Central Ohio sports radio listeners of 97.1 The Fan will soon have a new option on the dial. On Tuesday, September 2, The Fan 2 officially debuts in Columbus, OH with a mix of sports talk, comedy, and sports wagering programming designed to capture fans looking for more than the traditional lineup.
The new station, available on 1460 AM, 97.1 The Fan’s HD2 channel, and The Fan App, will feature two of the most recognizable names in syndicated radio. The Bob and Tom Show anchors mornings from 6–10 a.m., while The Jim Rome Show takes over afternoons from 3–6 p.m. The two national shows bookend a schedule that also includes BetSweats from BetMGM, a midday encore of Morning Juice with Bobby Carpenter and Jeff “Tito” Thitoff, and the betting-focused You Better, You Bet in early evenings.
Programming is provided through a new partnership with Westwood One, which delivers The Bob and Tom Show, The Jim Rome Show, and additional BetMGM and Infinity Sports Radio content.
“With The Fan 2, we’re bringing Columbus something you can’t get anywhere else — a lineup that’s smart, funny, and flat-out entertaining,” said Matt Fishman, Director of Local Sports Content. “Mornings kick off with The Bob and Tom Show, middays give you great Ohio State conversation with Morning Juice, and afternoons bring the fire with Jim Rome. The Fan 2 is built to keep Columbus engaged, laughing, and talking.”
The weekday schedule also ensures Ohio State fans won’t miss out. Morning Juice, which normally airs on 97.1 The Fan’s YouTube channel, will replay from 1–3 p.m., giving Buckeye fans another chance to catch Carpenter and Thitoff’s take on the latest news.
Beyond the daily lineup, The Fan 2 is also positioning itself as a hub for Ohio State athletics. The station will broadcast the Ryan Day Show weekly, along with Buckeye football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s hockey, and baseball.
In Columbus, The Fan 97.1 FM has long been the primary destination for Buckeye coverage and sports talk. By adding The Fan 2, management is betting on the appeal of a hybrid approach that blends traditional sports content with national voices and the rising popularity of sports wagering talk.
The launch reflects a broader trend of sports radio operators experimenting with additional signals and digital streams to diversify content offerings. With HD2 channels and streaming platforms expanding reach, stations are finding opportunities to serve niche audiences without overhauling established flagship brands.
97.1 The Fan announced a slew of lineup changes in April which included splitting up both their afternoon drive and morning drive programs into different talent combos, including the Morning Juice program moving to a YouTube stream live while the T-Bone and Tyvus morning show aired on the radio signal.
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