A little more than 30 years ago, KTPK was among the highest share stations in the entire country. I seem to remember it getting a 30 share in either ‘89 or ‘90. WIBW-FM, then a top-40/CHR at 97.3, was a very distant second. It shocked the market in 1990 when it flipped to country as “97 Country” as going up against KTPK was considered suicide. Despite taking an initial ratings hit, WIBW-FM had beaten KTPK within a few years. Seems odd the two are co-owned now. Stauffer got out of the TV business in the early 90’s when it sold its TV stations, including WIBW-TV, to Benedek. It eventually sold its radio and print holdings, including WIBW AM/FM, to Morris. At some point, I seem to remember Morris had a relationship with the Topeka Capital Journal as well as KTPK. At one time, KTPK and KTKA were co-owned, though KTKA never got much in terms of ratings despite being the ABC affiliate. I don’t think the Capital Journal ever owned or operated KTKA, though.
When I lived in KC, I could get all of the strong Topeka stations except for 97.3, which had a tower further west in adjacent Waubaunsee County. I could get WIBW-FM in Lawrence and Eudora, but not very far into Johnson County. Looks like it’s still on that tower, though it appears to have a permit to move closer to Topeka on one of the main towers just west of town. I worked with a couple of ladies who used to listen all day to KMAJ-FM in Lenexa, KS at work. They preferred it to 98.1 KUDL and Lite Rock 99.7 FM.
I also had a girlfriend who ended up having to do a couple years in Topeka after getting caught stealing over $12,000 in Overland Park. We weren’t together at the time, though. So, I have no idea what she listened to when she was there, but I'm sure she had one of those prison radios!
