R.I.P. 98.1 KISS FM, the station had a tremendous run but it looks like the "Old School/Throwback" format was not viable anymore, and KRBQ/KBLX got in their way. On paper this does make sense as there was an open lane for a Soft AC with KOIT not really owning that format. Thoughts on how this format will make an impact on the Bay Area?
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KISQ Flips To Soft AC
- Thread starter radiolife3
- Start date
Aren't stations in major markets playing such soft music quite unusual?
Perhaps this is just a temporary format?
The Breeze 98.1 Playlist: http://981kissfm.iheart.com/playlist/
Perhaps this is just a temporary format?
The Breeze 98.1 Playlist: http://981kissfm.iheart.com/playlist/
They are less and less unusual as AC becomes hotter and hotter.
Miami, San Diego and the morphed WDUV are good examples of softer AC stations that get decent 25-54 numbers.
I'm gobsmacked by this -- thought it was a shame when they dumped what had been a fairly unique mix, moving all their '80s new wave dance records to Big 103 and adding '90s hip-hop, in an attempt to compete with Q-102. They were my go-to station in the car for a long time. But this seems nuts -- KFOG goes younger and iHeart goes... older? Wow.
Dang its a crazy time to see format flips in the Bay Area.
I wouldn't be shocked if the "Kiss" moniker stays in the Bay Area. One gets the feeling that it will either end up on 94.9 or 101.3.
Soft AC I usually associate this with another Iheart station KOST Los Angeles But they became Hot AC too.
KBIG is iHeart's Los Ángeles Hot AC. KOST is today's mainstream AC.
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When did this happen?
I loved 98.1 Kiss-FM ..Why the filp?
I loved 98.1 Kiss-FM ..Why the filp?
Kiss was a top 5 biller in SF last year, so likely the move is cluster strategy to fit with their other contemporary stations. This move gives them better full coverage of 18 all the way to 54.
Hope it pays off in the ratings
I'll admit I didn't see this one coming. Even in a top-5 market, it's pretty rare to see a station with a cume north of 1 million and showing small growth flip. One can only assume that the changes made in the middle of last year either caused a decline in sales or failed to take it out of competition with Big 103.7 and Star 101.3. I suspect losing Renel hurt Kiss pretty badly, too.
You are over-analyzing. They had an up year in billing in '15 so this looks like a cluster strategy to not have too much 18-34 and have more 35-54. That balances the demos and builds a nice wall from 18 to 49.
Univision should flip their failed "Hot" station to this. I can't imagine it's billing... is it David?
One thing too, this format generally hurts a traditional Classic Hits station (like BIG) more than a Rhythmic Oldies play (like Kiss).
Thought BIG would get it first especially with Kiss top 5 in billing. But maybe they feel the Rhythmic Oldies had less long term potential with KBLX and KISQ.
Oh no, does the Bay Area have the "format change" radio disease?! Just joking about the disease part, obviously, cities can't have diseases like this. Besides format change disease doesn't literally exist.. What I did meant is that because we saw KGO tweak itself up, this station flipping to The Breeze and a new dance format in the KFOG stations, there may be a breaking point where a company can blowtorch/"suicide" a good, decent, and high rated station. That is what I am worried about here, and according to a person from another site, he said that the area has received national attention, because of the handful of format changes.
BTW, for the billings, what a "suicide" it was...
Ratings, not so much. Maybe that was a factor, they weren't looking at the billings, they were looking at the ratings. iHeart, please check your facts and check both billings & ratings so you don't blowtorch a station that is financially good, but not that great in ratings.
BTW, for the billings, what a "suicide" it was...
Ratings, not so much. Maybe that was a factor, they weren't looking at the billings, they were looking at the ratings. iHeart, please check your facts and check both billings & ratings so you don't blowtorch a station that is financially good, but not that great in ratings.
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K
K.M. Richards
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No one, unless they pay iHeart for its use. They hold a trademark on it.
Has any other market have multiple changes at multiple stations at the same time similar to San Francisco for the past 2-3 weeks.
In San Francisco its KLIV flipping to all News to Country, at KGO the rearrangement of Talk Talent and removal of News Department, at KFOG its a change in Talent and yes KISQ from Oldies Kiss to Breeze AC.
How many other Radio markets have had situations like this.
In San Francisco its KLIV flipping to all News to Country, at KGO the rearrangement of Talk Talent and removal of News Department, at KFOG its a change in Talent and yes KISQ from Oldies Kiss to Breeze AC.
How many other Radio markets have had situations like this.
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