A couple of recent Eastern WA format flips

[crainbebo]

Found out about a couple of flips not too long ago to Central WA FMs, one back in November.

First of all, 99.3 KQMY (My 99.3) in Yakima switched to a simulcast of KIT 1280 on November 17, 2011. In my opinion, this was uncalled for as Yakima has NO AC or Hot AC stations now in town (closest ones are 105.7 KRSE, adult hits and 100.9 KARY, classic hits). Looks like office workers will have to get a DX radio and listen to a staticky 105.3 KONA instead.

Second, 101.9 KUJJ in the Tri-Cities switched to a Top 40 format (from Smooth Jazz) as the New Zoo 102. This leaves the whole Central/Eastern WA area without a smooth station (if you don't count KZAL 94.7 as smooth jazz).

-crainbebo

[Bongwater]

Found out about a couple of flips not too long ago to Central WA FMs, one back in November.

First of all, 99.3 KQMY (My 99.3) in Yakima switched to a simulcast of KIT 1280 on November 17, 2011. In my opinion, this was uncalled for as Yakima has NO AC or Hot AC stations now in town (closest ones are 105.7 KRSE, adult hits and 100.9 KARY, classic hits). Looks like office workers will have to get a DX radio and listen to a staticky 105.3 KONA instead.

Second, 101.9 KUJJ in the Tri-Cities switched to a Top 40 format (from Smooth Jazz) as the New Zoo 102. This leaves the whole Central/Eastern WA area without a smooth station (if you don't count KZAL 94.7 as smooth jazz).

-crainbebo

KZAL hasn't been Smooth anything for a few years now. It's a generic AC pretty much.......

[Stephanie Sandlin]

Someone wants a piece of KUJ 99.1's billing it seems.

Perhaps a good move to have an alternate CHR/top 40 to run against Power 99 as KUJ FM bills over a million annually. Wrong signal though. KUJJ's (cough, KZIU) main on 101.9 only provides steady coverage for about half the market. The translator overlooking Richland fills things in on 104.9.

This was tried before by Cherry Creek in Pasco with KRKG, or the former KGSG on 93.7. It failed too. A little class A against established powerhouse KUJ - you could see it coming.

If someone wants to challenge KUJ 99.1, having a full market signal to do it with would be a must.  It's damn near a waste of time and capital to flip these flea powered/rimshots to take a run at KUJ.

Second, 101.9 KUJJ in the Tri-Cities switched to a Top 40 format (from Smooth Jazz) as the New Zoo 102. This leaves the whole Central/Eastern WA area without a smooth station (if you don't count KZAL 94.7 as smooth jazz).

[Stephanie Sandlin]

In regards to KZIU 101.9, I forgot about the L.M.A. in place.  Tom Hogkins' Walla Walla based Alexandria Communications owns KIZU, but Cherry Creek is running it out of Pasco.

So in short, you have Cherry Creek taking their second stab in 3 years at CHR.

Feels like KXLY Radio Group redux with their abandoning of WIRED 96.9 only to 5 years later return to the format with HOT 96.9. At least in Spokane KEZE 96.9 has reasonable market penetration compared to KZIU.

[bobdavcav]

I think I might have also found the source of the mystery translator on 106.9, it relays KZIU's hd2 subchannel. I'm kind of surprised there hasn't been an attempt at rhythmic CHR over there. KUJ tried it a while ago, but reverted to mainstream, and with the high number of hispanic stations over there, seems like there is an audience. About KQMY, another AC gone, just like the one in the Twin Cities, Kansas City, and a few other markets. If I were Cherry Creek, I'd swap the formats of KAAP and KPQ-FM so that AC can be heard all over the state, with the classic rock stations in the respective markets covering that format.

[crainbebo]

I think I might have also found the source of the mystery translator on 106.9, it relays KZIU's hd2 subchannel. I'm kind of surprised there hasn't been an attempt at rhythmic CHR over there. KUJ tried it a while ago, but reverted to mainstream, and with the high number of hispanic stations over there, seems like there is an audience. About KQMY, another AC gone, just like the one in the Twin Cities, Kansas City, and a few other markets. If I were Cherry Creek, I'd swap the formats of KAAP and KPQ-FM so that AC can be heard all over the state, with the classic rock stations in the respective markets covering that format.

But then what would the slogans be? I'm thinking 99.5 The Rock and Mountain FM 102..."Serving the Olympics to the Cascades...and beyond".

-crainbebo

[Stephanie Sandlin]

That was my guess what was going on, except for the 106.9 isn't ID'ing it's primary.  Just the translator call.

I could very easily see the decision to "not bother" ID'ing the KIZU HD signal and focusing on the translator call so people aren't confused with legal ID's on 106.9 like: 101.9 KZIU Weston HD1, 106.9 K295AV Walla Walla.

I think I might have also found the source of the mystery translator on 106.9, it relays KZIU's hd2 subchannel.

[crainbebo]

How about if the operator of K-Hits 106.9 gets off that TRANSLATOR, 240W CHANNEL and switches to KZIU HD-2? It would be better...or just putting an LP signal on 106.9, i.e. KHTS-LP?

-crainbebo

[fireman97]

Cherry Creek didn't own 93.7 when it was Rhythmic AC, it was Alexandra Communications.  So this is Cherry Creek's first run at CHR in the market.

And maybe Zoo doesn't have to beat Power 99 to be successful to Cherry Creek.

[Stephanie Sandlin]

Indeed.

Recent market chatter points to Cherry Creek launching KZIU to blunt Townsquare from jumping on CHR first. So yes, just detering Townsquare tossing their hat in the ring and maybe picking up just enough to be profitable and Cherry Creek could be quite pleased.

Thanks for the timeline update on the LMA as well.

If they are in the CHR game for the long haul, I can see Cherry Creek swapping KIZU's format with KZHR 92.5. KZHR has the signal to be a contender against Power 99. All boils down to the economics...

And maybe Zoo doesn't have to beat Power 99 to be successful to Cherry Creek.