A huge change will be happening soon in Kansas City sports talk radio. The market currently has two sports radio stations, both of which are on the AM dial. Now, that will change. Barrett Media has learned 610 Sports will be moving to 96.5 on the FM dial on August 15 and it has now been confirmed by Audacy. The FM station had been Alt 96.5 and was known as The Buzz from 2000-2020.
“Kansas City has the most passionate sports fans in the country, and they deserve a one-stop destination for premium sports content year-round,” said Roxanne Marati, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Kansas City in a release. “This is an exciting time for KC sports, and our exclusive partnership with the World Champion Chiefs, local content and engaging personalities with unrivaled sports knowledge will fuel fandom, bring listeners closer to the action and keep them connected to their favorite teams.”
“We have enjoyed a strong partnership with Audacy over the past few years and are excited for them to launch 96.5 The Fan heading into the 2024 football season,” said Kim Hobbs, Vice President of Partnership Strategy and Development, Kansas City Chiefs. “In addition to being the new home of the Chiefs and the flagship station of the Chiefs Radio Network, 96.5 The Fan is going to take a strong lineup and offer exciting and entertaining sports content throughout the year through the power of the FM dial.”
96.5 The Fan will air Kansas City Chiefs games, which had been airing on Audacy’s country station 106.5 The Wolf. That station will continue to simulcast the games for the 2024 season.
The station will also serve as the play-by-play home of the Kansas City Royals, Kansas State University and University of Missouri men’s basketball and football. The station’s weekday programming and play-by-play content will also be heard on The Fan AM 610 (KFNZ-AM), formerly known as 610 Sports Radio (KCSP-AM), with select Royals games airing exclusively on The Fan AM 610.
The only weekday programming change has Dusty Likins moving in to the morning drive slot vacated by Josh Klingler. Likins will work with Bob Fescoe and the show will be branded as Fescoe and Dusty.
CodyTapp and Alex Gold will continue to handle the midday show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. while Carrington Harrison handles afternoon drive.
SportsRadio 810 WHB was the first sports station in the market, it launched in October 1999, 610 Sports started sports programming in September 2003.
