The Shockwave: Why 610 Radio Kansas City Vanished And Reborn As 96.5 The Fan

The landscape of Kansas City sports talk radio underwent a massive, game-changing transformation that shocked long-time listeners of 610 AM. As of December 16, 2025, the familiar "610 Sports Radio" branding, which dominated the AM dial for years, has largely been retired, marking the end of an era for the legendary frequency. The station's core programming, hosts, and partnerships have all made a monumental leap to the FM dial, establishing a new flagship home for Kansas City sports on 96.5 FM, now branded as "96.5 The Fan."

The move was not a disappearance but a strategic upgrade, designed to give the market's leading sports content a clearer, stronger signal on the coveted FM band. While the 610 AM frequency (now KFNZ-AM) still exists and simulcasts the new FM programming, the primary identity and marketing focus are squarely on "96.5 The Fan." This transition, which officially launched in August 2024, created Kansas City’s first dedicated, full-time FM sports station, solidifying its position as the official broadcast home for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals.

The Current Roster: Key Voices on The Fan (610 AM Simulcast)

The personalities who made 610 AM a daily staple for Kansas City sports fans have successfully migrated to the FM powerhouse, bringing their established shows and rivalries with them. The programming schedule is packed with local voices and national syndication, ensuring deep coverage of the Chiefs, Royals, and the wider world of sports. The AM 610 simulcast means these hosts are still accessible to the audience who prefers the traditional frequency.

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The station’s lineup is built around a core group of established local sports entities:

• Bob Fescoe and Josh Klingler (Morning Drive): This long-running tandem has been a fixture in the Kansas City sports morning-drive slot for over a decade. Their show sets the daily agenda, often featuring high-profile interviews and passionate, sometimes polarizing, takes on the Chiefs and Royals.
• Carrington Harrison ("The Drive"): Harrison is a prominent voice in the afternoon, hosting the popular show "The Drive." Known for his informed analysis and engaging style, he also has a national profile, often hosting on Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio.
• Joshua Brisco (Chiefs/Royals Pregame/Postgame Host): Brisco has stepped into a key role, serving as the pregame and postgame host for the Kansas City Chiefs Radio Network broadcasts, anchoring the coverage before and after every game.
• Eric Townsend (Executive Producer/Host): Townsend is another key member of the broadcast team, working behind the scenes as Executive Producer while also contributing on-air to the station's extensive coverage.
• Nick Wright (Former Host): While no longer a local host, the 610 AM frequency has a historical connection to national sports media star Nick Wright, who began his career at the station (KCSP 610 AM), working his way up from a production assistant to a morning drive host before achieving national fame.

The Seismic Shift: Why 610 AM Moved to 96.5 FM

The transition of the sports talk format from the 610 AM dial to 96.5 FM in August 2024 was a strategic maneuver by Audacy, the station's owner, designed to capture a larger, more modern audience. For years, Kansas City sports radio had been primarily confined to the AM band, which often suffers from signal quality issues, especially at night or in certain parts of the metro area.

FM radio offers superior sound quality and better signal penetration, which is crucial for a major market dedicated to broadcasting live sports. The move was a direct response to the industry trend of shifting high-value content to the FM dial to compete more effectively with music and other media.

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The launch of "96.5 The Fan" effectively created a new sports media giant in the Kansas City market. The former 610 AM frequency (KCSP, now KFNZ-AM) became a simulcast partner, ensuring that listeners who relied on the AM signal could still tune in without interruption, while the primary focus shifted to the clearer, stronger 96.5 FM signal. The change also involved taking over the frequency previously occupied by an alternative music station, Alt 96.5.

Home of Champions: Chiefs and Royals Broadcast Partnership

A major factor in the station's authority and success, both as 610 Sports Radio and now as 96.5 The Fan, is its role as the official broadcast partner for Kansas City’s two biggest professional sports franchises. This partnership is a cornerstone of the station's identity and its value to listeners.

Kansas City Chiefs Radio Network

96.5 The Fan is the flagship station of the Kansas City Chiefs Radio Network. This means that all Chiefs games, including pre-game and post-game analysis, are anchored on the FM and AM 610 frequencies. The Chiefs are a major draw, especially as back-to-back defending Super Bowl champions, making the broadcast rights immensely valuable. The network provides listeners with the official play-by-play, analysis, and exclusive team content.

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Kansas City Royals Baseball

In addition to the NFL franchise, the station is also the official radio home for the Kansas City Royals. This ensures year-round live sports coverage, transitioning seamlessly from the football season to the baseball season. The Royals broadcasts are a vital part of the station’s programming, connecting fans to every pitch and home run throughout the summer months.

The History of KCSP and KFNZ on the 610 AM Dial

The 610 AM frequency has a long and storied history in Kansas City radio, though its identity has shifted over the decades. The sports talk format, which began under the call sign KCSP, established itself as the dominant voice in local sports media. The station became a launchpad for several careers and a central hub for fan debate and discussion.

The call sign for 610 AM is now KFNZ, which simulcasts the programming of KFNZ-FM (96.5 The Fan). This technical detail is a key part of the transition story. The station's enduring legacy is not just in its frequency, but in its commitment to local, high-quality sports content. The foundation laid by KCSP 610 AM allowed the brand to successfully transition to the FM dial, demonstrating the power of the content over the channel. The original 610 AM signal remains a strong backup and a familiar point of reference for listeners who haven't made the full transition to FM.

The move to 96.5 FM, while a technical change, was a symbolic one, signaling the station's commitment to modernization and a better listener experience. The legacy of 610 Sports Radio is not gone; it has simply evolved to a clearer, stronger signal, ensuring that Kansas City sports fans don't miss a single moment of the Chiefs, the Royals, or the daily sports debate.