Radio is dead. Or that's what everyone keeps saying, right? If you look at the landscape of Southern California media, you’d think TikTok and podcasts had totally sucked the air out of the room. But then you tune into KABC 790 AM radio Los Angeles during a brush fire or a chaotic election cycle, and you realize something quickly. Local talk radio isn't just a relic; it’s a pulse. It’s the sound of people arguing in traffic on the 405. It is, for better or worse, the raw, unfiltered voice of a city that never stops talking.
KABC isn't just another frequency on the dial. It’s a legacy. Owned by Cumulus Media, this station has survived more format shifts and host drama than most TV dramas. It’s been the home of giants. It’s been the place where LA residents go to vent. Honestly, it’s kinda fascinating how a signal that started way back in the early 20th century still manages to occupy brain space in 2026.
The Long, Weird History of 790 AM
You can't talk about KABC without looking back. It didn't start as a talk powerhouse. Originally, it was KKEP, then KECA. It wasn't until the mid-1950s that the KABC call signs really took root. Back then, radio was the king of the living room. But the real shift—the one that defined what you hear today—happened when they leaned into the "all-talk" format.
Think about the personalities that have walked through those doors. We're talking about the era of Ken Minyard and Bob Arthur. "Minyard and Arthur" were the soundtrack to the morning commute for decades. They weren't just reading headlines; they were your neighbors. That’s the secret sauce. You don’t listen to KABC 790 AM radio Los Angeles just for the news. You listen because you feel like you know the people behind the mic.
Then came the giants. Larry Elder. Dr. Drew. Dennis Prager. The station became a lighthouse for conservative talk in a city that is notoriously "blue." That friction is exactly what makes it work. It creates a space for a specific kind of dialogue—or monologue, depending on who's calling in—that you simply don't find on NPR or the local pop stations.
The Signal and the Noise
Technology is a funny thing. 790 AM is a "regional" signal. It’s got 5,000 watts. Now, if you compare that to some of the 50,000-watt clear-channel monsters, it sounds small. But it isn't. The way the transmitter is positioned allows it to blanket the LA basin. From the Valley down to Orange County, that signal cuts through the interference of a billion electronic devices.
Who is Actually Listening to KABC 790 AM Radio Los Angeles?
The demographics might surprise you. Sure, there’s the "guy in a truck" stereotype. That exists for a reason. But the audience is broader than just commuters. It’s small business owners. It’s retirees who want to stay connected to the city's political machinations. It’s also, increasingly, people who are burnt out on the curated, algorithmic nature of social media.
There is something deeply human about live radio. You hear a host stumble over a word. You hear a caller lose their mind over a new tax hike or a freeway closure. It’s messy. It’s real. In an era of AI-generated content (ironic, I know), that human fallibility is a massive selling point.
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The station has adapted, too. You’re not just tethered to a physical radio with a dial. They’ve got the streaming app, the podcasts, and the social clips. But the core? The core is that 790 AM frequency.
The Current Lineup: Keeping the Lights On
Right now, the station balances local flavor with syndicated heavy hitters. You’ve got Ben Shapiro, who basically dominates a huge chunk of the national conversation, piped directly into the SoCal airwaves. But the local guys—the ones talking about the LA City Council scandals or the latest Dodgers drama—are the ones who keep the "Los Angeles" in the station's name.
It’s about proximity.
If there’s a massive power outage in Santa Monica, a podcaster in Austin isn't going to tell you which intersections to avoid. KABC will. That utility is what keeps the lights on. It’s "appointment listening."
Why the "Talk" Format Isn't Going Anywhere
People love to argue. Seriously. Los Angeles is a city built on different dreams and, consequently, different frustrations. KABC 790 AM radio Los Angeles acts as a pressure valve.
- Political discourse: Even if you disagree with every word said, the station provides a window into a significant portion of the California electorate.
- Local news: While TV news is great for visuals, radio provides depth. You can spend an hour on a single topic that a TV news anchor has to squeeze into 45 seconds.
- Community: There is a sense of belonging. When you hear a regular caller—someone like "John from Pasadena"—you start to recognize them. It’s a weird, invisible neighborhood.
I’ve spent time looking at the ratings. They fluctuate, sure. Every station’s do. But KABC has a "sticky" audience. Once someone becomes a 790 listener, they tend to stay one for years. That’s brand loyalty that advertisers would kill for. Speaking of advertisers, that's another thing. Look at who buys airtime. It's local law firms, HVAC companies, and gold dealers. These are businesses that need to reach people who have homes, cars, and skin in the game in Southern California.
The Misconceptions About AM Radio
Most people think AM radio sounds like it’s being broadcast from the bottom of a well. Okay, fine, the fidelity isn't exactly Dolby Atmos. It’s "amplitude modulation." It’s prone to static when you drive under a bridge. But for talk? You don't need high-fidelity. You need clarity of thought.
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There was a big scare recently about electric vehicles (EVs) dropping AM radio because of electromagnetic interference from the motors. People freaked out. Why? Because AM radio is the backbone of the Emergency Alert System. If the "big one" hits—the earthquake we're all waiting for—the internet might go down. Cell towers might get overwhelmed. But those AM transmitters? They’re built to last. They’re the "break glass in case of emergency" of the media world.
KABC 790 AM is part of that infrastructure. It’s more than just entertainment. It’s a public service, disguised as a talk show.
Breaking Down the Digital Transition
KABC didn't just sit around and wait to become obsolete. They’ve integrated.
- Podcast Replays: Missed the morning show? It’s on Spotify five minutes after it ends.
- Live Streaming: You can listen in London if you’re a homesick Angeleno.
- Visual Radio: Sometimes they film the booth. Seeing the faces behind the voices adds a layer of intimacy that was missing for sixty years.
The "KABC Way" vs. The Competition
LA has a lot of talk radio. You’ve got KFI 640, which is a juggernaut. You’ve got KNX 1070 for hard news. Where does KABC fit? It’s the scrappy, opinionated middle ground. It feels a bit more "personality-driven" than some of the others. It’s less about the "news of the hour" and more about "what do we think about the news of the hour."
If KFI is the big brother, KABC is the brother who’s always at the dinner table ready to debate you on literally anything.
Honestly, the rivalry is good for the city. It keeps the hosts sharp. If a host on KABC gets lazy, listeners will just turn the dial a few clicks to the left or right. That competition ensures that the content stays relevant to what's happening on the ground in neighborhoods from Echo Park to Encino.
The Impact of Ownership
Cumulus Media has had its ups and downs. Financial restructuring, corporate shifts—you name it. But through all the corporate noise, KABC has maintained a surprisingly consistent identity. That’s hard to do in modern media. Usually, when a big company takes over, they "homogenize" everything. They make the LA station sound like the Dallas station.
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KABC has largely resisted this. It still feels like LA. It still smells like smog and expensive coffee.
Actionable Steps for the Modern Listener
If you’ve ignored the AM band for the last decade, you might be missing out on a vital part of the city's conversation. Here is how to actually engage with KABC 790 AM radio Los Angeles without feeling like you're using 1950s tech.
Get the app but keep a battery-powered radio. Seriously. For daily listening, the app is great. It’s crystal clear. But keep a cheap, $20 analog radio in your emergency kit. If a disaster hits, 790 AM will be one of the few places giving you real-time updates when the Wi-Fi is dead.
Listen during the "transition" hours. The midday slots are often where the most interesting local debates happen. While the morning and evening drives are dominated by big national themes, the 10 AM to 2 PM window often dives into California-specific issues like water rights, housing costs, and local elections.
Don't just listen—call. Talk radio is a two-way street. The producers at KABC are always looking for fresh voices. If you have a perspective that isn't being represented, dial in. It’s one of the few places where a regular person can have a platform that reaches hundreds of thousands of people instantly.
Check the podcast feed for specific segments. You don't have to sit through commercials if you don't want to. Most of the major shows on KABC are sliced into digestible podcast segments. This is the best way to catch an interview with a local politician or a specific expert without needing to time your commute perfectly.
Radio isn't going anywhere because humans are social animals. We want to hear other humans. We want to know what people in our own backyard are thinking. KABC 790 AM radio Los Angeles provides that, flaws and all. It’s a chaotic, loud, opinionated, and absolutely essential piece of the Los Angeles puzzle. Whether you're tuning in for the politics, the traffic, or just the comfort of a familiar voice, 790 AM remains a cornerstone of the Southern California experience.