Dodgers Seal Radio Deal With KIIS, Effective Next Year

With a commitment to year-round baseball and a new format, KIIS radio announced on both its FM (102.7) and AM (1150) outlets Wednesday that it will become the flagship of the Dodger radio network, with a five-year contract that begins with the 1998 season.

The Dodgers have been on KABC (790) since 1974 and will remain there for the coming season. Maureen Lesourd, president and general manager of KABC, said the station was not asked for a counteroffer.

“This is a tremendous opportunity, when you’re thinking about a whole new format,” said Brent Shyer, Dodger director of broadcasting and publications.

Roy Laughlin, president and general manager of KIIS, said plans are under way to increase the AM signal from 5,000 to 50,000 watts and to use the Dodgers as a foundation for change at KIIS-AM, which has been simulcasting programming of its FM sister. Owned since December by Cincinnati-based Jacor Communications, which also owns XTRA, KIIS-AM has taken over occasional King and UCLA game broadcasts when XTRA has a conflict.

The Dodgers, Laughlin said, will be a cornerstone for a new format for KIIS-AM that would include off-season Dodger shows.

Laughlin said he does not anticipate changes in on-air personnel or in the network itself. Play-by-play announcers Vin Scully, Ross Porter and Rick Monday are employees of the Dodgers.