670 The Score is going FM. Sports radio on FM is nothing new. For many years, the industry has seen a shift in how sports talk content has become some of the most valuable assets a company can own. Study after study shows that audiences form trust, attachment, and connection with the local voices who cover the teams they care about. Sports are the most viewed products on television. Sports talk generates ratings, revenue, and attention across every corner of the content space.
Yesterday, 670 The Score announced that it was going FM—34 years after the station first broke through in the third-largest market in the country. For the casual listener, this may seem like just a flip of the switch. But the process behind the move is daunting.
Most sports radio stations around the country struggle to remain relevant on AM. 670 The Score was not one of those stations. Which begs the question shared by many in the industry. What took so long?
The Score’s move to FM wasn’t a surprise, there have been discussions for years about making the move. Even when all signs pointed to the transition as the right move over the years, hesitation persisted. While the Chicago sports fan will benefit from the switch, it should also serve as a warning for other markets. Plan, execute and evolve or risk stagnation.
Make no mistake—broadcast radio no longer holds the dominance it once did. Technology has shifted consumption dramatically. Podcasts, streaming services, and social platforms now provide sports content anytime, anywhere, in both audio and video formats. Yet one megaphone remains: broadcast radio itself.
It’s the ace up the sleeve that radio continues to hold.
The latest State of Sports Media data confirms the medium’s strength: 59% of sports audio listeners tune in via radio, compared to just 36% for podcasts. Moreover, six in ten sports fans consume sports-related content daily, with two-thirds averaging at least two hours per day. Sports fans are some of the heaviest media consumers around—a market any company should want to reach.
And yet, it continues to boggle the industry that podcasts command high ad rates despite smaller reach, while radio sells at lower rates but delivers larger audiences. Let’s move on and look at the resume.
670 The Score has been a traditional ratings juggernaut for years. It ranks near the top in nearly every daypart that matters for a sports radio station, generating revenue and consistently expanding its digital reach. Despite lineup changes and occasional controversy, the station performs exceptionally well in all metrics.
Yet, the station remained confined to the AM band.
Perhaps previous attempts at a full FM simulcast failed because the timing didn’t make business sense. Or maybe it was a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”—after all, The Score was already performing well in every metric that mattered.
But in 2026, relying solely on AM is not just cautious—it’s limiting. A strong brand like The Score deserves a platform that maximizes its reach.
This hesitation offers a cautionary tale for other markets as well. Too often, broadcasters cling to AM signals out of inertia or fear of investment without fully appreciating the potential payoff. The Score’s FM move demonstrates that the reward is not just possible—it’s already built into the brand.
FM provides better signal penetration, higher audio fidelity, and a platform younger listeners can access more easily. The switch is not a gimmick; it is a necessary evolution for a station with decades of proven success.
Chicago sports fans will notice the benefits immediately. FM coverage improves reach in suburban areas, enhances in-home listening quality, and addresses the reality that AM is being phased out. For a station covering everything from Cubs and Bulls games to the hottest sports talk shows, the move ensures that a proven brand can continue to grow rather than state put and work towards continued adaptions to technological shifts outside its control.
The industry should take note. While the FM transition may seem long overdue in a city like Chicago, it is instructive for other markets that have delayed similar decisions. A station with a strong brand and loyal audience does not need to gamble on an untested formats or music playlist accessible on another service —it needs to invest in accessibility of content that people are craving.
The AM band is not build for sports radio’s future. The FM band continues to be the land of opportunity for those bold enough to invest in sports radio’s future. Isn’t that a gamble worth investment?
FM is not about changing content—it is about giving sports content the audience it deserves and can’t find anywhere else. Audacy’s decision to finally make the leap with The Score could serve as a blueprint for other companies evaluating their own AM properties.
Does 670 The Score have assets many other sports radio brands around the country do not have? Of course, but if sports content is king why not seek out the throne for its royalty on the FM band?
670 The Score going FM is about more than one station or one city. It is a reminder that sports radio remains one of the last bastions of traditional broadcast dominance. Even in the age of podcasts, streaming audio, and on-demand content, sports matters to people more than a playlist.
With millions of fans consuming sports content daily—and radio still commanding the largest share of that audience—the station’s move demonstrates the tangible value of keeping proven brands accessible. Radio companies should use this example to give their own markets the content that they seek.
For decades, the AM dial has been a home for loyal listeners, but accessibility matters more than nostalgia. Audacy’s decision acknowledges what should have been obvious for years: great sports content deserves a platform that matches its quality and a modern audience reach.
As other markets evaluate the future of their own AM properties, Chicago’s example will serve as both a challenge and an inspiration. Adapt or risk stagnation and possibly be left behind.
This is innovation. An FM move may not make headlines beyond the industry, but its impact will be measurable in engagement, ratings, and long-term sustainability. The greater majority of the more successful sports radio brands around the country have made the move. 670 The Score is just the latest and leaves this industry insider asking who’s next?
670 The Score has proven itself for decades. It is only fitting that it now finally has a platform that allows it to reach its full potential.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
Tbh we have 93.3 KJR. They do the Huskies. 105.1 in Portland does the Timbers and The Seahawks with the Seahawks moved away from 92.3 to 105.1. 92.3 used to do the Seahawks hence why it was so confusing to hear rock music on there instead during the Hawks game.