Radio is supposed to be dead. People have been saying that since the first iPod dropped, yet here we are in 2026, and the 870 AM The Answer signal is still cutting through the static of Southern California. It’s weird. In an era of infinite podcasts and curated Spotify playlists, a massive chunk of Los Angeles still tunes their dials to 870 kHz every single morning.
They aren't just listening for the traffic reports.
KRLA, branded as 870 AM The Answer, has carved out a specific, iron-clad niche in the second-largest media market in the country. It isn't just a radio station; for a specific subset of Angelenos, it's a lifeline to a world that feels increasingly distant from the mainstream coastal narrative.
The Evolution of the 870 Signal
If you go back far enough, 870 AM wasn't always the conservative powerhouse it is today. Decades ago, it was the home of Top 40 hits. It was where you went for "The Big 11" countdown. But the 2000s changed everything for terrestrial radio. As music migrated to digital formats, AM radio had to pivot or die. Salem Media Group, the owners of the station, understood something that many others missed: people don't just want information; they want a community that shares their worldview.
Salem rebranded the station as "The Answer." It was a bold move. It positioned the station not just as a source of news, but as a corrective to what its listeners perceived as a biased media landscape. Honestly, the branding worked better than anyone expected.
The station’s signal is a beast. 50,000 watts during the day. That means you can pick it up from the Grapevine all the way down to San Clemente. When you’re stuck in the soul-crushing crawl of the 405, that signal is clear as a bell. It’s the soundtrack to the commute for the "silent" parts of Orange County, the Inland Empire, and the valleys of LA.
The Power Players: Who is Actually on 870 AM The Answer?
The lineup is the engine. Without the talent, the 50,000 watts are just empty noise. The station relies on a mix of local flavor and heavy-hitting national syndication from the Salem Radio Network.
Dennis Prager is arguably the crown jewel.
Whether you agree with him or not, Prager’s influence is undeniable. He doesn't just do a radio show; he’s built an entire educational empire (PragerU) that funnels right back into the 870 AM ecosystem. His "Fireside Chat" style is perfect for the medium. He’s calm. He’s philosophical. He talks about "the American Trinity" while you’re trying to find an exit ramp.
Then you have Larry Elder.
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The "Sage from South Central" has a history with KRLA that is deeply intertwined with California politics. When Elder ran for Governor during the 2021 recall election, 870 AM was essentially the war room for his supporters. His departure and subsequent returns to the airwaves always create a massive spike in listener engagement. He brings a raw, confrontational energy that balances out Prager's more academic tone.
The Morning Rush and Beyond
The morning slot is where the battle for the commuter’s ear is won. For a long time, Heidi Harris and various local pairings held the fort, but the station eventually leaned into the national heavyweights.
- Hugh Hewitt: The law professor who brings a "beltway" perspective to the West Coast. He’s the guy who gets the big-name political interviews because he actually knows the policy inside and out.
- Mike Gallagher: He’s the everyman. He’s louder, more reactive, and taps into the visceral frustrations of the middle class.
- Sebastian Gorka: Love him or hate him, he brings a "firebrand" energy that keeps the phone lines buzzing.
It’s a specific cocktail. You get policy, you get philosophy, you get outrage, and you get "The Answer" to why things in California are the way they are.
Why the Los Angeles Market is Different
You’d think a conservative talk station in a deep-blue city like LA would be a ghost town. It’s actually the opposite.
Being the "opposition" is good for business. In a city where the local government is overwhelmingly progressive, 870 AM The Answer acts as the loyal opposition. It’s the place where people go to complain about gas taxes, the homelessness crisis, and the latest mandates from Sacramento.
Basically, the more frustrated the conservative minority in California becomes, the more they tune in.
There’s also the demographic reality. Southern California is a massive sprawl of suburbs. People spend a lot of time in their cars. Podcasts are great, but there is something about live radio—knowing that the person on the other end is talking to you right now while you're both stuck in the same rainstorm or the same traffic jam—that creates a bond digital files can't replicate.
Real-World Impact: More Than Just Talk
The station doesn't just exist in a vacuum. They do events. "The Answer" hosts town halls, listener dinners, and political summits. I’ve seen lines around the block for some of their live broadcasts at local theaters or churches. This is where the "E-E-A-T" (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) comes in for the listener. They don't just hear Dennis Prager; they meet him. They don't just listen to the news; they discuss it with other people who think like them.
It’s a community-building exercise disguised as a radio station.
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The Tech Behind the Talk: How to Listen Today
If you think people are only using old-school transistor radios, you’re wrong. Salem has been surprisingly aggressive about digital migration.
- The App: They have a dedicated app that streams 24/7. It’s simple, but it works.
- Podcasting: Most of the major shows (Prager, Elder, Gallagher) are chopped up into podcasts immediately after airing.
- Smart Speakers: "Alexa, play KRLA" is a common phrase in thousands of households.
This multi-platform approach is why the station survives. They’ve managed to bridge the gap between the 70-year-old listener in Simi Valley who still uses a dial and the 35-year-old business owner who streams it through their Tesla’s dashboard.
Misconceptions About the Audience
A lot of people assume the audience is just "angry old men."
Actually, the data shows a much more diverse listenership. There is a significant Hispanic audience that tunes in, drawn by the station’s focus on faith, family, and small business issues. Salem has tapped into the "conservative Latino" demographic better than almost any other media outlet in the region.
There’s also a growing segment of younger listeners who are "politically homeless." They might not agree with everything said on 870 AM The Answer, but they find the discourse more authentic than the polished, corporate-speak of national TV news.
Addressing the Critics
Let's be real: KRLA is controversial.
Because it’s a Salem Media station, it has a clear editorial slant. Critics argue that it's an echo chamber. They point to instances where hosts have pushed boundaries regarding election integrity or public health.
But the station doesn’t care. Honestly.
They know who their audience is. They aren't trying to win over the LA Times editorial board. They are trying to provide a specific product to a specific market. That’s why it works. It’s unapologetic. In a world of "both-sides-ism," 870 AM is a flag in the sand.
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Comparing 870 AM to Other Local Signals
In the LA market, you have KFI 640 and KABC 790.
KFI is the 800-pound gorilla. It’s more "big tent" talk. It’s less explicitly ideological and more focused on "California lifestyle" and general news. KABC has struggled over the years with identity crises and frequent lineup changes.
870 AM The Answer has remained remarkably consistent. They know their lane. They stay in it. They don't try to be everything to everyone. That consistency is why their P1 listeners (the "super-fans") are so loyal.
Actionable Insights: How to Get the Most from KRLA
If you’re new to the station or looking to dive deeper, don't just scan the dial. You need a strategy to filter the massive amount of content they pump out.
1. Use the "Triple Threat" Lineup
If you want the full experience, listen to Hugh Hewitt for the hard news, Dennis Prager for the "why it matters" philosophy, and then catch the local segments for California-specific gripes. It gives you a 360-degree view of the conservative landscape.
2. Check the Local Events Calendar
The station's website is a hub for Southern California events. If you want to network with local business owners or political activists, these events are the place to do it. It’s probably the most underrated part of what they offer.
3. Subscribe to the "Morning Answer" Newsletter
If you can't listen to all four hours of the morning show, the newsletter usually rounds up the biggest clips and the specific "California updates" that you won't find on national news sites.
4. Leverage the Digital Archive
The Salem Podcast Network is massive. If you missed a specific guest—like when a local DA candidate goes on to talk about crime rates—you can usually find that clip within an hour. Don't wait for the rerun.
5. Listen for the "Town Hall" Moments
The best part of 870 AM isn't the hosts; it's the callers. People from San Bernardino to Ventura call in with boots-on-the-ground reports about what's actually happening in their neighborhoods. It’s a form of "crowdsourced" news that gives you a better pulse on the region than a static news report ever could.
Radio is about connection. In a city as massive and disconnected as Los Angeles, 870 AM The Answer provides a digital and literal frequency where people can feel like they belong to something. It’s loud, it’s opinionated, and it’s not going anywhere. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just curious about what the "other side" is thinking, 870 AM remains one of the most influential voices in the California conversation.