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SALT LAKE CITY — Listeners of local sports talk radio woke up Wednesday morning to a completely new format, with two radio stations merging into one.
On Tuesday, Larry H. Miller Communications Corporation announced its acquisition of 1280 The Zone and Fox Sports Radio 97.5. The acquisition merged some of the talent from 1320 KFAN into The Zone, which now goes by "The Sports Leader" and is the new home of the Utah Jazz.
The merger went into effect a day after it was announced, with morning show hosts David James and Patrick Kinahan, known as "DJ & PK," from KFAN taking the air Wednesday morning as the new morning show hosts at The Zone. All operations at KFAN will cease operating after May 31.
"The purpose of this venture is to formulate the premier radio group in Utah for local and national sports talk shows, as well as live game broadcasts, while also drastically improving our signal strength and clarity," wrote Chris Baum, senior vice president of broadcasting for Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment, in a prepared release. "This purchase will allow us to protect our base by controlling the distribution of the broadcasts for Utah Jazz, Salt Lake Bees and other sports properties."
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The merger has drawn criticism from listeners, who say the two stations offered more of a sports variety, instead of one, larger radio station. However, LHM Communications hopes to keep the variety alive by pairing talent from both stations.
"And with the increased range provided by a 50,000-watt AM signal, the additions of an FM signal and the station in Utah County, we will better be able to reach and serve sports fans, and Jazz fans in particular, all along the Wasatch Front," Baum said.
Following LHM Communications announcement, Cumulus Media, which owns 1320 KFAN, released a statement saying they are committed to bringing a voice to the community in sports radio.
"Everyone wants to be a part of this station! I've been overwhelmed by the magnitude of interest in KFAN from on- air personalities to listeners and sports organizations from every level," said Todd Larsen, General Manager of Cumulus. "I am excited about the future of these two heritage, live, local and independent sports radio stations, Stay Tuned!"
Cumulus Media has partnered with Yahoo! Sports Radio to air professional sports talk content in the market. Their lineup can be found at www.yahoosportsradio.com.
The following is the new lineup:
1280 The Zone (Monday-Friday)
- 6-10 a.m. "DJ & PK"
- 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. "The Jim Rome Show"
- 1-3 p.m. "The Big Show (Spencer Checketts and Gordon Monson)
- 6-7 p.m. "Inside the Outdoors" (Steve Brown)
FOX Sports Radio 97.5 (Monday-Friday)
- 6-10 a.m. "FOX Sports Daybreak"
- 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jake Scott and Tony Parks
- 1-4 p.m. "The Jim Rome Show"
- 4-5 p.m. "Loose Cannons"
- 5-8 p.m. "Petros & Money"
- 5-7 p.m. Monday nights through August 27th Rod Zundel's KSL Golf on 97.5fm Rod, Ned Siegfried, Mitch Jensen, Mark Whetzel
