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Another Q&A: The future of 97.1 FM

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Much has been written about today's rebranding of 97.1 FM, transitioning from simulcasting all-news KNX to becoming all-sports “The Fan.” Lance Venta at Radio Insight provided an excellent summary explaining why Audacy is making the change, another comprehensive story is offered by John Mamola at Barrett Media .  Nonetheless, I’ve had a few questions that prompted me to do some digging. So it’s once again time for another round of Questions and Answers, this time about 97.1 FM. Wasn’t all-news KNX getting better ratings since adding an FM simulcast? This is one of those “yes, but…” answers. We refer you to the aforementioned story by Radio Insight’s Lance Venta. Still, at the risk of being redundant, what happened is KNX’s audience did grow, but in the wrong demographic. It appears the audience gain skewed toward older listeners, not the prized 25-54 demo. Compared to their sister stations across the country, KNX has underperformed – the LA outlet was #18 with the younger listener...
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"Betting" on KNX

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Numerous outlets, including the LA Times , are reporting on the future format change of 97.1 FM to "The Fan," an all-sports outlet debuting on May 11. The all-news format will continue on 1070 AM. For the last few years, Audacy has been expanding the reach of their BETMGM network, identified on air as "The BET." It's described as "sports programming and wager-tainment." The network is a partnership between Audacy and BETMGM, the latter based on a joint venture with MGM Resorts and London-based GVC holdings known as Roar Digital (I know, that's a lot). Roar Digital targets US markets where gambling is legal via sports betting and online gambling. One of The BET's prominent hosts is SoCal native Jim Rome . Other than 93.1 FM HD3, Rome has not been heard in the LA market since the demise of "The BEAST 980" (KFWB) in 2016. KNX has largely promoted their FM signal , although the AM signal continued to simulcast 90 percent of the programmi...
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More on the demise of CBS News Radio

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  There were a number of figurative shrugs of the shoulder over Friday's announcement that CBS News was shutting down all of their radio operations on May 22 . Yet there was also significant chatter about the demise of the network that once was the broadcasting home of Edward R. Morrow and Walter Cronkite. Then again, as we reported yesterday, the current CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss was quoted as offering Cronkite as a "symbol of old thinking," stating if the network continues with its current traditions, “we’re toast.” Edward R. Murrow (Globe Photos) , Walter Cronkite Other famous voices from the past include Howard K. Smith (later at ABC), Harry Reasoner, Robert Trout, Lowell Thomas, Douglas Edwards, and Christopher Glenn. Howard K. Smith (Getty Images) , Harry Reasoner Robert Trout, Douglas Edwards (CBS Photo Arcrhive) Lowell Thomas (Brittanica) , Christopher Glenn It's worth noting what's being said around the country, particularly at some long-time...
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