ST. LOUIS – A rebrand is underway St. Louis radio station 590 AM, the longtime St. Louis sports talk radio station known as KFNS and 590 The Fan.
According to a new report from RadioInsight.com and another source closely involved, the station will change its call letters to KLIS by June 1 and intends to promote itself as “The Lou Information Station.”
The rebrand comes after Big Toe Media LLC reached a deal to acquire KFNS from Zobrist Media. Under a local marketing agreement, Big Toe Media is already assuming operations while the purchase if finalized.
Dave Greene, President and Director of Sales for Big Toe Media tells FOX 2 that while KFNS has long been a sports-focused station during prime hours, 590 AM will no longer follow that format going forward.
Current plans for KLIS include a new digital platform that will feature live and on-demand programming via its website, mobile app, YouTube and all podcast platforms.
On the new direction as “The Lou Information Station,” Greene says “The local content will focus on the conversations most people in St. Louis are already having — the issues, stories, and voices that matter here. When we’re not live and local, we’ll feature informative programming on subjects like business, leadership, entrepreneurship, financial planning, sports, wellness, tech, real estate, pets, and more.”
A recent YouTube video that promotes the rebrand says KLIS will stream 24/7 at LouInfo.com, on the LouInfo.com app, and continue to air live on 590 AM in St. Louis.
The station’s initial lineup, according to the YouTube video, will include notable local personalities such as Cardinals sideline reporter Jim Hayes, former Blues player Cam Janssen and radio personality Tony Patrico, formerly of 105.7 The Point’s “Rizzuto Show.”
The Rizzuto Show parted ways with Patrico in January 2023, though did not offer further comment behind the decision at the time.
Patrico, meanwhile, addressed his upcoming opportunity via social media platform X. His post, in part, reads: “I want to sincerely thank everyone who reached out after yesterday’s announcement. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity ahead and excited to reconnect with this city in a new way. Over the past 2.5 years, I’ve done a lot of personal work—quietly and consistently. I’m proud of who I am today. I made mistakes. I own that fully. No excuses.”
Greene added on Patrico’s return to the airwaves, “Tony is a gifted creator with a real passion for what he does. Like many, he’s made mistakes — but he took responsibility and he faced the consequences. We believe in redemption, and we believe he’s earned the opportunity to write a new chapter.”
As of Wednesday, the station’s newly promoted website, LouInfo.com, displays “Launching Soon” message. Many procedural changes tied to the rebrand are expected to take effect by June 2.