Questions about the old KIVA (Power 105) from the 80's.

[RobynWatts]

I had listened to the first part of "ID Fever" on Radio-Info's sister site Airchexx.com and there is a snippet of KIVA from 1987 when they were known as Power 105.

My questions are:

1): When did KIVA flip to Top 40? I know that they were Top 40 by Christmas, 1985 (when they were known as 105.1 KIVA-FM) from an old California Aircheck Albuquerque/Santa-Fe CHR profile, but when did they become Power 105?

2): How did they do against the other two CHRs in the market at that time (97.3 Kiss-FM & Q-106)

3): I understand Howard Johnson (of Z104/Fredrick, MD fame) was the one behind Power 105. How long was he there?

4): Finally, when did Power 105 bail out? I was told they were Adult Standards by 1991 or 92).

Thanks,
Robyn<P ID="signature">______________
"If no one out there understands, you start your own revolution and cut out the middleman."
Billy Bragg-"Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards"</P>

 

[Ed_Walker]

Robin-

Though I didn't work there, I was around during the "Power 105" days...when they broadcast from an old house somewhere near old town/albuquerque. I dropped by there one day, met the "Real Howard Johnson"...they guy was pretty cool. And the legendary Z104 tapes- damn, I think i still have one from The Aircheck Factory- are legendary. KIVA "Power 105" was a Z104 clone...though very well programmed, I never thought had the time/promotional dollars to make the impact it could have in the market.

KIVA then, under Howard, was a great sounding radio station.

I wonder where Howard Johnson is today!

ed




> I had listened to the first part of "ID Fever" on
> Radio-Info's sister site Airchexx.com and there is a snippet
> of KIVA from 1987 when they were known as Power 105.
>
> My questions are:
>
> 1): When did KIVA flip to Top 40? I know that they were Top
> 40 by Christmas, 1985 (when they were known as 105.1
> KIVA-FM) from an old California Aircheck
> Albuquerque/Santa-Fe CHR profile, but when did they become
> Power 105?
>
> 2): How did they do against the other two CHRs in the market
> at that time (97.3 Kiss-FM & Q-106)
>
> 3): I understand Howard Johnson (of Z104/Fredrick, MD fame)
> was the one behind Power 105. How long was he there?
>
> 4): Finally, when did Power 105 bail out? I was told they
> were Adult Standards by 1991 or 92).
>
> Thanks,
> Robyn
>

 

[johnnyrockett]

I worked there for a short time in 1989 and they were then broadcasting from studios out on edith north of Alameda. That signal flipped to Z-Rock satelite in the early 90's and the KIVA calls were picked up by an AM that was adult standards.
Simmons Bought the station in the mid 90's and it became The horizon then channel 105 then back to horizon then sold to univision and is now KKRG the range and is #2 in the market playing classic country<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by johnnyrockett on 06/21/05 02:39 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[Kent]

> 2): How did they do against the other two CHRs in the market
> at that time (97.3 Kiss-FM & Q-106)

From what I was told, KIVA-FM had a 3-3.5 share during most of its existence. Most of that audience came from Q-106 from what a friend of mine who worked at Q told me. As I understand it, Q was almost completely dismantled by KIVA. In the end, that turned into a truly destructive CHR war with KKSS emerging the clear winner while KIVA and KNMQ destroyed each other. KIVA basically went on life support for several years while Q-106 could never get its old audience back and became country KOLT 106.

> 3): I understand Howard Johnson (of Z104/Fredrick, MD fame)
> was the one behind Power 105. How long was he there?

He was there until First City gave up the effort if I remember correctly. They actually gave up the effort before changing formats. A number of years ago, I heard Ho-Jo was selling either real estate or insurance somewhere, possibly back in Frederick.

> 4): Finally, when did Power 105 bail out? I was told they
> were Adult Standards by 1991 or 92).

Power 105 picked up SMN's "The Heat" in either late 1989 or early 1990. Around 1991-92, First City unloaded KIVA and sister KZRQ 1310 to Carlos Tutera who swapped calls, moved Z-Rock to KZRQ 105.1 and launched adult standards on KIVA 1310.