Griffin Media will pull the plug on Sports “1170 The Blitz” KTSB Tulsa next week.
The flip will end the Sports format that had launched in August 2021 as the station applied earlier this month to change call letters to KOTV to match its co-owned television station in Tulsa.
The station’s local hosts have announced the upcoming end of the station. Morning host Rick Couri stated, “There’s some news from our part of the world. Griffin media has made the decision to eliminate The Blitz 1170 and those of us working there after June 26. The company decided the sports format wasn’t working and they’re going to take the signal in another direction. This will likely bring my 42 year career of being on the air in Tulsa to an end, I don’t see a lot of other options for several reasons. I will still be broadcasting Tulsa University and Union football and who knows what else might come along. Until then I want to say thank you to everyone who has listened along the way and those incredible people I’ve worked with. It’s been quite an adventure with many amazing opportunities and experiences to be forever grateful for.”
Afternoon co-host Colby Daniels shared, “As mentioned on the show yesterday, The Blitz 1170 will be changing formats in a couple weeks. While I’m very sad about this news, I’m more thankful for having this opportunity and establishing friendships that will continue beyond the airwaves. I’m proud of this entire team and can’t say enough positive things about everyone I had the privilege to work with. I appreciate all the listeners supporting the Blitz every day. Some followed me to this signal and others welcomed me to Tulsa radio with open arms. You all have a special place in my heart. I feel like I’m at a major crossroads in my broadcasting career and I don’t know what my next step will be. I know I have so much more to offer but will have to carefully weigh whatever options emerge. It’s rare in this business to be given the opportunity to finish out the last 2 weeks. Our final show will be June 26th so let’s have fun doing what we love until then. I want to finish this with a quote that has no meaning toward any of this, other than the fact my co-host hates it and I love it… As the icon Rocky Balboa said after defeating Ivan Drago at the end of the greatest Rocky film ever made, “If I can change, and you can change, everybody can change.”
KTSB currently features local programming of Couri in mornings from 6-9am and Daniels along with Program Director Jeremie ‘Pop’ Poplin in afternoons from 3-6pm. The remainder of the weekday lineup features Fox Sports Radio’d Dan Patrick Show from 9am-12pm, Westwood One’s Rich Eisen Show from 12-3pm, BetQL Network’s “BetMGM Tonight” from 6-9pm, and Fox Sports Radio in other timeslots.
KTSB had a mere 0.3 share in the April 2024 Nielsen Audio ratings as part of a crowded Sports marketplace that also includes Stephens Media Group’s “97.1 The Sports Animal” KYAL with a 1.2 share and iHeartMedia’s “1430 The Buzz” KTBZ at a 0.4.
The company has yet to confirm its plans for the station beyond June 26.
