KUFO Coming Back?

[DToTheJ]

There's rumblings that the iconic rock station, previously killed off in favor of a KXL FM simulcast, could return on Alpha Broadcasting's 97.9 FM in Eugene, scheduled to move into the Portland market.

The possible phoenix could be in conjunction with the annual "Rockfest" that had long been associated with KUFO for many years. Plus, after Alpha blew up "KUFO 101," they parked the KUFO calls on AM 970. Just sayin'...

 

[chokesman-review]

I'll bite.

Those rumblings, are doing exactly what Cumulus whats - to get attention. Whether the rumblings are right or wrong, it's still attention and publicity.

Is Cumulus going to pay the hefty bill to get the KUFO calls and branding? Doubtful. If they are going to take the mantle of active rock in Portland the easiest and smartest, use the Rockfest as a way to announce "rock is back" under your brand with your launch.

What will Cumulus do? Only they know, but if they stay active rock with KNRQ it's great opportunity for their brand and marketing.

 

[semoochie]

The general consensus is that KNRQ will end up as part of Alpha's portfolio after moving to Portland.

 

[chokesman-review]

Ah, since I'm not in the Portland market, I'd not heard that.

Looks like there is a lot in play then. Hard to say what will happen with a sale, a muddied trail trying to throw everyone off and a move still waiting to happen.

Relaunching defunct stations has happened before. KZBD/Spokane had a incarnation as "1057 The Peak" for about 10 years. In the early 2000's it flipped away to the "Everything that Rocks" format to compete against KKZX. That lasted 3 or 4 years. Then, in '08 they relaunched "1057 The Peak" but with a revamped format. Today, KZBD is a CHR.

It'll be interesting to watch KNRQ's situation play out.

The general consensus is that KNRQ will end up as part of Alpha's portfolio after moving to Portland.