The changes in distribution of the Cardinals’ broadcast package this season won’t be limited to the growth of streaming and over-the-air viewing options.
KMOX (1120 AM), the flagship station of the team’s vast radio network (158 stations across nine states), had been simulcasting its signal on 98.7 FM in recent years. But as of March 24 — three days before the Cards’ opener — it plans to install its FM presence on WHHL (104.1). That will extend the coverage area of KMOX’s FM reach, as 98.7 is a low-power translator outlet that covers only the immediate ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ area, whereas 104.1 can be heard in a much wider region. That will give the station and team a larger potential audience to listen on FM, which has a cleaner and richer sound than AM.
The affected outlets are owned by Audacy, the nation’s second-largest radio station company. Its ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ vice president of news/talk/sports, Steve Moore, was traveling and could not be reached for comment. However, he addressed the moves in a post on KMOX’s website.
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“It’s crisp. It’s robust. It makes your listening experience bigger,†Moore said of the stronger FM signal. “I’m excited. I think it’s great for our partners and our listeners.â€
KMOX, which turns 100 on Christmas Eve, will continue to broadcast at 1120 AM, which via its 50,000 watts reaches much of the U.S. and Canada east of the Rockies at night.
In addition to the Cardinals, KMOX broadcasts ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ University basketball and Kansas City Chiefs football games and airs many other hours of sports-specific talk as well as often sprinkling in discussions of athletics on its general conversation programs.
“Sports is a very important part of what KMOX is and what we’re trying to do,†Moore said. “We’re really working to stay out of the polarizing politics. And the Cardinals are a huge topic in this town, year round.â€
WHHL, where KMOX will be simulcast, currently is in the hip-hop and R&B music format, and this week, that programming also began airing on 98.7 as the transition to switch KMOX’s FM presence to 104.1 began. All these moves follow the staff at 104.1, known as Hot 104.1, being laid off last week as part of cost-cutting measures nationally by Audacy — which has seven outlets in the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ market.
KMOX will continue to be available to hear nationwide on and Audacy’s app.
Cardinals coach and former outfielder Jon Jay explains the fielding drills he does with the team’s outfielders and what’s inside his “bag of tricks.†(Video by Derrick Goold)
