Following the change from “Arizona’s Party Station” to “Party Radio @ 103.9”, KPTY’s ratings fell into the dreaded 1-share range. There were numerous reasons for the mediocre ratings. Format-wise, Party Radio @ 103.9 began as what was described as “Extreme CHR” — playing hip-hop and modern rock (including a lot of cutting-edge selections) without the “in-between” music that defines most regular Mainstream CHRs (i.e. “pure pop” and dance music). It eventually dropped the hip-hop product in favor of “Extreme Rock”. Mancow Mueller’s syndicated “Mancow’s Morning Madhouse” show was also brought aboard.
After dipping to a low 1 share, the end was near. During the final week of 1999, KPTY began stunting, first with strange alien noises…and by New Years’ Eve, it became a continuous loop of “We Like To Party” by the Vengaboys. At 12 Noon on New Years’ Day, the station relaunched with the same moniker, call letters, and staff, but with the a teen act-intensive Rhythmic CHR format that was the antithesis of the previous Extreme Rock approach.
