KBZT

Last updated

KBZT
KBZT ALT 94.9 San Diego's Alternative logo.jpg
Broadcast area San Diego metropolitan area
Frequency 94.9 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingAlt 94-9
Programming
Language(s) English
Format Alternative rock
Subchannels HD3: Comedy
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
March 6, 1960 (1960-03-06)
Former call signs
  • KLRO (1960–1978)
  • KBZT (1978–1987)
  • KWLT (1987–1989)
  • KKYY (1989–1991)
  • KRMX (1991–1992)
  • KBZS (1992–1994)
Call sign meaning
Sounds like "K-Best" (former branding)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 58816
Class B
ERP 26,500  watts
HAAT 209 meters (686 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 32°50′17″N117°15′00″W / 32.838°N 117.250°W / 32.838; -117.250
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live (via  Audacy)
Listen live (via  Audacy) (HD3)
Website www.audacy.com/alt949

KBZT (94.9 FM, "Alt 94-9") is a commercial radio station licensed to San Diego, California. Owned by Audacy, Inc., the station broadcasts an alternative rock format. Its studios are located in San Diego's Stonecrest area, and the transmitter is located in La Jolla.

Contents

KBZT broadcasts in HD Radio; it carries two additional formats on digital subchannels. Its HD2 subchannel formerly carried the reggae-formatted Bob Radio. The HD2 subchannel has since been turned off. The HD3 subchannel carries an all-comedy channel.

History

MOR (1960–1978)

94.9 FM began as KLRO-FM in 1960 with a middle-of-the-road format.

Adult Contemporary/Oldies (1978–1987)

On September 14, 1978, KLRO-FM flipped to gold-based adult contemporary, changed call letters to KBZT and changed monikers to "K-Best 95." In the mid-1980s, the station flipped to oldies.

Soft Rock (1987–1992)

In 1987, after the station was sold to Sandusky Radio, the station adopted new call letters KWLT, flipped to soft rock, and changed monikers to "K-Lite 95", before changing again to "Y95" and the KKYY calls in 1989. As KWLT, the station launched the local careers of morning show hosts, Jeff Elliot and Jerry St. James, better known as Jeff and Jer (most recently on KYXY).

In 1991, Jeff and Jer moved to rival B100, with KKYY changing its name to "Mix 94.9", adopted new call letters KRMX, and added more gold based music.

KWLT is now a classic rock station in Crossett, Arkansas; KKYY is now a classic country station in Whiting, Iowa; and KRMX is a country music station serving the Waco, Texas radio market.

Oldies (1992–2000)

The station reverted to back to oldies, again as "K-Best 95" on January 16, 1992, though with the call letters KBZS. [2] (The KBZT call letters and "K-Best" logo were featured on a station in Palm Springs, where it was briefly the number one station in that market. The call letters reverted to San Diego in 1994 after the Palm Springs station changed format to Spanish; as of 2003, the KBZS calls are assigned to a mainstream rock station in Wichita Falls, Texas.)

In the mid-1990s, Sandusky sold the station to Anaheim Broadcasting, which in turn sold 94.9 to Jefferson-Pilot, making KBZT a sister station to country-formatted KSON-FM.

80s Hits (2000–2002)

On November 10, 2000, due to low ratings, KBZT switched to an "'80s Hits" format, just a day before KMSX dropped hot AC and adopted the same format. [3]

Alternative (2002–present)

On November 11, 2002, KBZT flipped to alternative rock, branded as "FM 94/9". [4] In 2006, Lincoln Financial Media bought KBZT and all the others that were owned by J-P, including KIFM and KSON. [5] In April 2006, the Lincoln Financial Group completed a merger between themselves and the Jefferson-Pilot Corporation. [6] The media assets of the new merged company (including several San Diego area radio stations) are now called Lincoln Financial Media. On December 8, 2014, Entercom announced it was purchasing Lincoln Financial Group's entire 15-station lineup (including KBZT) in a $106.5 million deal, and would operate the outlets under an LMA deal until the sale was approved by the FCC. [7] The sale to Entercom was consummated on July 17, 2015.

On February 1, 2018, KBZT rebranded as "Alt 94-9", aligning itself with Entercom's similarly branded stations across the country. The rebranding also solidified its continued operation as a music station; Entercom's hiring of former XEPRS jock Dan Sileo led to speculation that either KBZT or KEGY would be flipped to a sports talk format to accompany Sileo, as well as Entercom's rights to the San Diego Padres (a deal which began on KBZT for the 2017 season). [8] The team announced later that month that Padres broadcasts would move to KEGY, [9] [10] [11] [12] which flipped from Top 40/CHR to the hot talk-driven The Machine on March 2, 2018 (but subsequently flipped again to the conventional sports talk format The Fan in April, in response to controversies surrounding the station's planned morning host Kevin Klein, who was coming from KBZT's San Francisco sister station KITS). [13] [14] [15]

Past programming

In 2007, FM 94/9 was one of at least five stations in the San Diego market playing modern rock music. However, on its website, FM 94/9 strived to be different from other radio stations by playing diverse music, broadcasting locally produced music and using a live and local airstaff.

During the October 2007 wildfires in the San Diego area, KBZT became the temporary home of local public radio station KPBS-FM 89.5 after power to the KPBS-FM/TV transmitter on Mount San Miguel was interrupted on the morning of October 23. [16] Within three hours KBZT had agreed to air KPBS' wildfire coverage until a backup transmitter could be established from the station's studio tower on the San Diego State University campus, which occurred the next day. [17]

In January 2010, "The Mikey Show" moved from KIOZ to KBZT. This program had been controversial while in syndication and was taken off air in March 2012 as a result.

In June 2012, "Brunch with Bob and Friends" ended an eight-year run at the station, moving to KOPA.

On October 19, 2015, Chris Cantore became co-host of the morning show with Steve Woods. Cantore had previously hosted mornings at KPRI but lost his job in September 2015 when that station became part of the contemporary Christian K-Love network. [18] Cantore left in early 2017, and later joined KFMB-FM; the morning slot was replaced with Dana and Jayson. Dana and Jayson, in turn, left KBZT on January 22, 2020, due to budget cuts at Entercom. [19] Both personalities along with producer Brett Finn had made the transcontinental move from Long Island, New York [,[Denver]] to host and produce the morning drive program at KBZT.

In 2017, KBZT served as the flagship radio station for the San Diego Padres. Station management claimed that its younger male demographic lined up with the Padres' desire to attract a young fan base, as well as improve sound quality from its previous home on XEPRS-AM. [20] The Padres then moved to a new Entercom all-sports radio station, KWFN, in 2018.

In September 2020, Entercom (now Audacy) made many changes to its alternative stations, including KBZT, in order to cut costs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. All local hosts besides afternoon DJ Jeremy Pritchard were dismissed and replaced with out-of-town hosts. The station's specialty programs (like "Local 94/9" and "Legends of Alternative") also ended at this time.

HD Radio

KBZT carries its alternative rock format on the standard analog and HD1 channels.

On their HD2 sub-channel, KBZT carried a reggae format as "Bob Radio", which is named after Bob Marley.

On September 17, 2014, KBZT launched a Dance/EDM format, branded as "Glow", on its HD3 sub-channel. The station stream was also available online as well. [21]

In October 2021, the "Glow" format was dropped and replaced with the all-comedy format that formerly aired on KWFN-HD3.

In 2023, "Bob Radio" was dropped.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WJFK-FM</span> Sports radio station in Manassas, Virginia, serving Washington, D.C.

WJFK-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to serve Manassas, Virginia, and serving the Washington metropolitan area. WJFK-FM airs a sports radio format and is owned and operated by Audacy, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KITS</span> Alternative rock radio station in San Francisco

KITS is a commercial radio station in San Francisco, California. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it broadcasts an alternative rock radio format known as "Live 105". The studios and offices are co-located with formerly co-owned KPIX-TV on Battery Street in the North Beach district of San Francisco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KNX-FM</span> Radio station in Los Angeles, California

KNX-FM is a commercial radio station in Los Angeles, California, United States. The station is owned by Audacy, Inc. and airs an all-news radio format in a full-time simulcast with KNX. The station has studios at the intersection of Wilshire and Hauser Boulevards in the Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles, and the transmitter on Mount Wilson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WIAD</span> FM radio station in Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.

WIAD is a commercial radio station licensed to Bethesda, Maryland, and serving the Washington metropolitan area. The station is owned by Audacy, Inc., through licensee Audacy License, LLC, and broadcasts a classic hits radio format, branded as "94.7 The Drive". The studios and offices are on Half Street SE near the Navy Yard in Southeast Washington.

KQKS is a rhythmic hot AC radio station, licensed to Lakewood, Colorado. It is owned by Audacy, Inc. and serves the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KMYI</span> Hot adult contemporary radio station in San Diego

KMYI is a commercial radio station in San Diego, California, airing a hot adult contemporary music format. It is owned by iHeartMedia. Its studios are located in San Diego's Kearny Mesa neighborhood on the northeast side, and the transmitter is located in La Jolla. It broadcasts from the KGTV Tower, shared with several other San Diego FM stations and KGTV. KMYI is the oldest continuously operating FM station in the San Diego metropolitan area.

KXSN is a commercial radio station in San Diego, California, branded as Sunny 98.1. Owned by Audacy, Inc., the station airs a classic hits radio format. The studios and offices are located in San Diego's Stonecrest area, off Granite Ridge Drive, across the street from rival station KMYI. The transmitter is off La Jolla Scenic Drive South in La Jolla, amid towers for several other San Diego FM and TV stations.

WJHM is a radio station licensed to Daytona Beach serving the Orlando and Space Coast areas of Central Florida. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it broadcasts a classic hip hop format branded as "102 JAMZ". Its studios are located in Maitland and the transmitter is in Orange City.

KYGO-FM is a commercial radio station in Denver, Colorado, United States. The Bonneville International country music station has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts. Its studios are located in Greenwood Village, and its transmitter is on Mestaa'ehehe Mountain near Morrison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free FM</span> Short-lived talk radio brand

Free FM was a short-lived, mostly-talk-radio format and brand name for eleven FM CBS Radio stations in the United States, and was created because of Howard Stern's departure to Sirius Satellite Radio in January 2006. Free FM was given its name to highlight that its stations broadcast free-to-air, instead of requiring a subscription fee like satellite radio services. Launched on October 25, 2005, Free FM was phased out over the course of 2007, with the final station using it, KLSX, dropping the brand in November 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KWFN</span> Sports radio station in San Diego

KWFN – branded as 97.3 The Fan – is a commercial sports radio station licensed to serve San Diego, California. Owned by Audacy, Inc., the station covers both the Greater San Diego market and the San Diego–Tijuana transborder agglomeration, and is the flagship station for the San Diego Padres Radio Network, in addition to being the market affiliate for Infinity Sports Network.

XEPRS is an AM commercial radio station licensed to Playas de Rosarito, a suburb of Tijuana in Baja California, Mexico. It broadcasts a Spanish Christian radio radio format, branded as "Monte María Radio". The station can be heard across the San Diego-Tijuana, Los Angeles-Orange County, Riverside-San Bernardino and areas of Southern California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KARJ (FM)</span> Air 1 radio station in Escondido, California

KARJ is an FM radio station serving the North County of San Diego County, California, United States, airing a Worship music format from the Air1 network, and is owned by the Educational Media Foundation.

WDZH is a commercial radio station licensed to Detroit, Michigan and serving the Metropolitan Detroit radio market in Southeastern Michigan. It is owned by Audacy, Inc. and airs an alternative rock radio format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KMVK</span> Regional Mexican radio station in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas

KMVK, is a commercial radio station licensed to Fort Worth, Texas and serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The station is owned and operated by Audacy, Inc. KMVK broadcasts in Spanish and airs a radio format featuring regional Mexican music. The station's studios are located along North Central Expressway in Uptown Dallas and the transmitter site is in Cedar Hill.

KJKK is a commercial radio station in Dallas, Texas, and serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. It airs an adult hits radio format known as "Jack FM", one of three stations owned by Audacy that subscribe to the format, along with KCBS-FM Los Angeles and KZJK Minneapolis. Jack-FM uses a pre-recorded "Voice of Jack" who makes ironic quips and sarcastic remarks between songs. KJKK's studios and offices are along the North Central Expressway in Uptown Dallas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KKHH</span> Radio station in Houston, Texas

KKHH is a radio station in Houston, Texas. It is owned by Audacy, Inc. and airs an adult hits radio format. The studios and offices are located in the Greenway Plaza district of Houston.

KPBS-FM is a non-commercial, listener-supported, public radio station in San Diego, California. It is owned by San Diego State University as part of KPBS Public Media, and is a sister station to PBS member KPBS-TV. The two outlets share studios at The Conrad Prebys Media Complex in Copley Center on Campanile Drive, part of the SDSU campus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KSSX</span> Urban contemporary radio station in San Diego

KSSX is a commercial radio station located in San Diego, California, although the station is legally licensed to serve Carlsbad, in nearby North County. The station airs a rhythmic contemporary format, and is one of seven stations in the market owned and operated by iHeartMedia. The station's studios are located in San Diego's Kearny Mesa neighborhood on the northeast side, and the transmitter is atop Mt. Soledad, located in La Jolla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KSON (FM)</span> Radio station in California, United States

KSON is a commercial radio station licensed to San Diego, California. Owned by Audacy, Inc., the station broadcasts a country music format.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KBZT". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1992/RR-1992-01-24.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  3. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2000/RR-2000-11-17.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  4. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-11-15.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  5. ↑ "Lincoln Financial Media", December 15, 2009
  6. ↑ April 2006 news release of the completed merger between Lincoln Financial Group and Jefferson-Pilot Corporation]
  7. ↑ "Entercom Acquires Lincoln Financial Media" from Radio Insight (December 8, 2014)
  8. ↑ KBZT FM 949 becomes the new home of the San Diego Padres Archived August 29, 2016, at the Wayback Machine August 18, 2016
  9. ↑ "As Padres Move To KEGY, Format Flip Expected". Inside Radio. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  10. ↑ Acee, Kevin. "Padres announce new radio home, spring broadcast schedule". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  11. ↑ "San Diego Padres Make 97.3 KEGY Its New Home Ahead of Flip". RadioInsight. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  12. ↑ Lin, Dennis (January 12, 2018). "Controversial radio host Dan Sileo will not be involved with Padres". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Former ALT 105 hosts of morning show Kevin Klein Live relocate to revive program in San Diego". SFGate. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  14. ↑ "KEGY (Energy 97.3)/San Diego Turns Off The Top 40, Rocks Out In Prep For New Format". All Access. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  15. ↑ Kenney, Kirk. "Padres flagship radio station goes all-sports and rebrands as 97.3 The Fan". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  16. ↑ SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Features – KPBS-FM stays on air, with help
  17. ↑ "KPBS > About Us > KPBS Pressroom". Archived from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved October 27, 2007.
  18. ↑ http://www.radioinfo.com/ October 15, 2015
  19. ↑ Venta, Lance (January 22, 2020). "Entercom San Diego Parts Ways With Morning Shows At Alt 94.9 And Sunny 98.1". Radio Insight. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  20. ↑ "KBZT San Diego Gets Its Ups with the Padres in 2017". Insideradio.com. May 3, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Lincoln Financial Media/San Diego Debuts Dance 'Glow' On HD, Internet" from All Access (September 17, 2014)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.