Stunting
“Loop 101” 101.1 KAZL becomes “Energy 92.7 and 101.1”
In 1999, the company now known as Sierra H Broadcasting signed on KESP 101.1 FM in Payson, AZ. The format was Classic Hits (a.k.a. a lighter version of Classic Rock) under the name “Loop 101” (which, probably not coincidentally, is also the name of a then-being-constructed freeway in the Phoenix area.) The call letters changed to KAZL in early 2000, and at some point, K224CJ 92.7 FM (a 10-watt translator broadcasting from South Mountain in Phoenix) and K292DF 106.3 FM (a 10-watt translator located in Flagstaff, AZ) began simulcasting KAZL. The idea was to provide an alternative to Sandusky’s Classic Rock KSLX 100.7 FM. However, Loop 101 rarely made an appearance in the Phoenix ratings. On June 18, 2002, at 5pm, “Loop 101” came to an end. It was replaced by a s...
Quick 96 Becomes Superhits 95.7 KJR-FM
Previous Format: Stunting New Format: Classic Hits Date & Time Of Change: May 31, 2002 at 5:00pm More Info: Wikipedia Related Changes: 95.7 The Beat Begins Stunting As “Quick 96”
KBTB 95.7 The Beat Begins Stunting As “Quick 96”
Previous Format: Rhythmic Oldies New Format: Stunting Date & Time Of Change: May 29, 2002 at 6:00pm More Info: Wikipedia Related Changes: Quick 96 Becomes 95.7 KJR-FM
CHR “Hot 99.5” WIHT Signs-On
After the merger of AMFM Inc. and Clear Channel Communications, the Jammin Oldies format, which AMFM had been debuting in many markets began to falter. With little corporate support and a high burnout factor in the music, it was not surprising that the format didn’t last longterm. In the meantime, Clear Channel began debuting its “brand” of CHR’s in many markets. Washington, already home to Bonneville’s weaker powererd Z104, was next in line. With the “Kiss” name unavailable, Hot 99.5 was to be born. Getting there was where things got interesting. Bucking the trends, WJMO management gave the station a farewell weekend for the staff and listeners to say goodbye. On April 2, 2001 at 7:00am, Survivor Radio was born. Just like the TV show, 5 people wer...
“Jammin 99.5 ” WJMO drops Jammin Oldies
After the merger of AMFM Inc. and Clear Channel Communications, the Jammin Oldies format, which AMFM had been debuting in many markets began to falter. With little corporate support and a high burnout factor in the music, it was not surprising that the format didn’t last longterm. In the meantime, Clear Channel began debuting its “brand” of CHR’s in many markets. Washington, already home to Bonneville’s weaker powererd Z104, was next in line. With the “Kiss” name unavailable, Hot 99.5 was to be born. Getting there was where things got interesting. Bucking the trends, WJMO management gave the station a farewell weekend for the staff and listeners to say goodbye. On April 2, 2001 at 7:00am, Survivor Radio was born. Just like the TV show, 5 people wer...
97.1: WSUN flips from Oldies to Alternative “97X”
Mired with a subpar signal and being one of two Oldies stations in the market did not allow WSUN to take off in the Tampa Bay area. While rumors of Cox flipping the station to All-80’s ran rampant, the station began stunting with music from 2001: A Space Oddysey. At 5:00pm on November 3, 2000, the Tampa Bay area got its first taste at an Alternative station in many years with the debut of 97X. The first song, Hemhorrage by Fuel was dedicated to Modern AC WSSR and Active Rocker WXTB, both of whom are owned by competitor Clear Channel Communications.
103.9 KPTY relaunches as Rhythmic CHR “Party Radio @ 103.9”
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, ...
WJHR Flemington becomes “ChatRadio 1040”
After years of silence, 1040 WJHR Flemington returned to the air in 1996 with a Full Service Hot AC format as “Jersey’s Hometown Radio”. As the only commercial station licensed to Hunterdon County, WJHR had a nice niche in a rapidly growing area. Nassau Broadcasting attempted to increase that niche when they took over the station. Flipping the station to News/Talk was intended to increase the local niche of the station in the market, while removing the music that competed with Nassau’s WPST. Unfortunately, the station did not succeed enough as was expected, which is not surprising given the amount of money needed to operate an all local News/Talk operation. In 1999, the station flipped to a simulcast of 1350 WHWH in Princeton, NJ and both air a satellite Business Ta...
Christian 94.5 WCHR becomes Oldies WNJO
Nassau Broadcasting created the first duopoly in the Trenton market in early 1998 with the acquisition of 920 WTTM and 94.5 WCHR from Great Scott Broadcasting. WCHR’s religious programming was quickly transferred from 94.5 to 920. With market speculation leaning towards the debut of an AC or Country format, Nassau surprised observers with the choice of Oldies for the new station. With New Jersey 101.5 already in the market doing Oldies on weekends and overnights, many thought that there would be no room in the market for another Oldies outlet. The decision has chosen to be a wise one as WNJO has become a dominant #2 in the market, after debuting at #1 and allowing sister station WPST to retain the top spot.
