Larry H. Miller Communications Corporation Re-Launches 1280 The Zone

Editor’s Note: The following is the press release announcing changes in the local sports radio landscape. The flagship radio station for the Jazz is now 1280 AM. The Jazz ownership group also jumps onto the FM dial with FOX Sports Radio 97.5. Utah Jazz games will air on both stations.

SALT LAKE CITY (May 22, 2012) – Larry H. Miller (LHM) Communications Corporation today announced its acquisition and re-launch of superstation 1280 The Zone (KZNS-AM) and Fox Sports Radio 97.5 (KZNS-FM).  The all-new, 50,000-watt 1280 The Zone will feature an All-Star mix of Utah’s best sports radio talent and live game broadcasts, including serving as the new home of the Utah Jazz.  FOX Sports Radio 97.5 will provide the national perspective offered by the FOX Sports Radio network in addition to simulcasting the Jazz games and carrying the Salt Lake Bees and other local and national game broadcasts.  The new programming schedules for both 1280 The Zone and Fox Sports Radio 97.5 begin on Wednesday, May 23.

LHM Communications has finalized an agreement to purchase the signals, towers and licenses of the two Salt Lake City-area radio stations, 1280 (KZNS-AM) of Salt Lake City and 97.5 (KZNS-FM) of Coalville, Utah, from SLC Divestiture Trust I on May 21, pending Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval.  In addition, LHM Communications has also reached an agreement with Simmons Media Group to operate 960 (KOVO-AM), which serves Utah County and will also simulcast Jazz broadcasts.  LHM Communications will cease operating 1320 (KFNZ-AM) effective May 31.

“The purpose of this venture is to formulate the premier radio group in Utah for local and national sports talk shows, as well as live game broadcasts, while also drastically improving our signal strength and clarity,” said Chris Baum, senior vice president of broadcasting for Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment.  “This purchase will allow us to protect our base by controlling the distribution of the broadcasts for Utah Jazz, Salt Lake Bees and other sports properties.”

LHM Communications also announced today the hiring of Randy Rodgers to serve as general manager of the company’s radio stations.  A native of Salt Lake City, Rodgers brings with him nearly 40 years’ experience working in the Salt Lake radio market, having most recently served as executive vice president for the Simmons Media Group.

“We are very pleased to welcome Randy to the Larry H. Miller family,” said Baum.  “His long track record of leadership and tremendous amount of experience in this market make him a natural fit to oversee our new radio stations.”

The dynamic duo of David James and Patrick Kinahan, better known as “DJ & PK,” will take the highest-rated sports radio show in the market to the 1280 The Zone airwaves each weekday morning from 6-10 a.m., as the pair closes in on a decade working together on radio in Salt Lake City.  The nationally syndicated “The Jim Rome Show” will then follow “DJ & PK” from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. before Scott Garrard and Jake Scott take over the microphone from 1-3 p.m. daily.  The star-studded lineup rounds out with the return of “The Big Show” featuring Spence Checketts and Gordon Monson as they team up for the ride home from 3-6 p.m. each afternoon, followed by “Inside the Outdoors” with Steve Brown from 6-7 p.m.

“Between our unmatched Jazz coverage and new All-Star lineup – ‘DJ & PK’ continuing to anchor the mornings, Jim Rome offering his unique national takes, Scotty G. and Jake Scott in mid-afternoon, and the strong opinions of Spence Checketts and Gordon Monson during afternoon drive – 1280 The Zone is clearly the new ‘The Sports Leader’ in the market,” said Baum.  “And with the increased range provided by a 50,000-watt AM signal, the additions of an FM signal and the station in Utah County, we will be better able to reach and serve sports fans, and Jazz fans in particular, all along the Wasatch Front.”

The new lineup on FOX Sports Radio 97.5 will include a local show hosted by Jake Scott and Tony Parks, a re-broadcast of “The Jim Rome Show,” as well as national shows “FOX Sports Daybreak” and “Petros & Money.”  Both 1280 The Zone and FOX Sports Radio 97.5 will feature national overnight shows “FOX Sports Tonight” and “JT The Brick,” and the FOX Sports Radio weekend lineup.

1280 The Zone Lineup (Monday-Friday)

6 – 10 a.m.                  “DJ & PK” (David James and Patrick Kinahan)

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.          “The Jim Rome Show”

1 – 3 p.m.                    Scott Garrard and Jake Scott

3 – 6 p.m.                    “The Big Show” (Spencer Checketts and Gordon Monson)

6 – 7 p.m.                    “Inside the Outdoors” (w/ Steve Brown)

 

FOX Sports Radio 97.5 (Monday-Friday)

6 – 10 a.m.                  “FOX Sports Daybreak”

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.          Jake Scott and Tony Parks (local)

1 – 4 p.m.                    “The Jim Rome Show” (re-air)

4 – 5 p.m.                    “Loose Cannons”

5 – 8 p.m.                    “Petros & Money”