Imagine your favorite sports talk radio station suddenly vanishing from your car's dashboard. That's the fear driving a major change in Chicago radio! The Score, a Chicago sports radio institution, is making a bold leap onto the FM dial, but it comes at a cost.
Starting February 2nd, The Score will begin simulcasting its programming on 104.3 FM. This frequency is currently the home of JAMS, a hip hop and R&B station. This marks a significant milestone for The Score, giving them their first-ever presence on FM radio. The station will be branded as "104.3 The Score," mirroring the content already available on 670 AM. This move essentially doubles the accessibility of The Score's broadcasts, potentially reaching a whole new segment of Chicago's sports fans.
This isn't just about expansion; it's about survival in a rapidly changing automotive landscape. Many car manufacturers are starting to remove AM radio from their vehicles. Yes, you read that right! The rise of digital dashboards and streaming services is threatening the very existence of AM radio, a staple for news, talk, and, crucially, sports broadcasts. The addition of an FM signal acts as a safeguard, ensuring that The Score remains accessible to listeners even if AM radio disappears from future car models. Think of it as future-proofing their business! This move mirrors what sister station WBBM Newsradio 780 already does with its FM simulcast on 105.9 (WCFS).
And this is the part most people miss... The Score has been a fixture on the Chicago airwaves for decades, but its journey hasn't been a straight shot. It originally launched in 1992 on 820 AM, then moved to 1160 AM in 1997, before finally settling at 670 AM in 2000. This final move transformed the nearly 80-year-old WMAQ into WSCR, The Score we know today.
But here's where it gets controversial... The switch to The Score's simulcast on 104.3 FM means that JAMS will cease to exist. The change will unfortunately lead to the loss of jobs for three JAMS employees. This highlights a difficult reality of the radio industry: progress and expansion can sometimes come at the expense of individual livelihoods.
According to Kevin Cassidy, Audacy Chicago's senior vice president and market manager, "We’re excited to expand The Score’s reach through this FM simulcast, bringing our premier sports content to an even wider audience so they can join the conversation and stay connected to their favorite Chicago teams." Audacy, the parent company of both The Score and JAMS, will now have 20 FM sports stations in its portfolio.
Beyond its regular talk show lineup, The Score is a key broadcaster for major Chicago sports. They carry Bulls and Cubs games, as well as NFL games through Westwood One. Last season, they even aired seven Sky (WNBA) games. This diverse programming lineup solidifies The Score's position as a comprehensive source for Chicago sports coverage.
While The Score gains an FM presence, they are expected to discontinue their 104.3-FM HD-2 signal.
The potential removal of AM radio from vehicles has even caught the attention of Congress. The bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is currently working its way through the House, aiming to prevent automakers from ditching AM radio altogether. This legislation underscores the importance of AM radio as a vital source of information and entertainment for many Americans.
What do you think about this move by The Score? Is it a smart strategy for the future, or does it come at too high a price? Should Congress intervene to save AM radio in cars, or is it time to embrace the digital future? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
