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Bye bye KIT-FM, hello Mega 99.3 in Yakima

C

crainbebo

After about 3 years of the KIT-FM news talk simulcast of 1280 AM, Townsquare Media has flipped KIT-FM to a music format called "Mega 99.3". Rhythmic oldies with a little bit of Rhythmic AC thrown in, from the 70s-90s. Not many people are happy about this move on Facebook. Good that we have some type of rhythmic oldies station here, they are rare to find in this country.
http://newstalkkit.com/tags/mega-99-3/
 
Wow some really interesting news from Yakima radio! I wonder why they're doing rhythmic oldies and not classic hip hop like say Seattle's 103.7; is there an existing satellite network they can tap into or will they make up their own mix? And I'm surprised there's so much negative feedback, since KIT-AM will continue to broadcast.
 
Just discovered this today. I love this format. This makes the Yakima radio landcape all the better (and I already thought it was better than most markets this size).

There is a Mega station in Fresno which has been a big station there for years. I used to live in Fresno and Yakima very much reminds me of a Northern version of it. Same industry, demographics (and crime!)...so if it does well there it could do good here.

FM talk seemed like it was going to be the next big thing a few years ago but the ratings have been disappointing. Now it seems like a waste of an FM signal to simulcast an AM talker.

Finally, this is a good strategic move by Townsquare. Every one of the recent format changes and new translator stations Radio Yakima launched has been designed to hurt the Townsquare cluster. Now Townsquare is finally fighting back. MEGA could take some audience away from both RYs CHERRY FM and the upper demos of HOT 99.7.
 
I have enjoyed the format. They do play some classic hip-hop, but mix it in with 70s, 80s and 90s dance music and older R&B. Kind of reminds me of the old "106.3 Pop FM" KWNZ in Reno, when it used to be Rhythmic AC. Not the same as yet another top 40/CHR.
AM stations simulcasting on FM equals one excuse = Too much noise from computers, TVs and CFL lights! People who can't hear us 5 miles away can hear us clearly on 99.3...

-crainbebo
 
I spent most of life in Las Vegas and this station very much reminds me of Old School 105.7 there. They probably share 85% of the same music. What's interesting is around the same time KIT flipped it's FM to MEGA, the talk station in Vegas KXNT flipped it's FM simulcast to become that markets SECOND rhythmic oldies station with a younger version of the format.

I like all the categories MEGA plays from the 70s to classic hip hop (hip hop got real stale to me after the crunk/dirty south sound took over). I especially like that Mega plays some "oh wow" songs that haven't been played on the radio in decades. For example, Centipede-Rebbie Jackson, I haven't heard that once since it was a current in late 1984! Or New Attitude-Patti Labelle, I played it as a current in 1985 but haven't heard it since except for bumper music on the old Dr Laura show.

Once this station becomes established I would like to see them add Art Laboe's show (at least on Sunday nights if not nightly). It would add some personality plus he has a huge following among the Hispanic audience they are targeting.

Finally, I do agree AM radio has become a wasteland of noise. It has practically ruined the AM listening experience. I do have compassion for the KIT listeners 5+ miles outside of Yakima who were depending on the simulcast to get a clear signal.
 
KMGW is now finished with their 10,000 songs. They now have on-air personalities, and R Dub's Slow Jams each weeknight at 7PM (which used to air on KFFM at around 11PM or midnight).
They have a large variety. From Destiny's Child, to Lou Rawls, to the theme from "Midnight Express" (which I automatically think of George Noory and Coast to Coast AM). I've heard the Midnight Express theme hundreds of times, always five minutes after 10:00PM on various AM stations. I spend more time on 99.3 than I do on any other local station in the valley.

-crainbebo
 
Last night I heard "Stop to Love" by Luther Vandross. 1986 rarity. The only other place I have heard this is KOAZ/The Oasis Smooth Jazz in Albuquerque, before the webstream was taken off. Oh, and "I Want Your Love" Chic (1978). I'm hoping Mega lasts a long time.

-crainbebo
 
Almost a year since KMGW began their Mega format, and I still enjoy it. I hear lots of Bobby Brown, Mariah Carey, Barry White, Boyz II Men, Kool & The Gang etc. on this station. Definitely something different to listen to.
A note for Mega however: Why is the only Luther Vandross song in your playlist "Stop to Love"? There's a lot of other hits they could air. Never Too Much, Here and Now, Always & Forever. He had a beautiful voice and I think his other top hits would definitely fit the format. Aaron Neville and more Babyface would also be good to hear as well.

I'm a regular R Dub listener now as well. Almost every night I hear an oral expression from the Yakima area. His playlist is also good.
 
What in god's name is going on at KMGW-FM right now? R Dub's Slow Jams show aired just fine in the 8:00 hour tonight, as of 10:00 there's a MASSIVE screwup going on right now with the music pitched and slowed down so much, it sounds like the theme for a horror movie. Whatever's coming out of MEGA's airwaves is enough to give anyone the freaking chills. I cannot find an engineer contact for the Townsquare cluster here in town. I should tape a little bit to prove it's going on.
Hmmm...EDIT, commercials are airing just fine, and Slow jams is playing just fine. What was that all about earlier, I wonder?
 
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Impressed with KMGW's modified playlist. I heard Anita Baker 'Sweet Love', Sade 'Your Love is King' and Luther Vandross 'Here and Now' just recently, along with new additions from En Vogue (like 'Don't Let Go') and Soul II Soul ('Keep on Movin''). Just a few of the new songs that hail the playlist of the best FM station in Yakima. Way to go, 99.3!
Too bad Townsquare had to dump Raleigh Hawthorne down the drain for automation. She had voicetracked middays on Mega and did a live show at 97.5 KOLW 'Hot' in Tri-Cities. Well known for appearing on Fox's Beat Shazam last summer and winning a little over $250,000 in the bonus round with her partner, KEYW morning host Stacy Lee (who still works at Townsquare).
They recently dumped Sir Mix-A-Lot's noontime program for the locally-originating jukebox. Not sure how long ago it was, maybe 6-12 months ago? I haven't updated this thread in a long time.
 
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