Beyond the brand announcement today, the Kings also announced that beginning with the start of the 2024-25 season, all Kings broadcasts will be streamed live on the ESPN LA app. Select games will also be available over the air on ESPN Radio 710, with a package of 25 games to be broadcast live, over the air.
Today’s announcement signals the first change in audio partners since the Kings transitioned from an over the air broadcast to a streamed format in 2018. Beginning with the 2018-19 season, the team’s audio-only broadcast with Nick Nickson and Daryl Evans was broadcast live on the LA Kings Audio Network on iHeart Radio. That continued this season with the simulcasted approach. The simulcast will continue with Nickson, Evans and Jim Fox on ESPN LA, with the Kings returning to the network for the first time since 2006.
The over-the-air return is an exciting component.
It’s not 82 games, but 25 games isn’t nothing either. It sees Kings games available on AM radio once again for more than a quarter of the season. Expecting the team’s schedule to be released sometime over the next couple of weeks and with that will follow a broadcast schedule. For the remainder of the schedule, if you’re used to streaming on the LA Kings App or the NHL app, those options will remain available. For those who listened on the iHeart app, a transition either to the Kings/NHL app or the ESPN LA app will be needed. The Kings will have their own tile on the ESPN LA app for all games and other Kings-specific audio content will be available via ESPN LA later this summer. Expecting to see some collaboration between talent, with ESPN talent appearing at times in LA Kings content and vice versa, with more Kings content on ESPN LA shows.
LA Kings President Luc Robitaille
It’s great to be part of the ESPN Radio Family once again and we are thrilled to be partnering with their passionate team to take our radio play-by-play and audio programming forward. We look forward to bringing the excitement of LA Kings hockey to our core fanbase while also having the opportunity to reach new listeners. We are also thrilled to work with the on-air talent and leadership at ESPN Radio 710, who share our vision and are long-time friends based at L.A. LIVE.
Sam Pines, Vice President for Good Karma Brands, which owns ESPN LA 710
Our partnership with the LA Kings allows us to bring fans closer to the action than ever before. Both of our fan bases can look forward to an enhanced live broadcast experience with all games streamed on the all-new ESPN LA App as well as expanded Kings coverage, year-round. This collaboration opens new avenues for our partners, providing them with unique opportunities to engage with a passionate sports audience.
From the team’s official release –
The LA Kings and ESPN Radio (KSPN) 710 announced a new, innovative multi-year broadcast partnership.
All Kings games – preseason, regular season, and postseason contests – will now stream live on the ESPN LA app. In addition, select Kings games will be heard over-the-air on ESPN Radio 710 (AM).
The broadcasts will begin in September as part of the Kings’ 2024 Preseason Schedule. The broadcasts on the ESPN LA app and ESPN Radio 710 will vary in the form of a simulcast and as standalone broadcasts, respectively. All Kings broadcasts will continue to be streamed on the LA Kings app.
Approximately 25 Kings games for the upcoming season will be broadcast on ESPN Radio 710, which is the flagship home of the Lakers, Rams, and LAFC. LA’s MEGA Sports Station also features a robust line-up of popular local and nationally syndicated radio shows, including Mason and Ireland, Travis and Sliwa, and Sedano and Kap, plus national ESPN personalities.
The ESPN LA app will also feature Kings podcasts and additional unique club audio content.
Today’s announcement represents a Radio Homecoming for the Kings, whose games previously aired on ESPN Radio 710 from 2002-06. Since 2018 Kings games have been streamed on the LA Kings iHeartRadio Audio Network, a custom station on iHeartRadio.
The complete 2024-25 Kings broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date.
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