XPost: alt.radio.broadcasting

RadioInsight

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Fresh Listen: 91Xs Classic Alternative

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 08:00 AM PST https://radioinsight.com/blogs/220703/fresh-listen-91xs-classic-alternative/


This is what the top-of-the-hour sweeper on XETRA (91X) San Diego said at 3 p.m., January 17, after the Tijuana-licensed station’s legal ID in Spanish. “Serving humanity since 1983 and broadcasting from an office park in Mira Mesa, and transmitting from a radio tower in T.J. back to you … This is
91X. Local. Independent. Alternative.”

This is what the 4:00 p.m. top-of-the-hour on 91X said on February 22,
after 91X retooled its format to emphasize ‘80s and ‘90s Alternative music from the early years of the station’s history: “Celebrating 40 years of serving humanity and broadcasting from an office park in Mira Mesa … Transmitting from a radio tower high above T.J. back to you … This is 91X. Same as it ever was!”

In January, 91X was, like most Alternative outlets, already gold-based.
While 60% of its music was from this millennium, the station did go back to
the ‘80s for some titles (mostly from acts like Violent Femmes and the Beastie Boys that are less associated with any given era). The newer songs
were always front-sold, but in a quick, PPM-compliant way, and most of them were already considered recurrents. 

But on February 21, 91X was relaunched after several weeks of an “A-to-XYZ” stunt. The “same as it ever was” ID was indeed followed by the Talking Heads, “Once in a Lifetime.” Songs from the last 15 years are mostly gone, replaced by more ‘90s and ‘80s, even though Adult Hits sister KFBG (Big 100.7) is successfully in the ‘80s business too. Imaging and publicity for the station has emphasized how “91X is 91X again.”

Last Friday, 91X p.m. driver Zach played “Such Great Heights” and talked about a friend who had been roommates with Ben Gibbard when the Postal
Service song was written. He teased his favorite song from the debut Weezer album, and it wasn’t one that you usually hear. There was a similar teaser for the Police, then a bit about the specific synthesizers used on “Spirits in the Material World.” 

When Zach played the hour’s only current, Mitski’s “The Only Heartbreaker,”
he was careful to emphasize its retro feel, comparing it to a-Ha. When he played the Cure, he mentioned the 35th anniversary of their concert film.
Many of the elements of the new 91X were already there a month ago, but now there was a hook, and more enthusiasm.

When PD Garett Michaels last tapped into that legacy, he was across the
street because 91X was very much not 91X. In 2002, KBZT, then billed as “FM 94/9,” was a shot across the bow at 91X’s then-owner Clear Channel. KBZT initially attacked Clear Channel by name on-air, perhaps the only station
to get any traction doing so. KBZT was also counterprogramming the state of
the Alternative format in the early ‘00s — a format that was effectively Active Rock punctuated only by the occasional teen punk record. 

KBZT’s inroads spurred a boomlet of gold-based and Classic Alternative stations, beginning with WNNX (99X) Atlanta and two different Seattle
stations, including KNDD (The End). When that land rush appeared to be
winding down, Clear Channel tried its version successfully on WRFF (Radio 104.5) Philadelphia, also with an emphasis on library, but with a handful
of “true.alt” currents as well. More than a decade later, one can see the role of both KBZT and WRFF in steering Alternative away from Active Rock.
The most recent gold titles on the new 91X are mostly from KBZTs era of
helping redraw the format.

Having two influential gold-based radio stations also explains to some
extent how Alternative became a largely gold- and recurrent-based radio
format. The travails of current-based radio formats in the streaming era
are well documented, but Alternative’s issues go back a decade to when CHR and Country were still robust. In decades past, the complaint was that Alternative PDs relinquished control of their crossover bands and hits too easily. Now the handful of songs that do cross over to Top 40 — “Feel It Still,” “Broken,” “Monsters,” “Beggin’” — stay in power rotation
indefinitely. In many places, the format isn’t satisfyingly new or old.

There are definitely some Ross On Radio readers who would have liked to see KITS San Francisco go back to its “Live 105” identity and ‘80s/’90s Alternative in a similar way, rather than the Adult Hits format it chose, something the station seemed to acknowledge by putting Classic Live 105 on
HD2 recently. Many industry people have long felt that KROQ Los Angeles
should do the same, but sister KCBS (Jack FM) and KRTH (K-Earth 101) are already drawing on that legacy. For years, so has KROQ’s HD channel. Sister KNRK Portland, Ore., was already offering its own version before KITS. 

With KBZT now doing the current mainstream version of the format as Alt
94.9 and still splitting the market franchise two decades later, 91X’s move made sense and created excitement. At the same time, KTCL Denver and WWDC (DC101) Washington are proof that there’s a path forward for legacy
stations.

Hearing 91X’s Zach talk about music enthusiastically helped me realize that
I haven’t heard Alternative do much of that lately; if you want music advocacy, it’s on Triple-A stations. The easy rejoinder is that few PDs expect listeners to be arguing about their favorite Machine Gun Kelly track
in 2062 — and he’s one of the format’s least anonymous current stars. 

But the excitement that 91X created in 1992 wasn’t just about the enduring bands, it was as much about Alternative’s galvanizing series of one-off
acts and reaction records, even if most people aren’t talking about their favorite Haysi Fantayzee song now either. It’s interesting that the current I’ve probably heard most enthusiastically front-sold at Alternative in the last six months is “Chaise Longue,” and you certainly get the impression that the members of Wet Leg do have a favorite Haysi Fantayzee song.

As one of the few 1982-83 station launches spurred by KROQ to achieve
sustained success, 91X has a history to draw upon that includes the ‘80s.
We know what 91X being 91X again would sound like. Most other Alternative stations are 10 years younger and have a less-distinct legacy to draw on.
For some stations, going back to the time of their greatest success could
as easily mean playing Linkin Park again: the thing that many PDs were
trying to escape in 2003 when KBZT launched.

Recently, I’ve had occasion to read radio trade-publication stories from 1993, when grunge was ascendent, but when KROQ was still breaking “All That She Wants” by Ace of Base, thus spurring labels to start pure pop records
at Alternative, if they could. The “what is Alternative anyway” discussion has been with us always — every bit as fervent as the “what is Country” debate. It will be good news if we’re getting to still have it in 2032.

Here’s what 91X sounded like last month, January 17 at 3 p.m.:

Fall Out Boy, “Dance Dance” (2005)
Tame Impala, “Is It True” (2020)
Foo Fighters, “All My Life” (2002)
Arctic Monkeys, “R U Mine” (2013)
Violent Femmes, “Blister in the Sun” (1983)
Bad Religion, “Infected” (1994)
Dirty Heads f/Travis Barker, “Rage” (2021)
Pearl Jam, “Yellow Ledbetter” (1993)
Muse, “Uprising” (2009)
Sublime, “Smoke Two Joints” (1992)
Alt-J, “U&ME” (2021)
Beastie Boys, “Time to Get Ill” (1986)
I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, “Leave Me Alone” (2020)
Third Eye Blind, “Jumper” (1997)
Ramones, “Sheena is a Punk Rocker” (1977)


Here’s 91X just before 3 p.m. on February 25:

Echo & the Bunnymen, “People Are Strange” (1987)
Blink-182, “The Rock Show” (2001)
Postal Service, “Such Great Heights” (2003)
U2, “Mysterious Ways” (1997)
Foo Fighters, “Everlong” (1994)
Weezer, “Surf Wax America” (1994)
Talking Heads, “Once in a Lifetime” (1980)
Sublime, “Jailhouse” (1996)
Alice In Chains, “Man in the Box” (1991)
Cure, “The Love Cats” (1984)
Beastie Boys, “Sure Shot” (1994)
Mitski, “The Only Heartbreaker” (2022)
Police, “Spirits in the Material World” (1982)
Radiohead, “Creep” (1992)
Pet Shop Boys, “Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money)” (1986)


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JJ Hale Joins Jackson County Broadcasting As COO/Director Of Radio
Operations

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:55 AM PST https://radioinsight.com/headlines/221012/jj-hale-joins-jackson-county-broadcasting-as-coo-director-of-radio-operations/


Jackson County Broadcasting has announced the appointment of JJ Hale as
Chief Operating Officer, Director of Radio Operations, and Program Director
for their four stations in Southern Ohio.

Hale has spent the past 22 years working in radio on a part-time basis
while focusing on his insurance business, but previously hosted mornings on 96.7 WKOV-FM until 2000. In his new role, Hale will oversee Hot AC Mix 96.7 WKOV-FM Oak Hill, Classic Rock Pure Rock 98.7 WYRO McArthur, Country 97.7
The Bull WCJO Jackson, and Fox Sports 105.3 1330 WYPC Wellston/105.3 W287CZ Jackson.

Operating under the Total Media brand, Jackson County Broadcasting also
owns a local newspaper, movie theatre, printing, billboards, and streaming video services in the region.


Jackson County Broadcasting have announced the return of radio veteran JJ
Hale. Hale to its staff.

Hale will serve as the Chief Operating Officer, Program Director, and head
of all radio operations at Jackson County Broadcasting’s four station
cluster in Southern Ohio. After spending the last several years in the insurance industry, Hale returns to the stations fulltime after a 22-year absence.

Hale says, “Although I have not been here on a day-to-day basis, I have always been involved with the stations on some level, I grew up and cut my teeth here” He went on to say “Radio has always been in my heart and is my true passion, so to have the opportunity to come home at this point in my
life is a dream come true. I love these stations, our listeners, and this community. I can’t wait to get to work!”

Hale, best known for his stint as the morning show host of the popular
“Nutt Hutt” morning show program which last aired in March of 2000, has over 30 years of broadcasting experience.


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Chocolate Joins Rumba 97.7 For Middays

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 05:30 AM PST https://radioinsight.com/headlines/221009/chocolate-joins-rumba-97-7-for-middays/


iHeartMedia Spanish CHR Rumba 97.7 WZRM Brockton/Boston has announced the addition of Sergio Chocolate Toribio as midday host.

Chocolate joins WZRM from Gois Broadcastings Mega 94.9 890 WAMG
Dedham/Boston and has previously worked at Latina 100.3 WKKB Providence and X96.3 WXNY New York.

iHeartMedia Boston announced today another local addition to its Spanish-language station Rumba 97.7, #1 para Reggaeton y Variedad en
Boston. Sergio “Chocolate” Toribio, a Hispanic radio veteran, will join the program lineup and host weekdays from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., beginning today.

Rumba 97.7 is Boston’s first full-market FM signal broadcasting a Spanish format. Launched in May of 2021, the station features “The Enrique Santos Morning Show” as well as on-air host and Rumba 97.7 Program Director Tony Banana in the afternoons. Chocolate has a dedicated social media following
and now joins the Rumba 97.7 program lineup after previously holding stints
at Univision Radio NYC’s La X 96.3 and Mega 94.9 in Boston.

“I am ecstatic and 100% committed to this wonderful, game-changing opportunity that iHeartRadio has given me,” said Chocolate. “It allows me to bring the heat through Rumba 97.7 to our entire community. We are going
to light up Boston and turn it Upside Down, showing that the Latinx
community is part of the driving force of Boston and all of New England.
Get ready because were coming with a fresh update.”

“Chocolate has the experience, the knowledge and is well known in our community,” said Tony Banana. “He now brings his talents as an on-air personality, mixer, and a great social media presence to iHeartMedia
Boston. We are excited to have him on board.”

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Alyssa Haberman Returns To Alt 94.9 San Diego

Posted: 08 Mar 2022 01:37 PM PST https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220988/alyssa-haberman-returns-to-alt-94-9-san-diego/


Audacy Alternative Alt 94.9 KBZT San Diego has announced the return of
Alyssa Haberman to the station as midday host.

Haberman returns to her former daypart after being let go in the companys format restructuring in September 2020. She previously hosted middays from
2016 to 2020 and served as Music Director from 2018 until her exit. The
Ohio native previously hosted nights at CHR Q92 WDJQ Canton OH and was
on-air at Kent State Universitys Black Squirrel Radio.

She will succeeds KROQ Los Angeles Megan Holiday in the timeslot starting Monday, March 14.

Audacy announced the return of on-air personality Alyssa Haberman to ALT
949 (KBZT-FM) in San Diego, effective March 14. Haberman will host the station’s weekday show from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PT.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Alyssa back to the ALT 949 airwaves and reintegrate her as a part of our weekday lineup,” said Michael Valenzuela, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy San Diego. “Her ability to captivate her audience and entertain them throughout their workday is a
true testament to her talent and we look forward to her connecting with our listeners once again.”

Im beyond excited to be back on the San Diego airwaves doing what I love
and entertaining alternative music fans in Americas finest city,” said Haberman.

The move mark’s Haberman’s second stint with ALT 949. She previously hosted middays for the station from 2016 to 2020, as well as serving as Music
Director from 2018 to 2020. Before making the move to the west coast, she hosted nights in her home state of Ohio at WDJQ in Canton from 2015 to 2016.


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Jeremy Pritchard Adds Programming Duties For KNRK As Regional Brand Manager

Posted: 08 Mar 2022 12:39 PM PST https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220983/jeremy-pritchard-adds-programming-duties-for-knrk-as-regional-brand-manager/


Audacy has announced the promotion of Jeremy Pritchard to Regional Brand Manager for Alternative.

In addition to serving as afternoon host of Alt 94.9 KBZT San Diego,
Pritchard will now versee content strategy, talent, operations and branding
for 94/7 FM KNRK Portland OR. Pritchard has been with KBZT since 2003 in multiple on-air and programming roles. He has also worked at AAA 92.1
Premium Radio KFSD Escondido and Rock AC Cool 94.3 KMXN Anaheim in his
career.

Audacy has promoted Jeremy Pritchard to Regional Brand Manager of its alternative format, effective immediately. In this role, he will oversee content strategy, talent, operations and branding for 94/7 Alternative
Portland (KNRK-FM). Pritchard will continue in his role as afternoon drive
host for ALT 949 (KBZT-FM) in San Diego.

“We’re delighted to continue our ongoing investment in our alternative portfolio and promote one of our very own,” said Mike Kaplan, Senior Vice President of Programming/Alternative Format, Audacy. “Jeremy is a proven
star in this industry who will help us continue the evolution of the 94/7 brand. His experience at KBZT has allowed him to understand what the
consumer wants, which we trust he will implement into his new role.”

“With a storied 19-year career at KBZT in San Diego, Im excited to be
adding another great craft beer city to my purview,” said Pritchard.

Pritchard launched his career in radio at KMXN-FM in Orange County, CA
before moving to San Diego in 2002 to take the reins of KFSD-FM. Since
joining KBZT-FM in 2003, he has held multiple positions in promotions, programming and on-air.

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KUBE Makes Flip To KJR Simulcast

Posted: 08 Mar 2022 12:02 PM PST https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220130/format-change-in-progress-at-kube-seattle/


After eighteen days of stunting to redirect listeners to sister CHR Hits
106.1 KBKS-FM, iHeartMedia has flipped 93.3 KUBE Seattle to a simulcast of Sports 950 KJR.

The flip brings KJR back to FM as it previously was heard on 102.9 in from
2011 to 2013. This is the first full-powered FM Sports signal in the market
as KJR competes against Bonnevilles just rebranded Seattle Sports 710 KIRO. Ahead of the launch, KUBE was inserting sweepers stating there were two
days left in the free preview of the KBKS simulcast, but it appears the
move was accelerated due to the Seattle Seahawks trading Russell Wilson to
the Denver Broncos.

Midday hosts Jason Puckett and Jim Moore stated that 950 KJR will debut a
new format in about a month.

KJR is the local home of the NHLs Seattle Kraken. In the January 2022
Nielsen Audio ratings, KJR had a 1.6 share, while KIROs had a 2.8 as home
of the Seahawks and MLBs Seattle Mariners.

iHeartMedia Seattle announced today the debut of the new Sports Radio 93.3 KJR FM, Seattle’s Sports Leader, effective immediately.

Sports Radio 93.3 KJR FM will be the only sports station to broadcast on
the FM dial in Seattle bringing listeners live and local talent all day
long. The station will also simulcast on Sports Radio 950 KJR AM.

Sports Radio 93.3 KJR FM will feature heritage talent such as Dave Softy Mahler, Ian Furness, Jason Puckett, Jim Moore, Chuck Powell and former
Seattle Mariner, Bucky Jacobsen. In addition, the station will remain the play-by-play rights holder for the University of Washington Huskies,
Seattle Kraken, and Seattle Sounders.

“By moving the legendary KJR brand to the FM band, we’re going to be able to grow the next generation of Seattle Sports fans,” said Mark Glynn,
Market President for iHeartMedia Seattle. “With the combination of Sports Radio 93.3 KJR FM, Sports Radio 950 KJR AM and the iHeartRadio app, we
enhance our sports platform and become the #1 destination for sports and currently the only FM sports platform in Seattle.”

Sports Radio 93.3 KJR FM Full Programming Lineup:

Chuck and Bucky in the Morning 6 – 10 a.m.

Jason Puckett and Jim Moore 10 – 1p.m.

Ian Furness 1 – 3 p.m.

Dave “Softy” Mahler and Dick Fain 3 – 6 p.m.

Original Report 2/19: iHeartMedia has dropped the Hip Hop format on 93.3
KUBE Seattle for the second time.

The station began stunting at midnight with a a CHR playlist and sweepers redirecting listeners to sister Hits 106.1 KBKS-FM Tacoma/Seattle. The
stations website includes a brief message stating, We periodically review
our programming to ensure that we’re meeting our listeners’ needs and providing them with the best and most relevant content, based on listener feedback. Occasionally this means that we need to make some changes and
offer other programming that we believe will resonate with listeners.
Listeners can of course continue to enjoy KUBE Seattle’s #1 for Hip Hop at HERE and on the iHeartRadio app. The Hip Hop programming is also on 93.3
HD2.

No word yet on what format will debut on 93.3 or when. Also unknown right
now is the status of the local airstaff including morning hosts Strawberry
and Lizette Love, midday host Besa Gordon, and PD/afternoon host Eric
Rosado.

iHeartMedia resurrected KUBE in May 2018 after demoting it to rimshot 104.9 from January 2016 to the end of 2017 as part of four station format shuffle.

KUBE registered a 1.4 share in the Holiday 2021 Nielsen Audio ratings.

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106.1 The Breeze Philadelphia Goes Under Construction

Posted: 08 Mar 2022 08:40 AM PST https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220967/106-1-the-breeze-philadelphia-goes-under-construction/


A format change is in progress at iHeartMedia Soft AC 106.1 The Breeze WISX Philadelphia.

WISX is currently simulcasting sister CHR Q102 WIOQ. Outside of banner on
the stations website stating Under Construction Now Playing Phillys #1 Hit Music Station there are no references to the 106.1 signal being made on air
or anywhere else right now.

Morning host Valerie Knight has posted a video acknowledging that she has
been let go with the impending format change.

WISX ranked tenth in the Philadelphia market with a 3.3 share in the
January 2022 Nielsen Audio ratings.

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Rock 103.3 Debuts In Fort Myers

Posted: 08 Mar 2022 07:30 AM PST https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220964/rock-103-3-debuts-in-fort-myers/


Sun Broadcasting has launched Rock 103.3 on W277AP Bayshore/93.7 WHEL-HD2 Sanibel/Fort Myers FL.

Overseen by former 93X WXNX Program Director Anthony Roach Proffitt, the
brand fills the opening created by Suns flip of WXNX to Country in
September 2020.

The 36 watt W277AP had been simulcasting Fox Sports FM W290DB Naples/92.5 WFSX-HD2 Estero.

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