave) | Line-of-sight (approx. 100 miles) |
| Audio Quality | Standard Mono (Susceptible to interference) | High-Fidelity Stereo/Digital HD |
Key Takeaways for Listeners
- KNX News 97.1 FM ends its simulcast on May 11, 2026.
- 97.1 The Fan launches as LA's first dedicated FM sports talk station at 6:00 AM PT that same day.
- News listeners can find KNX on AM 1070, 97.1 HD2, or the Audacy app.
- The move is designed to capitalize on the upcoming 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
- Andrew Williams will lead the new sports station as Brand Manager, with a local host lineup to be announced soon.
The Future of Radio in Los Angeles
As the FM dial becomes increasingly crowded with music and sports, the "All-News" format is returning to its roots on the AM band—but with a digital twist. The success of 97.1 The Fan will depend on its ability to lure listeners away from iHeartMedia and ESPN, while the success of KNX News will depend on its ability to migrate its FM audience to digital platforms and the heritage 1070 frequency. For Angelenos, the switch represents more than just a change in programming; it is a sign that the "Sports Capital of the World" is finally getting a dedicated FM voice to match its ambition.
