CHR
“U102” KXUU Signs-On as Mainstream CHR
Since the demise of KHHT 107.5 in 1997, Denver had been without a true CHR. As the popularity of the format began to grow, the demand for such a station to return to Denver began to grow. Meanwhile, KRKI in Estes Park had been granted a construction permit to upgrade its facilities and begin serving the Denver/Boulder market as a rimshot station. “102.1 K-Rocky” signed off in January of 2000. What followed in the next eight months was a waiting game. The station was often dark, but could sometimes be heard playing a test tape mixed with rock, alternative and country. Finally, on August 24th, 102.1 stopped stunting and signed on with a Top 40/Mainstream format as KXUU “U102, Denver’s Hit Music Station.” Interestingly enough, the format only lasted about a week....
97.9 WFSJ becomes CHR “97-9 Kiss-FM”
Top 40 radio in Jacksonville, Florida has long been synonimized with WAPE. The Big Ape has been a part of the landscape in Jacksonville since the 60’s, first at 690 AM and then at 95.1 FM. However in recent years the station has had developed a strong adult lean. At the beginning of March rumors began spreading about the future of “Smooth Jazz 97.9”. Speculation concentrated on a Talk format consisting of programming from sister station WTKS in Orlando including Howard Stern. At Noon on March 10, 2000 WFSJ began simulcasting WTKS, but this would be a short-lived stunt. As the next week progressed the station would revert to a more traditional stunt of a beating heart with liners interspersed. Clear Channel, which has seemed intent on launching a CHR in almost every market...
WCBR Becomes 92.7 Kiss FM
Previous Format: Brokered “The Bear” WCBR/WBRO (Temporary Stunt Simulcasting KLYY Los Angeles) New Format: CHR “92.7 Kiss FM” WKIE/WKIF Date & Time Of Change: November 14, 1998 at 12:00pm More Info: Wikipedia
CHR KSLZ “Z107.7” launches after KMJM moves to 104.9
In early 1997, Emmis Broadcasting flipped longtime Saint Louis CHR WKBQ “Q104” to Modern AC as “Alice @ 104.1” leaving a gaping hole for Top 40 in the market. That year Jacor Communications acquired Religious formatted 104.9 WCBW in nearby Columbia, Illinois. With 104.9’s signal stronger in the areas that an Urban format would succeed in, the company moved “Majic 108” to the 104.9 signal as “Majic 105” and launched a new CHR on the 107.7 signal that had better coverage of the market as a whole. Jacor brought in Jeff Kapugi, then Program Director of flagship CHR “93.3 FLZ” in Tampa as Program Director and began simulcasting the “MJ & BJ” Morning Show from ‘FLZ as well. The sign-on of KSLZ has since beco...
Urban “V103” becomes CHR “102.7 XYV”
What B104 was to the CHR format in Baltimore, V103 was to the Urban format. A longtime station in the format, WXYV began to feel its age in the mid 1990’s as it was bombarded by a pair of Radio-One sisters. Rhythmic CHR “92Q” and Urban AC “Majic 95.9” cut into WXYV’s audience from both ends. Infinity, seeing the CHR format regaining popularity elsewhere, and a huge hole for the format in Baltimore brought the demise of V103 and the birth of “102.7 XYV”. However, the station would be marred with inconsistancy for the next couple of years. The station would constantly change its lean from dance to hip-hop to alternative while searching for a gain in audience. In 1998, the station changed its name to B102.7 in order to prevent a competitor from ...
KPIX-FM Stunts With Chicago Simulcast
Previous Format: Hot Talk KPIX-FM New Format: Simulcasting 101.9 WTMX Chicago Date & Time Of Change: May 30, 1997 at 12:00am More Info: Wikipedia, FMAirchecks Notes: 95.7 (Under new KOYT call letters) would simulcast WTMX Chicago until July 11, 1997 when it would flip to CHR “Z95.7” KZQZ. Aircheck Contributed by Steve Worth
98.5 KHYS/103.3 KJOJ become “Kiss 98.5 & Kiss Again 103.3”
Over the years, for whatever reason, it seems like “pure” Rhythmic CHR has failed in Houston. The two most recent attempts to make the format work have been on limited signals. One of these attempts was “Kiss 98-5, Kiss Again 103-3” (KHYS/KJOJ), which replaced the previous NAC/Jazz format, on February 24, 1997. Kiss offered a Dance-oriented approach targetted at Latinos, similar to Power 96 in Miami. Styles of music heard on the station included house, freestyle, bass, tropical, and R&B. While the station seemed to be making some progress in the ratings early, it never got to the next level. During the Spring of 1998, KHYS/KJOJ shifted to a more Mainstream format — essentially a more Rhythmic version of the heritage Mainstream CHR in the market, KRBE. The...
“Mix 107.5” KWMX becomes CHR “K-Hits 107.5” KHHT
Denver has never been a CHR-friendly town. After the loss of KPKE and Y-108, Denver was left with two rimshot CHR/Rhythmic stations and a Modern AC. Meanwhile, KWMX-FM 107.5 “Mix 107.5” was beginning to slump in the ratings. KOSI 101.1 had beaten them in the adult demographic, so in early 1996 they switched to a CHR/Alternative hybrid and changed their name to “107-5 The Mix.” This format didn’t really take off either, due to the high profile of another station, KALC 105.9 “Alice 106.” In early July 1996, the morning show at KWMX was let go. On August 9th, the station began interrupting music with a robotic “Testing 123…” Finally, on August 10th, The Mix gave way to stunting, as 107.5 began to play the audio tracks to “Star ...
Xtra 104 Becomes Z104
Previous Format: 70’s Hits “Xtra 104” WXTR/WXVR New Format: CHR “Z104” WWZZ/WWVZ Date & Time Of Change: July 15, 1996 at 11:00am More Info: Wikipedia
