Classic County Kicks Star Out of Waco

[Ryan Williams]

M&M Broadcasters extinguished Hot AC "Star 104-9" KBHT and replaced with a simulcast of of Classic Country "Kicker" KEKR (1590 AM). "Kicker" is also heard on FM translator K257GO Waco, which will presumably feature a new format after a transition period. Legal IDs and imaging do not mention 104-9, leading one to conclude this was not planned well in advance.

 

[Deleted member 108832]

M&M Broadcasters extinguished Hot AC "Star 104-9" KBHT and replaced with a simulcast of of Classic Country "Kicker" KEKR (1590 AM). "Kicker" is also heard on FM translator K257GO Waco, which will presumably feature a new format after a transition period. Legal IDs and imaging do not mention 104-9, leading one to conclude this was not planned well in advance.

What goes around comes around. Matt Groveton had it right all along. Reunited, again.

It's interesting to me that all of that time and money was spent to move 104.9 out of Mexia, but once they finally got it in to Waco, nothing programmed on the new signal lasts more than a couple of years. I swear, Ryan, between the translator at 101.3 and 104.9, there's been a steady stream of format changes. George, Q, The Beat, Hot, Magic, Mix, Bob-FM, Star, and now Kicker? That's just 104.9. There's been several on the translator, too. I figure La Caliente 1590 and 99.3 will soon making a return to Waco.

 

[Ryan Williams]

It's interesting to me that all of that time and money was spent to move 104.9 out of Mexia, but once they finally got it in to Waco, nothing programmed on the new signal lasts more than a couple of years. I swear, Ryan, between the translator at 101.3 and 104.9, there's been a steady stream of format changes. George, Q, The Beat, Hot, Magic, Mix, Bob-FM, Star, and now Kicker? That's just 104.9. There's been several on the translator, too. I figure La Caliente 1590 and 99.3 will soon making a return to Waco.

That's an interesting point. I think they are deeply committed to Shooter FM and KRZI (ESPN) has historically been what brought in the money. The rest of the cluster is mostly in service to keeping those going strong. You can see evidence of that as they blow out regular programming on the music stations (Shooter is mostly spared here) to clear high school and college football games and as overflow for other sporting events. Bob/Star/Mix, Cool, and Kicker are used regularly for this purpose.

I had not heard any rumors about this change and only discovered it accidentally. Because the imaging had not be updated yet, I at first assumed the STLs got crossed.

I haven't heard what is coming to 99.3, but I expect 1590 will remain a Kicker simulcast. Adding a second spanish-language signal could make sense. I also wouldn't be surprised if they tried to take the CBS Sports Radio affiliation from KWBT HD-2. That would lock up all the big networks and provide a more suitable overflow outlet.

 

[Deleted member 108832]

That's an interesting point. I think they are deeply committed to Shooter FM and KRZI (ESPN) has historically been what brought in the money. The rest of the cluster is mostly in service to keeping those going strong. You can see evidence of that as they blow out regular programming on the music stations (Shooter is mostly spared here) to clear high school and college football games and as overflow for other sporting events. Bob/Star/Mix, Cool, and Kicker are used regularly for this purpose.

Moss sold off half of Shooter to the Catholic group, a few years back. Lost Killeen, Belton, Fort Hood, and Copperas Cove in the process. 92.9 is not a bad signal, for what it is, but when you sell out half of your intended listener base, how committed are you really? Nothing has yet been done to replace that part of the market, and it's indeed a loss given Shooter is a good country format that did pretty well in that particular area between Austin and Waco.

I had not heard any rumors about this change and only discovered it accidentally. Because the imaging had not be updated yet, I at first assumed the STLs got crossed.

😂 this wouldn't be the first time. Mix and Bob both moved from 101.3 to 104.9 with rather short notice. Heaven help me, didn't Magic do the same?

I haven't heard what is coming to 99.3, but I expect 1590 will remain a Kicker simulcast. Adding a second spanish-language signal could make sense.

1590 would have to change along with 99.3. KEKR serves as the originating station for the translator. Unlike "Cool", Fox Sports Centex, or "La Mejor", it is not fed by an HD of 104.9.

I also wouldn't be surprised if they tried to take the CBS Sports Radio affiliation from KWBT HD-2. That would lock up all the big networks and provide a more suitable overflow outlet.

😂 He may have a hell of a fight on his hands trying that. Remember "CBS Sports Radio 94.1" K231CG? He is the reason that translator no longer exists. I would imagine the grapes are still rather sour to those involved in that particular debacle.

 

[Ryan Williams]

Moss sold off half of Shooter to the Catholic group, a few years back. Lost Killeen, Belton, Fort Hood, and Copperas Cove in the process. 92.9 is not a bad signal, for what it is, but when you sell out half of your intended listener base, how committed are you really? Nothing has yet been done to replace that part of the market, and it's indeed a loss given Shooter is a good country format that did pretty well in that particular area between Austin and Waco.

92.9 is a decent signal in the eastern part of Bell County. 106.9 is okay only in Killeen/Harker Heights/Cove. I'm not sure the latter contributed much.

😂 this wouldn't be the first time. Mix and Bob both moved from 101.3 to 104.9 with rather short notice. Heaven help me, didn't Magic do the same?

I totally forgot about Magic.

1590 would have to change along with 99.3. KEKR serves as the originating station for the translator. Unlike "Cool", Fox Sports Centex, or "La Mejor", it is not fed by an HD of 104.9.

That's an interesting point... the 99.3 translator is not tied to 1590 (it predates AM Revitalization), however, unless Shooter goes HD, there isn't a way to feed new programming.

😂 He may have a hell of a fight on his hands trying that. Remember "CBS Sports Radio 94.1" K231CG? He is the reason that translator no longer exists. I would imagine the grapes are still rather sour to those involved in that particular debacle.

Probably completely unrelated, but KWBT HD-2 is a dead carrier and the streaming also seems to be down.

 

[Ryan Williams]

Maybe this is what will happen... Hubbard Turns on an HD5 Audio Channel - Radio World

 

[Ryan Williams]

The imaging for Kicker has been updated to feature 104.9 and eliminate 99.3 (except for the id). Curiously though, all of it highlights 1590 AM with first billing.

a la...

"Playing the Legends of Country Music. Kicker Country: 1590 AM 104-9 FM".

 

[Deleted member 108832]

The imaging for Kicker has been updated to feature 104.9 and eliminate 99.3 (except for the id). Curiously though, all of it highlights 1590 AM with first billing.

a la...

"Playing the Legends of Country Music. Kicker Country: 1590 AM 104-9 FM".

Well. Maybe you're on to something with that HD5. Something has to feed the translator. This isn't Houston we're talking about here. 😂

 

[lanceventa]

Maybe this is what will happen... Hubbard Turns on an HD5 Audio Channel - Radio World

It's only being done on a test basis...

The Kicker stream points to both KEKR and KBHTHD3 in the stream URL. I'd expect that a more likely use...

Stream De-activated

Stream De-activated

 

[Ryan Williams]

The Kicker stream points to both KEKR and KBHTHD3 in the stream URL. I'd expect that a more likely use...

Stream De-activated

Stream De-activated

You are suggesting that Kicker stays on KBHT and then KEKR and and 99.3 stay in simulcast with an eventual new format?

 

[Deleted member 108832]

You are suggesting that Kicker stays on KBHT and then KEKR and and 99.3 stay in simulcast with an eventual new format?

I suspect this is the likely outcome. Give the share and a half of Kicker listeners a week to move to 104.9, then spin 1590/99.3 in a new direction. The HD3 of KWBT is the KRZI/KTON sports feed, so not sure why the "Kicker" stream would point to it. The HD2 is "Cool 101 3", but silent according to your last listen, and the HD4 is "La Mejor 107 3". Maybe the whole dang line-up is about to be turned inside out! That, again, wouldn't be a first. 🙃

 

[lanceventa]

You are suggesting that Kicker stays on KBHT and then KEKR and and 99.3 stay in simulcast with an eventual new format?

If the imaging for Kicker is updated to state "1590 and 104.9", why would they remove KEKR? I was suggesting they use the HD3.

 

[Deleted member 108832]

If the imaging for Kicker is updated to state "1590 and 104.9", why would they remove KEKR? I was suggesting they use the HD3.

Yeah you've lost me, Lance. Think Ryan may be a bit bewildered, too. "They use the HD3" for what, Kicker? It's already on the main 104.9 signal. What you suggested places Kicker on the HD1, HD3, the AM, and the translator.

 

[Ryan Williams]

If the imaging for Kicker is updated to state "1590 and 104.9", why would they remove KEKR? I was suggesting they use the HD3.

Right, that's why I am so confused. Why update the imaging and graphics only to take away the first-mentioned station in the simulcast a few days or weeks later? I now see you were suggesting something else....

If they move 99.3's primary to KBHT HD-3, they still are a primary station short as all the HD channels are all feeding separate translators.

 

[Ryan Williams]

I suspect this is the likely outcome. Give the share and a half of Kicker listeners a week to move to 104.9, then spin 1590/99.3 in a new direction. The HD3 of KWBT is the KRZI/KTON sports feed, so not sure why the "Kicker" stream would point to it. The HD2 is "Cool 101 3", but silent according to your last listen, and the HD4 is "La Mejor 107 3". Maybe the whole dang line-up is about to be turned inside out! That, again, wouldn't be a first. 🙃

Actually, it's the KWBT HD-2 that is silent. It has been CBS Sports Radio since it launched a few years ago.

KBHT HD-2 is Cool 101.3 and is on the air, KBHT HD-3 is 93.9 "Fox Sports Central Texas", and KBHT HD-4 is 107.3 "La Mejor", although currently there isn't any audio even though the translator is still broadcasting.

 

[Deleted member 108832]

Actually, it's the KWBT HD-2 that is silent. It has been CBS Sports Radio since it launched a few years ago.

Cripes! Very confusing, because y'know 104.9 was KWBT first, until it swapped calls and formats with 94.5. You almost need a scorecard to keep up with the various changes in Dr. Pepper land.

KBHT HD-2 is Cool 101.3 and is on the air, KBHT HD-3 is 93.9 "Fox Sports Central Texas", and KBHT HD-4 is 107.3 "La Mejor", although currently there isn't any audio even though the translator is still broadcasting.

So...what in the heck is 1660 KRZI then? I thought it and 1330 KTON were in simulcast, forming ESPN Central Texas, with the 93.9 translator in Waco and the 93.9 translator in Temple in tow.

I give up, Ryan. I need an aspirin. 😵‍💫

Edit: Aha! Fox Sports, not ESPN. So...1660/92.3 Waco are FSR, 1330/93.9 Temple are FSR, and 104.9 HD3 and 93.9 Waco are ESPN. I've got that part straightened out now. Still need to crack that medicine chest open, though.

 

[Deleted member 108832]

Actually, it's the KWBT HD-2 that is silent. It has been CBS Sports Radio since it launched a few years ago.

Yes sir, because this was supposed to be what fed K231CG. That is, until Gary Moss filed a PTD, the investigation ensued, and K231CG suddenly became  DK231CG. That damned "Wendolyn Tellez" and her ghost translators!

 

[Ryan Williams]

So...what in the heck is 1660 KRZI then? I thought it and 1330 KTON were in simulcast, forming ESPN Central Texas, with the 93.9 translator in Waco and the 93.9 translator in Temple in tow.

I give up, Ryan. I need an aspirin. 😵‍💫

It's a mess...

1660 KRZI is "ESPN Central Texas" and is also heard on 92.3 K222DC in Waco and 100.9 K265DV in Temple/Belton. The AM signal is large enough to legally feed both translators.

1330 KTON is "Fox Sports Central Texas" and is also heard on 93.9 K230CH in Temple/Belton along with KBHT HD-3 and 93.9 K230CK in Waco. KTON does not reach far enough north to also feed the Waco translator, which is why the KBHT HD channel is involved.

 

[Deleted member 108832]

It's a mess...

1660 KRZI is "ESPN Central Texas" and is also heard on 92.3 K222DC in Waco and 100.9 K265DV in Temple/Belton. The AM signal is large enough to legally feed both translators.

1330 KTON is "Fox Sports Central Texas" and is also heard on 93.9 K230CH in Temple/Belton along with KBHT HD-3 and 93.9 K230CK in Waco. KTON does not reach far enough north to also feed the Waco translator, which is why the KBHT HD channel is involved.

🤦‍♂️

Wow! I'm so glad that NOTHING has taken the digital plunge in Tyler-Longview radio.

 

[Ryan Williams]

🤦‍♂️

Wow! I'm so glad that NOTHING has taken the digital plunge in Tyler-Longview radio.

I think Tyler-Longview is also kind of confusing because so few stations really cover the whole market and so many have been involved with some kind of simulcast over the years.

Waco and Killeen-Temple are technically separate radio markets, even though in some aspects they function closely together (partly due, I think, to being in the same TV market).