18 Years (and some months) Ago...(Ratings Flashback)

[EricStein]

2. I don't recall whether 1060 had changed to KUKQ's alternative format by now; I think they had. When I arrived in Phoenix in '93 they were talk, featuring PatBuchanan, among others, and a weekend show from Barry Landers. I thought their alternative format was very special.

Was Alternative between news/talk and sports or did Alternative come first? I thought the news/talk shows on 1060 moved to KXAM when KUKQ became KDUS. Again, my memory could be fading a bit here.

I think KUKQ became talk when Bob Fish was awarded the licenses for KUPD and KUKQ. I recall G. Gordon Liddy was another syndicated host they had picked up. After Sandusky purchased the stations (only a year or so after Mr. Fish took over from Melton and Norris), KUKQ reverted back to alternative, but with a much more "punk" lean.

 

[indieradioguy]

Was KFYI a right wing news outlet back then as it is now?

Let's try that again with a different station: Was KTAR a right-wing news outlet back then as it is now? I can't remember KTAR being as right-wing as it is now. If they were any more to the right, they'd be KFYI.

 

[DrAkbar]

I can't remember KTAR being as right-wing as it is now. If they were any more to the right, they'd be KFYI.

Guess you don't remember Tony Snow or Glenn Beck when they were on KTweetAR. In the past year or so they have shifted to the center and moved away from political talk.

18 years ago....wasn't 14~Forty known as KOPA?

 

[michael hagerty]

I can't remember KTAR being as right-wing as it is now. If they were any more to the right, they'd be KFYI.

Guess you don't remember Tony Snow or Glenn Beck when they were on KTweetAR. In the past year or so they have shifted to the center and moved away from political talk.

18 years ago....wasn't 14~Forty known as KOPA?

Yes. KOPA until 1996, KSLX until 2001 and KAZG since.

 

[johndavis]

and I know at least three local jocks who loved to listen just to hear what was next...

During my brief tenure at KZZP, the GM would begin most morning programming/marketing meetings by turning on KTWC and waiting for a segue. Then we could get down to business.

I swear, Paul was depressed most of the day after he flipped it on and heard Christmas music playing in July.

 

[DrAkbar]

Twice the train wrecks, too (or is that two?) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnmDSA95sXs

 

[tangledup7]

johndavis - why would the GM do that to start meetings? Was there a point he was trying to make?

 

[michael hagerty]

Twice the train wrecks, too (or is that two?) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnmDSA95sXs

I used to torture Don Jerome after the launch by asking him how things are going at "207".

Don: "207?"

Me: "Yeah. Twice 103.5."

 

[michael hagerty]

Nosing around the archives, I found the first Phoenix Radiowatchers post on rec.radio.broadcasting, from November 27, 1994. Here's the list published at the time of the stations, dial positions and formats:

FM

88.3 KNAI/KPHF(2 stations owned by separate entities that share the
signal. KNAI is Spanish during the day. KPHF is English-language
Religion at night. Both are non-commercial)
89.5 KBAQ(K-BACH)Classical/NPR. Non-commercial college station.
90.3 KFLR(Family Life Radio) Religious.
91.5 KJZZ(K-JAZZ)Jazz(lite)/NPR. Non-commercial college station.
92.3 KKFR(Power 92)CHR/Urban. Consulted by HOT97/NY's Steve Smith.
93.3 KDKB:AOR since 1971.
93.7 KMEO(Cameo)New Age.
94.5 KOOL:Oldies.
95.5 KYOT(Coyote):"Smooth Rhythms"(Pat Metheny, Sting, Steely Dan,etc.).
96.9 KPSN(Sunny 97) Oldies.
97.9 KUPD:AOR.
98.7 KKLT(K-Lite)A/C.
99.9 KESZ(K-E-Z)A/C.
100.3 KZRX(Z-Rock)Heavy Metal.
100.7 KSLX:Classic Rock.
101.5 KZON(The Zone)AAA.
102.5 KNIX: Country.
103.5 KTWC: Eclectic MOR.
104.7 KVRY(Variety 104.7)A/C.
105.3 KRDS(Eagle 105)Religious.
106.3 KEDJ(The Edge)Modern Rock.
106.9 KMJK(Majic 107)Urban.
107.1 KVVA(Radio VIVA)Spanish.
107.9 KMLE(Camel Country 108)Country.

AM
550 KOY:Adult Standards(Unistar AM ONLY).
620 KTAR:News/Talk.
740 KIDR:Children(Radio AAHS).
860 KVVA(Radio VIVA)Spanish.
910 KFYI:News/Talk.
960: KOOL(KOOL Gold)Oldies(The origination for Transtar's KOOL Gold
satellite format).
1010 KXEG:Relgious.
1060 KUKQ:Modern Rock.
1190 KRDS(Eagle 105 simulcast)Religious.
1230 KISO(Kiss 1230)Urban A/C.
1280 KHEP:Religious.
1310 KXAM:Talk/Jazz.
1360 KGME(The Game)Sportstalk.
1400 KSUN:Spanish.
1440 KOPA:News(CNN Headline News audio).
1480 KPHX:Spanish.
1510 KFNN:Business and financial newstalk.
1540 KASA:Spanish.
1580 KCWW:Country(Origination for "Real Country" satellite format).



By the way...here's how long ago this was: My e-mail (which I'd forgotten, but was included in the posts) was [email protected]. Not only free e-mail, but access to free, text-only internet.

 

[justthenumbers]

By the way...here's how long ago this was: My e-mail (which I'd forgotten, but was included in the posts) was [email protected]. Not only free e-mail, but access to free, text-only internet.

Where's the "Like" button?

 

[oldiesfan6479]

...on rec.radio.broadcasting, from November 27, 1994. Here's the list published at the time of the stations, dial positions and formats:

FM
93.7 KMEO(Cameo)New Age.

In what area (COL) was a station using the KMEO calls? There is--and has been since
the 1970s--a big stick in Tucson on 93.7 (KRQQ).

 

[michael hagerty]

...on rec.radio.broadcasting, from November 27, 1994. Here's the list published at the time of the stations, dial positions and formats:

FM
93.7 KMEO(Cameo)New Age.

In what area (COL) was a station using the KMEO calls? There is--and has been since
the 1970s--a big stick in Tucson on 93.7 (KRQQ).

It was Wickenburg. Station signed on as Modern Rock, flipped to Easy Listening when KMEO (96.9) became KPSN. Went New Age in mid-late '94 and shortly after that list was published, changed call letters to KBSZ (The Breeze).

They've been Classic Country since 1996, with a couple of frequency changes. They're now on 96.3.

 

[DrAkbar]

Twice the train wrecks, too (or is that two?) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnmDSA95sXs

I used to torture Don Jerome after the launch by asking him how things are going at "207".

Don: "207?"

Me: "Yeah. Twice 103.5."

Guess our memories are just as fuzzy as what grows in the staff refrigerator at the Media Hut Completely forgot that Twice 103~Five became KOAZ - The Oasis with Smooth Jazz...then KWCY - Wild Country with Tim & Willy before going Espanol as KLNZ. Bet it makes money now!

 

[radioguy39nj]

Nosing around the archives, I found the first Phoenix Radiowatchers post on rec.radio.broadcasting, from November 27, 1994. Here's the list published at the time of the stations, dial positions and formats:

FM

88.3 KNAI/KPHF(2 stations owned by separate entities that share the
signal. KNAI is Spanish during the day. KPHF is English-language
Religion at night. Both are non-commercial)
89.5 KBAQ(K-BACH)Classical/NPR. Non-commercial college station.
90.3 KFLR(Family Life Radio) Religious.
91.5 KJZZ(K-JAZZ)Jazz(lite)/NPR. Non-commercial college station.
92.3 KKFR(Power 92)CHR/Urban. Consulted by HOT97/NY's Steve Smith.
93.3 KDKB:AOR since 1971.
93.7 KMEO(Cameo)New Age.
94.5 KOOL:Oldies.
95.5 KYOT(Coyote):"Smooth Rhythms"(Pat Metheny, Sting, Steely Dan,etc.).
96.9 KPSN(Sunny 97) Oldies.
97.9 KUPD:AOR.
98.7 KKLT(K-Lite)A/C.
99.9 KESZ(K-E-Z)A/C.
100.3 KZRX(Z-Rock)Heavy Metal.
100.7 KSLX:Classic Rock.
101.5 KZON(The Zone)AAA.
102.5 KNIX: Country.
103.5 KTWC: Eclectic MOR.
104.7 KVRY(Variety 104.7)A/C.
105.3 KRDS(Eagle 105)Religious.
106.3 KEDJ(The Edge)Modern Rock.
106.9 KMJK(Majic 107)Urban.
107.1 KVVA(Radio VIVA)Spanish.
107.9 KMLE(Camel Country 108)Country.

So Phoenix had 2 oldies FMs in 1994? I know KOOL is the heritage outlet dating back to 1971. Did KPSN try to be a clone of KOOL?

 

[michael hagerty]

Nosing around the archives, I found the first Phoenix Radiowatchers post on rec.radio.broadcasting, from November 27, 1994. Here's the list published at the time of the stations, dial positions and formats:

FM

88.3 KNAI/KPHF(2 stations owned by separate entities that share the
signal. KNAI is Spanish during the day. KPHF is English-language
Religion at night. Both are non-commercial)
89.5 KBAQ(K-BACH)Classical/NPR. Non-commercial college station.
90.3 KFLR(Family Life Radio) Religious.
91.5 KJZZ(K-JAZZ)Jazz(lite)/NPR. Non-commercial college station.
92.3 KKFR(Power 92)CHR/Urban. Consulted by HOT97/NY's Steve Smith.
93.3 KDKB:AOR since 1971.
93.7 KMEO(Cameo)New Age.
94.5 KOOL:Oldies.
95.5 KYOT(Coyote):"Smooth Rhythms"(Pat Metheny, Sting, Steely Dan,etc.).
96.9 KPSN(Sunny 97) Oldies.
97.9 KUPD:AOR.
98.7 KKLT(K-Lite)A/C.
99.9 KESZ(K-E-Z)A/C.
100.3 KZRX(Z-Rock)Heavy Metal.
100.7 KSLX:Classic Rock.
101.5 KZON(The Zone)AAA.
102.5 KNIX: Country.
103.5 KTWC: Eclectic MOR.
104.7 KVRY(Variety 104.7)A/C.
105.3 KRDS(Eagle 105)Religious.
106.3 KEDJ(The Edge)Modern Rock.
106.9 KMJK(Majic 107)Urban.
107.1 KVVA(Radio VIVA)Spanish.
107.9 KMLE(Camel Country 108)Country.

So Phoenix had 2 oldies FMs in 1994? I know KOOL is the heritage outlet dating back to 1971. Did KPSN try to be a clone of KOOL?

Long-ish story:

In 1991, Group W, which had slowly (verrrrrry slowly) been transitioning KMEO from Beautiful Music to Adult Contemporary (at one point, they took Don Henley's "End Of The Innocence", edited out the vocals and played what essentially was a 90-second Bruce Hornsby instrumental) sold the station to Bonneville.

Bonneville hired Joel Grey, PD of WENS, Indianapolis, changed the calls to KPSN, the station name to Sunny97, and put on one of the best AC's I've ever heard (but then, Joel is one of the best programmers I've ever known).

That would have made for a three-way AC race, against KESZ and KKLT. But at virtually the same moment, three other stations (KAMJ, KZZP and...I forget) flipped to AC too.

So there were six.

Well, despite being really good, Sunny was only able to get a 1.6...tied for 6th place.

They tried one more book and got a 2.4. Not good enough.

At that point, KOOL was doing well in the ratings (a 4.2), but was a shambles...its owner filed bankruptcy and the station was being run by a court-appointed receiver.

Sunny flipped to Oldies, with Charlie Van Dyke for mornings and Steve Goddard for afternoons and in one book, the numbers flipped...Sunny had the 4.2 and KOOL the 2.4.

Sunny didn't sound like KOOL at all...lots of personality, KIIS-FM "Flamethrower" jingles and zero nostalgia...it really was Sunny's AC sound with different music.

Bonneville rewarded Joel with not one, but two consultants (often giving conflicting advice), and went through a series of image snafus (one consultant said "Sunny" was an AC name and they needed to downplay or ditch it...in a 6 month period they were "Sunny 97", "Hot Oldies 97 KPSN" and "Hot Oldies Sunny 97 KPSN" in that order).

Meantime, KOOL emerged from bankruptcy, new owners righted the ship, KOOL took back the crown and Sunny died. Everyone but Joel was fired around Thanksgiving, 1994 and by early 1995, it was Classic Hits (which at the time was Classic Rock that charted as singles...no LP cuts) KCHT, K-Hits 97.

 

[EricStein]

It was Wickenburg. Station signed on as Modern Rock, flipped to Easy Listening when KMEO (96.9) became KPSN. Went New Age in mid-late '94 and shortly after that list was published, changed call letters to KBSZ (The Breeze).

They've been Classic Country since 1996, with a couple of frequency changes. They're now on 96.3.

93.7 signed on as KFMA in 1992. Some "refugees" from KUKQ convinced the owner at the time, a former sales manager at KUPD during the Melton/Norris years, to sign on as alternative . A few months later, Classical KONC 106.3 flipped to Alternative as KEDJ "The Edge" and that sealed the fate for KFMA, whose signal was hardly audible east of Surprise (it was a Class A station at the time).