Dodgers to Leave KXTA in 2003

With the possibility of Vin Scully no longer being involved in Dodger radio broadcasts after the 2002 season, flagship station KXTA (1150) has chosen to part company with the team after its five-year contract expires.

The Dodgers, who will have a new over-the-air television station next season, will have a new flagship radio station beginning with the 2003 season.

KFWB (980) is said to be the front-runner to become the Dodgers’ new flagship radio station and an announcement could come as soon as today. KFWB would remain a news station.

KXTA, a Clear Channel station, announced Tuesday it could not come to terms on a new contract.

“Vin Scully has been slowly scaling back on the number of innings he calls for radio,” KXTA station manager Greg Ashlock said. “Although committed for the coming sea-son, there is no guarantee that he will be a part of future Dodger broadcasts.”

The last couple seasons, Scully has done nine innings on television and only the first two on radio as a simulcast.

Ashlock said another problem is a dispute over the Spanish-language rights.

“The Dodgers are taking the Spanish broadcast rights in-house,” he said. “For many advertisers, the delivery of Hispanic listeners has been a major benefit.”

Clear Channel is paying about $7 million a year for Dodger radio rights. The Dodgers were hoping a new contract would bring in about the same amount of revenue, but without Spanish rights and possibly no Scully, Clear Channel came in with a much-lower bid when negotiations began a couple months ago.

Channel 13 replaces Channel 5 as the Dodgers’ over-the-air TV station next season.