20 years ago, KIKI-FM (I-94) and KQMQ were so dominant, it seemed like they could do no wrong. How did they blink and allow all of these competitors to come in and now dominate? I look at the ratings now and wonder why the newer CHR and rhythmic stations so dominate the old timers. What happened?
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How did one-time powerhouses KIKI/I-94 and KQMQ collapse?
- Thread starter Doctah
- Start date
KQMQ was owned by North Park Media. They owned KQMQ A/F and some stations in Albuquerque NM. Jack
Kelly always talked about the bag of cash they had if anyone ever challenged their position in Honolulu.
When they built the new place next to the newspaper it was nothing but the best. The Christmas parties
were incredible. The perks never ended. No one knew the Albuquerque NM station was draining the bag of
cash.
Three things finally happened.
1. KSSK challenged KQMQ big a million dollar cash giveaway. Sure it was paid over 20 years but listeners
didn't care. KQMQ was out of cash and could not counter with a good promotion.
2. KQMQ brought in consultants. After several years of letting Kimo Akane just program the station with
what worked, someone had a bright idea of consultants and music testing. Anyone remember the Hawaii
Radio group music calls? They hired a bunch of people to make music calls in the evening from the KQMQ
studios. Instead of having Kimo Akane, who at that time was probably one of the smartest programmers
on the island, just program the music and keep the station #1, they let the consultants have their say
and KQMQ played Luther Vandross' Here and Now about every two hours until the station was dead. If
they had let Akane program the station they might have had a shot.
3. In a last ditch effort to stay alive, KQMQ A/F and KPOI entered into a JMA (joint marketing agreement)
to sell advertising. It didn't work and KQMQ sunk deeper into the big hole.
KQMQ always had a solid staff during that time. Kimo Akane did a great job running the programming
side. Michael Qseng, (i guess we can call him mike now) did the mornings with Danielle Tucker and
later Kari Steele. Wili Moki dominated the afternoons (we miss you brah), Kriss Heart, Jon Kealoha,
Kevin Bishop, Jeff Kino, Chris Chang, and others were the best on the island.
Later they brought in a GM with a BIG drug problem to turn it around. By the mid 90s it was done.
Kelly always talked about the bag of cash they had if anyone ever challenged their position in Honolulu.
When they built the new place next to the newspaper it was nothing but the best. The Christmas parties
were incredible. The perks never ended. No one knew the Albuquerque NM station was draining the bag of
cash.
Three things finally happened.
1. KSSK challenged KQMQ big a million dollar cash giveaway. Sure it was paid over 20 years but listeners
didn't care. KQMQ was out of cash and could not counter with a good promotion.
2. KQMQ brought in consultants. After several years of letting Kimo Akane just program the station with
what worked, someone had a bright idea of consultants and music testing. Anyone remember the Hawaii
Radio group music calls? They hired a bunch of people to make music calls in the evening from the KQMQ
studios. Instead of having Kimo Akane, who at that time was probably one of the smartest programmers
on the island, just program the music and keep the station #1, they let the consultants have their say
and KQMQ played Luther Vandross' Here and Now about every two hours until the station was dead. If
they had let Akane program the station they might have had a shot.
3. In a last ditch effort to stay alive, KQMQ A/F and KPOI entered into a JMA (joint marketing agreement)
to sell advertising. It didn't work and KQMQ sunk deeper into the big hole.
KQMQ always had a solid staff during that time. Kimo Akane did a great job running the programming
side. Michael Qseng, (i guess we can call him mike now) did the mornings with Danielle Tucker and
later Kari Steele. Wili Moki dominated the afternoons (we miss you brah), Kriss Heart, Jon Kealoha,
Kevin Bishop, Jeff Kino, Chris Chang, and others were the best on the island.
Later they brought in a GM with a BIG drug problem to turn it around. By the mid 90s it was done.
way out west said:KQMQ was owned by North Park Media. They owned KQMQ A/F and some stations in Albuquerque NM. Jack
Kelly always talked about the bag of cash they had if anyone ever challenged their position in Honolulu.
When they built the new place next to the newspaper it was nothing but the best. The Christmas parties
were incredible. The perks never ended. No one knew the Albuquerque NM station was draining the bag of
cash.
Three things finally happened.
1. KSSK challenged KQMQ big a million dollar cash giveaway. Sure it was paid over 20 years but listeners
didn't care. KQMQ was out of cash and could not counter with a good promotion.
2. KQMQ brought in consultants. After several years of letting Kimo Akane just program the station with
what worked, someone had a bright idea of consultants and music testing. Anyone remember the Hawaii
Radio group music calls? They hired a bunch of people to make music calls in the evening from the KQMQ
studios. Instead of having Kimo Akane, who at that time was probably one of the smartest programmers
on the island, just program the music and keep the station #1, they let the consultants have their say
and KQMQ played Luther Vandross' Here and Now about every two hours until the station was dead. If
they had let Akane program the station they might have had a shot.
3. In a last ditch effort to stay alive, KQMQ A/F and KPOI entered into a JMA (joint marketing agreement)
to sell advertising. It didn't work and KQMQ sunk deeper into the big hole.
KQMQ always had a solid staff during that time. Kimo Akane did a great job running the programming
side. Michael Qseng, (i guess we can call him mike now) did the mornings with Danielle Tucker and
later Kari Steele. Wili Moki dominated the afternoons (we miss you brah), Kriss Heart, Jon Kealoha,
Kevin Bishop, Jeff Kino, Chris Chang, and others were the best on the island.
Later they brought in a GM with a BIG drug problem to turn it around. By the mid 90s it was done.
KSSK has always been at or near near the top since the days of Aku.
Also: Michael Qseng began to beat KSSK-AM's Perry and Price in the mornings... which is why KSSK's owners (was it still Heftel?) got wise and killed KXPW-FM 92.3 in late 1989, replacing it with a new KSSK-FM -- and simulcasting Perry and Price on FM for the first time. P&P regained their dominance.
Ironically, top 40 KQMQ lost its only direct top 40 competitor (92X KXPW) yet the birth of hot AC KSSK-FM turned out to actually be a more formidable foe.
When Michael Qseng left KQMQ in a 1993 contractural dispute, KQMQ was toast. Unfortunately, that move also killed Qseng's career, as his fans didn't follow him to new hot AC KGMZ "Z107.9"
Ironically, top 40 KQMQ lost its only direct top 40 competitor (92X KXPW) yet the birth of hot AC KSSK-FM turned out to actually be a more formidable foe.
When Michael Qseng left KQMQ in a 1993 contractural dispute, KQMQ was toast. Unfortunately, that move also killed Qseng's career, as his fans didn't follow him to new hot AC KGMZ "Z107.9"
I Heard That That KIMI FM Will Rebrand Itself To 939jamzs Special Thanks Go To Radioinsight.com For Info And Site Is All Ready Up Http://939jamz.com
Yes, KIKI has flipped from Rhythmic Top 40 to Gold-Based Rhythmic AC. But they're going to have a uphill battle because KUMU plays the same stuff next door on the FM band. One gets the feeling that the Rhythmic saturation is starting to lose its grip on Honolulu.
only1moore said:Yes, KIKI has flipped from Rhythmic Top 40 to Gold-Based Rhythmic AC. But they're going to have a uphill battle because KUMU plays the same stuff next door on the FM band. One gets the feeling that the Rhythmic saturation is starting to lose its grip on Honolulu.
Actually, KUMU is more focused on 80s titles, and also plays some 70s and Y2K titles, in addition to 90s Rhythmic hits.
Meanwhile, the new 93.9 Jamz is a 90s based Gen X type of Rhythmic A/C. It plays much more Dance and Hip Hop hits from the 90s whereas KUMU will mainly play 90s ballads or adult-flavored records.
Zorn21 said:Got to say: I'm lovin' this new Jamz. It's really what a Retro Rhythmic Hot AC should sound like. Is that a format? So far, the playlist is real good. Captures the atmosphere of that time frame when Rhy/CHR was so hot.
Z
Are there any jocks on that station? Haven't heard any so far...?
How did they collapse? Probably because they weren't returning people's phone calls!
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