New Spillover Station for 710 ESPN Radio

[JackindaBox]

We used to have a 710 ESPN in Seattle too until 2022 when they changed it to Seattle Sports Radio. I think that 710 ESPN in LA probably has a competitor now on AM radio.

 

[pjc1961]

Just for the record...

Due to the New Orleans Saints vs. L.A. Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thu. afternoon/evening being on 710 ESPN
(game time was 5:15 PM PT), 710 ESPN/Good Karma Brands had to shop around for a signal
to carry Lakers at Minnesota (Timberwolves) on Thu. 12/21/2023 (game time 6 PM PT).

Last time there was a conflict, the Lakers were on KABC 790. This time, they were on...
KRLA AM 870 - but without the usual promotion of being able to listen via the ESPN Los Angeles app.
There are separate "buttons/badges" on the app to choose "Listen Live", "Lakers" and "Rams" -
however, the Rams game was on all 3 streams.

The last regular season potential conflict would be on Sunday 1/7/2024 -
but only if the Rams at 49ers game is moved to a Sunday night 5:20 PM PT start on NBC.
(That evening, Lakers are home vs. the Clippers at 6:30 PM PT.)

 

[Loverofradio]

Just for the record...

Due to the New Orleans Saints vs. L.A. Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thu. afternoon/evening being on 710 ESPN
(game time was 5:15 PM PT), 710 ESPN/Good Karma Brands had to shop around for a signal
to carry Lakers at Minnesota (Timberwolves) on Thu. 12/21/2023 (game time 6 PM PT).

Last time there was a conflict, the Lakers were on KABC 790. This time, they were on...
KRLA AM 870 - but without the usual promotion of being able to listen via the ESPN Los Angeles app.
There are separate "buttons/badges" on the app to choose "Listen Live", "Lakers" and "Rams" -
however, the Rams game was on all 3 streams.

The last regular season potential conflict would be on Sunday 1/7/2024 -
but only if the Rams at 49ers game is moved to a Sunday night 5:20 PM PT start on NBC.
(That evening, Lakers are home vs. the Clippers at 6:30 PM PT.)

Does KRLA get a check from KSPN for airing the game? Does anyone know how this works? How does KSPN find a willing station to air these other games? I’m also surprised the lakers dont air on 710, while the rams are only on 93.1

 

[pjc1961]

I would wager that Good Karma buys the time on KRLA or works out some type of agreement vis-a-vis advertising that appears during the broadcasts.

The schedules are posted by the leagues months in advance. KSPN/Good Karma knows when conflicts will arise (outside of the unusual schedule changes that occur for TV, postponements, etc.). Thus, they likely make arrangements months/weeks in advance.
The public doesn't realize it until just before the games approach when it's announced on-air (and sometimes social media) where the games will be heard.

No surprise: the Rams likely have it built in to their contract that they get priority over the Lakers (or anything else) on 710.
A weekly NFL game likely produces more revenue than the typical regular season Lakers game.

*****************

Similar situations have arisen in other cities. Back in the 1990s-early 2000s in NYC, many NJ Devils broadcasts would be knocked off WFAN in favor of other sports. Even some Knicks and Rangers games would be farmed out in the springtime to make way for baseball on WFAN - also later on after moving to 1050 WEPN. Some of the outlets used were 570, 770, 930, 970, 1130, 1230, 1600, 92.3, 107.5.

(The Devils are currently streaming online-only.)
(The Knicks + Rangers have been with WEPN AM 1050 + 98.7 FM "ESPN NY" for many years.)

[With the impending loss of Good Karma's 98.7 NYC signal in late August 2024, leaving 1050 as the sole signal,
the Knicks + Rangers will be looking for secondary signals to air conflicting games starting in Autumn 2024.
Of course, one or the other could opt for an online-only presence such as the NJ Devils + L.A. Kings.]