KMXP

Last updated
KMXP
Broadcast area Phoenix metropolitan area
Frequency 96.9 MHz (HD Radio)
96.9 HD2: PRIDE Radio
BrandingMix 96.9
Programming
Format Modern adult contemporary
Subchannels HD2: Pride Radio (LGBTQ Top 40/Dance)
Affiliations Premiere Networks
Ownership
Owner
KESZ, KFYI, KGME, KNIX-FM, KOY, KYOT, KZZP
History
First air date
October 28, 1961;63 years ago (1961-10-28) (as KEPI)
Former call signs
KEPI (1962–1964)
KMEO (1964–1967)
KMEO-FM (1967–1991)
KPSN (1991–1994)
KCHT (1994–1995)
KHTC (1995–1997)
KGLQ (1997–1998)
Call sign meaning
Mix Phoenix
Technical information
Facility ID 6361
Class C
ERP 100,000 watts
HAAT 475 meters (1,558 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 33°20′02″N112°03′40″W / 33.334°N 112.061°W / 33.334; -112.061
Links
Webcast Listen Live
Website mix969.iheart.com

KMXP (96.9 FM) is a commercial modern adult contemporary radio station in Phoenix, Arizona. It is owned and operated by iHeartMedia, Inc., with studios on East Van Buren Street near Sky Harbor International Airport. KMXP carries the syndicated On Air with Ryan Seacrest show in early afternoons.

Contents

KMXP has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the maximum for most FM stations. The transmitter is in South Mountain Park amid other FM and TV towers, south of Phoenix. [1] KMXP broadcasts using HD Radio technology. Its HD2 digital subchannel carries iHeart's "Pride Radio," aimed at LGBTQ listeners.

History

Classical and Easy Listening

The station signed on the air on October 28, 1961;63 years ago. [2] The station's original call sign was KEPI and it was owned by Ward James Atkinson. He sold within months to Golden Sounds, Inc. It had studios in the Adams Hotel and it aired classical music as part of the WQXR Network, based at New York's premiere classical station.

In the 1960s, most radios in homes and cars could receive the FM band. And with a classical format, KEPI found it hard to stay on the air. In January 1964, Golden Sounds asked for authority to go silent for up to six months. Ultimately, in the time needed to sell the station, it was off the air for nine months as a new owner was sought. When 96.9 returned to the air in October 1964, it was KMEO, broadcasting easy listening music and marketed as "Cameo," a moniker it held through several different owners. It played quarter hour sweeps of soft, instrumental music, with an occasional soft vocal. Beginning in 1967, it was simulcast with KMEO (740 AM). During this time, 96.9 used an FM suffix, as KMEO-FM, with its easy listening format offered on both AM and FM radio.

Soft AC, Oldies and Classic Hits

KMEO-AM-FM had good ratings. But by the 1980s, the easy listening audience was starting to age, while most advertisers seek young to middle-aged clients. So KMEO began to add more vocals and decrease the instrumentals in an effort to attract a younger audience. By the late 1980s, it had evolved to a soft adult contemporary sound. But several other Phoenix stations were also playing similar music, crowding the field.

On July 4, 1991, 96.9 FM became oldies-formatted "Sunny 97", switching its call letters to KPSN. [3] That was followed by a whirlwind of format and call sign changes. On November 28, 1994, it became classic hits KCHT (later KHTC). [4] [5] It first was called "96.9 K-Hits FM", then "The New 96.9 Classic Hits". It rebranded to KGLQ ("Eagle 96.9") in September 1997. [6] In April 1997, the station was bought by Nationwide Communications, a subsidiary of the Nationwide Insurance Company. The price tag was $34 million. [7]

Hot AC KMXP

On September 3, 1998, at 3 p.m., after playing "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions" by Queen, KGLQ began stunting with the sound of a ticking clock and messages advising listeners a big change would take place. The messages also poked fun at competing radio stations.

At 3 p.m. that day, 96.9 adopted its current format, hot adult contemporary, as KMXP, “Mix 96.9”. The first song on "Mix" was "New Sensation" by INXS. [8] [9] [10]

In May 1999, the station was acquired by San Antonio-based Clear Channel Communications. [11] In 2014, Clear Channel changed its name to the current iHeartMedia, Inc.

Shift to modern AC

Sometime in mid to late June 2024, KMXP began shifting its format from hot adult contemporary to a pop-alternative leaning adult album alternative (AAA) format that is closer to a hotter version of the modern adult contemporary format. [12] The station playlist was altered, with a number of songs that were played before the format change being removed from the playlist, and a number of songs that were previously played on the station (e.g. "SNAP" by Rosa Linn and "Shattered (Turn The Car Around)" by O.A.R.) were added back on the station, along with some songs normally played on alternative rock stations and the AAA format.

HD Radio

Mix 96.9's HD Radio signal is multiplexed. The main signal is a simulcast of Mix 96.9's hot adult contemporary programming. The second channel carries iHeartMedia's PRIDE Radio programming for the LGBTQ community featuring a mix of dance and dance-leaning pop music.

Mix969logo.jpg

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References

  1. ↑ Radio-Locator.com/KMXP
  2. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1964 page B-9, Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  3. ↑ Julie Newberg, "Dick Clark 61? He swears to it", The Arizona Republic, July 3, 1991.
  4. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1994/RR-1994-12-02.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  5. ↑ Julie Newberg, "'70s hits still hot stuff in nostalgia-loving '90s", The Arizona Republic, December 5, 1994.
  6. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-09-19.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  7. ↑ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1998 page D-24. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  8. ↑ Michael Clancy, "Harper eyes return to Valley screen", The Arizona Republic, September 5, 1998.
  9. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1998/RR-1998-09-11.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  10. ↑ "KGLQ 96.9 Phoenix - format change - September 1998". YouTube . 5 April 2020.
  11. ↑ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2010 page D-62. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  12. ↑ Mix 96.9 Phoenix Moves in Adult Alternative Direction RadioInsight - July 3, 2024


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