FM talk radio format all talked out? KLSX-FM (97.1) going top 40 Friday [UPDATED]

Good news for local fans of Rihanna, bad news for older talk radio listeners in Los Angeles. 

Beginning Friday at 5 p.m., boosters of urban-skewing artists such as Beyoncé, Pink and Britney Spears will have another top 40/"CHR" (contemporary hit radio) station to sing along to in their cars, as L.A.'s only "all-talk" commercial FM station now appears to be all talked out.

KLSX (97.1 Free FM) will switch formats Feb. 20 to CBS Radio's latest concept, titled AMP Radio (not to be confused with the now-defunct Amp'd Mobile, a company that heavily pushed mobile radio to cellphone users in 2006 but filed for bankruptcy protection in 2007). 

A CBS Radio news release says the new station (its tagline is "all the hits") will "combine the power of its on-air position with myriad online and digital applications creating a full 360 degree audio and visual experience."

Translation? Listeners of KLSX were probably too old.

AMP Radio originally bowed early last year as an online/HD2 station affiliated with KCBS-FM in L.A.  Apparently, the test run was successful enough to convince CBS radio executives that young, texting-and-Twittering teens -- the ones who spend money at malls while listening to music via their cellphones -- just can't get enough of artists such as Kanye West and T.I. This is despite the fact that there is plenty of competition in the space -- see KPWR (105.9), KIIS (102.7) and KDAY (93.5) -- all of which mine similar musical territory in the same market.

"Creating a successful radio station not only means focusing on what you hear over the air -- it's that, yet it's so much more and as evidenced by what we're announcing today, the possibilities are endless," said Kevin Weatherly, senior vice president of programming for CBS Radio, in a news release announcing the format change today.

On-air talent at the new AMP Radio is expected to be announced in coming weeks. "They will be added after the station launches," said Karen Mateo, vice president of communications at CBS Radio in New York.

During the last three months of 2008, KLSX averaged a 1.3% audience share among listeners 12 and older, which placed the station at No. 27 in the market. In fact, KLSX never truly recovered in the ratings after losing its major morning lead-in, Howard Stern, to satellite radio. When Stern was still on the air in late 2005 at 97.1, the station enjoyed a 2.2 share.

Despite the less-than-stellar ratings, KLSX still enjoyed a rabid fan base for several of its marquee shows, including Adam Carolla's morning show, "The Adam Carolla Show With Teresa Strasser," which replaced Stern, and Tom Leykis' widely syndicated afternoon program "The Tom Leykis Show." Both Carolla's and Leykis' shows proved popular with 25-to-54-year-old men (with Leykis' afternoon drive time exploration of all things from the male perspective, in particular, a notable hit nationwide).

Beginning next week, new episodes of Carolla's show will no longer broadcast in any market, although it is believed that "best of" shows may air in some territories. It is not yet known what will happen to Leykis' show in syndication. Leykis told the Orange County Register earlier this month that he "should have something to announce shortly" regarding the syndication of his shows.

But none of KLSX's success stories ("The Frosty, Heidi and Frank Show" also enjoyed decent midday ratings) were enough to stave off the format change. CBS Radio clearly sees an advertising opening with the AMP format, and KIIS-FM's continued success with a similar music strategy (think Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Ne-Yo) may have forced CBS Radio's hand in an increasingly dire economy.

KLSX rolled out its all-talk format in 1995; before that, it aired classic rock.

A full story is forthcoming in The Times about the switchover.

UPDATE 02/19: Carolla announced Thursday morning on 97.1 that he would start podcasting "The Adam Carolla Show" beginning Monday at adamcarolla.com. 

-- Charlie Amter

Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

Correction: An earlier version of this post misidentified the call letters of 102.7 as KISS. The correct call letters are KIIS. Also, KPWR's frequency was misidentified as 106; the correct frequency is 105.9.

Comments

[Mike]

You know what, KLSX sucked. Nobody will miss it.

[Phil Gould]

Adam Carolla is a "Game-Changer". He'll be back in a big way, stay patient.

[Phil Gould]

Adam Carolla is a "Game-Changer". He'll be back in a big way, stay patient.

[Phil Gould]

Adam Carolla is a "Game-Changer". He'll be back in a big way, stay patient.

[Amy]

I can't even believe this is true. The daily flow of fresh talk radio broadcast by klsx made my 1 hour commutes actually enjoyable. I WAS a loyal listener throughout the whole day- now,I will boycott cbs and its radio affiliates.

[Mike, NYC]

As a daily online streamer of KLSX from New York, I am saddened by this news. Adam and FHF got me through the work day, and I am so sorry to see them go. I'm a music executive out here, and while I want to understand the move, I don't agree with it at all. The sound of talk on the radio will always be interesting, and there is absolutely a market for that. I wish them all the best of luck, and if I were able to help them all, I would.

[CB]

I am so sad that KLSX is moving to horrible hip-hop music. One could listen to this "music" on 100 other stations. FHF made my day in the afternoons and I truly hope that they are on another station here in So Cal soon. Leykis is no loss since it was the same drone hour after hour, day after day. He was truly riveting when he debated and talked about current events on KFI. I listened to him then religiously. I rarely listened to Adam's show. I turned the radio when Danny came on at 2. Hopefully the FHF website will continue and announce when they are hired elsewhere. CBS needs to stop following the herd and bowing to talentless "music".

[jesse m]

this is horrible!!! i will never listen to this sorry station again. i use to tune in here so i didn't i have to listen to all the stupid music on the other stations. well i will officialy be ripping out my radio today and replacing it with nothing. just an empty space like the one left in my heart. nooooooooooo!!! i hope cbs goes under this year.

[Nick]

...lesigh...
I am the target age demographic. Adam & FHF were the only reason I had to turn on the radio. Now radio is worthless to me, might as well be a paperweight in my dashboard/on my desk. I can't stand most Television and movies, so I guess all thats left is internet, and we all know how healthy the internet is.
I will never support cbs again.

You're going to see alot of angry drivers on their way home friday.

Mahalo

[Mark]

What the hell is going on today? A lot of people like to hear what others have to say on daily topical events or other news. If your at work and can listen to the radio or podcasts, most people choose talk radio. On KIIS or those other crappy stations, the music is repeated throughout the day and it gets old really quick. It seems like in 5-10 years it's all going to be top 40 crap or mexican...

[Derek]

That blows!

I'm okay with getting rid of Leykis, as he is an idiot anyways. We need Carolla, and besides the people listening to Rhianna in the morning arent even up yet. Why would you want to promot a genre of music that is all about backhanding your wife if she gets out of line.

You lost a listener and I am in that 18-30 age range.

[Valerie]

OMG! Noooooooo!!!! I LOVE Frosty, Heidi and Frank, been a listener for several years. I will so miss them and Lykis. I was thrilled when they recently extended their shows to include Saturdays in Los Angeles. I will definitely REMOVE the 97.1 preset on my car stereo. THIS REALLY SUCKS!!!! (I won't miss Danny Bonaduchi though, sorry). I will NEVER laugh out loud in my car again without Frosty, Heidi and Frank :-((

[Hank]

What a load of crap. Thats all we need is another crappy music station for dentists offices to play. Driving a lot for work, I listened to 971 for most of my day. I guess I will have to go back to the AM dial. Lets all hope CBS tanks.

[Valerie]

FIRST I GET LAID OFF, NOW THIS!!!! THE FREAKING WORLD IS COMING TO AN END!!!!! NO JOKE!!!

[Serena]

I am in disbelief. I have listened to 97.1 for 10 years. I LOVE Adam, the triplets and Tim Conway Jr. I have turned everyone I know onto them. I can't believe the 30 something crowd no longer suits CBS demographic. There is a surplus of bubble gum pop stations out there. It was refreshing and pure entertainment to have what I considered to be a fine line up. Haven't you corporate @$% ever listened to them? They have all at one time had me laughing so hard I could barely drive home. What a huge disgrace.

[LLCoolP]

This is VERY sad news for Los Angeles. I am sorry that 97.1 has made this choice. I had this staion on in my car, work and home. I will be changing that as of Friday. Like most of the messages I have read I too will NEVER be listening to 97.1. I will also include ALL sponsors of the new 97.1.

[Steven T]

This is a horrible decision. Life as I know it will never be the same without Adam Carolla. Mahalo, Adam.

[Mike]

This is utter crap!!! I am pissed!!! Format change for the retard tweens. Adam is right, radio in LA is designed for the stupid!!!

[Susie M]

This is tragic...not life-ending, but tragic nonetheless. I listen to 97.1 a MINIMUM of 9 hour a day! What we DON'T need is another top 40's radio station. CBS should be ashamed of themselves in their pandering to the "younger" crowd. Apparently they really don't know where the $$$ lies...too bad. As another person said earlier...I will remove all traces of 97.1 from my presets in my car, home and workspace. KFI will probably get my attention again (minus the hours of Rush). Good luck CBS...you'll need it.

Adam, FHF, Danny, Tom, etc., I hope your fans will hear from you again.

[kristi]

How on earth can I go on?????? No Adam in the morning???? Where will he be????? I know where I WON'T be..............any where near CBS!!!!!!

[Bob Mason]

I've been a loyal Adam Carolla listener up here in Sacramento for the past two years. He is...WAS the reason I listened to radio at all on my 20 mile commute each morning. I guess it's back to my CDs and MP3s. Good God, radio sucks and is only getting worse!!! I hope all the Fing Clear Channel and CBS Radio staions go belly up. There's two companies that deserve all they get in this recession.

[CH]

I'm with most of the people here...NEVER listing to 97.1 again...

To bad that all the tweens are going to listen to it and get high ratings...Me not listening is not going to hurt them....

-C

[Cesar M.]

What?! We don't need another top 40 radio show! We have way too many of those. I hate those stations. 97.1 is going off my preset stations. Lame, very lame.

[sharon]

first Indie 103.1 is gone
now 97.1?

maybe i should make a donation to KCRW or else they'll be gone too... there is nothing to listen to but pure drivel... all the "hit" stations play the same thing over and over and over...

driving around and running errands is going to be so much more tedious & dreadful now...

[Ollie]

Is this a bad dream? Wake up, dammit! Wake up! I am so angry right now. And for what? Yet another Top 40 station??? Hey CBS, have you ever skimmed the dial in LA??? Literally every click is either Top 40 or that horrible hispanic music! "Hey, I have an idea! Let's have more of that!" Idiots!

Over the years I have developed a sort of friendship with Adam, Teresa, Bald Brian, Frosty, Heidi and Frank. Losing these shows will be like losing best friends. These guys have become like my family, a strange family that I never get to see but still feel I know and laugh with. While I thank them all for the good times, I hope to hear all of them again soon. On another station... headed by a smarter company than CBS Radio.