Rhythmic Oldies
“Arizona Jamz” KAJM relaunches as “Mega 104.3 & 99.3”
For as long as many people can remember, 104.3 FM-Payson, AZ and its translators across northern and central Arizona (including 99.3 FM in the metro Phoenix area) had consistently been the home of poorly programmed and executed radio. Some of the attempts in the 90’s included Country (despite the presence of the powerful KNIX and KMLE in Phoenix), a bizarre AOR/Modern Rock/CHR format called “The Blaze”, a simulcast of CHR/Rhythmic KBZR-Coolidge (later KPTY-Gilbert), a return of the “Blaze” format (under the new name “CD Rock”), Traditional Oldies as “K-Best”, and an incredibly unfocused 60’s-90’s Rhythmic Oldies format, under the name “Arizona Jamz”, featuring (among other oddities) sweepers with “Beavis an...
Rhythmic Oldies “Z93.7” WZMX becomes Urban “Hot 93.7”
The 93.7 frequency in Hartford has bounced around many formats. In the mid to late 90s, it was Classic Rock 93.7. In 1999, when everyone was changing to rhythmic oldies, 93.7 kept it’s WZMX calls and became “Dancin’ Oldies 93.7.” The format, like in most markets played out for a few years, never achieving much in the way of ratings after its initial splash. Finally, Infinity decided to make the switch and take the underperforming 93.7 in a new direction. What was created, again under the WZMX calls, was the All-New Hot 93.7, Blazing Hip Hop. The station immediately soared to the top of the ratings in both Hartford and neighboring Springfield, MA, where it continues to sit today. Most recently Clear Channel has decided to mount a challenge, flipping Alternative WMRQ ...
“103.5 The Beat” flips from Rhythmic Oldies to CHR “Kiss-FM”
Upon completion of the Clear Channel/AMFM merger, many expected Clear Channel to launch a CHR/Pop outlet right away. After all, Chicago was one of the few markets remaining that lacked a full-signaled Top 40 outlet. Plus, in the early 90’s, Clear Channel C.E.O. Randy Michaels was involved with WYTZ 94.7 FM (“Z-95”, later “Hell 94-7”, and after that, “Hot 94-7”) — a station which was designed to dethrone CBS-owned CHR/Rhythmic outlet WBBM 96.3 FM “B-96”. But Michaels’ first attempt was a failure, and so it seemed logical to believe that he was ready to compete with B-96 again. As months began to pass, with no format changes, rumors began heating up and they centered around either AC WLIT 93.9 FM or Rhythmic Oldies WUBT 103.5 ...
94.5 The Edge Becomes Magic 94.5
Previous Format: Alternative “94.5 The Edge” KDGE (Format moved to 102.1) New Format: Rhythmic Oldies “Magic 94.5” KTXQ (Format moved from 102.1) Date & Time Of Change: November 9, 2000 More Info: Wikipedia, KNUS99
Rhythmic Oldies “Power 105.9” WOCL becomes “O-Rock 105-9”
Power 105.9 was one of the many Rhythmic Oldies stations that AMFM debuted across the U.S in the late 90’s. And, like most of those outlets, Power 105.9 was unable to maintain any sort of ratings success it achieved initially. As part of the AMFM/Clear Channel merger, Power 105.9 was sold to CBS/Infinity. CBS/Infinity saw the hole for a Modern Rock outlet in Market #39…following several hours of spooky stunting, “O-Rock 105-Nine, Orlando’s New Rock Alternative” made its debut at Noon on Halloween 2000.
92.3 The Beat Becomes Mega 92.3
Previous Format: Urban “92.3 The Beat” KKBT New Format: Rhythmic Oldies “Mega 92.3” KCMG Date & Time Of Change: June 30, 2000 at 6:00pm More Info: Wikipedia In the fall of 1999, the two largest radio station operators in the country, Clear Channel Communications and AMFM Inc., shocked the world by announcing they would merge. However, in order to get under the government-mandated market ownership limits, some stations were required to be spun-off. One of the full powered FMs in Los Angeles had to go. KKBT was the station chosen; it was sold off to Radio One. However, Clear Channel wanted to keep the best possible signals and gave Radio One the less desirable 100.3. Leading up to the frequency swap, rumors swirled about whether either station’s format woul...
Mega 100.3 Becomes 100.3 The Beat
Previous Format: Rhythmic Oldies “Mega 100.3” KCMG New Format: Urban “100.3 The Beat” KKBT Date & Time Of Change: June 30, 2000 at 6:00pm More Info: Wikipedia In the fall of 1999, the two largest radio station operators in the country, Clear Channel Communications and AMFM Inc., shocked the world by announcing they would merge. However, in order to get under the government-mandated market ownership limits, some stations were required to be spun-off. One of the full powered FMs in Los Angeles had to go. KKBT was the station chosen; it was sold off to Radio One. However, Clear Channel wanted to keep the best possible signals and gave Radio One the less desirable 100.3. Leading up to the frequency swap, rumors swirled about whether either station’s format wo...
103.1 WXXY/WYXX becomes “The 80’s Channel”
Summary contributed by Jeffrey T. Mason. I think I am qualified to give a summary of the 80’s Channel/Chicago sign-on, seeing that I was one of the folks who orchestrated it! Contrary to popular belief, Big City Radio – not Chancellor Media – was the first company to debut a “Jammin’ Oldies” type format. It was not called “Jammin’ Oldies,” but “103.1FM, Chicago’s Heart & Soul.” They purchased WVVX/Highland Park and WJDK/Morris, both at 103.1 to create the simulcast. Call letters were changed to WXXY and WYXX. Due to a poor signal, and some bad judgment in their outdoor campaign (billboards placed in areas that could NOT receive the station), “Chicago’s Heart & Soul” didn’t see much suc...
105.9 KHOT flips from Rhythmic Oldies to Mexican “La Nueva 105.9”
Hot 105.9″ (first KBUQ, later KHOT) debuted on October 10, 1997 with a mix of mostly R&B Oldies plus some R&B and AC currents. Eventually, the currents were dropped and the station sounded similar to the “Jammin Oldies” format that was popping up all over the country. However, unlike most Jammin’ Oldies stations (which become popular quickly, only to have the novelty wear off soon thereafter), Hot 105.9 never caught fire in the ratings. On April 5, 1999, following a sale from New Century Arizona to Heftel, KHOT became “La Nueva 105.9”, offering a Regional Mexican format. Some will say that Hot 105.9’s limited signal was the culprit in its low ratings. However, La Nueva 105.9 has gotten better numbers, consistently, than Hot 105.9. Further...
