The evolving (or is it revolving) formats at KSWV

[ted chittenden]

I just went and listened to KSWV while eating dinner. The last time I listened, the station was running a classic hits format with pre-Beatles oldies thrown in.

That was then, this is now. As of this evening, the 810 frequency in Santa Fe, per its stream, was playing a mix of classic country dating from the 1970s to the 2000s. I heard no jocks and only one break with something that sounded more like a PSA than a commercial. Interestingly, the station's website at

KSWV Radio - SantaFeToday.com

www.santafetoday.com

doesn't mention the format changes and, in fact, includes a video of The Beatles' "Hello Goodbye." The Wikipedia entry for KSWV also does not show any format changes. I'm guessing the long-time Santa Fe AM outlet may be facing its last hurrah--but we'll see.

 

[ted chittenden]

I just went and listened to KSWV while eating dinner. The last time I listened, the station was running a classic hits format with pre-Beatles oldies thrown in.

That was then, this is now. As of this evening, the 810 frequency in Santa Fe, per its stream, was playing a mix of classic country dating from the 1970s to the 2000s. I heard no jocks and only one break with something that sounded more like a PSA than a commercial. Interestingly, the station's website at

KSWV Radio - SantaFeToday.com

www.santafetoday.com

doesn't mention the format changes and, in fact, includes a video of The Beatles' "Hello Goodbye." The Wikipedia entry for KSWV also does not show any format changes. I'm guessing the long-time Santa Fe AM outlet may be facing its last hurrah--but we'll see.

Well, I just tuned in KSWV's Internet stream this morning and the song I heard was Paul Anka's "(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings." That is *definitely* not a classic country hit (and I wouldn't call it classic hits either). I'm beginning to wonder, at least for personal reference, if I should be noting that KSWV now has a variety format.

 

[Kent]

doesn't mention the format changes and, in fact, includes a video of The Beatles' "Hello Goodbye." The Wikipedia entry for KSWV also does not show any format changes. I'm guessing the long-time Santa Fe AM outlet may be facing its last hurrah--but we'll see.

I was always surprised 810 survived the death of Bob Barth some 35 years ago.

Although it has no, or a very limited, nighttime signal, it really gets out in the daytime. I suspect, however, that most of its listening today is on 99.9.

 

[Mark Roberts]

I was always surprised 810 survived the death of Bob Barth some 35 years ago.

It was sold shortly thereafter -- the owner was a very good friend of Barth's -- and purchased by the Gonzalez family, prominent in local politics: both the purchaser of the station, George Gonzales, and his son Javier have been mayors of the city.

Although it has no, or a very limited, nighttime signal, it really gets out in the daytime. I suspect, however, that most of its listening today is on 99.9.

Ten watts at night. While the station started out as a Spanish-language station as "Que Suave", it's been through various formats over the years. Moreover, the Spanish-language part of it is New Mexican Spanish, which is its own culture and musical genre. KSWV's biggest problem is likely the fact that many of the old families have been priced out of Santa Fe, where real estate costs are on the high side.

 

[EDwalker]

It was sold shortly thereafter -- the owner was a very good friend of Barth's -- and purchased by the Gonzalez family, prominent in local politics: both the purchaser of the station, George Gonzales, and his son Javier have been mayors of the city.

Ten watts at night. While the station started out as a Spanish-language station as "Que Suave", it's been through various formats over the years. Moreover, the Spanish-language part of it is New Mexican Spanish, which is its own culture and musical genre. KSWV's biggest problem is likely the fact that many of the old families have been priced out of Santa Fe, where real estate costs are on the high side.

Actually, 810 was country-formatted KAFE from its inception in 1966 until Bill Sims and partners bought it in 1987, changing the calls to KMIK and bringing on Bob Barth. Sims formerly owned a large chunk of KVSF, where Barth spent the majority of his career.

George Gonzales formerly owned KDCE in nearly Espanola until selling it in 1978.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

I was always surprised 810 survived the death of Bob Barth some 35 years ago.

Although it has no, or a very limited, nighttime signal, it really gets out in the daytime. I suspect, however, that most of its listening today is on 99.9.

legally at least.

I heard it a few times in SE WY when you wouldnt expect to. BUT I Cant prove anything and it wasnt a frequent thing.

 

[John Gallagher]

Here is a now playing link -
The last 4 songs have been latin/spanish

Que Suave Radio - Lightning Stream Player

 

[KilowattKat]

Here is a now playing link -
The last 4 songs have been latin/spanish

Que Suave Radio - Lightning Stream Player

From 9-11am MT, they play New Mexico music (specialty music show), which is a local variation of Regional Mexican. They go back to the regular format afterwards.

KSWV's format is very similar to KNMM in Albuquerque, which is 60's/70's Oldies, and New Mexico music on Saturdays. But they don't stream.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

KSWV could be like The Twister in Nebraska was under a previous owner... country by day 6am to 6pm and classic hits from 6pm to 6am, utilizing two different ABC Satellite services.