Listeners were able to hear local sports talk, including popular morning host Erin Hogan, on the FM dial at 104.9. That station, which has previously featured Spanish language music, has been renamed "The Horn."

"We're trying to build on what the Longhorns are doing," Hogan said.

The local sports talk programming will be simulcast for awhile on its previous station, 1530 AM.

That station will now be devoted to ESPN's national programming. ESPN Deportes will remain on 1260 AM.

Hogan, who's also programming director for the new station, said, "FM brings some cache. It sounds better to the ear with the stereo."

He added that the biggest advantage would be reach, as signal strength at 1530 AM has always been an issue.

Although the move had been touted on air for several days, late last week managers at both 104.9 and 1530 weren't sure that the deal was going to get done.

On Friday, Steve Wilder, general manager at 1530 ESPN, said, "All I can say is that there's been a small conflict in the legal agreement to operate our stations together."

FM 104.9 is one of four Austin radio stations owned by Border Media. This past summer Border Media, in a liquidity crisis, transferred its assets to Border Media Business Trust, with the plan to sell about 30 stations, including those in Austin, to pay off debts to investors. The media broker overseeing the trust is Larry Patrick, whose Patrick Communications is based in Maryland. Patrick could not be reached for comment.

On Friday, there was even talk that it would be ESPN's national programming moving to the FM station, not the local content. Since January, ESPN has added about 30 FM stations to its national network.

Some of ESPN's national programming, including Colin Cowherd's show, will be heard on both Austin stations.

"This is a move for the long term," Hogan said of the switch. "Everyone is excited."