List of Kansas City Chiefs broadcasters

The following is a synopsis of radio and television broadcast outlets for the Kansas City Chiefs, a franchise from the National Football League.

## Radio

[edit]

Kansas City Chiefs radio play-by-play announcers[1] 1960–1962  | Charlie Jones

|

1963  | Merle Harmon
1964–1970  | Tom Hedrick[2]
1971–1973  | Dick Carlson
1974–1975  | Ray Scott
1976  | Al Wisk
1977  | Tom Hopkins
1978–1984  | Wayne Larrivee
1985–1993  | Kevin Harlan
1994–present  | Mitch Holthus

From the team’s arrival in Kansas City in 1963 until 1989, KCMO (then at 810 AM) served as the Chiefs’ flagship. From 1989 until the end of the 2019 season, Cumulus Media's KCFX (101.1), a.k.a. "101 The Fox", broadcast all Chiefs games on FM radio under the moniker of The Chiefs Fox Football Radio Network, one of the earliest deals where an FM station served as the flagship station of a team radio network. Since 1994, Mitch Holthus has served as play-by-play announcer.[1] Former Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson served alongside Holthus for color commentary but starting in the 2016 season, Dawson's role was slowly minimized as he announced his retirement from broadcasting,[3] with Kendall Gammon succeeding him as the color analyst. The Chiefs and KCFX was the longest-lasting FM radio broadcast partnering tenure in the NFL.[1][4]

With the start of the 2020 season, WDAF-FM (106.5 FM) became the flagship of the Chiefs network, with sister station KCSP (610 AM) carrying surrounding analysis and team interview programming as well as selected simulcasts of live games, and the Audacy app streaming coverage of all games online on desktops/laptops only. Danan Hughes replaced Gammon as the color analyst alongside Holthus, with Josh Klinger serving as sideline reporter. Games are available via the app, but only within the Chiefs' market which is western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Games are also available outside of the team market, as with all 32 teams, through a subscription to Sirius XM (satellite radio or Internet) or NFL+. The network's personnel, outside those exclusively contracted to Cumulus, were expected to be retained with the new Entercom contract.[5] Beginning with the 2024 season, Chiefs games will be broadcast on KFNZ-FM, also known as 96.5 The Fan.[6] WDAF-FM will continue to simulcast Chiefs games during the 2024 season.[7]

### Radio affiliates

[edit]

Chiefs games are primarily broadcast in Missouri and Kansas, where most of the team's fans are located. Games are broadcast in a total of 13 states, including Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Nebraska, New Mexico, Arkansas, Texas, and South Dakota. In total, 63 cities outside of Missouri and Kansas broadcast games. In accordance with NFL exclusivity rules surrounding Westwood One broadcasts, all AFC Championship and Super Bowl broadcasts are not syndicated outside of KCSP and WDAF-FM.[8] Stations in major cities are listed below.

City | Call sign | Frequency

|
|

Kansas City, Missouri | KFNZ-FM | 96.5 FM
Jefferson City, Missouri | KCMQ | 96.7 FM
Springfield, Missouri | KKLH | 104.7 FM
KGMY | 1400 AM
Joplin, Missouri / Pittsburg, Kansas | KKOW | 860 AM
Manhattan, Kansas | KMAN | 1350 AM
Salina, Kansas | KINA | 910 AM/107.5 FM
KSKG | 99.9 FM
Topeka, Kansas | WIBW | 580 AM/104.9 FM
Wichita, Kansas | KNSS | 98.7 FM
Emporia, Kansas | KVOE-FM | 101.7 FM
Des Moines, Iowa | KBGG | 1700 AM
Omaha, Nebraska | KXSP | 590 AM
Lubbock, Texas | KKCL-FM | 98.1 FM
St. Louis, Missouri | KMOX | 1120 AM/98.7 FM

## Television

[edit]

The Chiefs hosting the Browns in the 2021 season opener. The NFL on CBS banner hangs in view of the broadcast cameras, on the sideline.

CBS and Fox are the main stations that broadcast Chiefs games that aren't primetime. The team's primary markets outside of Kansas City include the metropolitan areas of Wichita and Omaha.

Prior to the 1994 season, WDAF was the primary station for the Chiefs as an NBC affiliate (they aired on KMBC when ABC had the AFL package through 1964), since NBC had the AFC package. The inter-conference home games aired on KCTV starting in 1973 (when the NFL allowed local telecasts of home games). After week one of the 1994 season, WDAF switched to Fox (which got the NFC package), and has aired the Chiefs' inter-conference home games since. The bulk of the team's games moved to KSHB through the end of the 1997 season. Since that time, they have aired on KCTV, save for the 2015 Week 17 game vs. the Oakland Raiders, which aired on WDAF when the NFL cross-flexed the game from CBS to FOX.

### Preseason game affiliates

[edit]

Preseason games are broadcast throughout the majority of the states of Missouri and Kansas, as well as portions of Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Nearby major cities besides Kansas City with broadcasts include Wichita, Des Moines, Tulsa, and Lincoln.

Metro area | Call sign | Affiliation

|
|

Kansas City metro | KSHB-TV | NBC
Columbia, Missouri
Jefferson City, Missouri | KMIZ / KQFX / KZOU | ABC / FOX / MyTV
Des Moines, Iowa
Ames, Iowa | KDSM | FOX
Ft. Smith, Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Springdale, Arkansas
Rogers, Arkansas | KNWA / KFTA | NBC / FOX
Joplin, Missouri
Pittsburg, Kansas | KODE / KSNF | ABC / NBC
Lincoln, Nebraska
Hastings, Nebraska
Kearney, Nebraska | KFXL / KHGI | FOX / ABC
Ottumwa, Iowa
Kirksville, Missouri | KTVO / KTVO 3.2 | CBS / ABC
Springfield, Missouri | KOLR / KOZL | CBS / Indy
St. Joseph, Missouri | KQTV | ABC
Topeka, Kansas | WIBW / EIBW | CBS / MyTV
Tulsa, Oklahoma | KOTV / KQCW | CBS / CW
Wichita metro
Ensign, Kansas
Hays, Kansas
Goodland, Kansas | KWCH / KSCW-DT / KDCU | CBS / CW / Univision

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Herb, Kuhbander, Looney, and Moris, p. 51
2. ^ Martinez, Marlon (January 26, 2024). "'One of the best highlights of my life': Former voice of the Chiefs reflects on his time with the team". KSHB. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
3. ^ "Hall Of Famer Len Dawson Reducing Role With Chiefs Radio Network". SunFlowerRadio.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
4. ^ "101 The Fox extends Kansas City Chiefs radio broadcast rights through 2009 season". Kansas City Chiefs. August 24, 2006. Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
5. ^ Kerkhoff, Blair (December 5, 2019). "Chiefs flagship radio station and broadcast partner moving on the dial in 2020". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
6. ^ Sports Comes to FM in Kansas City with Launch of 96.5 The Fan
7. ^ Grathoff, Pete (August 8, 2024). "Kansas City Chiefs and Royals games will have a new radio home starting next week". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
8. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs Radio Network affiliate stations". ArrowheadPride.com. September 9, 2020.

* v
* t
* e

Kansas City Chiefs

* Founded in 1960
* Formerly the Dallas Texans (1960–1962)
* Based and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri

Franchise|

* Franchise
* History
* Seasons
* All-time roster
* First-round picks
* Coaches
* Logos and uniforms
* Award winners
* Records
* Starting quarterbacks (list)

Stadiums|

* Cotton Bowl
* Municipal Stadium
* Arrowhead Stadium

Key personnel|

* Chairman & CEO: Clark Hunt
* President: Mark Donovan
* General manager: Brett Veach
* Head coach: Andy Reid

Culture|

* Chiefs name controversy
* Hunt family
* Lamar
* Norma
* Clark
* H. Roe Bartle
* George Toma
* Warpaint
* K. C. Wolf
* Cheerleaders
* Tomahawk chop
* "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)"
* Quarterback
* Super Ball
* Holiday Touchdown
* ChiefsAholic
* 101 Awards

Lore|

* 2018 game vs. Los Angeles Rams
* Jet Chip Wasp
* 13 Seconds
* Corn Dog
* Super Bowl parade shooting
* 2024 AFC Championship Game

Rivalries|

* Buffalo Bills
* Denver Broncos
* Las Vegas Raiders
* Los Angeles Chargers
* St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Rams (former)

Wild card berths (10)|

* 1968
* 1969
* 1986
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1994
* 2006
* 2013
* 2015

Division championships (17)|

* 1962
* 1966
* 1971
* 1993
* 1995
* 1997
* 2003
* 2010
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Conference championships (5)|

* 2019
* 2020
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

League championships (5)|

* 1962
* 1969 (IV)
* 2019 (LIV)
* 2022 (LVII)
* 2023 (LVIII)

Retired numbers|

* 3
* 16
* 18
* 28
* 33
* 36
* 58
* 63
* 78
* 86

Media|

* Broadcasters
* Television:
* KSHB-TV
* Radio:
* WDAF-FM
* Personalities:
* Dave Armstrong
* Len Dawson
* Kendall Gammon
* Bob Gretz
* Art Hains
* Bill Grigsby
* Kevin Harlan
* Mitch Holthus
* Roger Twibell

Current league affiliations|

* League: National Football League (1970–present)
* Conference: American Football Conference
* Division: West Division

Former league affiliation|

* League: American Football League (1960–1969)

* v
* t
* e

American Football League

Eastern Division|

* Boston Patriots
* Buffalo Bills
* Houston Oilers
* Miami Dolphins
* New York Titans/Jets

Western Division|

* Cincinnati Bengals
* Denver Broncos
* Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs
* Oakland Raiders
* Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers

General|

* Seasons
* Playoffs
* All-League Teams
* All-Star game
* AFL Draft
* All-Time Team
* AFL–NFL merger
* NFL
* Thanksgiving Day games
* Players
* Officials
* Ten-year AFL patch

Broadcasters|

* ABC
* 1960s
* AFL All-Star Game
* AFL Championship Game
* Boston Patriots
* Buffalo Bills
* Cincinnati Bengals
* Denver Broncos
* Houston Oilers
* NBC
* Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs
* Miami Dolphins
* New York Titans/Jets
* Oakland Raiders
* Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers
* Super Bowl

Commissioners|

* Joe Foss
* Al Davis
* Milt Woodard (President)

* v
* t
* e

List of current NFL broadcasters

American Football Conference|

* Baltimore Ravens
* Buffalo Bills
* Cincinnati Bengals
* Cleveland Browns
* Denver Broncos
* Houston Texans
* Indianapolis Colts
* Jacksonville Jaguars
* Kansas City Chiefs
* Las Vegas Raiders
* Los Angeles Chargers
* Miami Dolphins
* New England Patriots
* New York Jets
* Pittsburgh Steelers
* Tennessee Titans

| American Football League events|

* AFL Championship Game
* AFL All-Star Game

|

National Football Conference|

* Arizona Cardinals
* Atlanta Falcons
* Carolina Panthers
* Chicago Bears
* Dallas Cowboys
* Detroit Lions
* Green Bay Packers
* Los Angeles Rams
* Minnesota Vikings
* New Orleans Saints
* New York Giants
* Philadelphia Eagles
* San Francisco 49ers
* Seattle Seahawks
* Tampa Bay Buccaneers
* Washington Commanders

| Pre-merger events|

* NFL Championship Game
* Playoff Bowl

|

National television|

* ABC/ESPN
* CBS (NFL Today • Westwood One Radio)
* Fox
* NBC (pregame show)
* NFL Network

| By event|

* NFL draft
* Super Bowl

|

International events|

* Bills Toronto Series

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